These days, many Weezer fans romanticize Pinkerton as the formative release during the band's halcyon years, a far cry from the kind of material found on Maladroit and Make Believe. Which makes it all the more ironic, then, that it's an album that initially didn't sit well with critics. Released in 1996, Pinkerton was met with a barrage of criticism, especially in comparison with Weezer's debut self-titled record (also know as The Blue Album). It was described by Jeff Gordinier of Entertainment Weekly as a collection of get-down party anthems for agoraphobics (people who suffer anxiety when they're placed in an environment they perceive to be unsafe or uncomfortable). It was also lambasted by Rolling Stone writer Rob O'Connor as juvenile and aimless. Yet over the years Pinkerton began to develop something of a cult following, and is now regarded as not only one of Weezer's greatest albums, but was retroactively reviewed by Rolling Stone and given a perfect five star rating. It was also added to the Rolling Stone Hall of Fame. An album that was grossly misunderstood upon release is now an era fans deeply romanticize.
