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Mate's Takes - The Weezer Discography

Posted: 07 Nov 2009, 10:39pm
by matedog
Starting in chronological order I will also review the bonus tracks and b-sides because some are pretty damn essential. Also, the reviews will get shorter after Pinkerton because the music is a lot less good and less fun to write about but there are still some worthwhile bits.

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1. My Name Is Jonas – 8. My name is Wepeel, got a box full of your toys. Fresh out of batteries, but they’re still making noise.
2. No One Else – 5. One of the weaker songs on the album. The chorus isn’t particularly special and the double track vocals definitely are deleterious. Still, it has its charms such as the clever vocals on the second verse and general exuberance. This one smokes live, but on record it leaves a bit to be desired. Example of live smoking -
[youtube][/youtube]
3. The World Has Turned and Left Me Here – 5. Another one that never did a lot for me. The lyrics are typical of the more serious moments of the album which are simplistic yet heartfelt which really sells it. Unfortunately, the melody isn’t all that strong and there isn’t much of a shift in dynamics throughout the four minutes. Not a bad song by any means.
4. Buddy Holly – 8. Buoyant pop rock synthesizers, falsetto vocals, pseudo-rap phrasing, clever lyrics, and hooks galore.
5. Undone – 8. Another generational classic. Key change guitar solo, falsetto 1-8 harmony, off kilter vocals. Unique yet oddly familiar.
6. Surf Wax America – 7. This is a borderline 8 song but that might be partly skewed by memories of the band closing with this one and everyone going crazy. The break down in the middle makes classic Weezer classic Weezer. Fun as hell.
7. Say It Ain’t So – 9. Everyone between the ages of 16 and 30 (if not a greater span) knows this song. Angsty, depressing, and great. The vocal arrangement may be less interesting than some of the other songs but I’ll be damned if the 1-8 falsetto harmony doesn’t make the first verse.
Best live version I’ve ever seen:
[youtube][/youtube]
8. In the Garage –5. Heston’s favorite Weezer song. This is also one of the less memorable songs on its own but it is absolutely essential to the album.
9. Holiday – 7. Another gem. The first half of the song is really just a set up for the awesomeness and joy of the second half that follows another great breakdown (hence it not being a solid 8). Excellent vocal arrangement again.
10. Only In Dreams – 8. Eight minute epic closer. The chorus melody is nothing special, but everything else is. This is simply about a guy that has a crush on a girl and asks her to dance with him and she accepts. As cheesy as it sounds, Rivers and co. completely sell it. “You say ‘It’s a good thing that you float in the air (in the air). That way there’s no way I (I) will (will) crush your pretty toenails into a thousand pieces.’” When people say they miss Rivers writing good lyrics, they aren’t talking about some kind of great poetry but simple lines like those that are unobvious but completely evocative (and those awkward backing vocals seal the deal). Of course I haven’t even mentioned the glorious breakdown and build up and guitar orgy at the end.

B-Sides
Mykel and Carli – 8. Named after the original fan club presidents who died not too long after this song was written in a car crash. Unfortunately, this makes the lyrics “I had these two best friends, til the school bus came and took my friends away” almost prescient. The song would have been a welcome addition to the Blue Album proper. It tells a fictionalized tale of Rivers and his friends Mykel and Carli. They gave him a hat and the teacher took it away. The guitar solo is short but ever so sweet. Great essential song.
Jamie – 7. There are two b-side versions. The first is an electric version that was done for a student project before the blue album sessions hence the sound not being quite as good as the blue album and the second is an acoustic version. Both versions are equally great. A love song to their lawyer with some typical off kilter lyrics for the period that the band completely sells.
My Evaline – 6. Interesting four part harmony vocal exercise that’s less than a minute long.
Susanne – 7. Classic 6/8 Weezer in every sense. Harmonies, solos, metal band references all in a seemingly sincere ode to a lady.

Re: Mate's Takes - The Weezer Discography

Posted: 07 Nov 2009, 11:23pm
by Flex
Quality reviews, Matey.

Re: Mate's Takes - The Weezer Discography

Posted: 08 Nov 2009, 12:34am
by matedog
Flex wrote:Quality reviews, Matey.
I'm pretty sure you are the only one here with any sort of interest in this subject but I can at least do it as a writing exercise. And then maybe go back onto the old Weezer board and post it there.

Re: Mate's Takes - The Weezer Discography

Posted: 08 Nov 2009, 12:36am
by eumaas
I like Pinkerton. Never been interested enough to explore further, though.

Re: Mate's Takes - The Weezer Discography

Posted: 08 Nov 2009, 12:36am
by Flex
matedog wrote:
Flex wrote:Quality reviews, Matey.
I'm pretty sure you are the only one here with any sort of interest in this subject but I can at least do it as a writing exercise. And then maybe go back onto the old Weezer board and post it there.
I don't really think I have any objections to your ratings, except for the minor quibble that I'd go ahead and give "Surf Wax America" a solid 8.

Re: Mate's Takes - The Weezer Discography

Posted: 08 Nov 2009, 12:36am
by Flex
eumaas wrote:I like Pinkerton. Never been interested enough to explore further, though.
You might like Blue Album well enough. I doubt you'd be impressed with much else.

Re: Mate's Takes - The Weezer Discography

Posted: 08 Nov 2009, 12:38am
by Inder
Have you heard the Geffen demo for Say It Ain't So? It's a lot darker and heavier.

Re: Mate's Takes - The Weezer Discography

Posted: 08 Nov 2009, 12:51am
by matedog
Flex wrote:
eumaas wrote:I like Pinkerton. Never been interested enough to explore further, though.
You might like Blue Album well enough. I doubt you'd be impressed with much else.
I'll admit that my ratings are somewhat inflated do to the fact that I might have listened to this album more than any other in my entire life. This is what my copy looks like now -
Image

I don't have a good enough feel for Eumme's taste in music, but I'll PM it on over and CC Flexo if he doesn't have the b-sides.

Re: Mate's Takes - The Weezer Discography

Posted: 08 Nov 2009, 12:57am
by Flex
matedog wrote:I don't have a good enough feel for Eumme's taste in music, but I'll PM it on over and CC Flexo if he doesn't have the b-sides.
I got that deeeeeeluxe edition they put out a while back so I gots me some sweet Weezer b-side action, yo.

Re: Mate's Takes - The Weezer Discography

Posted: 08 Nov 2009, 1:00am
by eumaas
matedog wrote:I don't have a good enough feel for Eumme's taste in music
Its defining quality is that it's mostly good. ;)

Re: Mate's Takes - The Weezer Discography

Posted: 08 Nov 2009, 1:03am
by matedog
Flex wrote:
matedog wrote:I don't have a good enough feel for Eumme's taste in music, but I'll PM it on over and CC Flexo if he doesn't have the b-sides.
I got that deeeeeeluxe edition they put out a while back so I gots me some sweet Weezer b-side action, yo.
Well fuck you.

Re: Mate's Takes - The Weezer Discography

Posted: 08 Nov 2009, 1:04am
by Flex
matedog wrote:
Flex wrote:
matedog wrote:I don't have a good enough feel for Eumme's taste in music, but I'll PM it on over and CC Flexo if he doesn't have the b-sides.
I got that deeeeeeluxe edition they put out a while back so I gots me some sweet Weezer b-side action, yo.
Well fuck you.
:kiss:

Re: Mate's Takes - The Weezer Discography

Posted: 08 Nov 2009, 1:05am
by matedog
Inder wrote:Have you heard the Geffen demo for Say It Ain't So? It's a lot darker and heavier.
Is that this version:
[youtube][/youtube]
I had only heard these demo versions very recently. Beyond that, I had only heard the Kitchen Tapes which had that tasty little tune "Thief, You've Taken All That Was Me."

Re: Mate's Takes - The Weezer Discography

Posted: 08 Nov 2009, 1:38am
by Inder
matedog wrote:
Inder wrote:Have you heard the Geffen demo for Say It Ain't So? It's a lot darker and heavier.
Is that this version:
[youtube][/youtube]
I had only heard these demo versions very recently. Beyond that, I had only heard the Kitchen Tapes which had that tasty little tune "Thief, You've Taken All That Was Me."
Nope -- clicky.

Re: Mate's Takes - The Weezer Discography

Posted: 08 Nov 2009, 10:27am
by Dr. Medulla
Flex wrote:
eumaas wrote:I like Pinkerton. Never been interested enough to explore further, though.
You might like Blue Album well enough. I doubt you'd be impressed with much else.
I like the first three albums well enough, but since then it's seemed too much filler.