The best pressing of the Green album that ever existed. Weezer's third album gets the same deluxe treatment as Pinkerton and The Blue Album courtesy of the good folks at Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab with remastered sound, 180g wax, and gatefold sleeve. And for a special treat, a vintage Lab review from the Woodman! Do you like pop music? Are you or have you ever been a nerd who really wants a girlfriend? Do you like stadium-friendly anthem choruses that seem to sum up your life in a painfully accurate way? If so, you will listen to Weezer religiously, and commit Rivers Cuomo’s lyrics to memory. Whether you’re skating, playing video games, or just plain old clenching your fists, down on your knees, with tears streaming down your face, Weezer will be blasting in the background as the soundtrack to your life. Once I spent a few hours in the Lab store basement, cleaning my flooded records, breathing in asbestos, and listening to “The World Has Turned And Left Me Here,” just nodding in silent resignation. Now THAT’S empathy. So we’re a little sorry this isn’t the Blue album or Pinkerton, but the Green album is the only one that’s still in print at a domestic price, and features a mix of songs you can play out that people will recognize (“Island in the Sun,” “Hash Pipe”), as well as a few you can keep for yourself when the world just doesn’t understand. “Smile,” “Photograph,” and “O Girlfriend” are all good for that wall of sound pop-rock that make you feel like there’s an army of well-dressed, horn-rimmed glasses-wearing dorks behind you. Limited numbered edition.

• music label: Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab 2013

reviewed by TKB 12/2013