Eschewing the emotional storytelling of “Pinkerton” for simplistic lyrics on “Green,” the still-present narrative hounding the band is that they’ll never match their artistic highs of the ’90s.ĭespite the mixed reaction, “Green” kickstarted a long and prolific second act for the band, as they released 12 more albums over the next 20 years. But a hooky return to music in 2001 with “Weezer (Green Album)” gave the group a commercial shot in the arm, although it splintered the existing fanbase. The initial critical rejection of “Pinkerton” made it seem that frontman-songwriter Rivers Cuomo might pursue a life of the mind (he enrolled at Harvard shortly after the group’s first success), and Weezer might be just another band that burned too bright and flamed out.
By releasing two of the most revered rock records of the ’90s - their 1994 debut “Weezer” (aka the “Blue Album”), and 1996’s cult hit “Pinkerton” - the group amassed a fanbase that feverishly connected with its nostalgic lyrics, singalong choruses and guitar riffs.
Weezer is a band that inspires extreme loyalty.