Weezer

The second single from Weezer's sophomore effort, Pinkerton, is yet another musical coup for a band who succeeds on almost all occasions. "The Good Life" is a bouncy rock track with a staggeringly affecting hook, and its driving music and lyrics make it an instant hit. "Waiting on You," with its heartbreak-ridden chorus, is a perfect example of the band's ability to write an honest tale of lost love. Even more surprising, "I Just Threw out the Love of My Dreams," featuring lead vocals by That Dog's Petra Hayden along with a catchy keyboard melody, sees the band working just as well with a female vocalist and some new instruments as they do with their usual rock lineup. On the opposite side of the spectrum, acoustic versions of "The Good Life" and "Pink Triangle," recorded live in the gym of a contest-winner's middle school, show that the band can rock just as hard when they aren't plugged in. The songs also allow for Weezer's amazing harmonies to step to the forefront, proving that they can shine in just about any situation. Packed with enough songs to make it worth hunting down and enough hooks to make it a beloved possession, The Good Life is a great document of the group's late-'90s successes and a nice place to hear the many sides of the band in a single package. ~ Peter J. D'Angelo, All Music Guide