With the new rebooted release of the iconic album by Weezer, “The Blue Album,” many Weezer fans, both young kids who were introduced by the iconic “Buddy Holly” riff, and millennials who heard it on a boombox when they first came to the spotlight, traveled in the hundreds across the country to see them perform live on stage. The new album features the entirety of the “Blue Album”, along some of their most popular songs, “Dope Nose”, “Burndt Jamb”, “Island in the Sun”, “Perfect Situation”, and “Pink Triangle”.
The rebooted album was performed across the U.S., from Minnesota to California. Weezer came to the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA on Oct. 4. I went to see the concert and was absolutely enthralled with the quality of the music, show, and everything else that came with it.
All of the songs had a more instrumental focus, with the singing being significantly quieter than the music itself. In previous years, the lyrics were the main focus. I really enjoyed how the newer Weezer style sounded. In almost every “Blue Album” song, there is a guitar riff towards the end, most notably in “Buddy Holly.” They kept all of those iconic guitar solos and riffs from the music, but adjusted some of the background instruments, and the notes of the vocals.
My favorite rebooted song was absolutely “Island in the Sun,” from “The Green Album.” The song is about vacationing in Hawaii, and it managed to capture that relaxed energy more than the original. Another great song was “Hash Pipe,” also from “The Green Album”. It seemed to capture a more metal, or punk rock sound, which perfectly encapsulates the meaning, and effect of the song.
When the concert was first beginning, they played the songs “lll.Return to Ithaka” and “ll. Anonymous.” I like the rebooted versions of these songs due to the more ethereal, epic feeling to the instrumental parts of the song.
I learned a lot of new songs at the concert, including “Pink Triangle,” and “Perfect Situation,” hopelessly romantic love songs. “Pink Triangle” is about Rivers Cuomo, haplessly in love with a lesbian. “Perfect Situation” is about Rivers being a horrible romantic, which has a more instrumental composition, with very repetitive lyrics. This symbolizes the repetition one can go through with failed relationships.
Overall, I love all the songs they rebooted, and I appreciate the changes. I think “The Blue Album” remains to be a wonderful collection of songs, and they have a timeless charm to them. “Weezer: Voyage to the Blue Planet” is a wonderful album for just relaxing on a sunny island, or on a perfect situation day.
