Tag Archives: weezer (the blue album)

#630: Weezer – In the Garage

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When Weezer signed to Geffen Records in 1993, frontman and singer-songwriter Rivers Cuomo was assumedly stoked about the whole situation. So much so that he wrote two songs about the ordeal. Whichever one he wrote first can be argued but alongside ‘Holiday’, ‘In the Garage’ was written. Both appeared on the band’s blue debut album a year later.

The two songs connect to each other so much (subject matter wise) that they are put right next to each other in the tracklist, although whilst ‘Holiday’ is a much more uptempo and jubilant affair, ‘In the Garage’ slows things down and takes more of an introspective look on Cuomo’s feelings about being signed. The garage is that of Amherst House in Los Angeles where the members of Weezer lived and would hold their early rehearsals; the track is a dedication to that place. Rivers Cuomo is a nerd and heavy metal fan and a bit of a recluse and he’s proud to declare it here. In the garage he’s able to geek out on Dungeons and Dragons and worship his KISS posters without being judged by his peers. It’s a wholesome track. Has a very warm sentiment.

Much like all of the other tracks on the album, the song is characterized by a wall of sleek guitars (all provided by Cuomo) although here, there is a touch of harmonica and a fuzz bass in the second verse to change things up a bit. It’s a fine listen. It’s a popular one amongst Weezer fans. It’s probably not my personal favourite on the album. The whole thing is a 10/10 so you can’t go wrong.

My iPod #537: Weezer – Holiday

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It is time to talk about another holiday. This one appears as the ninth and penultimate song on Weezer’s classic debut album. The Blue Album is one that I have owned and cherished for almost ten years now. Knew it was something I would take to the first time I heard the strident opening power chords of “My Name Is Jonas”; the bar is high on every track, and it is one of those albums that I can play from front to back without becoming tired of it.

Like yesterday’s “Holiday”, the one by Weezer also celebrates a new-found freedom. But whilst Green Day’s celebrates freedom from leaving one world, Rivers Cuomo sings about the joy of entering a new one. Along with “In the Garage“, “Holiday” was written in a sudden burst of excitement after Weezer had been signed by major record company Geffen Records. It differs from the former in that that feeling of excitement can be sensed by the song’s tempo, rhythm, atmosphere and execution.

Cuomo invites the narrator to ‘go away for a while’ somewhere. Not even to a specific location because that’s how much his sense has gone out the window because of this ecstasy. All four members feature on vocals too, with Brian Bell, Matt Sharp, and Patrick Wilson performing the Beach Boys influenced vocals for the bridge. If you listen carefully during the feedback that the song ends with you can hear someone in the back let out a huge scream. If it’s because of the realisation that what they had just performed was the perfect take then it’s for a good reason.

My iPod #140: Weezer – Buddy Holly

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I’ve never been a fan of “Happy Days”, but I did attempt to watch a few episodes after seeing the music video for “Buddy Holly” when I was ten. The video by Spike Jonze was something I’d never seen before. How were Weezer able to perform in front of the cast of Happy Days? How did they get that man – who I assume to be ‘Fonzie’ – to dance to their music? Well, the video just combined footage of the sitcom with the band performing. A stunt double helped along too. The scenes were placed at very appropriate times to add great comedic effect, and I showed the video to my friend at his house and also found it funny. Especially at the Asian man near the end making a squee face. I’d found my favourite video of all time.

“Buddy Holly” is one of the main reasons I wanted “Weezer” for my eleventh birthday. It seemed that there was no way to actually listen to the full song online. Instead I was treated to a mash-up that included the song with “99 Problems” by Jay-Z. It wasn’t on YouTube though. That wasn’t around. All I wanted to do was listen to the song on Windows Media Player and put it on repeat, and it seemed that getting the album was the most efficient way to do it. That was a good decision on my part. Weezer’s first album is a damn fine piece of work.

Did you know the song almost never made it onto the album? Rivers first thought it would be too cheesy, but it was the persistent encouragement from the album producer that changed his mind in the end. It’s nice to know that Rivers once thought about how his songs sounded one time. I’ve pretty much given up on the albums they’ve released lately.

Oh, I don’t want to be mean. Rivers Cuomo is a nice guy.

Jamie.