Make Believe
by Weezer
  • Record Label: Geffen
  • Release Date: May 10, 2005
User Score
6.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 325 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 183 out of 325
  2. Mixed: 45 out of 325
  3. Negative: 97 out of 325

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  1. MarkD
    May 12, 2005
    3
    Devastatingly bad album, only about 2 great songs. It breaks any knowledgable weezer fan's heart that rivers didn't put more effort into this. I agree totally with Pitchfork. I can't stress how bad it was for this band when Matt Sharp left. And after listening to both The Rentals, and Weezer's two greats I can say that it was better when Matt was helping Rivers write, Devastatingly bad album, only about 2 great songs. It breaks any knowledgable weezer fan's heart that rivers didn't put more effort into this. I agree totally with Pitchfork. I can't stress how bad it was for this band when Matt Sharp left. And after listening to both The Rentals, and Weezer's two greats I can say that it was better when Matt was helping Rivers write, or at least containing his huge ego --which has destroyed his music. I'll always listen to the first two albums, their Bsides and a couple off Maladroit. and I'll probably give RIvers another chance, but nextime I'll be expecting nothing above the level of Taking Back Sunday.… Expand
  2. thomb
    May 13, 2005
    3
    Why bother?
  3. CorneliusW
    Jun 5, 2005
    3
    Sounds like a bad Rooney album. I'm serious.
  4. TBoneM
    Jul 2, 2005
    3
    I've listened through this a few times. At first the songs seem to have some hooks but are a little annoying. Later you will realize they're just annoying. Let's start with a 10. -2 because it does nothing new, unless you live in 1995 or the suburbs. -2 because the first single - Beverly Hills- sucks and is annoying. -2 because the rest of the songs sound like a formula. -1 I've listened through this a few times. At first the songs seem to have some hooks but are a little annoying. Later you will realize they're just annoying. Let's start with a 10. -2 because it does nothing new, unless you live in 1995 or the suburbs. -2 because the first single - Beverly Hills- sucks and is annoying. -2 because the rest of the songs sound like a formula. -1 because people are hyping this too much. There you have it. I think I'm being generous.… Expand
  5. BlizakeB
    Apr 25, 2006
    3
    Blue Album great, Pinkerton great, but Make Believe? I wish I could make believe that Rivers didnt crank out this sloppy album, I feel ripped of as a Weezer fan. Please Rivers put yourself together and get the original Weezer back(Rivers Cuomo, Brian Bell, Patrick Wilson and Matt Sharp) and make another great album or at least a good one
  6. RobbinL
    Aug 1, 2005
    3
    Wow! I am truly at a loss for words. The band is clearly just a shadow of its former self. The hooks are gone, the melodies too. The lyrics?! Rivers is this what you are getting for your tuition money at Harvard? I'd ask for a refund, Dude. And No, getting Hugh Heffner to appear in your video will not help you save your faded reputation either. May the real Weezer R.I.P.
  7. JoeBriefcase
    May 11, 2005
    3
    I think the record is merely low level mediocre (with the bottom falling out), not as godawful as the Pitchfork review states. We don't read Pitchfork for bland status quo reviiews. You can expect bile and wit, or veneration and profundity, sometimes independent of the artist and the album. There's a lot of personal in that review. But we're talking about Weezer, not I think the record is merely low level mediocre (with the bottom falling out), not as godawful as the Pitchfork review states. We don't read Pitchfork for bland status quo reviiews. You can expect bile and wit, or veneration and profundity, sometimes independent of the artist and the album. There's a lot of personal in that review. But we're talking about Weezer, not Pitchfork. And I think Weezer has always been oversold. They were never much more than a guitar pop band that had a good hook now and then and a personality that apparently was highly lovable a few years ago and seems less appealing now. With so many good bands these days, their star doesn't shine so brightly. I don't have to sell my soul or wait 4 years for Weezer if I want to hear some crunchy chords. There are good bands releasing records every day. Not so back when Pinkerton came out. I didn't buy it. If I loved the copy I've gave a spin to I might have gone to get it. But no need. I doubt I'll ever play it again. This band was always a 5 or 6 even at their best, and this record is definitely not their best.… Expand
  8. BrianM
    May 11, 2005
    3
    This band has fallen hard and fast from their Pinkerton-days, getting worse with each passing album. The lyrics are totally absurd and doesn't speak to me at all. This album is awful.
  9. Swishalicious29
    Apr 1, 2016
    3
    Not much redeemable on this album. "Beverly Hills" and "We Are All on Drugs" are two of the worst singles that Weezer has ever put out. The beats are pretty stagnant and only feature a few chords like on "Perfect Situation" and the lyrics on "Freak Me Out" are laughable. This was the moment Weezer went mainstream, and the result is some pretty terrible tunes.
  10. alecvl08
    Jan 28, 2015
    3
    I think this album could hold the world record for most stupid lines of lyrics in a single album. Literally, every song has a major flaw somewhere, with the singles being the biggest offenders. Also, Weezer had no idea what sound or genre they were going for on this album. Beverly Hills and This Is Such a Pity are only separated by one track, but they sound like they could've come from twoI think this album could hold the world record for most stupid lines of lyrics in a single album. Literally, every song has a major flaw somewhere, with the singles being the biggest offenders. Also, Weezer had no idea what sound or genre they were going for on this album. Beverly Hills and This Is Such a Pity are only separated by one track, but they sound like they could've come from two different artists. What was Cuomo thinking when he wrote lyrics like the ones on Freak Me Out? (Man, you really freak me out/I'm so afraid of you/and when I lose my cool/I don't know what to do.) These could've been written by a mediocre ninth grade English student. It sounds cheap, and it is.… Expand
  11. MysticManiac
    Apr 25, 2018
    3
    Everything on this album can be summarised in a word: Generic

    There's seriously nothing here worth listening to. There are some moments where you think something might happen but then it just dissolves into mediocrity. At least with Raditude and Hurley, there were some highlights, and while this album doesn't really get as bad as some of the moments on Raditude or "Where's My Sex" from    Everything on this album can be summarised in a word: Generic

    There's seriously nothing here worth listening to. There are some moments where you think something might happen but then it just dissolves into mediocrity. At least with Raditude and Hurley, there were some highlights, and while this album doesn't really get as bad as some of the moments on Raditude or "Where's My Sex" from Hurley, it's basically just generic mediocrity throughout    … Expand
  12. MarkW
    May 11, 2005
    2
    Dull. Bad. I really enjoyed the harder polished edge of Maladroit, as it struck me as a creative step forward... I was really looking forward to Make Believe, and have been soundly disappointed. The songs are too simplistic, and the edge is gone. Even Beverly Hills seems like a forced effort. Worst =w= by far.
  13. JoeG
    May 12, 2005
    2
    Wow, this is just plain bad. Stop holding on to these guys being what they used to be. They are simply ordinary and crappy now. Where do I start-The lyrics are plain horrible and simple. I have no songwriting talent and may be able to write better than this crap. The music is even worse. Not a single guitar riff worse remembering. nothing cool at all. It really seems like these songs were Wow, this is just plain bad. Stop holding on to these guys being what they used to be. They are simply ordinary and crappy now. Where do I start-The lyrics are plain horrible and simple. I have no songwriting talent and may be able to write better than this crap. The music is even worse. Not a single guitar riff worse remembering. nothing cool at all. It really seems like these songs were put together in 30 minutes. Do not buy, you will be sorry… Expand
  14. neutro
    May 27, 2005
    2
    This album is almost entirely disposable. If these were the "cream of the crop" of all the songs the band had worked on since the last potboiler - I think it's time to hang up the instruments and stop tarnishing what's respectable of their previous material.
  15. bretttc
    Jun 1, 2005
    2
    Awful. Terrible. Bad. Useless. Futile. CRAP. Etc..
  16. fredfred
    May 13, 2005
    2
    it Sucks
  17. JamesW
    May 14, 2005
    2
    Stinks.
  18. AlexS
    May 9, 2005
    2
    Man, this is worse than the last 2 efforts. For me, anyway, weezer haven't been the same since bassist Matt Sharp's departure from the group.
  19. PaulH
    Jul 21, 2005
    2
    The songs are so corny, it's embarressing to actually listen to it.
  20. DaveK
    Jun 20, 2006
    2
    Soooo far removed from what is their best work ever. Oh how we long for the days of Blue Alubum/Pinkerton. I guess this is just the direction theyre going in, and it seems to be the end of what was a good run. Blame this on whoever, but this CD resembles nothing of old. I can understand you wanting to grow musically, maybe weezer fans are just hardcore on what they love....better luck next time.
  21. WesD
    May 22, 2005
    2
    I give it a 2 only because I saw a stripper dance to "Beverly Hills." Ever since, my appreciation for the tune has grown a bit. I thought Maladroit was horrid, but it didn't prepare me in the least for how disappointing this album is. Those who think it is similar to the first two albums in sound at all just aren't listening.
  22. KevinK.
    Mar 22, 2006
    2
    About 2 or 3 good songs. The rest is arena-ready angst-rock garbage. Either give up or actually try the next time out, Rivers.
  23. AlphaMexican
    Sep 29, 2014
    2
    This lazy, dull, and shameless album had me try and "Make Believe" my way to a better Weezer album. It's so lifeless, the songs drag on forever, it tries to have heart and sincerity but fails on almost every occasion. Beverly Hills is catchy, but depressing at a closer listen and it's also lazy. That's the whole problem with this album, the songs are lazily constructed both in terms ofThis lazy, dull, and shameless album had me try and "Make Believe" my way to a better Weezer album. It's so lifeless, the songs drag on forever, it tries to have heart and sincerity but fails on almost every occasion. Beverly Hills is catchy, but depressing at a closer listen and it's also lazy. That's the whole problem with this album, the songs are lazily constructed both in terms of music and lyrics. Most songs only use 2 chords, and is a complete step-down from Weezer's previous album, Maladroit. There are a few classic Weezer songs, Perfect Situation and Haunt You Every Day, but other than that this album sucks.… Expand
  24. Mumbizz01
    Feb 2, 2018
    2
    Make Believe is an album that is uninspired, uninteresting and sometimes even boring to listen to. Unfortunately, Make Believe is the beginning of the end for Weezer until nearly a decade later.
  25. CosmoJPrelog
    Jun 4, 2005
    1
    The first album to influence me to vacuum
  26. drewe
    May 10, 2005
    1
    perhaps the most interesting facet of the weezer 'legacy' is the polarity with which their later albums have been received. the blue album and pinkerton are almost unanimously hailed as classics. however, starting with the green album, weezer's albums have seemed to elicit two responses: glowing praise and utter disgust. the division of weezer's fan base over these perhaps the most interesting facet of the weezer 'legacy' is the polarity with which their later albums have been received. the blue album and pinkerton are almost unanimously hailed as classics. however, starting with the green album, weezer's albums have seemed to elicit two responses: glowing praise and utter disgust. the division of weezer's fan base over these albums makes sense. the blue album was an album of good pop music. it was accessible enough to appeal to a wide audience, yet clever and catchy enough to satisfy music elitists. pinkerton was not so immediately successful, though in time it earned due praise for its raw emotion and honesty (it stands as my all-time favorite album). however, the green album and maladroit lacked the elements that made the first two releases so special. the green album had some catchy melodies, but its songs were so sterilized and watered down that it was hard to take weezer seriously. maladroit was an even worse failure, allowing rivers to indulge his guitar-god fantasies at the expense of any real substance. to weezer's loyal fan base, these albums stood up against their earlier work. to the rest of us, these albums represented perhaps the greatest musical letdown we'd ever known. where the green album and maladroit had some saving graces, 'make believe' has next to none. here rivers seems to regard cliche and generality above emotion and expression. most of this album's songs seem much more fit for pre-teen journals than the author of some of rock's greatest anthems. the one bright spot on the album is 'perfect situation,' which serves as, if anything, a taunting reminder of weezer's former selves. the rest of the album is bland and boring and, for a fan whose obsession with pop music is strongly rooted in weezer's early work, the equivalent of betrayal. have some decency, boys.… Expand
  27. Travis
    Jun 7, 2005
    1
    Absolutely can not believe this garbage is from the same band that created the Blue album and Pinkerton. I never expected any of their albums to top either of those, but this a horrible display of slant rhyme and moronic songs. The first awful track is about how he doesnt belong in Beverly Hills. Then a few songs later he's in his Mercedes-Benz and on drugs. How retarted.
  28. Steve
    Jun 7, 2005
    1
    "why bother? its gonna hurt me, its gonna kill when you desert me, this happened to me twice before, it wont happen to me anymore." As I look back on these lines from Why Bother, I can only think that Rivers could see the future up to 2005 when he wrote that song. Yup, twice before (green, maladroit).
  29. DavidB
    Jul 10, 2005
    1
    Unlistenable. What a disappointment...
  30. RachelA
    Aug 8, 2005
    1
    It is so difficult for me to separate Rivers' biographical vignettes (since it is no secret this band is ALL ABOUT HIM) from my overall impression of this album. His emotional development may have arrested sometime around 1986 (he was 15). In some instances, this can produce quality art. Specifically, his sordid sexual experiences as a rock star compelled him to pen "Tired of Sex". It is so difficult for me to separate Rivers' biographical vignettes (since it is no secret this band is ALL ABOUT HIM) from my overall impression of this album. His emotional development may have arrested sometime around 1986 (he was 15). In some instances, this can produce quality art. Specifically, his sordid sexual experiences as a rock star compelled him to pen "Tired of Sex". For that most Pinkerton fans are grateful. However, this lack of emotional development is also reflected in his desire to become a rock god of sorts. The result is pandering to 14 year olds and fratboy types who can "rock out" to Beverly Hills. Yay. Perhaps we expected too much from Rivers. We forgave past transgressions such as the green album and Maladroit, which both had a few glimmers of hope for the future. I should have whipped out my old copy of Pavement's "Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain for the sad, prescient truth: Songs mean a lot when songs are bought And so are you Let's run down to the practice room tension and fame a career career, career, career I feel duped.… Expand
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Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Most Discussed Album of 2005
86
#86 Most Shared Album of 2005

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
52

Mixed or average reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 25
  3. Negative: 8 out of 25
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    Weezer's most conventional disc... a cleaner-sounding record heavy on way-earnest power ballads. [13 May 2005, p.85]
  2. Rolling Stone
    80
    A breakthrough for Weezer... Cuomo's songs are his most plaintive and brilliant since Pinkerton. [19 May 2005, p.74]
  3. Pitchfork
    4
    Sometimes an album is just awful. Make Believe is one of those albums.
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