Released:  May 10th, 1994

Recorded:  August – September 1993

Genre:  Alternative Rock

Record Label:  DGC

Duration:  41:17

Producer:  Ric Ocasek

[expand title=”Personnel” trigpos=”above” tag=”h22″](Regular band members in bold.)

• Rivers Cuomo – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards, harmonica 
• Brian Bell – guitar, backing vocals
• Matt Sharp – bass, backing vocals
• Patrick Wilson – drums, percussion, backing vocals
• Ric Ocasek – producer
• Chris Shaw – engineer
• Hal Belknap – assistant engineer [/expand]

[expand title=”Track Listing” trigpos=”above” tag=”h22″]

1. My Name is Jonas
2. No One Else
3. The World Has Turned and Left Me Here
4. Buddy Holly
5. Undone – The Sweater Song
6. Surf Wax America
7. Say It Ain’t So
8. In the Garage
9. Holiday
10. Only in Dreams [/expand]

[expand title=”Singles” trigpos=”above” tag=”h22″]

1. Undone – The Sweater Song – June 24th, 1994
2. Buddy Holly – September 7th, 1994
3. Say It Ain’t So – July 13th, 1995 [/expand]

Why The Blue Album is One of My Favorites

The Blue Album was the world’s introduction to Weezer, and what a strong introduction it was.  “Nerds” being “cool” started here, whether or not today’s crowd knows it.  They brought with them their own unique approach towards music and themselves, and this attitude gradually caught on, snowballed, and eventually spiraled completely out of control.  Regardless of my opinions on the state of today’s youth, it was hard not to admire Weezer for being square – the thing is, they weren’t trying to be “un-hip,” they just had an alternate standard of “cool” and embraced it.

The Blue Album is bursting at the seams with poppiness while also staying completely grounded.  If there’s one thing that really shines about the record, it’s its sincerity.  Sincerity and accessibility may be easy to find in today’s world of indie rock, but in 1994, and well into the next decade, this sort of music remained rare.  Laid back, humorous, and brazenly down to earth, the songs on Blue Album have the ability to speak to pretty much anyone.

Any of these 10 tracks could’ve been a radio hit.  Awesome melodies, thoughtful chord progressions, and straightforward, uncluttered presentation really worked for these guys.  Most tracks follow the “soft verse, loud chorus” model, contrast clean guitar playing with more overdriven riffing, and nearly always maintain an upbeat vibe.  The Blue Album is another tough record to put into words, primarily because it’s so extraordinarily ordinary.  When examining each piece and particle, there really isn’t anything amazing, but when it all comes together, it’s one of alternative rock’s best offerings.

Highlights from the album include “My Name is Jonas,” “Buddy Holly,” “Undone,” “Surf Wax America,” “Say It Ain’t So,” and “Only in Dreams.”  I’ve tried over and over to articulate what it is in particular that I like about these songs, but I can’t.  There’s something about the musicality behind the songs that makes them instantly attractive, and all in a very similar way.  I hate to cut it short this time around, but I have to.  The Blue Album boils down to a great collection of memorable, catchy tracks, underscored by some very skilled songwriting.  In and era full of big ideas, big emotions, and big proclamations, Weezer focuses on more “regular” and everyday concepts with their uniquely positive perspective.  Weezer was being hip and intellectual before it was hip to be intellectual.

Written by The Cubist

Other albums from Weezer in this series:

• 1996 – Pinkerton – Issue #65

Back to The Cubist’s 90’s Albums