So according to Rolling Stone's Facebook page, Weezer's first album, titled "Weezer" but nicknamed "The Blue Album" because... well... you can guess why, came out on this date 19 years ago... back in 1994, if my math is correct. I think they did it so they can get some hits for their 1995 article on Weezer's rise to fame, but I'm glad they did it because it gives me something to write about.
It's been a while since I've listened to Weezer's songs back-to-back. Sure, there will be a song randomly playing as I listen to music on my phone on the way to work, but I really haven't listened to an all-Weezer playlist or an album in a long time. In fact, while I was writing this last paragraph, I was listening to Metallica because a conversation between me and a work friend about a particular politician reminded her of "And Justice for All."
At several points in my life, Weezer had overtaken The Monkees as my favorite band of all time. I know, I know... "How can a band as awesome as The Monkees be dethroned as my #1 band?" you're definitely not asking yourself. Well, my first concert was a Weezer/Foo Fighters double headliner over at the Oracle back in 2005. Yeah... I started REALLY late with concerts. Weezer's Green Album, really named Weezer but nicknamed Green Album because... well... if you can see the Blue Album above, you can guess why again, really won me over, and Make Believe, the more emo of the five albums Weezer came out with at the time, spoke to me on a personal, emotional level. Even though they're not my all-time favorite band at this point in time, they're always going to be in my Top Five Personal Favorites, and 90% of my playlists and mix-CDs contain at least one Weezer song.
The Blue Album and Pinkerton, the first two albums by Weezer always switch spots over my top favorite album from them. Most people who like Weezer in general will agree that those two albums are the best in their discography. Some will say it's because of Matt Sharp, the original bassist, who co-wrote some songs off the first two albums before he left on bad terms with Rivers Cuomo, the frontman/lead guitarist... or is Brian Bell the lead guitarist? I can never get that right. Back when they toured with two nights playing "Blue Album" and "Pinkerton" respectively, in its entirety, I chose to go to the Pinkerton show. To be honest, I chose that one because I knew it would be easier to get tickets since most people know the songs off the Blue Album.
Most people who know Weezer know the three big songs off this album: "Sweater Song," "Say It Ain't So," and "Buddy Holly." I was first introduced to the band from the "Buddy Holly" video, which put the band inside the Happy Days universe, with clips of the show integrated into the music video to look like they're there, playing at Arnold's.
To be brutally honest, I hated that video when I first saw it. I thought it was a gimmick, trying to do the whole Forrest Gump meeting JFK and LBJ thing. Back then, I wasn't as rock-centric as I am today, despite Weezer being more power-pop or post-grunge pop-rock... whatever you want to call it. When I revisited the music video and the album in general back in college, I fell in love with it. The songs just speak to my inner... ha! more like outer... geek.
If it weren't for my days in college, and Napster, I don't think I'd be as rock-centric like I am today. Would Weezer be considered college rock back then? I know that was a term used for alt rock but I don't know if they were considered college rock or if that term was made for bands like Local H or Cake.
Back on topic, there's a lot of songs off the first album that I genuinely love. I would say I can listen to seven of them without ever feeling the need of skipping them. I know one of my friend's favorite songs from them is "In the Garage." I think the song reminds her of just geeking out with her brothers, playing D&D and reading X-Men. I love it for similar reasons, and I love it being unapologetic about being the nerd, loving the nerdy hobbies with similar-minded folks, secluded in a safe place.
Personally, I love "Say It Ain't So." I don't know... I think the emotion behind the song, the topic it's covering, and the way Rivers just sings this song hits me personally... that and it's just one of my favorites to sing in Rock Band. If I go into my old iPod and check the #25 songs listed, this may be #1... that or it's "Buddy Holly" I forget... but this is definitely one of my favorite songs ever. I don't know if it's my #1 favorite since all my favorites move like water when it comes to placement, but it's definitely a song that will instantly get me into listening to Weezer on a constant basis the minute I finish listening to it, possibly singing along as well.
Happy anniversary, Blue Album. You have definitely helped shape my music tastes for the better and get me through some rough patches in my life. If I remember to talk about it during the 20th Anniversary, I may have more to say. I don't know... but for the time being, this album is a major reason why Weezer is in my top 5 favorites of all time.
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