12 '90s Hard Rock Albums Everyone Should Own

There are precious few moments in Weezer’s career when their output even approached hard rock, but sophomore effort Pinkerton is an edgy outlier in their catalogue. Written in the fallout of their hugely successful debut, it sees frontman and main songwriter Rivers Cuomo take the band’s approach to some dark places.

Like much of the best music of the decade, Pinkerton is built around self indulgent whining. Cuomo is now rich and famous, but has it brought him happiness? Has it heck. From opener “Tired Of Sex”, the vibe of the album is a mile away from their sun drenched debut, with heavily distorted riffs and howls of frustration.

With the likes of “Pink Triangle” and “Across The Sea”, Cuomo doesn’t depict himself as a particularly nice guy, and if you need relatable protagonists in your music, Pinkerton may get on your nerves.

For fans of superb songcraft and self laceration, though, this remains the high point of Weezer’s career. That they gave up this painfully honest and hard edged rock in favour of their later slush remains a musical tragedy.