Pinkerton (studio album) by Weezer

Honestly, I get it. The lyrics are creepy, the guitars are rough, the synths aren't as cute as they were on Buddy Holly. And yet, I can't get enough of it. It's incredible, truly. Weezer lost none of its catchiness, and simultaneously avoided being pigeon-holed as disposable pop. Even the weirdest track on here, Across the Sea, is so catchy I find myself humming the chorus melody, while avoiding the lyrics. Just cause I wouldn't sing those. But with the lyrics showing serious emotional bloodletting, they're not dragging this thing down. Honestly, I get it. And its incredible.

Very very good 100/100

This is without a doubt the best album I've ever listened to, and the epitome of what alternative should be. Symphonic yet catchy, emotional but not cheesy, it's perfect. Rivers Cuomo has a reserved place in the pantheon of immortal songwriters.

Avoiding the sophomore slump, Weezer kills it with this album. It's the perfect combination of power pop hooks and emotional lyrics. It's incredible singles like El Scorcho and The Good Life didn't tear up charts back in 1996, these things are catchy for days. If you do anything, listen to this album

One of the most honest, personal, emotional, passionate, relatable and soulful albums ever.

From pjohnsongolf 12/04/2020 18:40

Almost as good as Blue. Still a perfect album in my opinion

Blue Albums has the better singles but as a whole album Pinkerton sounds MUCH better.

Guilty pleasure or brooding masterpiece? Not sure, but I find myself coming back to this one often. Something about those catchy Weezer hooks and fun harmonies matched with a darker, less polished production.

Even Rivers himself questions what's going on here: "What could you possibly see in little ol' three chord me?"

1. 90
2. 100
3. 95
4. 100
5. 65
6. 100
7. 100
8. 90
9. 65
10. 75

Pinkerton takes the guitars and rums from The Blue Album and ups their volume while shifting from subject of love and alcohol to college life. The lyrics famously personify River Cuomo's experiences during his time in college, meaning that the overall sound on the album as darker and more abrasive compared to the debut. This is something closer to actual grunge music, like Weezer following in the footsteps of Pixies.
The Weezer sound is still there, along with hooky choruses and harmonies, but ins one way, this feels like taking the concept of The Blue Album into the wrong direction. The subsequent Green Album sounds more like the natural progression of Weezer's music.
It's that quirky playfulness and the unexpected twists and turns in the collection of songs that make Pinkerton a wholly satisfying follow-up LP for the band. While the best songs here aren't quite as memorable as the ones on Blue, they are still among the finest the band has written.

From micah88800 06/16/2020 20:00

Sometime I feel a little weird listening to this album in my late 20s, so I can understand why Rivers tried to disown it. Sexual frustration being laid bare in the form of music is never going to be pretty, but if I think back on how impactful this was to me as an 18 year old it demands to be in my favorite albums ever. Objectively these songs are perfect power-pop, even if the lyrics can be a bit much.