Career Retrospective-Weezer

   Weezer was a defining 90s rock act, blending geeky power pop with stadium anthems and managing to sell numerous platinum records in their 20+ year career.

That being said, despite their massive following and commercial accolades, they have a far from perfect track record, as my friend once said: "Weezer are the best band with the worst discography". Whether or not you agree with that is a matter of personal opinion, but at times there's definitely been some weight to that statement.
Picture 1994, shortly after the death of Kurt Cobain, grunge is seemingly dying out. Rivers Cuomo, Matt Sharp, Brian Bell, and Patrick Wilson released a ten-track debut album known simply as Weezer (or as it's been referred to in later years the blue album), and it absolutely set the alternative scene on fire.
It was fun, it was heartfelt, but most of all it was a kickass rock record. With radio hits "Buddy Holly", "Say It Ain't So", and "Undone (The Sweater Song)" the band was shot into superstardom nearly overnight.
The band in many ways wasn't ready for fame, frontman Rivers had trouble dealing with his newfound success. In between recording had surgery performed to align his legs, as he was born with one leg longer than the other. A big cocktail of pain and stress lead him into a reclusive state.
While many were hoping for a cheery follow up to The Blue Album, these personal conflicts lead to a much darker route and the final result was a loose concept album known as "Pinkerton".
It was a grungy, depressing record, full of pent up frustration and sadness. Fans and critics were indifferent initially. It failed commercially as well, and after touring finished Matt left and the band went on hiatus.
The funny thing is, during the five years Weezer was silent the album gained a following. The heart on the sleeve tone of the album resonated with many young music lovers and it's reputation lead to a gold certification.
in 2001, 5 years after Pinkerton came out the band started playing underground shows under the alias "Goat Punishment" with new bassist Mikey Welsh. The band started touring and wrote new material, in May of 2001 they dropped their second self titled album (known as the green album).
A short album clocking in at under thirty minutes the band displayed a much more pop-rock influenced sound, regardless the record is a solid entry in the band's catalog, boasting some killer riffs, and memorable tracks like "Hash Pipe" and "Don't Let Go"
Shortly after though, Welsh was placed in a psychiatric hospital for unknown reasons. The band hired Scott Shriner to replace him (and he's been with the band since).
They released a heavier, more experimental record the following year called "Maladroit". While it was an interesting change-up to their known sound, it felt rushed and unpolished. Fast forward three years and the band released their second highest selling record "Make Believe".
It attracted mainstream attention with hit singles like "Beverly Hills" and "Perfect Situation", but both critics and fans were mixed towards the albums overproduced sound.
Weezer's third self-titled album (the red album) was not as commercially successful as Make Believe, but it was more positively received due to its experimentation, it was still criticized by some for being overly ambitious and weak lyrically. Nonetheless, it featured the grammy-nominated hit "Pork and Beans" which sold over 600,000 copies worldwide, becoming their most popular single.
Now here's what I refer to as "the dark period". A mere year after "The Red Album" Weezer released their seventh record, "Raditude" (I'm cringing too, don't worry), and if Make Believe was "commercial" this was that amplified x10.
With a song written by The All American Rejects (shouldn't this be the other way around?) and another song featuring Lil Wayne (I wish I was kidding) the album was panned upon release and is widely regarded as the worst thing the band has ever done.
Signing with legendary punk label "Epitaph" many had high hopes for their next effort "Hurley". Once again we were all sorely disappointed. A commercial and critical disappointment it seemed the band had yet to learn from their mistakes.
It was announced they would once again go on hiatus, and after years of silence the band dropped a new single "Back To The Shack" in 2014, the track reminisces about the band's golden era and how they want to return to those days. It was fun and nostalgic and it seemed the band was heading in the right direction.
They released "Everything Will Be Alright In The End" shortly after to much acclaim. It seemed like a return to form, and while it was obvious the band was trying to recreate the magic from the early days, it was a damn fine step in the right direction.
But could they follow it up? Many were hesitant based on the band's past missteps. Over the course of a few months, the band released a few singles, King Of The World, Do You Want To Get High?, and Thank God For Girls. It featured classic Weezer themes and a tongue in cheek slant reminiscent of Pinkerton. It was slick and rollicking. It felt like a good middle ground.
The new album has since been revealed to be the bands fourth self-titled record, this time called "The White Album". The band finally seems to have come to terms with their legacy, they can acknowledge their influences without seeming like a nostalgia act.
Fan and critical response has been positive and the band have been touring in support of the record. Hopefully they stay on par with this standard on future releases, but either way weezer have certainly cemented themselves as alternative rock icons