I find in life that the reason I tend to talk about bad movies or disappointing art more is that I can talk about it endlessly and reveal nothing about myself other than a certain prejudices. Which I am gone with though when it comes To art that I like it seems like we Reveal more about ourselves in this case myself when describing it as we express what we admire and in a way why and what we see in it. Exposing others to what we desire and are passionate about our worldview to a degree. It's a revelation as deport then surface as we talk about something of populate but read into It a certain degree that might only exist in our thoughts. Not necessarily what is there or made clear. It's like letting someone on this case a group your gooey center and not just the delicious shell you showcase and deliver. I am used to letting people in, but not too deeply and here in this review that might be the case. When talking about meanings. You'll see what I mean.
Now I choose to do this out of frustration which is truly the fuel of my creativity most of the time when not results in drunken or tipsy escapades (of I can remember and don't throw up I am my drunk) that I have chosen not to chronicle here. You see there is a book series named 33 1/3 that I am a minor fan of, where writers devote a book around 100 pages of an essay/memorial to an album. Dissecting them and stories about production both technical and gossip heavy. Though usually the books get around to what makes the albums special to the writer and the world who know it. This album is the subject of one of those books that seems to be one of the rare that has been discontinued as it seems near impossible to find it anywhere. So while not a book, not even a novella I decided to try one of my own for this particular album as it is one very personal to me and short. It's an album whose themes are easy to identify with. It feels like being at home comfortable, safe, familiar but also a bit more exciting. Though it is alone When it comes to a album that becomes a instant classic with you or at least an album to identify with so much that it stays with you over the years. Sure at times you listen to it so much you get tired of it, Then some time goes by and listening to it is familiar but almost like new, even though you can quote it. You listen to it and wonder why you stopped on the first place as you realize this is a defining album because there are plenty of songs you rocked to a bunch when you first got it, and while you can still listen to it. Over the years you don't feel it like you used to or laugh at what you thought was once cool. No real emotional attachment any connection is more nostalgic. In fact listening to it there are on a handful of songs maybe only one that you listen to it for and know where to skip to or which to download. Rather than have to sit through the whole thing (Which is why concept albums are great for bands to a degree trying to listen to some of the songs as singles is displacing as they work in album order as part of a story the album is telling) though a defining album never goes away. You can listen to it in it's entirety and never get lost. In fact you might have forgotten a song or a certain lick or tone the songs have. Listening to it feels like eating a large warm chocolate chip Cooke and drinking it down with milk. (Unless you are Lactose intolerant) It overcomes your sense and makes you feel good and comfortable. Flooding your mind with good thoughts, maybe even memories of the times it was your soundtrack or the thoughts running through your mind like a movie and the album is the soundtrack. Either way you find easy comfort with it and are pieces of music that can stir up instant emotions in you. They have a sort of indulgence yet aren't forcing anything on you. As you chose it. It’s an experience you want to tell everyone about it
This is the tale of one such album.
I can understand why PINKERTON isn't performed more by them. Here is a sophomore album different then their Debut. Not as polished more D.I.Y. Indie stripped down and way more personal. The songs aren't out right confessionals, but have themes, problems, dilemmas, confusion. Really a portrait of him at that time in life. Almost like a journal and here he was brave enough to share it while putting a universal sheen. Then the album bombs different when the audience wants the same.
Rivers see's it as a personal rejection of him, his beliefs and interests. So over the years an audience builds for the album in it's absence and once he is taken time off for himself. Then he decides to return to fans and the audience. Plus while away worked on songs and studied it. It's science like the subjects he did In college. Now that he is back though, he questions did they now become fans due to absence? Making the heart grow fonder? Was it because it was the last material released at the time. ? Did these new fans jump on the bandwagon. Since Weezer were now mythic and reclusive. Reading about the drama of the album. Did they just jump on the bandwagon as Weezer became popular for the reclusiveness? Was the album ahead of it's time, not power pop ending and now the emo generation came along and worshiped it so now that time had come and the audience or public caught up with it?
So now that he has his life focused and together he was open to playing it, but before it was a bitter pill to swallow performing. It reminding him of the rejection ad also the memories as those songs were so personal those bad memories, came rushing back which it was rare the band performed any songs off of that album.
Now once in awhile his songs are personal, but now rare he whole album be that way. Plus he is in a better happier place. So you get a glimpse here and there. Now the songs while fun and there for some full on emotion. Never really feel personal. They are entertaining, but removed from personality. I still love the band. I even own his solo albums. Which are a lot of outtakes and demos. Which feel like a personal folk acoustic album.
This album truly is rock as it stayed familiar but plays by it's own rules it was more emotional and personal. Didn't rely so much on pop. It's a romantic album that constantly turns dark, like a bruised romantic. Not necessarily to someone but for the passions and obsessions we have. If that happens
It's interesting that the album was considered a failure, but as it was discovered by audiences and fans it ended up becoming the album that opened them up to a grander audience. It was more of a word of mouth album that gained traction as a cult album. In fact the year of it’s release it was ranked as one of the worst albums of the year in a reader’s poll of Rolling Stone magazine. As it spoke to many of them as something so personal. That was shared and out of appreciation become fans. Also the hiatus the band took only added to the legend of the band and album as rumors about them and the lead singer Rivers Cuomo ran rampant. Until finally all was explained when the next album came out The Green Album years later. So that added to the cool, elusive legend of the band at the time and ever since. As some might say this was the bands last great full album. I would credit MALDRIOT as the last good full one. (I am partial to The Red Album and MAKE BELIEVE as great almost albums) As ever since some have been better than others. All usually have a few songs that I appreciate and like.
The album started off as what was supposed to be a rock opera after recording 8 songs it was decided it wasn’t going to work so the album was reworked with some songs written before the blue album. The album actually faced a lawsuit from the Pinkerton Securities about the name of the album.
I bought PINKERTON a little while after it came out. I didn't have cable to see the videos, nor did I really see any promotion. I just saw it on a shelf and immediately bought it. While different it felt more deep an personal then the previous blue album. It quickly became part of my high school years soundtrack as it always took me away. The album tapped into my feelings and made me feel someone out there understood me or at least got it (me and my personality I mean) like a connection though not a physical one. Which is a relationship I feel a lot of fans feel for the bands and musicians they are fans of, there is a relationship that feels personal though isn't. Even though they have fans and you are happy. They are successful only you get them only you have those personal moment with them that no one else can see or saw as long as you record they personally didn't see it. It's sense and cool.
Everyone else doesn't get them like you do. You were there first. The rest are posers jumping on the band wagon. Weezer were more a nerd band none are heartthrob. They seem to be non threatening.
The album makes the male fan feel like they can be a rock star, look at them. I just need the talent. Plus they aren't a fad band anymore they have staying power and girls don't like them necessarily for their looks. they seem like regular guys who you can hang out with and whose job happens to be playing music in a band. They just happen to be talented singers musicians almost like this is all a passionate hobby, not a living.
They are a band whose albums are hit or miss, but whenever they have new songs or albums I find myself at least giving them a chance. I can't resist like an ex you still stay in contact with and can remember why you fell for them, bit also why you broke up with. Yes you broke up with them not the other way around an though they act like they don't care you can tell they do.
Songs of note
TIRED OF SEX - What? A great opener. Setting the time. Sounds stripped down and raw. Like a song performed and recorders at a small rock club. It sounds like they are struggling as the sound/noose fills the room. Sounding bigger then their surroundings. Yelling, straining rivers voice sound passionate and bitter. While battling throughout the song eventually they sound up to the challenge and are defeating it. The lyrics, a clever satire showing though they are big rock stars. Tired of se they are still not getting or a romantic ode that they are getting so much. Each girl is interchangeable and not really intimate. Though have to do it as it is offered and being polite and don't want to be alone but long for a personal connection. A special someone, they can be with and not just have sex with, but make love to only them. Until then they are forced to keep going on. No real reason why. I can only think of for sustenance and who knows how long it will last.
PINK TRIANGLE - this song seem like it's about a man who has built up an ideal a out a girl he really liked and tried to impress as they are perfect for each other. She was the one. Then he discovered, she was gay. Not that there is anything wrong with that. Though for him it feels like a betrayal. Though apparently he was wooing her or a friend. Not actually dating or romantically linked. The clues were there he choose not to pay attention. Teaching him to find out about the facts first don't assume and build up things in your mind. As it will never be as goo or as simple as you think. This isn't the film CHASING AMY.
GOOD LIFE - getting back into your groove. Being you true self. It's ok to worry about our future as you are slowly becoming the person you are, how we all long for life to be like it was when we were teens virtually carefree and taken care of, it still feels that way now we are expected To be responsible.
BUTTERFLY - like a blues song. It's meaning seems to an ode to being selfish. Wanting something so beautiful and wanting to keep it all to yourself. Even if doing so damages it beyond repair. IT's worth it. Now that you have runaway i understand the damage done and I should he let you be free and eventually omit was meant to be it would have been. Now I understand while before I didn't I couldn't help myself. I might have forced myself on you. I made you defensive and affected you took away that innocence. I wish you'd comeback, but understand of you didn't. All I can offer is my apology. My life will never be the same without you. I still remember that brief time when you were all mine. I will always care the guilt of what I have done. Like herpes. I never meant to hurt you, but of you ask me would I have changed anything. No not really
FALLING FOR YOU - the fear he has as he realizes what was supposed to be a fling or a friendship is actually more he is finding feelings for this person and actually falling in love to him and it's the scariest thing In the world to him. He's too young To feel like this and it might be forever. Finding the strength to say his feelings and realizes this might be the person he wants to be with for the rest of his life, but what if she doesn't feel the same and rejects him. It would kill him.
ACROSS THE SEA - long distance love song. How he feels a strong connection to a girl millions (not literally) of miles away from him more than those around him who he see's practically every day. How he feels he can be personal and tell her his secrets with little to no judgments and as she asks nothing of him but gives herself completely (by writing him letters seems like she was a fan first) the least he can do is give her and wrote her a song. His form of expression and the most personal thing he can do for her ever. It might have also started as a chance meeting while overseas but he is so ensnared by this woman that he can't give her up and chooses to stay true to her and wait until they can be together again and she fuels him and his desire. It's worth it as this is truly a love story and when they are with one another they can savior each other physically. As they are getting to know each other emotionally.
The whole album is excellent song a like El Scorcho I don't believe I can fully explain their meaning to me they are still mysteries to me and the definition is ever evolving. The album feels like it's about finding a personal connection joke trying I find out who you are and where you got in. Trying to overcome feeling guilty about your feelings and things you obsess with that other might label you weird for.
At least this is my interpretation of it. Without known facts so much. Other then it seems Rivers Cuomo has a fascination with Asian women
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