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Product details
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Track Listings
| 1. Tired of Sex |
| 2. Getchoo |
| 3. No Other One |
| 4. Why Bother? |
| 5. Across the Sea |
| 6. Good Life |
| 7. Scorcho |
| 8. Pink Triangle |
| 9. Falling for You |
| 10. Butterfly |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
A hit single can be a bit of a mixed blessing for new bands, especially if said song gets you firmly lumped into the "novelty band" category. Such was the case with Weezer, whose runaway hit "Buddy Holly" touched a global nerve upon its release, then got on everyone's nerves after months of radio saturation. However, it did ensure that they sold millions of copies of their self-titled debut. Which is why it's so strange that their second album, Pinkerton, was soundly ignored. Perhaps it was down to that album's wilfully non-commercial first single, "El Scorcho", which crashed and burned out of the charts at a rate of speed usually reserved for the likes of Gary Barlow. Whatever the reason, Pinkerton soon disappeared without a trace, which is a shame because it's actually a great album. Whereas Weezer had the band revelling in their geek rock image, Pinkerton saw singer / songwriter Rivers Cuomo maturing as a lyricist: From opening track "Tired Of Sex", which rants about the frustrating easiness of groupies, to the New Wave pop of "Getchoo", to the sheer, unadulterated epic genius of "The Good Life", the songs are much more diverse than the Pixies-influenced bouncey grunge of their debut. With the closing solo acoustic lament of "Butterfly", Rivers Cuomo hints at his mastery of the pop song as an art form, suggesting great things from this reformed geek in the future. --Robert Burrow
Review
Weezer mean a lot of things to a lot of people, but since the mid-90s they’ve rarely stood proud as anyone’s favourite band. The reason’s very simple: diminishing returns. Once the 21st century dawned, the Rivers Cuomo-fronted pop-rockers seemed to content themselves with releasing a handful of killer singles and packaging them on albums full of mediocre filler. It wasn’t always the way.1994’s eponymous debut, commonly referred to as The Blue Album (two further self-titled sets, of 2001 and 2008, were coloured/titled Green and Red respectively), spawned MTV-courting hits Buddy Holly, Say It Ain’t So and Undone; via a winning mix of mega-sized hooks, heart-on-sleeve lyrics and clever promo videos, it made unlikely stars of four geeky-looking guys from Los Angeles. But it’s 1996’s Pinkerton that is repeatedly held aloft by fans as the finest album in the band’s catalogue. And with good reason: it’s the perfect mix of melancholy and sunshine, heartache and honey, rejection and reflection. And the pain isn’t purely emotional: Cuomo had recently undergone surgery on his back and to lengthen a leg, and was walking with a cane.In the booklet that accompanies this deluxe repackaging – with plenty of juicy exclusive content, including recordings from 1996’s Reading Festival – there is evidence that Cuomo, the sole writing force throughout, was wary of Pinkerton not ticking the same boxes as its predecessor. In a reprinted letter he writes, "I hope you all don’t hate it… but I really wanted these songs to be an exploration of my dark side". And, frequently, they are; albeit with said explorations into a fractured mindset complemented by comparatively upbeat instrumentation. The song titles offer clues as to a shift in emotion and attitude – Tired of Sex, Why Bother? – but a cursory scan of the lyrics paints a vivid picture of a soul cut adrift. Sure, there are cute rhymes and neat choruses, but Cuomo was mining some coal-black feelings for inspiration."How stupid is it / I can’t talk about it / I’ve gotta sing about it / And make a record up" – so goes a song-along section of El Scorcho, in just a few words summarising everything Pinkerton’s about. It’s brilliant pop, musically effervescent and conceptually evergreen, but seriously bruised. It’s such a potent recipe. And it’s not aged in the slightest – while hardly a hit on release, its critical reputation has grown immensely.While there are probably several new LPs of 2010 that have deserved their five-star reviews, 12 months down the line chances are that few buyers will be regularly returning to them. The same can’t be said, personally, of this. Almost 15 years on it remains a stereo regular, and loved like the day it was delivered, awkwardly and self-consciously, into a world that didn’t know what to do with it. And, largely, still doesn’t. So give it a home, won’t you; it could be your album of the year. --Mike Diver
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This was actually the last of all the Weezer albums that I bought. My dad had given me some money for a much-needed new swimming costume for our upcoming holiday, but I saw this and simply could not let it pass, because I had nver ever seen it in a shop before and I didn't have the internet to order it. Yes, it is elusive. And yes, after the first listen I wasn't really impressed. Pinkerton doesn't have the same punchy, easily-accessible sound to it that 'The Blue Album' (eponymous debut) and 'The Green Album' do, perhaps even that 'Maladroit' does. But after I decided to give it another chance on my walkman on the way to school I discovered that each song is a meticulously crafted, extremely personal insight into the frontman, Rivers Cuomo. Not only was I excited by the fact that it lasted exactly the length of my bus journey (34 minutes, which, in my opinion, is roughly the perfect album length for our simple human minds to stay focused on); as I listened again, I was satisfied by the afore-hidden melodies of the songs. I could sing along!
This really is a fine album. If you listen closely enough you will discover that each song is just as gratifying (with 'pop-sensibilities' I think the media call it) as the debut's, and you will marvel at Rivers' ability to compose succint, personal pop songs made to sound, at the same time, like the best clash of electric guitars EVER.
Buy this album!
This really is a fine album. If you listen closely enough you will discover that each song is just as gratifying (with 'pop-sensibilities' I think the media call it) as the debut's, and you will marvel at Rivers' ability to compose succint, personal pop songs made to sound, at the same time, like the best clash of electric guitars EVER.
Buy this album!
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
During the summer of 1995 Buddy Holly was on heavy rotation and you would hear people praising a video they found on their computers operating system. After some vigorous touring for the "blue" album. Rivers Cuomo upped sticks and enrolled into an ivy league college.
Then in the autumn of 1996 Pinkerton was released without much attention except for the preceding single, el scorcho.
At first many of the people who had bought the blue album were extremely skeptical and labelled WEEZER as a one hit wonder.
However Pinkerton was an open book of personal trials in which many people could relate to.
Kicking off with the lo-fi intro to TIRED OF SEX the song then explodes into a rock anthem detailing the boredom of the high life and the struggle of finding a partner to settle down with. The fuzz rock of GETCHOO follows in the same vein as does the anthemic NO OTHER ONE. WHY BOTHER is a mid paced rocker which details the struggle to motivate after failing in love stakes. ACROSS THE SEA is about a letter recieved from a japanese schoolgirl asking all about them, musically it is monumentous from the piano-led intro through to the fuzzy solo. THE GOOD LIFE is a cheery sing-along which lyrically has yearns for a return of the lifestyle described in TIRED OF SEX. EL SCORCHO sounds like the pixies and has a great rousing chorus. PINK TRIANGLE is an amazing song with a country/rock feel but describes a relationship with a girl who would be perfect only to find out that she is a lesbian. FALLING FOR YOU is undoubtedly the albums high point sonically it is a classic sounding like a more beefed up PINK TRIANGLE but with a lyrical theme that everyone can relate to, meeting your perfect partner but feeling inept to do anything about it.IT contains the immortal lyric "what could you possibly see in little ol'three chord me". The album ends on the placid butterfly which Rivers plays solo. At just over thirty three miniutes the album may not appear to be a rock epic but it clearly conveys the thoughts of one person in which many others can relate to. People who enjoyed the recent JIMMY EAT WORLD or RIVAL SCHOOLS albums will love PINKERTON. Simply PINKERTON is the album which describes perfectly love won and lost.
Then in the autumn of 1996 Pinkerton was released without much attention except for the preceding single, el scorcho.
At first many of the people who had bought the blue album were extremely skeptical and labelled WEEZER as a one hit wonder.
However Pinkerton was an open book of personal trials in which many people could relate to.
Kicking off with the lo-fi intro to TIRED OF SEX the song then explodes into a rock anthem detailing the boredom of the high life and the struggle of finding a partner to settle down with. The fuzz rock of GETCHOO follows in the same vein as does the anthemic NO OTHER ONE. WHY BOTHER is a mid paced rocker which details the struggle to motivate after failing in love stakes. ACROSS THE SEA is about a letter recieved from a japanese schoolgirl asking all about them, musically it is monumentous from the piano-led intro through to the fuzzy solo. THE GOOD LIFE is a cheery sing-along which lyrically has yearns for a return of the lifestyle described in TIRED OF SEX. EL SCORCHO sounds like the pixies and has a great rousing chorus. PINK TRIANGLE is an amazing song with a country/rock feel but describes a relationship with a girl who would be perfect only to find out that she is a lesbian. FALLING FOR YOU is undoubtedly the albums high point sonically it is a classic sounding like a more beefed up PINK TRIANGLE but with a lyrical theme that everyone can relate to, meeting your perfect partner but feeling inept to do anything about it.IT contains the immortal lyric "what could you possibly see in little ol'three chord me". The album ends on the placid butterfly which Rivers plays solo. At just over thirty three miniutes the album may not appear to be a rock epic but it clearly conveys the thoughts of one person in which many others can relate to. People who enjoyed the recent JIMMY EAT WORLD or RIVAL SCHOOLS albums will love PINKERTON. Simply PINKERTON is the album which describes perfectly love won and lost.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
With the release of Make Believe I now own 5 =W= albums and already i find myself reverting back to their older albums - in particular Pinkerton. This, in my humble opinion, is not only Weezer's best, but also one of -the- best albums currently in circulation. When i saw the slow record sales and all the critics slating it as a complete failure after the success of their debut I was honestly dumbfounded. It is an excellent album and is finally getting the praise it deserves - from 'Tired of Sex' right through the melancholy brilliance that is 'Butterfly' I never grow tired of listening to it. Favourites for me are Tired of Sex, Why Bother?, Across the Sea, The Good Life, Pink Triangle, Falling for You and Butterfly. So basically the whole album - there isn't a bad track on it!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Dark days make for superb songs
Now considered by many fans and critics alike to be the high-water mark of Weeer's musical career, 'Pinkerton' was met with a lukewarm response upon release, due to the deeply... Read more
Published 24 days ago by Mr. D Burin
Incredible...
This is my favorite Weezer album. The best song on the album, in my opinion, is pink triangle, a song about a man who finds the perfect woman and then discovers that she is a... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Frickleshnitz
Wow!!
Well I didn't expect this! For someone who rates the Blue Album extremely highly, I was surprised to find myself prefering Pinkerton over their debut album, but I really do! Read more
Published 14 months ago by Cliff Chips
Weezer's best album
I recently got this album after the many good review being a quite large weezer fan and owning most the albums this was one that was missing. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Dannyb4
The Good Life
Pinkerton is hands down one of the greatest ever made. From the opening wail of 'Tired of Sex' to the stripped back, emotional finale 'Butterfly' there is not a weak moment on the... Read more
Published on 19 July 2009 by Mr. Drew Woolnough
a forgotten nugget of quality
Pinkerton,released in 1996 is widely regarded as a flop,it wasnt as summery and jovial as their debut which of course boasted the classic single 'buddy holly'. Read more
Published on 18 July 2008 by sean paul mccann
Not the real Weezer!
I own all of Weezers albums apart from this one and I never want to own this album. It is possibly the worst album I have ever heard this isnt the Weezer we know and love! Read more
Published on 28 May 2008 by M. Bianco
Weezer's Tour de force
Brillinat, Fabulous, awesome, a knockout punch!
these are reviews i have read regarding weezer's first album, but surly, to people in the know, Pinkerton is when weezer really... Read more
these are reviews i have read regarding weezer's first album, but surly, to people in the know, Pinkerton is when weezer really... Read more
Published on 12 Dec 2007 by vincent brain
my favourite album
what can i say about this, as i said its my favourite album, ever, its different from the rest of weezers back catalogue for sure, but id say thats what makes it better. Read more
Published on 12 Aug 2007 by Austin Young
approach with caution
so then what to do after selling millions of your debut? personally i would have tried to write another one!!! weezer on the other hand went the other way and made this.... Read more
Published on 7 Aug 2007 by whitetrashtrixie
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