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 -
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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:
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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.
