On this day in 2001, Weezer released their third studio album, the Green Album.. Looking back now, it feels like the record that completely changed the direction of the band’s future.
After the huge success of the Blue Album in 1994, Weezer followed it with Pinkerton two years later. While Pinkerton would eventually become one of the most loved alternative records of its era, the reaction at the time was far more divided. Sales were disappointing compared to the band’s debut, critics were mixed, and the band slowly disappeared from the spotlight.
Over the next few years, the future of Weezer felt uncertain. Rivers Cuomo stepped away from public life, the band members focused on side projects, and bassist Matt Sharp officially left the group. At the same time though, something unexpected was happening online. Fans were beginning to rediscover Pinkerton, turning it from a misunderstood release into a cult favourite.
By 2000, Weezer slowly started rebuilding momentum again through secret club shows under the name Goat Punishment, festival appearances and a wave of demos shared online. That momentum carried into the recording sessions for what would become the Green Album, with the band reuniting with Ric Ocasek, the producer behind their debut.
When the album finally arrived on May 15, 2001, it immediately felt like a fresh start for the band. “Hash Pipe” became a huge alternative hit, “Island In The Sun” went on to become one of the band’s most recognisable songs, and the album debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200.
For a lot of fans, this was their introduction to Weezer. While Blue Album made the band important and Pinkerton later became legendary, the Green Album proved Weezer could survive changing trends and still thrive in a completely different era of alternative rock.
The album also remains the only Weezer release to feature bassist Mikey Welsh before his departure later that year due to health struggles.
More than two decades later, the Green Album still feels like the moment Weezer stopped being seen as just another important 90s band and cemented themselves as one of alternative rock’s defining names going into the 2000s.
