The album starts with him saying “I’m tired,” and ends with “I’m sorry,” so that gives you some window to his mindset at this time period. Great record.
The three vocalists recorded their vocals simultaneously without isolation so the lead vocalist simply went with his best takes regardless of what strange stuff the other guys were doing on those takes, which adds to the goofy character of the background vocals.
The story behind Across The Sea is pretty interesting but at the same time weird. Rivers received a fan letter from a Japanese girl and that kinda spiraled into the creation of that song. I’m pretty sure Rivers said in an interview the girl actually gets royalties from that song since some of the lyrics are from the actual letter.
Really?! This makes my heart happy, I'm so glad these little videos of mine give long time fans of these bands a sort of re-experience of hearing them for the first time. It's honestly why I really enjoy making these videos, along with being introduced to awesome new music of course! :D
THIS--and exactly how I felt watching her experience Blue for the first time. Finding this series is a blessing because Weezer has been my band since '94 and watching her discover this band is giving our love for the Weezer a fresh and brand new life. I'm so ready for this journey. (FWIW ...El Scorcho is THE SONG to sing with your mates on a drunken night.)
That's funny you said you believed Pinkerton had a more polished, put together sound than the blue album considering the blue album was mixed, engineered, and mastered to hell and back for a more commercial audience, while pinkerton was done in house by the band and was actually criticized for its sloppiness. Glad you enjoyed the album so much, definitely one of my favorites! You should totally keep diving in to Weezer, I really enjoy these uploads.
That's interesting, I would not have guessed that! Maybe Pinkerton sounds more polished (at least to my ears) because it was all recorded in a similar way. There was less external feedback and it had less handling from producers.
@@mollyesanborn I think youre mixing up polish with cohesion here. I get what youre saying though. Pinkerton was all written within the same time frame, whereas blue was written over the course of 3 yrs or so, and was moreso just a collection of Rivers' demos from before weezer was even a thought in his head.
@@mollyesanborn I feel like they're both more put together in their own ways, like Blue is much more highly produced but also has a more carefree and innocent energy, while Pinkerton is more raw, visceral, and lo-fi while also being more complex and calculated in terms of the theory behind it, what with the changes in dynamics and tempo, modulation, chord/note progressions, etc.
I would recommend against listening to further Weezer. Nothing ever comes close to Pinkerton or blue album. OK human is a good return to form and their best since but it still doesn't compare
Across the Sea, a song about wanting to fuck a 14 year old Japanese girl who Rivers had never met. Pink Triangle, a song about wanting to fuck a lesbian. Sounds fairly accurate.
I had the same reaction the first time I heard "El Scorcho". It seemed so odd to me, yet I was so intrigued. Now its literally one of my favorite songs of all time.
Pinkerton was initially supposed to be a fluid rock opera called "Songs from the Black Hole", but it ended up being scrapped when Rivers had his leg surgery. He decided to instead write about his personal life and all his emotions while in college. He felt very insecure, had a hard time finding someone, and ultimately decided to practice celibacy (which is where that line of becoming a monk came from). When the album was first released, it was heavily criticized since it was almost a complete 180 from the blue album. Overtime though, it has turned into one of their best albums. Would love to see you continue the Weezer discography and do "Green Album" next :)
She should stop before Make Believe so she thinks Weezer never started sucking 😂 I kid, but she should check out Songs From The Black Hole. It may not be released officially but it's out there.
As a musician myself, this album really changed a lot of things for me. Wonderful album... People didn't like it as much when it released, but it just fits the fact that people sometimes don't like facing "truth" but instead prefer the fantasy of things being all sunshine and rainbows. The emotional intensity of this album is amazing.
Funny story about Pink Trianlge, Rivers Cuomo fell in love with a girl in his class when he went to Harvard, but ine day he noticed she had a pink triangle, which is commonly associated with lesbians, on her backpack. He was super depressed because she was a lesbian and wouldnt like him back, so he wrote that song. About a year after the album was released, he met that girl again, and found out she wasn't actually lesbian, she had the pink triangle to show support for her friends. I might be a little inaccurate, but I tried ny best.
Molly PLEASE listen to their unreleased song, "Tragic Girl." It was meant for this album but they finished it too late to get it on the album. It brings together several musical themes that run through the album. It's a perfect encore for the album and it's a really, really good song too.
Classic alternative rock / power pop album, when I first heard “Tired of Sex” I was blown away by the explosive energy because after Blue Album I wasn’t sure what to expect. Fun reaction as always :) I would love to see you react to any of Mike Pattons bands, but more specifically Faith No More and Mr Bungle. Cheers!
Yes, there is quite a power to the delivery on Pinkerton that is very different from the laid back quality of the Blue album. I've just barely started dipping my toes into Mike Patton's music, namely Peeping Tom and Tomahawk. I'm honestly loving it so far. I'm planning for a Faith No More reaction, hopefully sooner rather than later :)
@@mollyesanborn Ah yeah Tomahawk and Peeping Tom are great, the song “God Hates a Coward” by Tomahawk has been on repeat lately. Can’t wait for your Faith No More reaction, Angel Dust is definitely their best album and inspired so many bands like Deftones, System of a Down and more.
I'm not super attached to Weezer for the most part, but the 3 song hit (Good life > Scorcho > Pink Triangle) were so huge in my life in the 90s and every time I hear them they transport me in time to my teenage years. That's a good thing and a bad thing - just like the 3 songs. I'm glad you enjoyed this and are enjoying 90s music. There's so much music to love back there.
One thing that makes this album so impactful and important to the fans is the fact that Rivers was really wearing his heart on his sleeve for this one. Almost all of the tracks were inspired by his life and in the case of "Across the Sea", Rivers actually received a letter from a Japanese fan and even used some lines while writing the song. Basically, Pinkerton is good because Rivers is using it to confront his darkest thoughts.
Weezer is one of those bands that always splits my group of friends in two - one that loves them to death, and one that hates them beyond my comprehension. Maybe that's why I never got around to listening to their records, however, since my musical taste have grown and I've become more and more interested in the 90's emo/alternative scene, *Pinkerton* has seemed more and more like an obvious listen for me. And oh boy it was. That album just broke me, mostly because the lyrics resonated so strongly with the things I was going through at the time and also during my teen years. It's grown on me ever since, even though I can't listen to Butterfly without being on the verge of tears, Rivers Cuomo really poured out his soul and brought out his innermost desires and feelings. IMHO he really tapped into the unconscious and imaginary desires that drive so many young men into bad decisions of _chasing butterflies_ . I can't help but to draw parallel's with the work of French psychoanalyst Jaques Lacan. Fellas, isn't the "Butterfly" just an expression for _the objet petit a_ , the unattainable object of desire?
Super great reaction. You really dug into the lyrics and themes in a meaningful way in your first look. Glad you took the time to do Pinkerton as well!
I'm so excited people are still listening to this album! Such a classic album. First time I heard this album was in 2009 in high school and it's just as amazing now as it was then.
It's especially cringy on purpose, Rivers was riding the wave of the mid-90s zeitgeist of alternative popularity but felt restricted by what he thought at the time was over-production of the Blue album. Pinkerton was meant to catch the sound of how Weezer actually sounded live.
This album can make cry every time I listen to it. Butterfly is such a beautiful vulnerable song. It’s difficult to listen to it, but it in the end of I always feel a sense of relief.
you can't even imagine what it was like to hear the good life on the radio as a 5th grader...life changing! this was super fun to watch. also love that you ended up gravitating most to the two singles (good life and el scorcho)...that's interesting. i feel very lucky to have seen them do this whole album start to finish
for those who don’t know: rivers actually imposed a two year celibacy on himself before writing pinkerton, as the little nerd boy got overwhelmed by the rock and roll life style from blue. So Pinkerton was the result of this.
Hey great channel. Definitely gonna do another listen of Pinkerton which is something I’m always forgetting to do. El Scorcho rocks and I’m seeing you have some other cool reviews so yeah thanks for the great content keep it up
I heard this when I was 13 in 2002. I can't even begin to tell you how much it meant to me back then. Rivers wrote this album while he was undergoing medical treatment to have both his legs be the correct length and after he enrolled at Harvard. You can hear the pain and confusion.
You are no joke on the reviews.. meaning one the best I have heard in a while. I grew up on pinkerton and knew back then I liked the album but you just encapsulated it here. Thanks!
I always hear people parrot the same critiques of Pinkerton's problematic themes. It actually depresses me. There's a lot of problems in this world, and picking on this band's masterpiece does nothing to help anyone, and doesn't change the minds of anyone with one (a mind). There are always immature people who like it, but then there are the people who needed an honest piece of art about the tattered connections we can have to ourselves and others. It is one of the most emotionally mature albums of the nineties and certainly the most emotionally mature work by men of that time. Most men hide their flaws to become successful, and that's just boring. Rivers is painfully honest in a way that not only continues to hurt his reputation but it is immensely relevant to the world we currently live in. This album has matured alongside me. Check out Rivers' diary reading from their cruise if you want insight into how much he understood the themes of his record.
Very well put, I agree with your points! I can understand where critics of Pinkerton are coming from, but the fragility and vulnerability that it must have taken to pour himself into the lyrics, exposing the ugliest parts of him, is what makes this album so great.
I'd highly recommend Weezer's Everything Will Be Alright In The End (EWBAITE) if you like the bombastic quiet/loud sound of Pinkerton. It's heavy, melodic, and really hones in on what makes Weezer's sound so unique. Also, Rivers really steps it up on his vocals and guitars on this one. Even if you don't make a video on it, definitely check this out (and the outtake track Everybody Needs Salvation) if you get a chance!
Awesome listen and video! Great to experience the album with someone new. Lots of great comments too. Im sure people have already recommended things but check out some of the other stuff from this era (inbetween blue and pink, then of course the sftbh/pink demos, bsides, and other songs that didnt get released) Some really interesting stuff all around that I think you'd like! ("Weezer - Getting up and Leaving" is fun bside from this era, same with "You Gave Your Love to Me Softly" which was after blue but before pink)
I really hate how much I relate to this record. It's embarrassing, it's cringy, but it's brutally honest and Rivers had a lot of guts releasing this for the whole world to hear.
I love this album. It's my most listened to and favorite album of all time, not just for Weezer. I also came to this album late in life (early 2021) and it turned out to be a major turning point for me especially while going through my own lousy feelings (pandemic, political turmoil etc). I enjoyed getting to listen to this album with someone who had never heard it before. It's a really special work of art.
Pinkerton and The Smashing Pumpkins' album Melon Collie and the Infinite Sadness kinda bridge the gap Between Grunge and Emo. I believe Rivers has actually talked about Pinkerton and Emo. If you think about it, in many ways the My Chemical Romance album Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge sounds like the child of the Pinkerton and Melon Collie albums.
Undoubtedly weezer was a pretty big influence in the early days of emo, along with capn jazz, jimmy eat world, modest mouse, sunny day real estate, american football, etc. 1000% gerard and co were jamming to music like this growing up.
Dude they’re were bands pushing the Emo esque sound even before Pinkerton in 1997…. Jawbreaker’s Dear you in 1995, The promise ring, Mineral etc. Pinkerton was a commercial failure at first and only years later became a “cult classic” don’t get me wrong it’s a good album but with that being said there wasnt a bridge the gap between the two. (Melon collie to Pinkerton) at least in my opinion
@@TheAbandonedAccount7 Depends what era of emo you're talking about. Rites Of Spring S/T is 1985, Sunny Day Real Estate's Diary is 1994, Pinkerton is 1996, Orchid or PG.99 are 1997
You should check out OK Human. It’s the first of the 2 albums Weezer released this past year, and it is by far the most different sounding from any of their previous albums. The album doesn’t use any electric guitars, and instead they go for a more classical style with an entire orchestra behind them. Not to overhype it too much, but it’s probably the best thing they’ve done since Pinkerton.
I had the same thought. Would be really cool to compare not only the drastic change in style but one of the newest albums right after the big 2. Doesn’t hurt that the album is pretty good too.
Great reaction!!! This album took awhile to grow on me, but over time it became one of my favorites. The instrumentation was heavier and sloppier than the blue album but the lyrics were much darker, which was a certainly a cool combo. I hope you keep going with the weezer albums. The next one (the green album) was a huge departure from this sound, but had some really well written songs.
Yeah, definitely a heavier/darker tone to Pinkerton compared to their first album. I'll definitely check out their Green album, I'm curious to hear what direction they go in after Pinkerton.
I've listened to this album since it was first released. Probably 1000 times over the years. You seem to have understood it more after listening to it just once.
Yeah, such a sad album lyrically. Honestly I'm not sure if I like Pinkerton or the Blue Album better, they both bring different elements to the table that I enjoy.
The original bass player for Weezer (was on the blue album and pinkerton) also had a band called The Rentals. You should check out their first album called "Return of the Rentals".. it's a fantastic album from start to finish
Weezer is one those bands (at least to me) that they become more interesting the more history you know about them. Think the important phases are “Blue Album”, “Pinkerton”, “Make Believe”, “Hurley”, “Everything Will Be Alright In The End”, “White Album”, “Ok Human”. These I feel show the progression of the band (for better or for worse). Definitely check out Songs From The Black Hole if you are interested in unreleased albums.
Fyi the intro to Pink Triangle is a Glockenspiel/Xylophone. Your theory was a good thought though. The song is about Rivers' crush being a lesbian... haha
Some other great weezer albums i think would make for good reaction videos: Maladroit, Everything Will Be Alright In The End, OK Human, Red Album and White Album
Honestly should listen to the b sides to this album that are on the deluxe version, Pinkerton has the best b sides for any album imo. Usually it’s just demos of songs that never get fleshed out but songs like Tragic girl really could’ve been on the album instead of being a b side
Pinkerton is a record I have grown to love despite acknowledging some elements of its songwriting that haven't aged too well. The songs are so well made and catchy, yet its undeniable how depressing and uncomfortable a lot of the lyrics are in relation to Rivers and his mentality at the time. Pinkerton is almost honest to a fault with how authentic and open it approaches the ugliness of what Rivers was thinking and feeling at a very low point in his life. While it makes sense that he would reflect on Pinkerton and change his songwriting approach moving forward, it makes me wonder what they would sound like now if the album was more appreciated upon its release.
This album only exists because of Surfer Rosa from Pixies, which itself inspired Nirvana's In Utero, which also has some dark and visceral lyrics, just like Pinkerton, and Pinkerton inspired a lot of emo bands. The cycle of creativity and inspiration never stops.
I would love too see you go through all of Weezer's albums in order. After these first two albums, my favorite album is Pacific Daydream, but all Weezer albums are good
Wow glad you enjoyed it! So many people are indifferent to Pinkerton on first listen. Rivers was going through it with this album and it made for a great album. 9 tracks of abrasive emotion followed by the cathartic ending of Butterfly. Not many experiences like this one. I’m sure you’re aware but the b sides are also awesome. Devotion should have made the album 😞
Yeah this album is really an experience, his pain and emotional turmoil at the time of making Pinkerton is really palpable while listening to it. I'm definitely going to check out the b-sides!
lmao your face when listening to el scorcho is too good, it’s one of my favourite songs of all time but i assume that was everyone’s first reaction when listening to it
i know this is like a year later but id like to add that 1. pinkerton is named after the play, pinkerton. alot of the play's elements ate included in 'butterfly', where rivers says that 'I told you I would return, When the robin makes his nest, But I ain't never coming back.', this is a reference to the play itself (i'd recommend doing your own research.) 2. all of these songs are based off of events in rivers real life 3. the first four songs were originally part of a scrapped album called 'songs from the black hole', however 'tired of sex' and 'getchoo' were written even longer before this album. 4. pink triangle transitions perfectly into falling for you
Bet you would love Gravity X by Truckfighters or Seven Thunders Roar by Stoned Jesus, two of the top stoner rock albums of all time imo. Love how you immerse so deeply into the albums. So awesome!
Hey, Moly. Loved your reaction. Pinkerton is my favorite album from Weezer. You should check an album that for me is one of the most underrated from the 90s. Supergrass´ In it for the money. I think you are going to enjoy it. Merry Christmas.
Loved your genuine reactions!! 🤍 If you ever decide to come back to Weezer, I would suggest skipping all the way to the White Album. It's a super different vibe (very 'beach rock'), but very much worth the listen.
@@mollyesanborn you should also totally listen to maladroit by weezer which is more intense then the green album. Maladroit gives off more of the same vibe as pinkerton, If you liked pinkerton I recommended maladroit
I loved the blue album. I listened to it to death. It had seemed like Weezer had broken up. I didn’t love Pinkerton. Since it seemed like there might not be anymore new music from Weezer, I found myself relistening to Pinkerton (since I’d already listened to blue 1000+ times). The songs grew on me and it ended up becoming my favorite album because of how specific and personal it was. I wonder if it was like that for anyone else?
In the deluxe edition there’s a short interview segment with the band from a radio show where a fan calls in comparing Pinkerton to the blue album it’s pretty fun and they also go into the difference between the two albums and they hit on some things you mention the rougher sounds of Pinkerton. Anyway I know it’s on the deluxe edition on Spotify.
"Lyrically, that track was actually really depressing."
Four second speedrun description of Pinkerton
Truest thing ever.
yep!
The album starts with him saying “I’m tired,” and ends with “I’m sorry,” so that gives you some window to his mindset at this time period. Great record.
Oh yeah, I didn't notice that!
funny because the first one was written in 1993 and the last one in 1996
The three vocalists recorded their vocals simultaneously without isolation so the lead vocalist simply went with his best takes regardless of what strange stuff the other guys were doing on those takes, which adds to the goofy character of the background vocals.
i love that.
The story behind Across The Sea is pretty interesting but at the same time weird. Rivers received a fan letter from a Japanese girl and that kinda spiraled into the creation of that song. I’m pretty sure Rivers said in an interview the girl actually gets royalties from that song since some of the lyrics are from the actual letter.
That's interesting! Kinda makes sense I guess with the lyrics to that song.
I sat here watching this with tears in my eyes. Oh what I would give to Hear Pinkerton for the first time again.
Really?! This makes my heart happy, I'm so glad these little videos of mine give long time fans of these bands a sort of re-experience of hearing them for the first time. It's honestly why I really enjoy making these videos, along with being introduced to awesome new music of course! :D
Same
THIS--and exactly how I felt watching her experience Blue for the first time. Finding this series is a blessing because Weezer has been my band since '94 and watching her discover this band is giving our love for the Weezer a fresh and brand new life. I'm so ready for this journey.
(FWIW ...El Scorcho is THE SONG to sing with your mates on a drunken night.)
@@mollyesanborn P.S. ....LOVE 99.9% of the films you have on your DVD/BD shelf and 100% love for having a physical copy of Skyrim.
still my favourite album of all time, never related too such teenage angst. the instrumentation and mix is just so raw.
That's funny you said you believed Pinkerton had a more polished, put together sound than the blue album considering the blue album was mixed, engineered, and mastered to hell and back for a more commercial audience, while pinkerton was done in house by the band and was actually criticized for its sloppiness. Glad you enjoyed the album so much, definitely one of my favorites! You should totally keep diving in to Weezer, I really enjoy these uploads.
That's interesting, I would not have guessed that! Maybe Pinkerton sounds more polished (at least to my ears) because it was all recorded in a similar way. There was less external feedback and it had less handling from producers.
@@mollyesanborn I think youre mixing up polish with cohesion here. I get what youre saying though. Pinkerton was all written within the same time frame, whereas blue was written over the course of 3 yrs or so, and was moreso just a collection of Rivers' demos from before weezer was even a thought in his head.
@@mollyesanborn I feel like they're both more put together in their own ways, like Blue is much more highly produced but also has a more carefree and innocent energy, while Pinkerton is more raw, visceral, and lo-fi while also being more complex and calculated in terms of the theory behind it, what with the changes in dynamics and tempo, modulation, chord/note progressions, etc.
@@mollyesanborn strongly disagree tbh this is weezer at their most feedback drenched and noise ness I'd go back and listen to blue again lmao
I would recommend against listening to further Weezer. Nothing ever comes close to Pinkerton or blue album. OK human is a good return to form and their best since but it still doesn't compare
Across the Sea and Pink Triangle are the two songs that really define the concept of the album.
more like tired of sex and across the sea
I’d say the opening four songs over those two define the album, but those are my favs on Pinkerton.
Across the Sea, a song about wanting to fuck a 14 year old Japanese girl who Rivers had never met.
Pink Triangle, a song about wanting to fuck a lesbian.
Sounds fairly accurate.
I think Falling for You is also pretty good, like the guitar is a masterpiece
weirdness
I had the same reaction the first time I heard "El Scorcho". It seemed so odd to me, yet I was so intrigued. Now its literally one of my favorite songs of all time.
Same it grew on me a lot
Same.. pinkerton is initially baffling because of its honesty in the lyrics, but it gets better with every listen
same dude
@@panfilolivia fr!!
Yeah, I fell in love as soon as I heard the wacky riff and, "EL SCOORCHOOOO!!"
And also I listened to all of el horso
My personal favorite from the band. Great reaction!
Thanks, glad you liked the video!
Pinkerton was initially supposed to be a fluid rock opera called "Songs from the Black Hole", but it ended up being scrapped when Rivers had his leg surgery. He decided to instead write about his personal life and all his emotions while in college. He felt very insecure, had a hard time finding someone, and ultimately decided to practice celibacy (which is where that line of becoming a monk came from). When the album was first released, it was heavily criticized since it was almost a complete 180 from the blue album. Overtime though, it has turned into one of their best albums.
Would love to see you continue the Weezer discography and do "Green Album" next :)
She should stop before Make Believe so she thinks Weezer never started sucking 😂 I kid, but she should check out Songs From The Black Hole. It may not be released officially but it's out there.
He also occasionally touches on themes of uncertainty with his rockstar career throughout! Tired of sex, falling for you, etc.
@@Xeroforte Yeah I hope youre joking. I get its a meme to hate on MB but its actually one of their best records
@@TheAbandonedAccount7 no its not
Hot take: Songs From The Black Hole is the best weezer album
As a musician myself, this album really changed a lot of things for me. Wonderful album... People didn't like it as much when it released, but it just fits the fact that people sometimes don't like facing "truth" but instead prefer the fantasy of things being all sunshine and rainbows. The emotional intensity of this album is amazing.
Funny story about Pink Trianlge, Rivers Cuomo fell in love with a girl in his class when he went to Harvard, but ine day he noticed she had a pink triangle, which is commonly associated with lesbians, on her backpack. He was super depressed because she was a lesbian and wouldnt like him back, so he wrote that song.
About a year after the album was released, he met that girl again, and found out she wasn't actually lesbian, she had the pink triangle to show support for her friends.
I might be a little inaccurate, but I tried ny best.
Molly PLEASE listen to their unreleased song, "Tragic Girl." It was meant for this album but they finished it too late to get it on the album. It brings together several musical themes that run through the album. It's a perfect encore for the album and it's a really, really good song too.
Should listen to all the b sides too. Love those ones
All of the Pinkerton B sides are fucking amazing, You won’t get with me tonight has always been a favourite of mine
I'll check it out!
YESS this song is probably one of my favorites of them
Oh and definitely Long Time Sunshine, after listening to the entire album and hearing long time sunshine will make you cry
Classic alternative rock / power pop album, when I first heard “Tired of Sex” I was blown away by the explosive energy because after Blue Album I wasn’t sure what to expect. Fun reaction as always :)
I would love to see you react to any of Mike Pattons bands, but more specifically Faith No More and Mr Bungle. Cheers!
Yes, there is quite a power to the delivery on Pinkerton that is very different from the laid back quality of the Blue album. I've just barely started dipping my toes into Mike Patton's music, namely Peeping Tom and Tomahawk. I'm honestly loving it so far. I'm planning for a Faith No More reaction, hopefully sooner rather than later :)
@@mollyesanborn Ah yeah Tomahawk and Peeping Tom are great, the song “God Hates a Coward” by Tomahawk has been on repeat lately. Can’t wait for your Faith No More reaction, Angel Dust is definitely their best album and inspired so many bands like Deftones, System of a Down and more.
I got the Blue Album when I was 12 and boy I found Pinkerton right afterwards at the perfect age. I love this album so much.
I'm not super attached to Weezer for the most part, but the 3 song hit (Good life > Scorcho > Pink Triangle) were so huge in my life in the 90s and every time I hear them they transport me in time to my teenage years. That's a good thing and a bad thing - just like the 3 songs. I'm glad you enjoyed this and are enjoying 90s music. There's so much music to love back there.
There huge for me now and my late high school years.
One thing that makes this album so impactful and important to the fans is the fact that Rivers was really wearing his heart on his sleeve for this one. Almost all of the tracks were inspired by his life and in the case of "Across the Sea", Rivers actually received a letter from a Japanese fan and even used some lines while writing the song. Basically, Pinkerton is good because Rivers is using it to confront his darkest thoughts.
5:40 the face you make captures the pinkerton experience perfectly. great video!
Haha! Yeah, a pretty weird but amazing album at the same time...
Weezer is one of those bands that always splits my group of friends in two - one that loves them to death, and one that hates them beyond my comprehension. Maybe that's why I never got around to listening to their records, however, since my musical taste have grown and I've become more and more interested in the 90's emo/alternative scene, *Pinkerton* has seemed more and more like an obvious listen for me. And oh boy it was. That album just broke me, mostly because the lyrics resonated so strongly with the things I was going through at the time and also during my teen years. It's grown on me ever since, even though I can't listen to Butterfly without being on the verge of tears, Rivers Cuomo really poured out his soul and brought out his innermost desires and feelings. IMHO he really tapped into the unconscious and imaginary desires that drive so many young men into bad decisions of _chasing butterflies_ . I can't help but to draw parallel's with the work of French psychoanalyst Jaques Lacan. Fellas, isn't the "Butterfly" just an expression for _the objet petit a_ , the unattainable object of desire?
Super great reaction. You really dug into the lyrics and themes in a meaningful way in your first look. Glad you took the time to do Pinkerton as well!
Thanks, I appreciate that! Glad you enjoyed the video :)
I'm so excited people are still listening to this album! Such a classic album. First time I heard this album was in 2009 in high school and it's just as amazing now as it was then.
I once heard someone describe this album as "cringy over-sharing" and I don't think you can get any more accurate than that.
Yeah that's pretty on point!
It's especially cringy on purpose, Rivers was riding the wave of the mid-90s zeitgeist of alternative popularity but felt restricted by what he thought at the time was over-production of the Blue album. Pinkerton was meant to catch the sound of how Weezer actually sounded live.
This album can make cry every time I listen to it. Butterfly is such a beautiful vulnerable song. It’s difficult to listen to it, but it in the end of I always feel a sense of relief.
I agree, Butterfly is such a tender ending note for this album.
you can't even imagine what it was like to hear the good life on the radio as a 5th grader...life changing! this was super fun to watch. also love that you ended up gravitating most to the two singles (good life and el scorcho)...that's interesting. i feel very lucky to have seen them do this whole album start to finish
Great video! Pinkerton is my favourite Weezer album (despite the lyrics) and I was super excited when I saw that you made a video reacting to it.
Aw thanks! Glad to hear you enjoyed the video :)
for those who don’t know: rivers actually imposed a two year celibacy on himself before writing pinkerton, as the little nerd boy got overwhelmed by the rock and roll life style from blue. So Pinkerton was the result of this.
A white album reaction would be cool, it's Weezer about 20 years after Pinkerton was released, but it's definitely got the beach vibe to it
Hey great channel. Definitely gonna do another listen of Pinkerton which is something I’m always forgetting to do. El Scorcho rocks and I’m seeing you have some other cool reviews so yeah thanks for the great content keep it up
Thanks! Glad you're enjoying the channel :)
I'm binging all your videos. Love your content, keep it up!
Thanks! Glad you're enjoying the channel :)
Just found this channel and i really enjoy this content. It just feels like I'm listening to a very nice podcast. Hope to see more in the future!
Thanks, glad you're enjoying the channel!
A woman analyzing Rivers’ Pinkerton lyrics is fascinating!
I heard this when I was 13 in 2002. I can't even begin to tell you how much it meant to me back then. Rivers wrote this album while he was undergoing medical treatment to have both his legs be the correct length and after he enrolled at Harvard. You can hear the pain and confusion.
Yeah, that pain is certainly palpable on this record.
You are no joke on the reviews.. meaning one the best I have heard in a while. I grew up on pinkerton and knew back then I liked the album but you just encapsulated it here. Thanks!
Wow, thank you! I appreciate that. Glad you enjoyed the video :)
I always hear people parrot the same critiques of Pinkerton's problematic themes. It actually depresses me. There's a lot of problems in this world, and picking on this band's masterpiece does nothing to help anyone, and doesn't change the minds of anyone with one (a mind). There are always immature people who like it, but then there are the people who needed an honest piece of art about the tattered connections we can have to ourselves and others. It is one of the most emotionally mature albums of the nineties and certainly the most emotionally mature work by men of that time. Most men hide their flaws to become successful, and that's just boring. Rivers is painfully honest in a way that not only continues to hurt his reputation but it is immensely relevant to the world we currently live in. This album has matured alongside me. Check out Rivers' diary reading from their cruise if you want insight into how much he understood the themes of his record.
Very well put, I agree with your points! I can understand where critics of Pinkerton are coming from, but the fragility and vulnerability that it must have taken to pour himself into the lyrics, exposing the ugliest parts of him, is what makes this album so great.
The original side tracks in the deluxe version are all amazing too!! great video
Hard to believe this album was hated when it came out. It's their best album by far
I don’t think i’ve clicked faster on a video in my life.
One of my favorite albums of all time
Thanks for watching! Yeah, Pinkerton is a great album. I hope my little video did it some justice :D
Great reaction video! Another one of my favs! Keep up the awesome work, Molly!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it :)
Dope reaction definitely in my top 5 albums
Yaaay! Now you gotta react to the Blue/Pinkerton Bsides/demos! I'm sure many others have already suggested ewbaite/white, but I'll add those too.
simplemente cualquier fan de weezer se sentiria especial por que alguien mas haya escuchado el album virjenton, buen video
Gracias por mirar, me alegro que hayas disfrutado del video :)
I hope you one day get to Maladroit, their 4th album. That one is my favorite because of its guitar work!
gosh.... what i'd do to hear across the sea for the first time again. i love this song so much.
I'd highly recommend Weezer's Everything Will Be Alright In The End (EWBAITE) if you like the bombastic quiet/loud sound of Pinkerton. It's heavy, melodic, and really hones in on what makes Weezer's sound so unique. Also, Rivers really steps it up on his vocals and guitars on this one.
Even if you don't make a video on it, definitely check this out (and the outtake track Everybody Needs Salvation) if you get a chance!
Awesome listen and video! Great to experience the album with someone new. Lots of great comments too. Im sure people have already recommended things but check out some of the other stuff from this era (inbetween blue and pink, then of course the sftbh/pink demos, bsides, and other songs that didnt get released)
Some really interesting stuff all around that I think you'd like! ("Weezer - Getting up and Leaving" is fun bside from this era, same with "You Gave Your Love to Me Softly" which was after blue but before pink)
I really hate how much I relate to this record. It's embarrassing, it's cringy, but it's brutally honest and Rivers had a lot of guts releasing this for the whole world to hear.
I love this album. It's my most listened to and favorite album of all time, not just for Weezer. I also came to this album late in life (early 2021) and it turned out to be a major turning point for me especially while going through my own lousy feelings (pandemic, political turmoil etc). I enjoyed getting to listen to this album with someone who had never heard it before. It's a really special work of art.
My favorite album of all time glad you liked it
Another band I recommend is interpol if you haven't heard them before there first 3 albums are great
Glad you enjoyed it! Interpol has been mentioned quite a bit in the comments, I'll definitely have to give their stuff a listen.
please do a video on the B-Sides, they’re such slamming bops and a lot of them are on par with, if not better than, what the album had to offer
A lot of people have been saying that! I'll certainly consider doing a video for the b-sides :)
You really do a great job of analyzing the lyrics for someone that’s never heard this album before; I enjoyed this.
Thanks, I really appreciate that! I'm glad you enjoyed the video :)
I really enjoyed your take on this. I was ready to defend this album but you see the beauty in it.
Pinkerton and The Smashing Pumpkins' album Melon Collie and the Infinite Sadness kinda bridge the gap Between Grunge and Emo. I believe Rivers has actually talked about Pinkerton and Emo. If you think about it, in many ways the My Chemical Romance album Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge sounds like the child of the Pinkerton and Melon Collie albums.
Undoubtedly weezer was a pretty big influence in the early days of emo, along with capn jazz, jimmy eat world, modest mouse, sunny day real estate, american football, etc. 1000% gerard and co were jamming to music like this growing up.
Dude they’re were bands pushing the Emo esque sound even before Pinkerton in 1997…. Jawbreaker’s Dear you in 1995, The promise ring, Mineral etc. Pinkerton was a commercial failure at first and only years later became a “cult classic” don’t get me wrong it’s a good album but with that being said there wasnt a bridge the gap between the two. (Melon collie to Pinkerton) at least in my opinion
@@TheAbandonedAccount7 Depends what era of emo you're talking about. Rites Of Spring S/T is 1985, Sunny Day Real Estate's Diary is 1994, Pinkerton is 1996, Orchid or PG.99 are 1997
You should check out OK Human. It’s the first of the 2 albums Weezer released this past year, and it is by far the most different sounding from any of their previous albums.
The album doesn’t use any electric guitars, and instead they go for a more classical style with an entire orchestra behind them.
Not to overhype it too much, but it’s probably the best thing they’ve done since Pinkerton.
I'm gonna have to check that out! I knew they had two new albums out recently but I haven't heard either of them.
Yes! OK Human is a top 5, maybe top 3 Weezer album.
I had the same thought. Would be really cool to compare not only the drastic change in style but one of the newest albums right after the big 2. Doesn’t hurt that the album is pretty good too.
I love OK Human but I'd say the White Album is their best album since Pinkerton
I really like almost everything Weezer has released
yes! this is what i'm talking about. love this album! ahhh nostalgia.
Thank youuuuuuu it was great, hell of an album!!
Great reaction!!! This album took awhile to grow on me, but over time it became one of my favorites. The instrumentation was heavier and sloppier than the blue album but the lyrics were much darker, which was a certainly a cool combo. I hope you keep going with the weezer albums. The next one (the green album) was a huge departure from this sound, but had some really well written songs.
Yeah, definitely a heavier/darker tone to Pinkerton compared to their first album. I'll definitely check out their Green album, I'm curious to hear what direction they go in after Pinkerton.
I've listened to this album since it was first released. Probably 1000 times over the years. You seem to have understood it more after listening to it just once.
Wow, thanks! I really pay attention to how music makes me feel, and the frustration and angst are definitely palpable on Pinkerton.
Cool! I pretty much agree with your opinions about this album. Heavier and darker than the Blue Album.
Oh yeah I was waiting for this one
im seconds into the video and just wanna say, Pinkerton is my #1 favorite weezer album. Thank you for your time, I will watch with great interest.
Enjoy the video, I hope I do Pinkerton justice.
Better than the blue album in my opinion it’s so good and comes from a place of grief
Yeah, such a sad album lyrically. Honestly I'm not sure if I like Pinkerton or the Blue Album better, they both bring different elements to the table that I enjoy.
easily Weezer's best album..this album was the soundtrack to my first real heartbreak
You're forgetting Raditude
@@mysticleafeon9618 “It’s Weezer and it’s Weezy.”
The original bass player for Weezer (was on the blue album and pinkerton) also had a band called The Rentals. You should check out their first album called "Return of the Rentals".. it's a fantastic album from start to finish
Weezer is one those bands (at least to me) that they become more interesting the more history you know about them. Think the important phases are “Blue Album”, “Pinkerton”, “Make Believe”, “Hurley”, “Everything Will Be Alright In The End”, “White Album”, “Ok Human”. These I feel show the progression of the band (for better or for worse). Definitely check out Songs From The Black Hole if you are interested in unreleased albums.
honestly, Pinkerton gets like 100 times better when you know all the background and random facts about it.
I got so hyped when I saw this!!
Yay! Thanks for watching :)
I loved watching her face at the beginning of El Scorcho. 😅
I liked “El Scorcho” back when it was released and that was about it. Revisited the album years later and realized the brilliance.
that part in pink triangle where it slows down is so fucking good, great reaction as usual
Yes, I agree! I really love all of the stuff they do with tempo and rhythm across this album, it makes it so catchy.
Fyi the intro to Pink Triangle is a Glockenspiel/Xylophone. Your theory was a good thought though. The song is about Rivers' crush being a lesbian... haha
I love your Fresh points of View 🙌❤️🌹
I appreciate that! Thanks for watching :)
Some other great weezer albums i think would make for good reaction videos: Maladroit,
Everything Will Be Alright In The End,
OK Human,
Red Album and White Album
Honestly should listen to the b sides to this album that are on the deluxe version, Pinkerton has the best b sides for any album imo. Usually it’s just demos of songs that never get fleshed out but songs like Tragic girl really could’ve been on the album instead of being a b side
Tragic Girl is my favorite Weezer song, everyone should hear it.
Pinkerton is a record I have grown to love despite acknowledging some elements of its songwriting that haven't aged too well. The songs are so well made and catchy, yet its undeniable how depressing and uncomfortable a lot of the lyrics are in relation to Rivers and his mentality at the time. Pinkerton is almost honest to a fault with how authentic and open it approaches the ugliness of what Rivers was thinking and feeling at a very low point in his life. While it makes sense that he would reflect on Pinkerton and change his songwriting approach moving forward, it makes me wonder what they would sound like now if the album was more appreciated upon its release.
Matt sharp left weezer after this album which i always believed had a effect on the band. You should check out his band the rentals
Once he left they changed completely. His contribution to the band was massive. I only appreciate their first two albums.
Listen to this after a toxic relationship ends and it will become your favourite album
Man, I would love for you to at some point react to some Queens of the Stone Age if you haven’t already
I'll keep them in mind :)
I highly recommend getting into toadies if you end up liking both blue and pinkerton. Toadies is another great jam band and fun live!
Thanks for the recommendation, I'll have to check them out!
LET'S GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
That's the energy I like to see :D
This album only exists because of Surfer Rosa from Pixies, which itself inspired Nirvana's In Utero, which also has some dark and visceral lyrics, just like Pinkerton, and Pinkerton inspired a lot of emo bands. The cycle of creativity and inspiration never stops.
I would love too see you go through all of Weezer's albums in order. After these first two albums, my favorite album is Pacific Daydream, but all Weezer albums are good
Have just been given this album, so thanks for the video!
Wow glad you enjoyed it! So many people are indifferent to Pinkerton on first listen. Rivers was going through it with this album and it made for a great album. 9 tracks of abrasive emotion followed by the cathartic ending of Butterfly. Not many experiences like this one.
I’m sure you’re aware but the b sides are also awesome. Devotion should have made the album 😞
Yeah this album is really an experience, his pain and emotional turmoil at the time of making Pinkerton is really palpable while listening to it. I'm definitely going to check out the b-sides!
Come on, at 19, i figured it out. He's having a conflict on what to do about his relationship with Japanese girls.
lmao your face when listening to el scorcho is too good, it’s one of my favourite songs of all time but i assume that was everyone’s first reaction when listening to it
Yeah, it's a pretty weird track, haha!
i know this is like a year later but id like to add that
1. pinkerton is named after the play, pinkerton. alot of the play's elements ate included in 'butterfly', where rivers says that 'I told you I would return, When the robin makes his nest, But I ain't never coming back.', this is a reference to the play itself (i'd recommend doing your own research.)
2. all of these songs are based off of events in rivers real life
3. the first four songs were originally part of a scrapped album called 'songs from the black hole', however 'tired of sex' and 'getchoo' were written even longer before this album.
4. pink triangle transitions perfectly into falling for you
The yt algorithm sent me here. Content is pretty good. New sub.
Aw thanks! Glad you found the channel :)
Bet you would love Gravity X by Truckfighters or Seven Thunders Roar by Stoned Jesus, two of the top stoner rock albums of all time imo. Love how you immerse so deeply into the albums. So awesome!
Not familiar with either of those, I'll check them out! Glad you're enjoying the videos :)
Blue and Pinkerton, the soundtrack of the end of my teenage years, and part of my life since. Cheers from France.
This is really entertaining, I wouldn’t mind seeing you go through every album. I know it’s kind of a commitment but it just sounds cool lol.
Hey, Moly. Loved your reaction. Pinkerton is my favorite album from Weezer. You should check an album that for me is one of the most underrated from the 90s. Supergrass´ In it for the money. I think you are going to enjoy it. Merry Christmas.
I have not heard of it, thanks for the recommendation!
Loved your genuine reactions!! 🤍
If you ever decide to come back to Weezer, I would suggest skipping all the way to the White Album. It's a super different vibe (very 'beach rock'), but very much worth the listen.
Thanks for watching! I'll certainly consider doing some more Weezer album reactions, I know the Green and White albums have both been mentioned a lot.
@@mollyesanborn you should also totally listen to maladroit by weezer which is more intense then the green album. Maladroit gives off more of the same vibe as pinkerton, If you liked pinkerton I recommended maladroit
Yeah I’d agree with that, I skipped from Pinkerton to white album after listening to the first couple songs of green and it was really nice
I loved the blue album. I listened to it to death. It had seemed like Weezer had broken up. I didn’t love Pinkerton. Since it seemed like there might not be anymore new music from Weezer, I found myself relistening to Pinkerton (since I’d already listened to blue 1000+ times). The songs grew on me and it ended up becoming my favorite album because of how specific and personal it was. I wonder if it was like that for anyone else?
Me and my friends used to drive around during high school blasting this album. It was one of our favorites.
I would highly recommend you listen to the deluxe edition, I find a lot of those songs to be just as good if not better than the main songs
Yeah a lot of people have been telling me that! I'll definitely give it a listen.
Can't believe I got into this album after watching this video. Even made a playlist, I swear.
That's awesome, glad you're enjoying Pinkerton! It's a great album :)
In the deluxe edition there’s a short interview segment with the band from a radio show where a fan calls in comparing Pinkerton to the blue album it’s pretty fun and they also go into the difference between the two albums and they hit on some things you mention the rougher sounds of Pinkerton. Anyway I know it’s on the deluxe edition on Spotify.
Oh cool, I'll definitely have to check that out!
The Good Life is my favorite Weezer song most of the time. Sometimes I like Surf Wax America better, but usually the former leads the way for me
I think the Good Life might be my favorite off of Pinkerton as well, such a great track!
Its very raw not over produced, the acoustic drum sound is my favorite of all time
El scorcho's classic first reaction, give it a few months it becomes your favorite weezer track
If you end up living with this album and spinning it for a few days, it’ll quickly grow on you and become a favorite. It has endless replay value.
I can certainly see that, some of the tracks have already gotten stuck in my head, haha!