WEEZER | PINKERTON
From the opening feedback squalls and roomy drum sounds, Weezer made it clear its second release would be much less polished than its predecessor. The Blue Album is famous for being a perfect slice of power-pop rock delight, inspired by 50’s chord progressions and sugary melody. Pinkerton was in line to capitalize on the radio success of “Buddy Holly” and “Undone The Sweater Song”, but instead the band took a left turn down a darker and bumpier road.
Immediate success took Rivers Cuomo by surprise and he struggled to relate to the mainstream fans and jocks that were resonating with his music. The amended musical direction was less about surf wax and more about sensitive personal confessionals. It is a journal of raw intimate material, leaving more casual fans to trade its nervousness in for the leaner offerings of Bush and Foo Fighters.
While the Blue Album gleamed courtesy of Rick Ocasek’s shiny production, Pinkerton showed some dirt and grit, sounding more troubled and concerning. It was more Pixies, less Beach Boys.
The reviews were subpar as it divided both critics and fans. It was notably considered an embarrassment to the band at the time because of how personally cathartic the material was. What they didn’t know is that it would later become a celebrated triumph after it inspired a wave of new emo stars, including Jimmy Eat World and Dashboard Confessional.
Messy, painful, and humorous were common tags. It sits as a point of interest in the bands lengthy catalogue as later albums ended up returning to the catchy and refined sound of their debut, albeit with less naivety and heart. Listening to the Green albums’ lead single “Hash Pipe” it’s apparent the band wanted to run back to Ocasek for some safe enhancement. Radio loved it and once again they were back on the charts, but did they really want to leave Pinketon in the rearview mirror as a mistake in their canon?
Pinkerton is special because it is honest and brave. We all experience weakness and insecurity, and that’s where the album’s core resonance lies. What seemed like a career-ending flop is now a gold standard for Weezer albums to potentially return to. There are no supreme moments of ecstasy or bliss, but it’s certainly a display in virtuous sincerity. “Getchoo”, “No Other One”, and “Pink Triangle” are perfectly flawed and anxious highlights of the album’s condition.
Ending with an acoustic song exhausted from regret, heartbreak, and success, “Butterfly” feels as though Cuomo is sitting on the scruffy plaid sofa next to you trying to figure out what happened and where to go next. It could pass as a demo tape a high school friend passed along over a cigarette.
“I’m sorry” he concludes sadly – either an apology for the album itself, or an unfortunate foreshadowing that he would never return to its style again.
The Pinkerton
1 oz bourbon
1 oz gin
1 tsp lime juice
1 dash Angostura bitters
4 oz chilled ginger beer
*Shake all ingredients except the beer in a shaker with ice. Pour contents into an old Fashioned glass. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with an orange peel.