Weezer (Red Album)
by Weezer
  • Record Label: Geffen
  • Release Date: Jun 3, 2008
User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 191 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 126 out of 191
  2. Mixed: 36 out of 191
  3. Negative: 29 out of 191

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  1. J.R.
    Jun 12, 2008
    10
    Hands down their best since Pinkerton. The playfulness and humor found in the blue album has returned!
  2. PaulH
    Jun 4, 2008
    10
    This is the CD weezer fans have been waiting for. There is a plethora of sounds on this album that all seem to work. I think 'Pig' and 'King' from the deluxe version should have been included.
  3. J
    Jun 7, 2008
    10
    Best satire on the industry in years. They took the best formulas out there and reinvented them Weezer style.... great stuff.
  4. Mike
    Jun 8, 2008
    10
    All songs are good if you don't expect it sound like pinkerton or blue.......don't let the reviewers discourage you!
  5. JonathanC
    Jun 4, 2008
    10
    I am surprised at the negative editorial reviews. I think intrinsically most critics are unable to enjoy weezer. Weezer's real core audience is that kid in us that is nerdy and airguitars and sings along to our favorite rock songs and pretend to be rock stars. Weezer makes the music that kid would have made, not the same as his heroes, but a little more more honest. I think critics I am surprised at the negative editorial reviews. I think intrinsically most critics are unable to enjoy weezer. Weezer's real core audience is that kid in us that is nerdy and airguitars and sings along to our favorite rock songs and pretend to be rock stars. Weezer makes the music that kid would have made, not the same as his heroes, but a little more more honest. I think critics want Rivers to be that indie/emo/pop rock hero of theirs they remember from their youth, when he is in fact has never been that guy, and they've all grown out of it. Some of us thankfully haven't grown out of it, and just want enjoyable, honest, quirky music that speaks to us big self-aware (not self consious) kids. I'll leave the critics to tell me what is "clever" or "fresh" or "meaningful" or "original" they are good at that cause they've made it their job to do so, but they aren't really good at telling me whats enjoyable. I'm brave enough to enjoy this new Weezer album the way it is supposed to be, singing out loud in my car with the windows down, just like I was when I was 16.… Expand
  6. JoyceM.
    Jun 8, 2008
    10
    I'm going to give it a 10 because a) it's a great improvement from make believe, b) it shows the growth of weezer through its past albums, c) rehabilitation to the improvement towards the blue album sound, d) the sounds in general are pretty all right, with a lot of experimental stuff which should be acknowledged.
  7. SkullKid
    Jul 10, 2008
    10
    Amazing return to form after Make Believe. "Dreamin'" and "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived" are future Weezer classics, and they may have taken a few more listens than the other songs, but the non-Rivers entries are nowhere near as bad as some of the reviews make out. Get the deluxe version.
  8. BlakeW
    Oct 5, 2008
    10
    First off , buy the deluxe album . If you don't you're an Idiot. Secondly , these guys are progressing on every album (minus make believe). Tehy will never sound like the blue album or pinkerton ever again so the cool thing for peopel to do is bash them. but let's cut the crap, Pork and Beans was a #1 song for a while , this album is great and brings Weezer back on track First off , buy the deluxe album . If you don't you're an Idiot. Secondly , these guys are progressing on every album (minus make believe). Tehy will never sound like the blue album or pinkerton ever again so the cool thing for peopel to do is bash them. but let's cut the crap, Pork and Beans was a #1 song for a while , this album is great and brings Weezer back on track from the last album that was MEH. This band is growing and people don't wanna let it grow , it's a shame. This Album kicks ass as well as the band itself.… Expand
  9. MarthaH.
    Jun 10, 2008
    10
    They are fantastic in red album! Love it!
  10. SeanBeck
    Jun 4, 2008
    10
    Best album since Pinkerton in my mind.
  11. jro
    Jun 5, 2008
    10
    I love this cd. Weezer has been a favorite of mine for a long time, but they almost lost me with efforts like "maladroit." But every "color" album has been great, with the "red" album finishing a close 2nd to the incredible debut "blue." So come on folks, "everybody get dangerous."
  12. AndyF.
    Jun 13, 2008
    10
    You have to really put yourself in Rivers' shoes. This album is as perfectly honest as it gets. Beautiful.
  13. WalkD.
    Jul 11, 2008
    10
    This is a great album from top to bottom. Sit down with no preconceived notions and the deluxe version and you will surely enjoy this album.
  14. SteveJohnson
    Mar 1, 2019
    10
    AN incredible album, even the members that aren’t rivers can deliver great performances.
  15. Seffor
    Jun 22, 2020
    10
    A masterpiece. All of these songs are excellent. Especially the bonus tracks.
  16. NickG.
    Jun 4, 2008
    9
    I really enjoyed this album. at first i listened to it and was like "this doesnt even sound like weezer", I was shocked at how foreign. Yet after listening to it a second time, I started to like it more and more. Finally I was jammin' along with each song, just like I do with all the old weezer songs. I thought this was a great album, yet very diffrent from Weezer's other works, I really enjoyed this album. at first i listened to it and was like "this doesnt even sound like weezer", I was shocked at how foreign. Yet after listening to it a second time, I started to like it more and more. Finally I was jammin' along with each song, just like I do with all the old weezer songs. I thought this was a great album, yet very diffrent from Weezer's other works, only 3 songs on the album seem like classic weezer songs, yet i think any Weezer fan will still enjoy it, and maybe its new sound will attract new fans.… Expand
  17. JakeH.
    Jun 4, 2008
    9
    Let's not forget that Pinkerton was once voted one of the worst albums ever and now it is hailed as one of the best...i think many people want too badly to claim that they love the "old school" everything...it's the popular thing to do...despite the band-wagon opinion, weezer has stayed consistent since the blue album...yeah, they're experimental, but they always have the Let's not forget that Pinkerton was once voted one of the worst albums ever and now it is hailed as one of the best...i think many people want too badly to claim that they love the "old school" everything...it's the popular thing to do...despite the band-wagon opinion, weezer has stayed consistent since the blue album...yeah, they're experimental, but they always have the same happy, rock feeling in every song...i'm not a huge fan of the three songs that Rivers doesn't sing in, but I think the rest is nothing short of a magnus opum.… Expand
  18. DanP.
    Jun 8, 2008
    9
    Amazing and honest album. The follow-up we needed after the subpar Make Believe. This album will generate many singles over the summer that will power our radios!
  19. MikeG.
    Jan 30, 2009
    9
    Based on the user reviews, this is really a love-it-or-hate-it album but, then again, Weezer's always been a love-it-or-hate-it-band. Put me in the love it column. This is a fun album with a lot of catchy hooks, great riffs, and Rivers' has never sounded as soulful. It reminds me of why I liked Weezer in the first place when I heard "Sweater" for the first time. Like the Blue Based on the user reviews, this is really a love-it-or-hate-it album but, then again, Weezer's always been a love-it-or-hate-it-band. Put me in the love it column. This is a fun album with a lot of catchy hooks, great riffs, and Rivers' has never sounded as soulful. It reminds me of why I liked Weezer in the first place when I heard "Sweater" for the first time. Like the Blue Album, these songs aren't going to change the world and can't be dissected for any deeper meaning. But they're fun, and Rivers' always has his tongue firmly planted in his cheek.… Expand
  20. RyanG.
    Oct 21, 2008
    9
    Everyone giving this a low score without any reasoning doesn't know what they're talking about. Everyone's saying how much they wish Weezer would be just like they were in the 90's. Well wake up, it's 2008 and people should realize that Weezer is changing. While they may not be the same Weezer you remember listening to years ago they are still the bad we all love. Everyone giving this a low score without any reasoning doesn't know what they're talking about. Everyone's saying how much they wish Weezer would be just like they were in the 90's. Well wake up, it's 2008 and people should realize that Weezer is changing. While they may not be the same Weezer you remember listening to years ago they are still the bad we all love. Now, about the album. While not all the songs are perfect, many are very, very good. I recommend that you get this CD because it's definitely Weezer's best in a while.… Expand
  21. BryanA.
    Jun 18, 2008
    9
    You guys are pop whores - Oh well, it's hard to surf the net and listen to music. Guess what, I bought the album instead of listening to a few "random" songs that may have got you laid that night.
  22. ScottV
    Jun 27, 2008
    9
    Anything less than a 6 for this album would be a straight-up lie. You must do a FULL listen! It is fun, upbeat, poppy, rocky, clever, and geeky! The songs taken over by Brian Bell do not sound like Weezer, but are delicious on their own. And add a beautiful disconnect to the album. The Greatest Man That Ever Lived is a raging, instant-classic anthem for anyone who's ever sung along Anything less than a 6 for this album would be a straight-up lie. You must do a FULL listen! It is fun, upbeat, poppy, rocky, clever, and geeky! The songs taken over by Brian Bell do not sound like Weezer, but are delicious on their own. And add a beautiful disconnect to the album. The Greatest Man That Ever Lived is a raging, instant-classic anthem for anyone who's ever sung along to a song. Weezer has brought it! But can you handle it?… Expand
  23. JosephA
    Jun 4, 2008
    9
    Critics are way off, they have no clue. Best album since Pinkerton.. oh yeah, they missed the boat on that one too. Now it makes a lot more sense. Excellent album; nice to see these guys having a good time again.
  24. JamieO.
    Jun 4, 2008
    9
    "The Greatest Man", "Troublemaker", "Dreamin", and "Pork and Beans" (the singles) are by far the best Weezer has done in a long time, the other songs take some getting used to, but will grow on you. (Don't forget Pinkerton took a while to achieve it's cult status).
  25. R.H.
    Jun 7, 2008
    9
    It's truly remarkable how critics will bash a band for being too predictable, only to complain when their next album is wildly different. The criticism for "Make Believe" was mostly deserved, but critics are way off-base for this one. This album is without a doubt the band's best since Pinkerton and needs time to grow. The songwriting is daring and succeeds on most fronts. Cuomo It's truly remarkable how critics will bash a band for being too predictable, only to complain when their next album is wildly different. The criticism for "Make Believe" was mostly deserved, but critics are way off-base for this one. This album is without a doubt the band's best since Pinkerton and needs time to grow. The songwriting is daring and succeeds on most fronts. Cuomo could have easily churned out another Green Album or Make Believe, but takes the band in a bold new direction. The deluxe edition is certainly recommended since it contains 3 of the best tracks that Cuomo has ever written. Erase all expectations for what a Weezer album should sound like and give it a fresh listen. It's a grower. This album will be hailed as one of their best many years from now.… Expand
  26. BenN.
    Jun 8, 2008
    9
    One of the best albums I've heard in years. My favorites are Pork & Beans, Greatest Man that ever Lived, and Heart Songs. Great Weezer album!
  27. JacksonH
    Sep 18, 2008
    9
    Great Album all around, the Deluxe addition adds 3 solid tracks with "King" being possibly the best on the album. "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived" gets better and better each time I hear it! This album is fun, catchy and an all around great time.
  28. Jakemup
    Dec 2, 2021
    9
    This is a straight-up good album. From the the album gives us great songs like Troublemaker, Pork and Beans, Heart Songs, Angel and the One, among others. All of the songs also have great lyrical content as well, a stark contrast with recent albums. However, it does get on my bad side with a few parts. I'm not a big fan of Brian's vocals on Thought I Knew, and I think he does better onThis is a straight-up good album. From the the album gives us great songs like Troublemaker, Pork and Beans, Heart Songs, Angel and the One, among others. All of the songs also have great lyrical content as well, a stark contrast with recent albums. However, it does get on my bad side with a few parts. I'm not a big fan of Brian's vocals on Thought I Knew, and I think he does better on other tracks. I was also underwhelmed by Dreamin', although it's still an okay song. Almost every single track on this is great, and I cannot recommend it enough.… Expand
  29. IanB
    Jun 10, 2008
    8
    This album has a lot more life than people are giving it credit for. The first 4 songs are going to be Weezer classics. "Cold Dark World" is a let down an sounds like something that could have been written by a high school kid, but that was really the lowest point of the album for me.
  30. JordanB
    Jun 4, 2008
    8
    Yeah, it's not perfect. But, it's different. I personally bought the itunes deluxe version, and some of the bonus tracks like pig and miss sweeney are actually better than songs like let's get dangerous and one of my least favorites, cold dark world. But songs like greatest man, dreamin', automatic, etc...are totally worth it. better than make believe and green in my opinion.
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Awards & Rankings

18
#18 Most Discussed Album of 2008
39
#39 Most Shared Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 32
  3. Negative: 5 out of 32
  1. Billboard
    70
    Cuomo turns the mic over to the other three members of Weezer for a song each (the best: "Automatic," sung by drummer Pat Wilson), unironically salutes the influence of Nirvana ("Heart Songs") and marries fake crowd noise and piano to the thick power chords of "Greatest Man." Rock on.
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  2. Drowned In Sound
    50
    A number of plays through and it’s still not clear who, exactly, the band are taking the proverbial out of: themselves, playfully and absolutely intentionally, or us, fans who’ve become conditioned to not expecting the best from a band who, personally, have been a shadow of themselves since that first ‘sequel’ release.
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  3. Pitchfork
    47
    Like the YouTube culture the "Pork and Beans" video depicts so well, the song--and this album--relies on a high quantity of short-lived pretty good ideas to distract from a shortage of great ones.
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