PacManY2J's Full Review: Weezer (1994): Deluxe Edition [Remaster] by Weezer
2004 was cause for celebration, as it marked the tenth anniversary of a remarkable album that launched the career of a great band. Weezer's self-titled debut was just the start for this quartet, but the album remains just as potent as it was in 1994.
The first ten years of Weezer was celebrated with a deluxe edition featuring the original album plus a bonus disc of "Dusty gems and rare nuggets." We also get a nifty booklet with handwritten lyrics to all songs on both discs, info on all the tracks, plus a piece written by label rep Todd Sullivan about meeting and signing Weezer.
The original Weezer album still stands as an excellent piece of work today, and I'm sure it will years from now. The amazing thing about Weezer is that it came at a time when the grunge scene was weakening but not gone. This album was completely different from the style that had seen so much popularity in the previous few years. Weezer modernized a sound that harked back to the '50s and '60s, especially on tunes such as Surf Wax America and smash hit Buddy Holly.
Rather than being depressed and angry, Weezer showed vulnerability and insecurity, giving them a kind of realism and relatability we hadn't yet seen much of. Their "loser rock" struck a chord with geeks and cool kids alike. Powerful delivery of emotional material and fun, quirky, sing-along songs come together to make one classic record. If you don't have Weezer yet, this is a great opportunity to pick it up.
Along with their debut, you get a disc of rarities that show more of Weezer's excellence. It starts with Mykel and Carlie, a lighthearted tribute to two of their biggest fans. Suzanne, from the Mallrats soundtrack, could have easily been a single had it been placed on a full-length album. This fun, upbeat rock song has some really sweet, sincere lyrics: "I haven't much I can give you in return/ Just my heart and a promise not to turn." My Evaline shows more of the band's quirky side, as they nail a brief barber shop quartet piece.
Jamie, a love song for a lawyer, comes in both regular and acoustic; both versions are vintage Weezer. Paperface is a loud, sloppy, punk song that doesn't much resemble Weezer but is fun nonetheless. Lullaby For Wayne and I Swear It's True are also hard tracks, even sloppier and more lo-fi, really adding to the "rarities" feeling.
Along with these eight b-sides and rarities, we get different versions of Blue Album tracks. The acoustic No One Else is very cool, as is the version of Undone (The Sweater Song). Live versions are always cool, which is what we get with Surf Wax America and My Name Is Jonas. The original version of Say It Ain't So, however, is pointless since it seems nearly impossible to differentiate it from the one on the album. I'm also not thrilled with the version of Only In Dreams, which is not nearly as polished as the final product and is lacking because of it.
If you already have the Blue Album, you still might want the rarities album. It doesn't have nearly the replay value of Weezer, but there is some good stuff on there to add to your collection. If you haven't yet picked up this album, this is the perfect package for you. Not only do you get their classic debut album, you also get to hear some other great tracks plus get a glimpse at the less refined side of the band. Overall, it's a worthwhile package and a worthy tribute to the emergence of a notable rock band.
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