Editorial Review
There's a classic episode of The Little Rascals where one of the gang can't join everybody else on the ballfield because he has to stay home with his younger brother, who has the croup. "I can't come out and play," he whines. "I've got to stay home and grease Wheezer!" Nobody at Geffen Records knows whether this was the inspiration in naming Weezer, but it makes sense. Like many of their peers, the members of the Los Angeles quartet seem to have spent their formative years in front of the TV; when they were a little older, they were just as entranced by college rock. Finally, ala the Rascals, one of the gang said, "Hey, kids, let's put on a show!," and the result is Weezer's uplifting, unpretentious, and extremely endearing debut.
The self-titled Weezer is lean and mean at 10 short, punchy tunes, but nearly every one is powered by a larger-than-life chorus or a simple but effective lyric. "Undone-The Sweater Song" uses an unraveling sweater as a metaphor for a relationship on the rocks; "Buddy Holly" pays heartfelt tribute to the '50s rocker, and "In the Garage" paints a scene of suburban teens jamming while surrounded by posters of Kiss. Producer Ric Ocasek of Cars fame pushes the vocals and rhythm guitars, and this bare-bones approach may earn comparisons to fellow garage-pop band Green Day. But Weezer has more in common with the late, lamented Big Dipper, another group of slacker wiseguys that you just had to love. --Jim DeRogatis
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Customer Reviews
Stands the test of time 
2008-01-18
I have had this record for over 13 years and I still love it. I was blown away by the song Surf Wax America, it was a fusion of alternative rock and The Beach Boys. The track in the garage, is just a feel good quasi nerd anthem. A few of the cd's tracks such as only in dreams and the world has tuerned and left me here are a fusion of upbeat,quirky love ballads. This album is unique blend of diffrent music genres such as the 50's,60's, 70's and 80's made to stand out in the alternative music scene of the 1990's. This cd is rare gem because every song on the cd is excellent. There is nothing sub par about the blue album.
Irresistible pop-rock perfection 2008-01-18
I love Weezer's 1994 self-titled debut. At ten tracks, this is a piece of focused, irresistible pop-rock perfection. The LA quartet, led by Rivers Cuomo, emerged a universally appealing band for their pop sensibilities and underdog perspective. First of all, this is some of the plain catchiest music you'll ever hear. With the simple guitar lines but impeccable production, each song is capable of sticking with you for days at a time, even from first listen. But even the simple writing and catchy hooks don't overshadow the fact that Weezer is not only talented musicians but excellent songwriters. Weezer shows they are masters of the pop-ballad, and Cuomo is so endearing because everyone can comprehend where he's coming from in his lyrics. He is a nerdy, emotional optimist, who has problems with love and relationships just like the rest of us. "Weezer" does not have a weak spot on it, and with ten tracks is among the most immediately appealing pieces of 90s rock to be found. I highly recommend "Weezer" to all.
With "My Name Is Jonas," the album opens with a timeless song, which brings energy, great lyricism, and the irresistable guitar lines that pervade throughout the record. "No One Else" is an endearing, understandable and immediately catchy song. One of my favorites is "The World Has Turned and Left Me Here," a post-breakup number with the sort of emotion that everyone can appreciate. The excellent tribute "Buddy Holly" precedes the conceptual gem "Undone (The Sweater Song)," a clever metaphor that maintains the ingenious pop sensibilities of the rest of the album. The optimistic and appealing "Surf Wax America" comes before the masterpiece "Say It Ain't So," which from the opening bars is a classic rock song, the one that made me want to own this album so long ago. "In the Garage" is plain lovable, a song about the awkwardness of adolescence and the haven of garage rock. "Holiday" and the eight-minute closer "Only in Dreams" end the album perfectly.
This album is a perfect blend of catchy hooks, musical artistry, and lovable lyricism. Weezer's debut set the stage for their long and fruitful career, but despite their other fine LPs I feel they have yet to top their wonderful debut. Regardless of your musical leanings, there's no doubt you can get into this album. I highly suggest a purchase to everyone.
Supreme Fun 2008-01-17
I don't know how else to describe this album. It's loads of fun. The guitars are loud, but the singing and subject matter are hilarious and down-to-earth. A classic from the 90's.
Classic 90's album 2008-01-16
Weezer is the godfather of emo-rock that is taking over the rock music scene. That being said this album started it all, fuzzy guitars, pop lyrics, outcast persona, it is all there. What is amazing about this cd is that you can listen to it without even wanting to skip ahead to another song, it is strong all the way through. My favorite song is "In the Garage" which is simply classic, buy this cd now!!!
"Where I belong.." 2007-12-27
For a little while, at least, Weezer were one of the great bands of the 90s- their sound was a delicate and irresistible blend of crunching power pop, fragile indie introspection (with, admittedly, a few hints of emo fluttering in the background), and amped-up guitar rock. The whole thing was shot through with a delicate vulnerability and a disarming sense of humor. Weezer were the shy, nervous, and secretly brilliant souls who somehow managed to out-cool just about everybody else.
This aesthetic is very present on the group's self-titled debut (referred to by fans as "The Blue Album"). It features some of the band's finest songs and most beautiful performances- there's "My Name Is Jonas," which opens the album with a churning flood of melody and guitar chords, with some great lyrical imagery. "No One Else" is a chunk of ragged, bitter pop, and "In The Garage" is a disarmingly offbeat and genuinely touching anthem for loners and outcasts everywhere. "Only In Dreams" is a quietly and unstoppably hypnotic rush of melody and nervous energy, while "The World Has Turned And Left Me Here" has a lulling, irresistible melody. "Undone (The Sweater Song)," is a subtly barbed kiss-off with a weird little guitar line, and "Buddy Holly" is a catchy, hilarious, and heartwarming classic, an unapologetic nerd-rock anthem that deserved ever ounce of its success.
This is a just plain great album, and it belongs in every half-decent music collection.
Really Good Debut 2008-07-17
This Blue album could possibly be the best debut in the history of debuts. This is great in everly way. The only album better than it is Pinkerton. Songs like Only In Dreams and Surf Was America are really good and keep the album going through its hook anf catch filled debut. Recommend it anyone. (as well as their other albums)
great 2008-05-09
One of the best 90's albums. How have I never bought it before!? But I own it now!
Poppy & Universal with Dorky Charm 2008-04-27
Weezer released this debut album (later referred to as the Blue Album) and indie/alternative rock fans fell in love. The songs were ever-so catchy, but had hooky riffs and a simplicity, along with goofy lyrics molded into each song, making them clever and moving. Lyrics like -- I want a girl who will laugh for no one else, when I'm away she puts her makeup on the shelf, when I'm away she never leaves the house -- show how geeky love inspired singer River Cuomo feels in his insecure self-doubted way through-out the whole album.
The dorky charm is what makes this album great. It's poppy and universal, but in it's own un-hip cool alternative way. They became one of the biggest alternative bands of the '90's. The song "Buddy Holly" is not only catchy but interesting and entertaining. You can't help but sing along to the chorus. The video even makes a rendition of a Happy Days set-black & white and forever geeky.
Memories 2008-04-10
This album is one of a few albums that holds the most memories of the best times in my life. I was usually having a lot of fun when I was listening to this album.
"What's with these homies dissin' my girl?" 2008-04-05
This is a hell of a record - clear, concise, crisp, catchy power-pop, it's a small wonder it caught on the way it did. The ubiquitous single "Buddy Holly" is here, and its charmingly gawky lyrics, vocal hooks most bands would die for, and brilliant Happy Days video make it one of the best songs of the '90s. But the other singles - the nervy Hollywood send-up "Undone (the Sweater Song)" and the personal, bitter grunge song "Say It Ain't So" (which, thanks to its inclusion in the apparently difficult singing tutorial in Rock Band, has led to an inside joke amongst my friends: "I hate `Say It Ain't So'!") - are just as good, and there are a bunch of other churning guitar-pop gems for your pleasure ("My Name is Jonas", "No One Else", "The World Has Turned and Left Me", "Surf Wax America", with a bizarre drop-off in volume; "Holiday"), and the mercurial Rivers Cuomo (at least as strange as his name, given the infamous Harvard story) paints himself as the quintessential dork on "In the Garage", which makes it easy for me, another dork, to identify with even if I don't like KISS. The lengthy "Only in Dreams" totally throws off the momentum, but it's only one song and it's the last one besides. You know, they're right when they call this one of the best of the '90s. It really, really was.
