Weezer’s self-titled debut, often called the Blue Album, is one of the most celebratory albums I’ve ever heard. It may as well have confetti come out when you break through the plastic.
A lot of people bought the album because of the radio hits “Undone” (The Sweater Song) and “Buddy Holly,” both of which are novel and catchy. But, and now I’ll personalize this rave review. . .I never expected the album’s first song, “Jonas.” I don’t think anyone did.
Gamboling guitar arpeggios. The band’s singalong harmonies. I’ve heard they took lessons in singing as a Barbershop-style choir. Perhaps it’s just an apocryphal story, like Robert Johnson selling his soul at a crossroads or Ozzy Osbourne eating a bat. (Did he really?)
Calculation and study and orchestration went into “My Name is Jonas” and other gems by Weezer like “The World Has Turned and Left Me Here.” “Jonas” in particular employs miles-wide, building from effervescent arpeggios and harmonies to that now-trademark moment when the beat drops, so to speak–guitar and bass get married and start to chug together.
It makes for a song that’s inspiring, even though I have no idea what it’s about. Who’s Wakefield? And why’s he carrying that wheel?
The Blue Album came out in 1994 when I was 20 and I listened to it all the time. When I returned to records two years ago, a blue vinyl version of the record was one of my first purchases, outside of a few treasures I’ve picked up from thrift stores.
Enough of this preamble. It’s time to listen to some Weezer.
–Sarah Torribio
See more songs of the day curated by Sarah Torribio HERE
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