Time is a funny thing. In the early 90’s Weezer came out with the classic “Blue Album.” A smash upon its release, these guys could have done anything they wanted for a follow-up to one of the best-selling rock albums the year of its release. In fact, they did do whatever they wanted, except it didn’t really turn out the way people had hoped.

At the time, the bands sophomore album “Pinkerton,” crashed and burned and Weezer went from being the next big thing to just another band that only had one good album in them. Like I said, time is funny, and often fickle. Along the way. something amazing starting to happen. People started to realize that this second album, wasn’t a flop at all. It was brilliant, emotional, very dark album in ways that it’s predecessor wasn’t, and since then it’s become known as one of, if not the best album the band has ever recorded. I present to you Weezer’s 1996 once vastly underrated second album, “Pinkerton.”

Almost from the opening of “Tired of Sex” you can tell this isn’t a happy pop rock record. The bass line is rough in ways it hadn’t been before, and the forlorn lyrics set you up for one of the most overlooked albums to come out at that time. I’d like to say I was one of the people who fell in love with this album when it came out, but I wouldn’t discover it until about 4 years later. It was late, but it was also perfect timing. At the time of the release I wasn’t really capable of understanding the depth of Cuomo’s pain, but years later, it spoke to me and only me.

The story goes that Rivers Cuomo had decided to attend Harvard after the massive success of the first album, and in the process of his studies, had fallen in love with a girl. He would never formally meet this girl, but for a romantic meeting the person isn’t really a requirement. Also helping with the somber, darkened tone of the album was the fact that Rivers’ was going through a painful procedure to add length to one of his legs so he could be on even ground. This was done by turning knobs that attached to bolts in his legs. Sounds like fun right?

“Pinkerton” perfectly sets the mood for a lonely, cold winter up north, and in the end, it’s the ultimate depressing album. The reason it works so well also has to do with how polar opposite it is from the first album. In the way the “Blue Album” had tinges of sadness among light positively themed songs, “Pinkerton” has downright unsettling songs intermingled with the occasional more chipper passages. This doesn’t happen too often though.

“Why Bother?” has a particular downtrodden feel to it. I know for certain that I’ve felt the “fuck the world” vibe before, as thought it wasn’t worth it to even try. This song is that emotion. This is a band that doesn’t care, and they’re upset at the situation, and they intend to take it out on everyone paying attention. The next selection, “Across the Sea,” might be the most lovely song on the album. The piano beginning is sweet, and the lyrics on this track are some of the best on the whole collection of songs. We’re treated to a true story about a fan from Japan who was fascinated by the band, and over time Rivers’ becomes quite enamored with her, and this young ladies gift for loving the band is the love of the main songwriter and a song specifically about her. How cool would that be? But also, the song still presents the pain of wondering if the person you’re meant to be with is stranded on an island all the way across the world waiting for your hearts to be together.

If you’re hoping the second half of the record is a little lighter, you’re sadly mistaken. In fact, it’s probably worse. Back to back we’re treated to the chipper sounding but lyrically bitter “The Good Life,” which is then followed by the downright strange “El Scorcho.” “The Good Life” reeks of resentment. I imagine a man in his late 40’s who’s been burned multiple times by people in general, and he’s just trying to get his style back. The slow down and subsequent buildup on the song are also one of the best decisions the band made. They’re able to jump into a dreamy tune from a aggressive one, and the upward momentum is reminiscent of the “Blue Album” track “Only in Dreams.” To this day the song is one of my favorites on the album, and it should be yours too.

“El Scorcho” comes at us from left field, and it’s on of the few songs that is both catchy and isn’t wrist slitting depressing. Witnessing thousands of people sing this song is still one of the coolest things ever, and the funkiness of song makes it a good time for all.

When I first got this record, my life was vastly different. I was depressed about my state in life, and had no idea what to do about it. I was living at home, had no girlfriend, and no prospects for one. This album was my escape. I could relate perfectly to the angst presented here, and through time, and a growth of maturity, this album helped me to figure things out.

“Falling for You,” followed by “ Butterfly,” close the album, but it get’s worse before it get’s better. In fact it doesn’t get better. “Falling for You” is helpless in the same way that love can be. The band is playing like they have no idea how to continue, and of course, the person Rivers’ is falling for may or may not feel the same way. This is the appropriate time to discuss the guitars on this record. Brian Bell absolutely tears it down on multiple songs, and in some ways, it’s the glue that keeps the songs going. This band, while known for catchy songs, is also at times over looked in the department of playing ability. They all know what they’re doing, and they manage to bring upbeat shades to even the darkest of tracks.

Speaking of dark tracks, the album concludes with the horribly sad and powerful “Butterfly.” For me, and I’ve mentioned this before, “Butterfly” is a metaphor for things damaged or broken. You mean to do the right thing, but it’s difficult at times to know what that thing is. In this final track, Cuomo thinks he can hold onto beauty in his mason jar, but what he doesn’t understand is that beautiful things aren’t meant to be caged up, and if you cage them, they will “Wither all Away.” As the final verses of “I’m sorry” quietly creep into our ears, the album takes its final victim. The victim of course, being the fact that this is life changing album full of darkness and upset feelings is also one of the most underrated albums of all time.

“Pinkerton” is the antithesis of the joyful, fun “Blue Album,” but that’s why it works so well. These guys aren’t the same band they used to be, and that’s ok. Next time, we’ll be discussing an album from a bunch of San Francisco punks who brought their A game with this colossal, anthemic concept album. Thanks for reading!