Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
I'm a believer, 31 Dec 2005
Looking at Weezer's impressive back catalogue of catchy, summery albums it is easy to see why so many have slated this album as an undesirable step out of the mould. Initially the album doesn't make much of an impression, but after a few listens the quality touches Weezer seem to administer with astonishing ease become apparant and the album begins to display a level of musicianship previously unseen from the band.Fair enough there's a significant lack of the bouncy and the cheerful on this record but rest assured that doesn't mean a decrease in the interest. The least appealing track has to be Beverly Hills which, once you've got the riff stuck in your head, becomes irritating and cheap-sounding. Thankfully the rest of the album veers away from the anthemic somewhat and rests on a more mature sound which I think (probably in contrary to everyone else) suits the band, as they themselves are now well into their thirties. Stand-out tracks are the fantastic 'This Is Such A Pity', an 80s tinged look back at the Pinkerton days and 'Pardon Me' which sounds like the bigger, bolder sister of 'Butterfly'. There is a definite similarity between this album and Pinkerton which is perhaps unusual given lead singer Rivers' hatred of the excellent 1996 record. This time around, however, the album has a more focussed sound which isn't interrupted by often similar sounding cheerful tracks. This is, as many others have commented, an essential album for an Weezer fan's collection, although there is a newer sound which may appeal to others who have been put off by their previous work. A great new direction for the band.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I believe in it, 17 May 2007
Excuse the cheesy review title, I couldn't resist :)
Anyway, this is a great, no, fantastic effort from Weezer. This album has something about it, something brilliant. It oozes quality throughout and brilliant songwriting (Rivers Cuomo is very under-rated for one thing) and great melodies. And they've had it produced by a living legend in rock music: Rick Rubin.
So, it starts. And that's with the party-rocking 'Beverly Hills'. Cuomo and co. chant, rather than sing: 'Beverly hills, that's where I wanna be!' And, if you've seen the video, you might agree.... 8/10.
Track two, 'Perfect Situation', is a song you will hear a lot of its sound during the album. I don't mean to say that all the songs sound like it, just that the structure is similar, with great melodies, solos and songwriting. 'Though I can't satisfy all the needs she has and so she starts to wander....can you blame her?' Cuomo asks. 9/10.
Track three, 'This Is Such A Pity', has a distinct 80s feel to it, where as that may seem a bad thing, it isn't here, because it is only the drums and there are a few keys thrown in. The song itself is pure class. 9/10.
Track four, 'Hold Me' is a lovely ballad, albeit a fairly rocky one at that. Cuomo's lyrics are captivating, and it makes for a great listen. 10/10.
Track five, 'Peace', typifies what Weezer are so good at doing...writing fairly heavy rock songs while maintaining a very melodic ethos during them at the same time. Brilliant. 10/10.
Track six has 'hit' written all over it. The curiously titled 'We Are All On Drugs' kicks off with a brilliant riff, before Cuomo opens into the first verse; 'You're out with your friends in your new Mercedes-Benz and you're....on drugs!'Maybe it's his general view of society, I don't know if he is that narrow-minded. Anyway, it's a hit. Brilliant. 10/10.
Track seven, 'The Damage In Your Heart', is another melodic number, and a ballad. This is one of my favourites on the album, I must admit. 'Let it go, the damage in your heart..' Cuomo sings. 10/10.
Track eight, 'Pardon Me', is a similar kind of song to the last one, in the sense that it ticks the same boxes. Catchy riff, yet melodic, rock ballad, and great songwriting. However one thing that sets this song apart from the last one is that it's more anthemic. Fantastic. 10/10.
Track nine, 'My Best Friend', in my opinion, is one of the weaker offerings here. I find it too boring in comparison to the other songs, and maybe it's a sign that Weezer are running out of ideas (?) 7/10.
Thankfully not. Track ten, 'The Other Way' is a return to the two previous tracks. I like this song a lot. I like the melodic yet heavy hooks that Weezer conjure up. I like Cuomo's songwriting and these kinds of songs are the kind that have propelled Weezer into the mainstream. 10/10.
Track eleven, 'Freak Me Out', is rather different. It begins rather creepily, if you like. It's nothing like the previous ten songs, but don't worry. It's still Weezer, just not as you know it. 8/10.
Track twelve, 'Haunt You Every Day', again is different. But it is more Weezer than the previous track. Firstly, a piano riff comes in along with guitar riffs, and it builds up to a great chorus. Yes, like the previous offering, it is creepy in parts. But the chorus transforms the song into what the rest of the album was. It's weird because the first ten tracks belong together, then eleven alienates itself from them, and twelve is trying to make its way back to what the rest were. It's a fantastic track, don't get me wrong. It is still very much Weezer. 9/10.
'Make Believe' has been out a while, and I have taken a while to review it, because I have so many albums I can't all review at once, I suppose.
Weezer are a top band. Make no mistake about it. And if anyone had any doubts about them before this album, this latest offering should put them to rest. 9/10.
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3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best Weezer Album Yet? Oh Hell Yeah..., 15 May 2005
This is the album Weezer fans have been waiting for. 'Make Believe' takes the developed songs of the 'Blue Album' and 'Pinkerton', and adds the soaring hooks of the 'Green Album' and 'Maladroit', and the end result is a phenomenal collection of perfect pop and rock songs.
Things start brilliantly with 'Beverly Hills'. The simple hooks of this song take a while to get used to, but after this track everything is full power. 'Perfect Situation' is one of Weezer's best songs yet, and 'This Is Such A Pity' is probably the most original Weezer song yet - it reminds me of the Police, and is a brilliant addition to Weezer's reputation.
The stand out tracks are the first three that I have mentioned, 'The Damage In Your Heart' and 'The Other Way', the latter being the best track on the album.There isn't a bad track on this album, and this is without a doubt the album of the summer.
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