[tws]
I found myself blasting
Pinkerton, one of Weezer's two mid-90's masterpieces, this weekend in my car. I had
picked up a copy of the Rivers Cuomo demos disc
Alone at Orpheus Records while my friend and I were among the hordes
helping buy out the store's merchandise this weekend. We went back and listened to some of the
Songs from the Black Hole
that didn't make the cut for
Pinkerton; some of them dropped Cuomo's space-voyage rock opera context and just made
great stand-alone tracks on the album. Since
Pinkerton is a pretty concise disc, here in order from most to least awesome,
are the tracks.
1.
ACROSS THE SEA (Track 5)
Some dispute my claim that this is the finest song Rivers Cuomo
has ever published (I have heard "Jamie," "Holiday" and a variety of others), but I say that those people need to sit there
and listen to the sincere whininess in Rivers' voice. Especially if you've ever had someone on the other side of the globe.
"I've got your letter, you've got my song."
2.
FALLING FOR YOU (Track 9)
"I would give anything to get
the hell out alive, but maybe I would rather settle down..with you." Oh, Rivers, I'm so glad I'm not you, for so many reasons.
But you pin-pointed the whole quivery love thing, and musically this is up there with Pulp's "Bar Italia" for great closers,
even though its not technically the closer. There's also a key change in the vocals that doesn't seem like it belongs there,
but it works perfectly.
3.
WHY BOTHER? (Track 4)
Short and oh so sweet!! Choppy guitars on the chorus are
also great. The transition from "No Other One" into this is amazing. God bless Matt Sharp and his high-pitched countervocals.
4.
EL SCORCHO (Track 7)
The single, oh yes, the single! With the single coolest fckn lyrics Rivers Cuomo
ever wrote (see the title of the posting). Quirky, yes, but it kicks ass in the ass. God damn you half-japanese girls...
5.
PINK TRIANGLE (Track 8)
I remember learning a lot about gay rights and such from this song when I was 13. We've
all been inextricably attracted to someone who didn't dig our gender back, it's pretty universal. Weird whammy-chords that
parallel the lyrics add a good effect, too.
6.
NO OTHER ONE (Track 3)
Should be the subject of more singalongs,
but isn't for some reason. Stompy and prodding rhythm punctuates Rivers whining himself shitless with the best of them, frequently
off-key.
7.
THE GOOD LIFE (Track 6)
I've always had an intangible issue with this song...it may be the liberal
use of the term "booty" or something along that line. Maybe the lyrics just aren't as tight. It doesn't fit into the grand
scheme of things. Still, though, it's good.
8.
BUTTERFLY (Track 10)
People hate this song for some reason.
How many of those people, though, worship Ben Gibbard? Hypocrites, all. It was just Rivers Cuomo wanting to turn off the amps
for a change, don't blame the guy. Blame him for being a myriad of other bizarre things, just not this.
9.
TIRED
OF SEX (Track 1)
I'll never forget hearing the feedback and noise that populates the opening 10 seconds of this album
when it came out around my 13th birthday. This is certainly no Blue Album. The song itself was fine, just not as good as the
album is led off.
10.
GETCHOO (Track 2)
Buzz-saw intro and buildup make this one worthy. The title is pretty
dumb, I think, but works with the whole quirkiness factor.
In conclusion, I need to get out more. Or less.
