Being a Weezer fanatic isn’t easy. But it delivers.
Start
So it started when I was a college student.
Weezer.
I’ve loved them from their “Blue Album.” Buddy Holly. Say It Ain’t So. Released in May 1994, a year after I finished college.
Then “Pinkerton” a couple of years later.
Oh, God. I adored it. Across the Sea. The Good Life. I remember ironing my work shirts while singing along to the album. I was working as a trainee law solicitor at the time at a City law firm in London (well-ironed shirts were essential, of course.)
“Pinkerton,” at the time, was critically hated. In a readers poll, Rolling Stone Magazine readers went so far as to declare “Pinkerton” one of the worst albums of 1996.
The “Green Album” followed. A lot of haters, but I liked most of it. The music video of Hash Pipe is still one of my favorites. Did they then go on to produce garbage? Hmmm… well…
After the first three albums… errr…
After that, Weezer became, to me, at least, an actual blur.
I’ve always thought that one of the most challenging (but interesting?) parts of being a Weezer fan is (trying to) reconcile the complexity of the band’s lead singer and primary songwriter, Rivers Cuomo. He presents a paradox – a Harvard-educated rock star oscillating between ironic detachment and sincere emotional outpourings. His lyrical explorations of love, loneliness, and adolescence can be incredibly moving, yet his unpredictable artistic choices can also be bewildering.
Really, really bewildering.
After “The Green Album” came several albums that were just not memorable. Yes, albums with great songs on them (even the critically deplored “Make Believe” has one of my Weezer favorites of all time, Perfect Situation), but this was a time when I couldn’t name the albums in their order of release.
OK, I think “Raditude” was released before “Hurley,” but don’t test me.
I’m now skipping past a lot of albums… what? Well, then, in 2016, the “White Album” came out.
And it was great.
The White Album
Great. It’s California, Santa Monica. When a 45-year-old sings “Do you wanna get high?” or “Thank God for Girls,” you know Rivers Cuomo is a 25-year-old living in a 45-year-old body. Rivers often injects his songwriting with a unique blend of humor, nerdy references, and poignant introspection. His storytelling ability and knack for catchy hooks have become vital components of Weezer’s signature sound.
It’s the kind of album that took Weezer back to Weezer. After the “Green Album,” I sensed they became a singles band. Sure, every album had some great songs, but the rest were forgettable.
Following which…
And then a few things happened, which is why being a Weezer fan can be so excruciatingly fun (emphasis: “excruciatingly”). The band’s alternating periods of critical acclaim and harsh criticism have created a roller-coaster experience for fans. While some albums receive widespread acclaim, others get criticized, causing us to wade through a spectrum of public opinion, from overwhelming praise to harsh critique. This dichotomy contributes to the complexity of being a Weezer fan.
They released “Pacific Daydream” and their “Black Album“—both… meh. And out of nowhere, in 2019, dropped the “Teal Album,” which was Rivers just enjoying himself covering Toto (again), A-ha, Tears For Fears, etc. And, yes, TLC’s No Scrubs.
The “Teal Album” is an album that feels like Rivers doesn’t care anymore – he is just having fun doing what he does. But Jesus, it was crap.
But then, holy crapola.
OK Human
In early 2021, out of nowhere, they released “OK Human.”
With 12 tracks spanning just under 40 minutes, “OK Human” showcases Weezer’s willingness to experiment and evolve creatively. Weezer’s decision to work with a full orchestra on “OK Human” pays off significantly. The seamless fusion of classical instruments and rock instrumentation adds an extreme amount of depth and complexity to the songs that sets “OK Human” apart from the band’s previous work.
I love it. It was my favorite album of the year. What the hell was Rivers thinking when making this album? It was the pandemic for sure, but this has now become one of my favorite Weezer albums.
Now
Through all of COVID-19, Weezer kept mentioning the release of “Van Weezer,” a straightforward love album with songs mirroring the 1980s and Van Halen. It was hard-rock(ish). Lively, with shredding guitar solos. But it just lacked cohesion.
But Rivers is productive, and in 2022 Weezer released four EPs titled “SZNZ” (one for each season.). Fun. I mean, really fun. Not “Put them all together, and this is an Album of the Year – hey Pitchfork, what do you think?” But, damn, do they have to be?
Being a Weezer fan is not straightforward; it kind of requires a bit of patience, flexibility, and a genuine appreciation for musical exploration. The band’s unpredictable musical evolution, oscillating critical reception, changing image, and persisting inconsistency contributes to a unique and often challenging fan experience.
Yet, precisely these complexities make being a Weezer fan such a fascinating journey. Fans navigate through various soundscapes, traverse changing perceptions, and evolve alongside the band, ultimately embodying the spirit of Weezer’s audacious musical exploration.
I read somewhere that being a Weezer fan is a “testament to patience, endurance, and an open mind.”
My conclusion: At now 53, Rivers is having a great time. Weezer is having a great time. They love their fans, who love them back and don’t give a f**k.
But thank you for that.
Chris Garrod, July 27, 2023
Weezer – Saturday Night Live Debate