In the garage (Weezer) (LP 4829 - 4832)

Weezer  Weezer (a.k.a. The blue album)  (CD, DGC Records, 1994) *****  

Weezer  Make Believe  (CD, Geffen Records, 2005) **** 

Weezer  Weezer (a.k.a. the red album)  (CD, Interscope Records, 2008) ****  

Weezer  Weezer (a.k.a. the white album)  (CD, Atlantic Records, 2016) *** 

Genre: Power pop, Indie rock

Places I remember: The Virgin Megastore

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Buddy Holly (blue album)

Gear costume: California Kids, (Girl We Got a) Good Thing (white album)

They loom large in his legend (The Album Collection playlists): Part 1; Part 2; Part 3; Part 4; Part 5; Part 6; Part 7; Part 8

Active compensatory factors: I've already written about Weezer's Six Hits EP (you can read it here). Weezer's power pop approach means they are a band that appeals to me immensely. However, I'm not exactly sure how I ended up with four of their albums.

Weezer's lineup has been reasonably consistent throughout their recording years with only some changes in bassist along the way. Basically, Weezer is made up of Rivers Cuomo (lead vocals, guitar); Patrick Wilson (drums (1992–present); Brian Bell (guitar); and since the 2000's, Scott Shriner (bass).

The blue album is their debut from the mid nineties and it's a complete winner. Ric Ocasek, from The Cars, produced it and he knows what he's doing. He helps the band bring out the power and the pop and the fun!

Three big singles came from the album:  Undone – The Sweater Song, Buddy Holly, and Say It Ain't So, but there is no shortage of other singles potential. In the Garage is one example. It's their version of The Beach Boys' In My Room. Another is Surf Wax America.

AllMusic sums up the sound of Weezer on their debut by saying: [The band] skillfully fuses the raucous energy of punk, the loser-friendly geekiness of indie rock, the guitar power of grunge, and the huge hooks of radio rock -- then adds some heavy metal guitar heroics and Rivers Cuomo's oddball lyrical perspective. As I said - it's a winner!

Make Believe is their fifth album (they are prolific). Beverly Hills was the hit from the album (it would have fitted on their debut without any problem). The Weezer brand of muscly power pop continues to develop on Make Believe, with Rick Rubin producing.

The red album was their sixth. It's a different, mad, catchy, goofy, brilliant, fun album/sound. Each of the three coloured albums with the Weezer title have been relaunches of a kind. A new chapter to the Weezer story, if you will. Red album does the same as the band lighten up, share the lead vocals more than ever, and confidently dance to their own beat - which continues to be as catchy as all get out.

Their next reset, their tenth, was the white album from 2016. It's another great Weezer album with nods to The Beatles (the white album) and The Beach Boys (California Kids amidst others) and the blue album's goofy Weezer sound (Girl We Got a Good Thing). Yes - another winner!

Where do they all belong? Weezer consistently deliver power pop at its creative sweet spot.

Oo-ee-oo I look just like Buddy Holly, Oh-oh, and you're Mary Tyler Moore (Weezer) #549

Weezer Buddy Holly/ Say It Ain't So/ Hash Pipe/Island In The Sun/ Beverly Hills/ Perfect Situation  (DGC Records, 2008)

Just like it says on the tin - six of the best from Weezer (the link will take you to Weezerpedia for more info).

Are you ready to have some FUN ? (do that in your best Kramer voice).

Nuthin too deep here - just great songs full of hooks, guitars, hooks, falsettos, guitars, rockin' beats, and hooks.

Basically we're talking about a young punk Steve Miller's kid brother hit machine!

Hidden gems: If we call the first three the A side, then the next three are...um...oh yeah - the B side: The boys dial it back a tad for Island In The Sun - insanely catchy! and Beverly Hills is the closest to a glorious Steve Miller style romp.