Say it may be so
I’ve had a plethora of harsh feelings regarding Weezer over the past few years and it all began with the Green Album. More recently those feelings soured with my sudden distaste of Maladroit. Now, I languidly watch the band’s website every day as they chart their return to the studio in attempt to record their 5th studio album. Recording at a breakneck pace, Weezer plans to get as much work done as possible before the band’s diminutive leader Rivers Cuomo heads back to school. And as I type this I can’t help but think to myself, “If they pick up where Pinkerton left off, they could once again be my favorite band”.
On the way back from the second Braid show last month, Alex pulled out Pinkerton from the confines of Gabe’s CD jacket. Maybe it was the mood that passed between us that night and maybe it was the aftershock of seeing one of indie’s greats, but whatever it was, Weezer’s second album resonated in me like never before.
I’ve always liked Pinkerton. To many it was the stepson of Rivers Cuomo that won its way into the hearts of Weezer fan everywhere. But to me it will always be “the second best”. That night though it felt like something much more; for me it sounded like the continual spark of a movement that never really saw its fulfillment in my eyes. I didn’t say anything like that at the time, I simply sung along to the music with the rest of the car.
And then a few days ago I resurrected Pinkerton from my CD collection and gave it another spin…and then another...and then another. All in all, I must have listened to that album 20 times in the past few days. Why, I couldn’t possibly fathom. That is, I didn’t understand it until I began to grapple with the fact that Weezer used to be my favorite band. That’s right, used to be. Radiohead holds the mantle these days, but back when I was new to the world of music, before I even had a CD collection, Weezer stood as the undefeated champions of my youth. As sappy as this may sound, they were the musical icons I choose to represent “my voice” in the world. Rivers Cuomo and his band of geeks became my generational spokesmen. And then they wrote the Green Album. I can’t quite accept that straightforward, mechanical exertion of music, but Cuomo seems to be absolutely fond of it. Personally, I’ll take the unhinged, raw expression of feeling found within Pinkerton.
When I listened to Pinkerton the other day I felt like I came to a crossroads with my “former favorite band”. Knowing that a new album may be just around the corner, I can only hope that they pick up where Pinkerton left off. I just want Weezer to be a group of songwriters now, not rockers and most certainly not song technicians.
And so here it is: Let’s say their next album fulfills the promise set down by Pinkerton. Let’s say that Weezer’s 5th album disregards the poppy sound beloved by our current MTV viewers, and immerses itself in the dark innuendo and self-depreciation enjoyed by the band’s real fans. If such a thing were to happen, and I’d be completely surprised if it did, then I’d be willing to give the champions their crown back. That’s right. Weezer could be my spokesmen again. Their music could be the soundtrack to my life once more. Pinkerton proved that Cuomo had a songwriting talent that went unappreciated by a generation of teeny-boppers, and if Cuomo has any sense during these recording sessions, he’ll let that talent create a work that can once again reflect the thoughts of fans like me.
7 comments:
Very nice reflections on your musical past. I, too, am a Pinkerton lover.
The situation you describe, turning up Pinkerton almost by chance, makes me think of women. Its like you bumped into an ex-girlfriend at a store and you decided to go out to dinner. You start by reliving all the great times that you had together. You're becoming positively enamored again ... but then you realize that when you wake up tomorrow this is still going to be the person that has all those same flaws that caused you to break up with them in the first place. You're hopeful yet remorsefully know that you're dreams are not to be.
Excellent. And I'm sure the new album will stink.
You deserve better, Brock.
I have also noticed that Eyes Like Static makes excellent use of images. That's one thing that Try Avoidance is severely missing.
I was fortunate to be an early Weezer adopter. Not because I had my hand on the pulse of the musical underground, but by mere chance.
Growing up, we had no MTV. In fact, we had no cable whatsoever. We didn't "want our MTV," because we had no concept of it. Our friends, it would seem, were equally poor, or equally disinterested in paying for a service that satisfied them for free. That is neither here nor there.
We did catch on to a local access show called RAGE. It was on channel 38 at 1:00 am Saturday night/Sunday morning. It was late 1994, and Weezer's Buddy Holly video became among the first music video we ever saw (I speak for my brother's here). HUM's Stars was another. And Dandelion's Weird Out was another. And those songs and bands will be forever burned into our conciousnesses.
So it was that Weezer's Blue Album became among my first CD purchases, and among my first obsessions. Pinkerton was released after my move to Phoenix, and that was picked up immediately upon release.
Pinkerton did comfuse me to begin with, but I came to see the beauty in its rawness rather quickly. In time, and to this day, I can cite all the lyrics and hum every riff and hook on the album, even Butterfly.
I agree wholeheartedly that the last two albums have left me High and Dry. There is something missing, as though the songs were written about nothing at all. The first two albums seemed ripped from the heart, but the last two have very little heart whatsoever.
It's good to have Weezer around again, whatever music they make, but let's hope for the best with the new album. Rivers doesn't want to expose himself, but, when he does, it's brilliant.
I too, like Josh, came to appreciate Pinkerton very quickly. I wore that album out. I just love the fuzzy drums in the first song. I'm sure you noticed, Brock, that when I have a Weezer album in my case, it's usually Pinkerton.
You were right about there being a mood that night. It definitely sounded sweet. Even Alex commented "I forgot how good this ablum is."
I started to type up a comment on this post, but it turned into a Try Avoidance post. Please go there to read it.
Jeremy-
I’m glad you like the use of images on the blog. I’m often a little hesitant to place images on the site, but I think they’re needed, especially when we’re referencing a specific album.
About Pinkerton, I was thinking about your analogy all day today and you’re completely right. It was like I had rekindled a lost relationship. I think that’s part of why I’m willing to give Weezer a second chance with this next album. I went through the Blue Album special Edition and Pinkerton last night thinking, “if they were this good again, then I’d be wiling to let them back into my life”. Using your relationship analogy again though, how long before the girl returns to her usual tricks? Maybe the next album will “feel” like a return to that magical relationship I had so long ago, but on repeated listens I’m sure it’s bound to tarnish. Those cherished memories in Pinkerton on the other hand have lasted a lifetime.
And thanks for telling me I deserve better. I think Weezer did too.
Josh-
It’s ironic you mention the Blue Album as being one of your very first album purchases. Rebekah and Gabe gave it to me as my very first album. It’s cool to share that similarity with someone. It’s a great piece as well, and it has much of the heart that seems to be lacking from The Green Album.
I can’t even begin to remember what my first music video was, but it must not have been anything extraordinary. Buddy Holly is a great introduction to the world of music videos. And I wish I’d checked out that RAGE program when it was around. At the time I didn’t know of much beyond Weezer, so it might have been a great way to find out about new music. Most of those bands you mention as being on the program were later introduced to me by Gabe though, so it all worked out.
I totally agree that when Rivers lets his guard down he creates some of his best work. I thought the veneration the public gave him years after Pinkerton’s release would have reaffirmed his confidence in expressing himself, but I guess it didn’t.
Gabe-
I’ve definitely noticed that Pinkerton is your Weezer album of choice whenever you put one in your CD case. We’ve listened to that album many times together while driving around town. I think we rotated it a few times on the way to and from our screenwriting class last year.
I remember Alex saying that too! A few months ago he and I were talking about Pinkerton, and he said, “I don’t think it was as good as the blue album”. That may be true, but Pinkerton is the album that always seems to come around and hit you from behind when you least expect it.
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