Make Believe
by Weezer
  • Record Label: Geffen
  • Release Date: May 10, 2005
User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 325 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 183 out of 325
  2. Mixed: 45 out of 325
  3. Negative: 97 out of 325

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  1. PeterV
    May 12, 2005
    6
    Huge disappointment....The worst Weezer album yet. Although the Pitchfork review is too negative.
  2. SaeedG
    May 10, 2005
    7
    A bit better then Maladroit, has some great songs on it but does have a few howlers. Highlights: Perfect Situation, This is Such A Pity, The Other Way Skip: Beverly Hills, Freak You Out
  3. AdamS
    May 12, 2005
    8
    Although not blue or pinkerton, this is an excellent stand alone ablum that I would probably enjoy more if I didn't have to compare it to the two previous masterpieces. Light years beyond green and Maladroit.
  4. LawenceP
    May 12, 2005
    1
    Everything their first two LP's were.........Yeah right! This is trash!
  5. attaboy
    May 12, 2005
    0
    so absolutely atrocious. worse than pitchfork wrote. i am shocked there are still people who will like a weezer album on the basis of it being a weezer album. jesus, it's so bad.
  6. VincentC
    May 13, 2005
    0
    I also agree with Pitchfork. Weezer have always gotten by on the kind of goodwill generated by this imagined notion that they are somehow underdogs or anti-establishment heroes, despite all evidence to the contrary. Every Weezer fan since Pinkerton has been aware of this, yet we've always given Rivers the benefit of the doubt, because despite the fact that we knew that in his heart I also agree with Pitchfork. Weezer have always gotten by on the kind of goodwill generated by this imagined notion that they are somehow underdogs or anti-establishment heroes, despite all evidence to the contrary. Every Weezer fan since Pinkerton has been aware of this, yet we've always given Rivers the benefit of the doubt, because despite the fact that we knew that in his heart his earnest goal was to be a bloated rock star, the music continued to speak to us, to give us a glimpse into his human thoughts and feelings. Well, seeing Hugh Hefner in the new video completely changed all that for me (oh yeah, and the music stinks, too). If this is what Rivers was striving to be all this time, then so be it. They've lost me completely. I am no longer a Weezer fan, and will forget I ever was one.… Expand
  7. ChrisF
    May 13, 2005
    9
    Great album, lyrically it's a bit weak. but oh well.
  8. FlynnN
    May 13, 2005
    4
    People who like this record just don't get it.
  9. PMHthehook
    May 13, 2005
    8
    This album made me laugh...I'm not sure if that's what I expected though. I would give it a 5 but "This is such a pity" is so good that made the cut for me, so I'm giving a solid 8 to this weird record. I also enjoyed "frek me out", "peace", "the damage in your heart", "pardon me". "my best friend" is laughable. "beverly hills" and "perfect situation" are way too juvenile This album made me laugh...I'm not sure if that's what I expected though. I would give it a 5 but "This is such a pity" is so good that made the cut for me, so I'm giving a solid 8 to this weird record. I also enjoyed "frek me out", "peace", "the damage in your heart", "pardon me". "my best friend" is laughable. "beverly hills" and "perfect situation" are way too juvenile for a suposedly mature band. the rest is pretty much average weezer stuff. Anyway, as I said "this is such a pity" is great...sometimes I expect jeff lynne singing "here is the news" after the intro, which is amusing. hahah so 80ish.… Expand
  10. MarkCh
    May 13, 2005
    4
    One of the biggest musical disappointments I've had. For me, Cuomo had previously managed to write perfect pop songs wrapped up in guitars that didn't sound like they were polished to a high sheen in the studio. Not always the most deep of lyrics but then that was never the point. I never questioned Cuomo's songwriting ablity as the quality of output had been strong over One of the biggest musical disappointments I've had. For me, Cuomo had previously managed to write perfect pop songs wrapped up in guitars that didn't sound like they were polished to a high sheen in the studio. Not always the most deep of lyrics but then that was never the point. I never questioned Cuomo's songwriting ablity as the quality of output had been strong over the last 4 albums (and check out those brilliant b-sides and rarities like Jamie) but then this...I've read in a few other reviews that the songwriting sounds lazy and I couldn't agree more. It seems that he has resorted to creating a Weezer template to avoid writers block or something. There are some truly awful moments on here - This Is Such A Pity being once of the worst offenders. Twee Cars rip-off was the first thought in my mind upon first listening and then the vocals begin to grate half way through the first "chorus" (i use that term loosely here). Surely an aberrition? Unfortunately not. The album does not improve - not even with repeated listening. Weezer always managed to write classic pop songs with just the right amount of unpredictability to throw off any expectations (just the right deviation at the right time in a chord sequence). I reckon Rivers could knock this stuff out in his sleep...and from the sounds of it he probably did. A real shame.… Expand
  11. fredfred
    May 13, 2005
    2
    it Sucks
  12. FrankW
    May 14, 2005
    0
    I have a friend who was crying by the second song and just turned it off. He had listened to the two best songs of the album. They just grew progressively worse. The album wouldn't be quite as bad as it is if it was completely instrumental (not saying that the songs are decent because the just plaing aren't), but Cuomo's lyrics are so disgustingly bad they might have failed I have a friend who was crying by the second song and just turned it off. He had listened to the two best songs of the album. They just grew progressively worse. The album wouldn't be quite as bad as it is if it was completely instrumental (not saying that the songs are decent because the just plaing aren't), but Cuomo's lyrics are so disgustingly bad they might have failed in a high school poetry class. For troubled inner city kids. With learning disabilities. People who argue this album's merits have never listened to a good song in their entire life.… Expand
  13. JamesW
    May 14, 2005
    2
    Stinks.
  14. EdK
    May 15, 2005
    10
    oh my god. you guys dont get it. this is an amazing amazing record. only thing i can complain is the lyrics. the melodies are just great man. and it's certainly an improvement for weezer adding more depth and increasing their song lengths. not to mention the guitar solos. woohoo. you guys gotta give it a second listen! i cant stop playing the cd man.
  15. JesperM
    May 16, 2005
    9
    This album is neither what I expected nor what I hoped for. It is something else, and it gave me a hard time at first. But it still remained fixed in my CD-player. Now I really, really like it. The bad reviews all to me seem nothing but "this band is not doing what I want them to do. How dare they!" I remember the abandoned concept for the Beverly Hills video (suggested by Brian This album is neither what I expected nor what I hoped for. It is something else, and it gave me a hard time at first. But it still remained fixed in my CD-player. Now I really, really like it. The bad reviews all to me seem nothing but "this band is not doing what I want them to do. How dare they!" I remember the abandoned concept for the Beverly Hills video (suggested by Brian Bell)where the band is given an extreme makeover, and their appearances all change - except for Rivers Cuomo. He looks just the same as before, because, said Bell, "Rivers is not allowed to change." Says it all, really. Give the man a break and listen.… Expand
  16. SteveG
    May 17, 2005
    4
    Disappointing, considering the buildup. Mostly generic, awful grade-school poetry lyrics.
  17. jon
    May 18, 2005
    0
    Could honestly be one of the worst things ever recorded. It makes you wonder if all their old stuff was as good as you thought it was when you were in middle school.
  18. ElDuderino
    May 18, 2005
    0
    I remember a small scene from the Simpsons where Homer and Flanders were in Vegas, and their hotel marquee read that the entertainment was a Moody Blues cover band, whose opening band was the Moody Blues. After this crap-heap of an album, that scene serves as an analog for the future of Weezer.
  19. ThomasP
    May 18, 2005
    9
    At first listen, Make Believe threw me off and I was somewhat dissapointed. After about thirty passes, I believe that this could be the best Weezer to date. Make Believe is a very complex and deep release that seems to favor some of the best Beatles releases. Funny enough, the best material on the release is towards the end of the CD - Tracks 10-12 are pure genious.
  20. BradM.
    May 23, 2005
    0
    A five year old could write "Beverly Hills." It might be the worst single of the year. It's the kind of song that 14 year olds trying to learn guitar will take to their instructors. These guys once wrote fun songs like "The Sweater Song" and "Surf Wax America." What happened? The only thing that seems to be keeping this band in the spotlight is River's geek glasses. "Oh Rivers, A five year old could write "Beverly Hills." It might be the worst single of the year. It's the kind of song that 14 year olds trying to learn guitar will take to their instructors. These guys once wrote fun songs like "The Sweater Song" and "Surf Wax America." What happened? The only thing that seems to be keeping this band in the spotlight is River's geek glasses. "Oh Rivers, you're so....sensitive and bookish." What a pile.… Expand
  21. Sean-TambaM
    May 24, 2005
    10
    Make Believe is a great Pop-Modern Rock album. No its not your typical underground pinkerton album, but who said it was supposed to be.
  22. AndrewG
    May 25, 2005
    8
    After a couple of listenings you get major earworms. I dig this album, it has moved QOTSA's new album out of the CD player.
  23. GeorgeJ
    May 27, 2005
    10
    This album is great.
  24. kylea
    May 9, 2005
    5
    Worst Weezer yet, but they're still Weezer - there's definitely some good.
  25. FredoL
    May 9, 2005
    10
    best work since pinkerton. deserves to stand next to the first 2 albums.
  26. WilliamS
    May 9, 2005
    10
    Another great album from the Weez. Like the Rolling Stone review said, this is a breakthrough for Rivers and Weezer. The songwriting is emotional and optimistic. It's very different from their usual quirky geekiness and I really like it. Very mature yet still able to rocked out to!
  27. AlexS
    May 9, 2005
    2
    Man, this is worse than the last 2 efforts. For me, anyway, weezer haven't been the same since bassist Matt Sharp's departure from the group.
  28. Rowdy
    May 9, 2005
    0
    They've come a long way..........and the road they've traveled has been a steep downhill one.
  29. PopeJohnPaul
    Jun 11, 2005
    0
    Goodbye Rivers. I know we had some great times together, but that was 9 years ago. It's over.
  30. NeilFan
    Jun 13, 2005
    10
    A great Newe Album From Weezer. IT's their best album since Pinkerton.
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Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Most Discussed Album of 2005
86
#86 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
52

Mixed or average reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 25
  3. Negative: 8 out of 25
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    Weezer's most conventional disc... a cleaner-sounding record heavy on way-earnest power ballads. [13 May 2005, p.85]
  2. Rolling Stone
    80
    A breakthrough for Weezer... Cuomo's songs are his most plaintive and brilliant since Pinkerton. [19 May 2005, p.74]
  3. Pitchfork
    4
    Sometimes an album is just awful. Make Believe is one of those albums.
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