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December 24, 2001 // 10:49 p.m. // 08: Weezer, Weezer

08

Weezer

Weezer

Release date: May 15, 2001

Note: D-12's Devil's Night was originally slated for this position, but I couldn't figure out a logical review for it.

Four years ago, we thought we had seen the last of Weezer. After less than spectacular sales of Pinkerton, which lead singer Rivers Cuomo believed to be his most personal album, the remaining members of Weezer became disheartened, involved in side projects and waited for Rivers to get back into music. During their down time, all sorts of rumors abounded from Rivers becoming a recluse, to the group splitting up (which they kind of did). With their third release of Weezer, the band is back with a little of the old stuff and a little of the new stuff.

Weezer is only comparable to its predecessors in a few ways. There are only ten tracks taking up a less than fair amount of time (29 minutes) and the lovable sound heard more on Pinkerton than their first album is also here. The sound is new. With every album, Weezer seems to gain a little more edge and advances farther from the power pop/geek rock while at the same time retaining just enough for you to love the sound that made people fans in the first place.

The first original song released by the band in years, "Hash Pipe" is a rock song that seems to fit in well on the radio between songs by Staind and Linkin Park. The video, which featured sumo wrestlers, seemed to be the perfect way for Weezer to get attention and to proclaim they were back.

I only have one major objection to this album. The true ballad is few and far between. While "Island In The Sun" is my favorite song on the album, I believe ballads are one of the things Weezer does best and the closest thing other than that we have to a ballad is "Smile", which is also one of my favorite songs.

If I had to name one track that sounds like previous Weezer tracks, it'd be "Don't Let Go". It sounds more like it's from one of their previous two albums than this one. Unfortunately, their other nine songs sound the same, but fortunately for us, it's a different sound than what we're used to from them and even monotony from Weezer is better than the best from most bands out there.

What real reviewers said: They actually took the time to make a totally crunk geek-punk record, buzzing through ten excellent tunes in less than half an hour with zero filler and enough psychosexual contortions to buy Cuomo's shrink another hot tub. Original bassist Matt Sharp has long since departed to make his own techno records with the Rentals, which certainly seemed like a good career move at the time; otherwise, Cuomo assembles the old lineup to bash out 1994-style crunch-guitar nuggets like "Don't Let Go," "Hash Pipe" and "Simple Pages." In the five years since Pinkerton, Cuomo has gotten more oblique about his girl troubles - there's no "El Scorcho" or "Pink Triangle" here, which is a shame. But with the surging final ballad, "O Girlfriend," taking that crucial millimeter of a step toward maturity, Weezer deserve a huge hand for making the world safe again for frayed cardigans and nerd glasses, not to mention paving the way for the now-inevitable Gin Blossoms reunion tour.

Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone

2001 honors:

Comeback of the year, (Spin)
Top 10 album of the year, Weezer (Spin)
Top 20 single of the year "Island In The Sun" (Spin)
Top 20 album of the year Weezer (Maxim Blender
Top 15 Album of the year, Weezer (Alternative Press)

Singles: "Hash Pipe", "Island In The Sun", "Photograph"

Also check out: "Smile", "Simple Pages", "Knock-Down, Drag-Out"

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