#294 Weezer, 'Weezer (The Blue Album)' (1994)

Previously #299

The debut album by Alternative Rock mainstays, Weezer. Released two years after their formation, the band had initially struggled being a non-Grunge band in the era of Grunge music. Frontman, Rivers Cuomo wanted to self-produce the record but the band’s label, David Geffen Company, insisted on a producer. Ric Ocasek, frontman of The Cars was brought on-board to produce the album. The songs were so well put together that word on the street was that Weezer was a manufactured band put together by the label, like The Monkees (they weren’t).

Featuring the alt-rock classics, ‘Undone – The Sweater Song,’ ‘Buddy Holly’ and ‘Say It Ain’t So,’ the album went on to sell over 3.3m copies. It was released just a month after Kurt Cobain’s death, and the grunge world was reeling. Coincidental timing considering Weezer had struggled at their outset because they weren’t Grunge. This album signalled a new age for Alternative Rock and the abovementioned singles have become regulars on alternative rock radio ever since. An incredibly fun album to listen to with great melodies and quirky lyrics.

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