Rolling Stone Magazine named this album the “third worst of the year” when it came out. Then about 5 years later it was named the 16th best album of all time. Ha! It’s definitely my favorite Weezer album.
If we got a nickel every time something fails and then years later gets labeled a classic, we would be doing pretty dang good. Chipoltle's on me brahs🤠
"I asked you to go to the Green Day concert, you said you'd never heard of them. How cool is that? So I went to your room, and read your diaryyyyyy".......look of complete confusion. Brilliant.
"Tired of Sex," "Across the Sea," and "Butterfly" are my favorites from this record. Little note to give a hint as to Rivers' mindset at the time of this album. The first line of the entire LP is "I'm tired," and the last line is "I'm sorry."
The album is also based on Rivers Cuomo's (lead guitar) life during his time in Harvard University which he stated as a dark time in his like hence the darker sound and lyrics on this record.
Fun Fact: Butterfly almost didn't make it to Pinkerton. The song was recorded at 4 am on the last day of the session after Rivers Cuomo talked about it for weeks. The album closer was initially meant to be Longtime Sunshine.
Not sure that tracks, really. The original cut of Longtime Sunshine was reworked with slightly different lyrics and an added a capella style outro, which feature lyrics from songs on Pinkerton, but also the scrapped Songs from the Blackhole. It was never made originally for Pinkerton, and was only tweaked for Songs from the Blackhole, meaning I doubt it was ever planned for Pinkerton. Tragic Girl being the original intended closer for the album makes more sense, but even then I'm not 100% sure on that either.
This album was supposed to be an album called songs from a black hole, which was scrapped but a lot of fans remade the album, its pretty much the Brian Wilson's smile for indie music
@Mytchell Nolan nope, two different albums you can find songs from a black hole on UA-cam a lot of cool UA-camrs have released there own interpretations of it
I really love this review. The ear for song craft gives something more than the usual “this is a banger - so fire!” of normal reviews, which is fine btw. But talking about modulating into the solo really made me think more about the choices in the songs and I really appreciate it. Great job.
Once I read that Pinkerton was loosely based on Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly, everything clicked for me, and a once misunderstood album became one of my favorites!
The song Butterfly is based on an opera called Madame Butterfly, which is basically a story about an army dude named Pinkerton who hooks up with this girl named Butterfly in Japan and leaves. The girl ends up having a child and Pinkerton finds a wife back in America, and when he finally returns to Madame Butterfly with his wife, she is so heart brokwn that she kills herself. Please keep in mind I have never watched it I just know the plot.
Really insightful! The B-sides on this album are excellent, they sound more like the Blue Album. Songs like "you gave your love to me Softly" and "I just threw out the love of my dreams".
Awesome reaction, I was looking forward to you experiencing the solos and feedback on this record. Some background info that might explain some of the strange songwriting choices on the record: Rivers had become very interested in the opera Madame Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini at the time of writing this record. Pinkerton is the name of one of the principal characters in this opera. I believe many of the crazy modulating solos, instrumental breaks, and harmonizing feedbacks are all modeled to mimick operatic passages as well.
Weezer kinda left this sound behind after Pinkerton. They've made some pretty good stuff since, but not like this. If you want something with the same sort of sound, I'd recommend Ozma - Rock And Roll Part 3
@@daed1819 so Pinkerton bombed so badly rivers hated himself and hated Pinkerton, so he tried to remove emotion from his songs, maladroit was an attempt reconnect with the original fans and it was more emotional and influenced. Makes sense that ewbaite feels the same bc it was another attempt to connect with the original fans
Great stuff, Tony. I loved this. I really enjoy how you mention music-theory things. The key-changes and modulations on Pinkerton are one of the very best things about the record and is a treat for people with musical knowledge. And that interesting triplet vocal in “What could you possibly see in (little old 3 chord me)” in Falling For You is something that never struck me. milk.
Weezer keeps trying to recreate their original sound to get their fanbase back, but they think their origin was metal. It wasn't. it was that pixies vibe mixed with the nirvana vibe mixed with the beach boys vibe. I wish they could do that again.
Awesome video! I've been waiting for this one. Another album/band you should check out is Ozma's debut record Rock and Roll Part 3. They're inspired by Weezer and Rivers himself has said that Rock and Roll Part 3 is in his two albums every Weezer fan should listen to. Ozma has even opened for Weezer multiple times.
Man you heard this and good news there's a deluxe version of this album with all the b sides that are all killer, also rivers Cuomo alone 1 and alone 2 are both amazing
Love this video man. I personally think the Blue Album is a little bit better than Pinkerton as well, however I can really see why there’s a crowd of people that find it better than the Blue Album. If you liked both of these albums a lot, then I think you’d honestly like the White Album too from 2016. I feel like it’s a hybrid of Blue and Pinkerton. It has the fuzzy guitar sound and goofy charm of Blue, but also more complex guitar arrangements like Pinkerton. It’s also a concept album.
@Jacques Gachassin and I think Ok Human is just as good if not better than both EWBAITE and White but then again I love all 3. The Futurescope Trilogy singlehandedly made the album top 5 for me so I'll give you that
Tony Whitburn since you’ve listened to it and enjoyed I’ll recommend another band Built to Sill the guitarist/lead singer cite j mascis as a big influence the album “keep it like a secret” by them is great. And I also recommend Aja by steely dan if you haven’t already heard it. Keep up the good videos
11:13 Nice catch! Also take that Radiohead (they were probably still recording OK Computer at the same time as this album though). Are you wearing a Blur milk shirt in the video by the way?
Hi Tony, your next reaction should be "Dayvan Cowboy" by Boards of Canada. Or just any album by them to be honest. They never seem to dissapoint on any of their releases.
Scans channel.... Seriously man, how the hell are you reviewing (and enjoying) EVERY album I love also?!?! I have to find something you havent reviewed yet and suggest it lol!
You should do Maladroit! It's painfully overlooked imo. Rivers' heavy metal roots shine through on the album and there's some really cool, technical riffs.
You don't have to do a review but check out their cover of Velouria from the pixies. Also way back they also were a nirvana cover band called goat punishment.
Was a little shithead punker when this came out but I instantly fell in love with it. Imo their best album. Blue is good too but defnitely second to Pinkerton. The rest of their stuff never really interested me. Great reaction.
Matt Sharp's influence on the Weezer sound is very under-appreciated. After he left, I feel like the original spirit of Weezer left with him. Nothing sounded the same since. For me, Blue and Pinkerton ARE Weezer.
Rolling Stone Magazine named this album the “third worst of the year” when it came out. Then about 5 years later it was named the 16th best album of all time. Ha! It’s definitely my favorite Weezer album.
Sometimes, it does take a while to see greatness.
Moral of the story, rock magazine critics blow
@@Paul-dw2cl LOL. If you want to talk about how many times Rolling Stone has been extremely dismissive of classic albums, we would be here all day.
If we got a nickel every time something fails and then years later gets labeled a classic, we would be doing pretty dang good. Chipoltle's on me brahs🤠
"I asked you to go to the Green Day concert, you said you'd never heard of them. How cool is that? So I went to your room, and read your diaryyyyyy".......look of complete confusion. Brilliant.
🤔 Haha
Pinkerton for energy
Ertonjon
"Tired of Sex," "Across the Sea," and "Butterfly" are my favorites from this record. Little note to give a hint as to Rivers' mindset at the time of this album. The first line of the entire LP is "I'm tired," and the last line is "I'm sorry."
In the deluxe edition, there’s a song called Long Time Sunshine which is my all-time favorite Weezer song!
Yo Tony, this record is loosely based on Madame butterfly. After you read the synopsis it's very clear. And rivers wife is indeed japanese.
The album is also based on Rivers Cuomo's (lead guitar) life during his time in Harvard University which he stated as a dark time in his like hence the darker sound and lyrics on this record.
Yo this one’s a classic! Pure solid catchy songwriting.
Fun Fact: Butterfly almost didn't make it to Pinkerton. The song was recorded at 4 am on the last day of the session after Rivers Cuomo talked about it for weeks. The album closer was initially meant to be Longtime Sunshine.
Butterfly and Longtime Sunshine are both top 10 songs for me.
honestly i would've rather had longtime sunshine
@@lumenarmada3158 as amazing as that song is, butterfly fits better the context of the album
Def listen to longtime sunshine!
Not sure that tracks, really. The original cut of Longtime Sunshine was reworked with slightly different lyrics and an added a capella style outro, which feature lyrics from songs on Pinkerton, but also the scrapped Songs from the Blackhole. It was never made originally for Pinkerton, and was only tweaked for Songs from the Blackhole, meaning I doubt it was ever planned for Pinkerton. Tragic Girl being the original intended closer for the album makes more sense, but even then I'm not 100% sure on that either.
This album was supposed to be an album called songs from a black hole, which was scrapped but a lot of fans remade the album, its pretty much the Brian Wilson's smile for indie music
Damn that’s cool did not know that
@Mytchell Nolan nope, two different albums you can find songs from a black hole on UA-cam a lot of cool UA-camrs have released there own interpretations of it
I really love this review. The ear for song craft gives something more than the usual “this is a banger - so fire!” of normal reviews, which is fine btw. But talking about modulating into the solo really made me think more about the choices in the songs and I really appreciate it. Great job.
Once I read that Pinkerton was loosely based on Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly, everything clicked for me, and a once misunderstood album became one of my favorites!
The unreleased songs and b-sides from this album are equally amazing. Everyone should hear them. "Tragic Girl" especially!
W
I just threw out the love of my dreams is my favorite
tbh Waiting on you I think is way better and IJTOTLOMD is overrated@@haydenclark4592
tired of sex has to be my fave weezer song. everything about it is just perfect. your reactions to it are great
I have been waiting SO LONG for this
The song Butterfly is based on an opera called Madame Butterfly, which is basically a story about an army dude named Pinkerton who hooks up with this girl named Butterfly in Japan and leaves. The girl ends up having a child and Pinkerton finds a wife back in America, and when he finally returns to Madame Butterfly with his wife, she is so heart brokwn that she kills herself. Please keep in mind I have never watched it I just know the plot.
@Emma Featherston no that's actually just him talking about a relationship actually
You should check out Siamese Dream by Smashing Pumpkins and Souvlaki by Slowdive sometime
Really insightful! The B-sides on this album are excellent, they sound more like the Blue Album. Songs like "you gave your love to me Softly" and "I just threw out the love of my dreams".
Awesome reaction, I was looking forward to you experiencing the solos and feedback on this record.
Some background info that might explain some of the strange songwriting choices on the record: Rivers had become very interested in the opera Madame Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini at the time of writing this record. Pinkerton is the name of one of the principal characters in this opera.
I believe many of the crazy modulating solos, instrumental breaks, and harmonizing feedbacks are all modeled to mimick operatic passages as well.
I know you said you appreciated the tenderness of Butterfly, so another Pinkerton song that reaches that is "Long Time Sunshine" on the deluxe record.
love your exuberance
The Bassist left and started his own band The Rentals. You should check out The Rentals first album Return of the Rentals. Really good stuff
YES DUDE I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS
Weezer kinda left this sound behind after Pinkerton. They've made some pretty good stuff since, but not like this. If you want something with the same sort of sound, I'd recommend Ozma - Rock And Roll Part 3
I kind of got some of these feels on EWBAITE, their third best album imo
@@holypaper EWBAITE is definitely top 5 for me. White and Maladroit too
The USSR's Atomic Bomb Yeah Maladroit is the closest we’ve gotten to Pinkerton 2.
@@holypaper What are ur thoughts on white?
@@daed1819 so Pinkerton bombed so badly rivers hated himself and hated Pinkerton, so he tried to remove emotion from his songs, maladroit was an attempt reconnect with the original fans and it was more emotional and influenced. Makes sense that ewbaite feels the same bc it was another attempt to connect with the original fans
YES FINALLY
There he is!
@@Paul-dw2cl there who is🤣🤣🤣
Haha, I just like the profile pic
@@Paul-dw2cl ohhhh yeah cause he reacted to it
@@niceparker8401 yes
11:07 WOAH. YESTERDAY I LISTENED TO THIS SONG AND NOTICED THAT AND COINCIDENTALLY I WATCH THIS THE NEXT DAY AND SEE YOU NOTICE THAT TOO, NICE
THE UNIVERSE DUDE, IT'S ALL CONNECTED
@@willoverdoseonmusic bru
Great stuff, Tony. I loved this. I really enjoy how you mention music-theory things. The key-changes and modulations on Pinkerton are one of the very best things about the record and is a treat for people with musical knowledge. And that interesting triplet vocal in “What could you possibly see in (little old 3 chord me)” in Falling For You is something that never struck me.
milk.
Loved this album from day one. Turned a lot of people onto it.
Love this record. Bonafide classic
Weezer keeps trying to recreate their original sound to get their fanbase back, but they think their origin was metal. It wasn't. it was that pixies vibe mixed with the nirvana vibe mixed with the beach boys vibe. I wish they could do that again.
I remember buying this as a kid when it first came out, I loved it and the mainstream hated it. How wrong they were
Awesome video! I've been waiting for this one. Another album/band you should check out is Ozma's debut record Rock and Roll Part 3. They're inspired by Weezer and Rivers himself has said that Rock and Roll Part 3 is in his two albums every Weezer fan should listen to. Ozma has even opened for Weezer multiple times.
What’s the other album that every weezer fan should listen to?
@@gribblebenis3758 Pet Sounds
Man you heard this and good news there's a deluxe version of this album with all the b sides that are all killer, also rivers Cuomo alone 1 and alone 2 are both amazing
I recommend you the song "burndt jamb" from weezer
Love this video man. I personally think the Blue Album is a little bit better than Pinkerton as well, however I can really see why there’s a crowd of people that find it better than the Blue Album. If you liked both of these albums a lot, then I think you’d honestly like the White Album too from 2016. I feel like it’s a hybrid of Blue and Pinkerton. It has the fuzzy guitar sound and goofy charm of Blue, but also more complex guitar arrangements like Pinkerton. It’s also a concept album.
White Album is probably third best Weezer album so I agree
@Jacques Gachassin and I think Ok Human is just as good if not better than both EWBAITE and White but then again I love all 3. The Futurescope Trilogy singlehandedly made the album top 5 for me so I'll give you that
This is such a great album with great raw energy
You should do dinosaur jr. at some point. I recommend listening to the album “you’re living all over me”
You should really check out my reactions playlist, man.
Tony Whitburn since you’ve listened to it and enjoyed I’ll recommend another band Built to Sill the guitarist/lead singer cite j mascis as a big influence the album “keep it like a secret” by them is great. And I also recommend Aja by steely dan if you haven’t already heard it. Keep up the good videos
Definitely check out ozma if you like this sound.
11:13 Nice catch! Also take that Radiohead (they were probably still recording OK Computer at the same time as this album though). Are you wearing a Blur milk shirt in the video by the way?
Well done man. I really enjoyed watching hear this album for the first time. Took me back
I love Pinkerton
This album is so good because everyone has been at that point and there is so much emotion in the lyrics
Great video! I'd be super interested to see your reaction to Silversun Pickups!
Hi Tony, your next reaction should be "Dayvan Cowboy" by Boards of Canada. Or just any album by them to be honest. They never seem to dissapoint on any of their releases.
that reaction to tired of sex is priceless, i love it
Greatest Weezer album.
Scans channel....
Seriously man, how the hell are you reviewing (and enjoying) EVERY album I love also?!?!
I have to find something you havent reviewed yet and suggest it lol!
Great video tony 👀
You should do Maladroit! It's painfully overlooked imo. Rivers' heavy metal roots shine through on the album and there's some really cool, technical riffs.
Grande el de Helado Alternativo haciendose el gringo para poder hablar de Weezer
You don't have to do a review but check out their cover of Velouria from the pixies. Also way back they also were a nirvana cover band called goat punishment.
Unfortunately they got rid of matt sharp after this album because he's a killer bassist, that brought them up so much
Was a little shithead punker when this came out but I instantly fell in love with it. Imo their best album. Blue is good too but defnitely second to Pinkerton. The rest of their stuff never really interested me. Great reaction.
"yes I'm satisfied"
Hey Tony, I really enjoy your content, you should react to You won’t get what you want by daughters, thanks!
you should definitely try some Built To Spill
Hey, I love your reactions and I recommend you to react to Have a nice life - bloodhail, its a really good song and you'll probably enjoy it
whole album's really good
pinkerton is best!!! (my opinion i am NOT starting a fight if its good or not)
If you liked butterfly you will love ok human
Could you react to Things to Make and Do by Moloko? They're an electronic pop duo from the late 90s/early 00s that I think you'd like.
When are you gonna do James Addiction? Ritual de lo habitual or Nothing shocking...
hes kinda cute
Matt Sharp's influence on the Weezer sound is very under-appreciated. After he left, I feel like the original spirit of Weezer left with him. Nothing sounded the same since. For me, Blue and Pinkerton ARE Weezer.
Not just that, but after Pinkerton, people not only hated Pinkerton, but started doubting Blue. So the sound never really truly came back
weezer used to be so good.
and they still are- ok human is the best they've sounded since this album
@@punpunpunyama9271 oh yeah i’d agree ok human is a great, def beats out maladroit and green imo.
White Album is fantastic
Am I the only one who doesn't like ok human?
Listen to the white album
Why would anyone listen to Weezer when you can be listening to actual good bands like Pixies, Pavement, and The Stooges.
Weezer
Weezer
Weezer
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