‘Pinkerton’ – aka the Weezer album that time forgot – has become somewhat of a mystery in the 18-year history of the LA geek-rock band. Although the record has become a bit of a cult favourite in more recent years, it didn’t receive quite as much of a warm reception upon its release back in 1996. In fact, it’s probably fair to say that both the critical and commercial failure of the album were, at the time, almost enough to break Weezer completely, despite being only their second release.
Although a lot of the previous criticism has now been taken back and ‘Pinkerton’ has been given the respect it arguably deserved, it seems that Weezer themselves have always struggled to forgive and forget. Anyone who has witnessed the band live during the last ten years will confirm that the songs from ‘Pinkerton’ rarely make an appearance in the band’s stage show. However, as previously announced, the four-piece are about to head out on a short tour of the US, during which they will play both of their first two albums in their entirety.
Listening to ‘Pinkterton’ now, it isn’t difficult to imagine the initial sense of shock that was felt by Weezer fans and critics only two years after the release of the band’s debut. Although it shares the melodiousness of its predecessor, ‘Pinkerton’ contains little of the pop-rock appeal that people will be familiar with from the likes of ‘Buddy Holly’ and ‘Undone – The Sweater Song’. Not that this is in any way a bad thing, but ‘Pinkerton’ is a much darker and almost heavier effort than the ‘Blue’ album. It’s also a hell of it a lot more chaotic, as can be heard on the feedback-ridden grunginess of opener ‘Tired of Sex’.
Through tracks like ‘Getchoo’, ‘No Other One’ and ‘The Good Life’, the album pounds, crashes and stomps in a playfully tuneful manner that easily equals the listenability of the debut, while also managing to achieve a much more convincing quality for Weezer’s sound. As we have come to learn in the fourteen years since its release, ‘Pinkerton’ has not only changed Weezer as a band, but it has also helped to shape and mature their music, leading them towards their current destination.
With the new tour and the release of this Deluxe Edition, it appears that Weezer are finally prepared to embrace their most challenging and ultimately rewarding effort. As witnessed during this year’s Reading and Leeds performances, the LA group have proved what a rock’n’roll force to be reckoned with they have become since their timid beginnings during the mid ‘90s. However, for those people who have missed these songs during the band’s live outings, Disc Two includes several of them as recorded at Reading Festival back in 1997. There’s also a whole host of B-sides and previously unreleased tracks thrown in as well. For those of you that may have been a bit disappointed by the likes of ‘Maladroit’ and ‘Raditude’, yet missed out on this often underrated gem, here is your second chance.
Stereoboard Rating: 10/10
Tracklisting:
DISC ONE
Original Album:
1. Tired Of Sex
2. Getchoo
3. No Other One
4. Why Bother?
5. Across The Sea
6. The Good Life
7. El Scorcho
8. Pink Triangle
9. Falling For You
10. Butterfly
B-Sides and More:
11. You Gave Your Love To Me Softly
12. Devotion
13. The Good Life (Radio Remix)
14. Waiting On You
15. I Just Threw Out The Love Of My Dreams
16. The Good Life (Live and Acoustic)
17. Pink Triangle (Radio Remix)
18. I Swear It’s True (Previously unreleased)
19. Pink Triangle (Live and Acoustic)
DISC TWO
1. You Won’t Get With Me Tonight (Previously unreleased)
2. The Good Life (Live at Y100 Sonic Session)
3 El Scorcho (Live at Y100 Sonic Session)
4. Pink Triangle (Live at Y100 Sonic Session)
5. Why Bother? (Live at Reading Festival 1996)
6. El Scorcho (Live at Reading Festival 1996)
7. Pink Triangle (Live at Reading Festival 1996)
8. The Good Life (Live at X96)
9. El Scorcho (Live and Acoustic)
10. Across The Sea Piano Noodles
11. Butterfly (Alternate Take) (Previously unreleased)
12. Long Time Sunshine (Previously unreleased)
13. Getting Up And Leaving (Previously unreleased)
14. Tired Of Sex (Tracking Rough) (Previously unreleased)
15. Getchoo (Tracking Rough) (Previously unreleased)
16. Tragic Girl (Previously unreleased)
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Although a lot of the previous criticism has now been taken back and ‘Pinkerton’ has been given the respect it arguably deserved, it seems that Weezer themselves have always struggled to forgive and forget. Anyone who has witnessed the band live during the last ten years will confirm that the songs from ‘Pinkerton’ rarely make an appearance in the band’s stage show. However, as previously announced, the four-piece are about to head out on a short tour of the US, during which they will play both of their first two albums in their entirety. 
