Make Believe
by Weezer
  • Record Label: Geffen
  • Release Date: May 10, 2005
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. ShakingThrough.net
    34
    Make Believe might sound more sincere if the clean, precision-metal production didn’t steamroll Cuomo’s lyrical misery in bombastic arrangements featuring factory-issue power chords and a MOR-safe rhythm section.
  2. Stylus Magazine
    33
    Make Believe seems so simple compared to [Weezer's] other albums.
  3. Tiny Mix Tapes
    30
    Weezer's once unique aesthetic has been replaced by something formulaic and ultimately too safe.
  5. The New York Times
    30
    Infuriatingly plain. [16 May 2005]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. The A.V. Club
    30
    It's a sweet, open, daringly earnest album in which the sad old Cuomo does battle with the wise old soul Cuomo wants to become. By conventional wisdom, it should never work as a rock album, and most of the time, that conventional wisdom is dead on.
  7. cokemachineglow
    26
    Make Believe finds Cuomo donkey-punching the formaldehyde-soaked corpse of his former glory.
  8. Playlouder
    10
    You can feel how dreadful this record is from the very first bar.
  9. Pitchfork
    4
    Sometimes an album is just awful. Make Believe is one of those albums.

Awards & Rankings

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

User Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. kirsten123
    Nov 24, 2017
    8
    A very belated review of a very unfairly criticized album. MB is the sound of Weezer nailing the near perfect power pop aesthetic. ForgetA very belated review of a very unfairly criticized album. MB is the sound of Weezer nailing the near perfect power pop aesthetic. Forget Pacific Daydream which is trite rubbish by comparison and give this a try.… Full Review »
  2. Rhaith
    May 5, 2016
    8
    Easily one of the most under-appreciated Weezer albums. While the lyrical work doesn't come close to anything from Pinkerton or Blue, everEasily one of the most under-appreciated Weezer albums. While the lyrical work doesn't come close to anything from Pinkerton or Blue, ever song fits so well together in that buttery alt-rock-pop zone.… Full Review »
  3. bleed0range
    Oct 15, 2014
    9
    I'll never understand why so many people give this album such a hard time. I'll admit it's a little too mid-tempo at times and could haveI'll never understand why so many people give this album such a hard time. I'll admit it's a little too mid-tempo at times and could have been better, but it's a pretty solid and "classic" Weezer album imo.… Full Review »
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