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. BradM.
    May 23, 2005
    0
    A five year old could write "Beverly Hills." It might be the worst single of the year. It's the kind of song that 14 year olds trying to learn guitar will take to their instructors. These guys once wrote fun songs like "The Sweater Song" and "Surf Wax America." What happened? The only thing that seems to be keeping this band in the spotlight is River's geek glasses. "Oh Rivers, A five year old could write "Beverly Hills." It might be the worst single of the year. It's the kind of song that 14 year olds trying to learn guitar will take to their instructors. These guys once wrote fun songs like "The Sweater Song" and "Surf Wax America." What happened? The only thing that seems to be keeping this band in the spotlight is River's geek glasses. "Oh Rivers, you're so....sensitive and bookish." What a pile.… Expand
  2. J.Charreaux
    May 22, 2005
    7
    Great drummer, good singing and production. The guitar solos show joy and abandon, but for a band supposedly so obsessed by perfect pop, they come off as bland and uninspired as when I first saw them in L.A. right before and right after they got signed. The first CD suceeded due to a combination of contributors that never appeared on subsequent releases.
  3. 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.
  4. eduardom
    May 21, 2005
    10
    One of the best records I've ever heard, each one you will love this record a year from now, that's a promise, I love it already cuz' I understand that Weezer does the best pop in the world, I am just gonna say that you should remember the feeling you had when you first heard Pinkerton, tell me don't you love it right now ;-)
  5. BillS
    May 20, 2005
    4
    Rob J, Pinkerton and the blue album were excellent records. It has nothing to do with nostalgia. Make Believe is mostly a boring, generic record. It's not in the same league as the first two weezer releases.
  6. jon
    May 18, 2005
    0
    Could honestly be one of the worst things ever recorded. It makes you wonder if all their old stuff was as good as you thought it was when you were in middle school.
  7. RobJ
    May 18, 2005
    6
    This new Weaver album is neither as great nor as terrible as people claim. It
  8. ThomasP
    May 18, 2005
    9
    At first listen, Make Believe threw me off and I was somewhat dissapointed. After about thirty passes, I believe that this could be the best Weezer to date. Make Believe is a very complex and deep release that seems to favor some of the best Beatles releases. Funny enough, the best material on the release is towards the end of the CD - Tracks 10-12 are pure genious.
  9. ElDuderino
    May 18, 2005
    0
    I remember a small scene from the Simpsons where Homer and Flanders were in Vegas, and their hotel marquee read that the entertainment was a Moody Blues cover band, whose opening band was the Moody Blues. After this crap-heap of an album, that scene serves as an analog for the future of Weezer.
  10. carlos
    May 17, 2005
    5
    umm not so good, kinda playing.
  11. SteveG
    May 17, 2005
    4
    Disappointing, considering the buildup. Mostly generic, awful grade-school poetry lyrics.
  12. JesseJ
    May 17, 2005
    0
    Sigh::: Poor Weezer...since when did they get a computer program to write their songs? Trust me folks, there's nothing here. Don't waste your money.
  13. JesperM
    May 16, 2005
    9
    This album is neither what I expected nor what I hoped for. It is something else, and it gave me a hard time at first. But it still remained fixed in my CD-player. Now I really, really like it. The bad reviews all to me seem nothing but "this band is not doing what I want them to do. How dare they!" I remember the abandoned concept for the Beverly Hills video (suggested by Brian This album is neither what I expected nor what I hoped for. It is something else, and it gave me a hard time at first. But it still remained fixed in my CD-player. Now I really, really like it. The bad reviews all to me seem nothing but "this band is not doing what I want them to do. How dare they!" I remember the abandoned concept for the Beverly Hills video (suggested by Brian Bell)where the band is given an extreme makeover, and their appearances all change - except for Rivers Cuomo. He looks just the same as before, because, said Bell, "Rivers is not allowed to change." Says it all, really. Give the man a break and listen.… Expand
  14. SteveW
    May 16, 2005
    10
    I think some people are overanalyzing this release. It is a great combination of Weezer's new sound and the self deprecating honesty of Pinkerton and the Blue Album. If you're looking for another Pinkerton or Blue Album, you might be disappointed but if you look at this with a more open mind, you'll find that Weezer hasn't lost a step at all.
  15. Aussie
    May 16, 2005
    8
    It's decent Weezer. It sound really weird at first, but you a few listenings are required in order to discover the Weezer in Make Believe. Good album overall. Not what I expected though.
  16. PetterA
    May 16, 2005
    9
    whats the fuss. It´s a great album if you dont search like a dog to find problems. Just go with the flow man!!!
  17. GreggyP.Wild
    May 15, 2005
    8
    Where is all the negativity coming from? I was into Weezer way back in the early 90's and fell in love with their first album. Their last 2 discs did absolutely nothing for me at all. Way too commercial and middle of the road stuff, guys. This is the quirkiest and most entertaining album since Pinkerton. I don't buy Weezer albums for crappy middle America radio hits like Hash Where is all the negativity coming from? I was into Weezer way back in the early 90's and fell in love with their first album. Their last 2 discs did absolutely nothing for me at all. Way too commercial and middle of the road stuff, guys. This is the quirkiest and most entertaining album since Pinkerton. I don't buy Weezer albums for crappy middle America radio hits like Hash Pipe, I buy them for original, quirky, sometimes heart breaking songs like The Other Way, Perfect Situation, This Is Such A Pity and Peace. A very good album, not great but nowhere near terrible. p.s. Pitchfork is probably the worst source for album reviews on the planet. They haven't been right about a single album since 1997 and The Verve's Urban Hymns.… Expand
  18. BenH
    May 15, 2005
    8
    Francis is right, just listen to it again. It is by no means Pinkerton and not even Blue, but it beats out maladroit and green. I think that people just can't handle Weezer adjusting their musical style and thats too bad. This is a very good album that will come more alive every time you listen to it. -One note to the guys at Metacritic: Its not fair that some bands metascore is Francis is right, just listen to it again. It is by no means Pinkerton and not even Blue, but it beats out maladroit and green. I think that people just can't handle Weezer adjusting their musical style and thats too bad. This is a very good album that will come more alive every time you listen to it. -One note to the guys at Metacritic: Its not fair that some bands metascore is lowered due to cheap sarcastic internet reviews, I say throw those out.… Expand
  19. ColleenD
    May 15, 2005
    8
    Cleaner, yes, but all of Weezer's albums have taken drifts of to other tunes. "We Are All On Drugs" is a standard song on the album, all of their albums have one. Its one of those songs - "Can you say teenie bopper single?". Catchy and only three cords. The lyrics are simple, Cuomo never takes it to an extreme where I can tell what he is thinking, which bothers me. But, that also Cleaner, yes, but all of Weezer's albums have taken drifts of to other tunes. "We Are All On Drugs" is a standard song on the album, all of their albums have one. Its one of those songs - "Can you say teenie bopper single?". Catchy and only three cords. The lyrics are simple, Cuomo never takes it to an extreme where I can tell what he is thinking, which bothers me. But, that also keeps me wanting more and after their long hiatus, I was thrilled to buy this album and hear what Cuomo has been doing this time. None of the songs are as catchy as their previous albums, they almost seem as if they belong in one of those Disney movies, where you hear the sound but ignore the corny message to it. Overall, this album has its ups and downs. There isn't enough emotion in the lyrics but it has grown since Weezer's previous albums.… Expand
  20. JosiahR
    May 15, 2005
    0
    unbelievably horrid
  21. JasonB
    May 15, 2005
    0
    Utterly Bad! I say use this CD as a coaster!
  22. EdK
    May 15, 2005
    10
    oh my god. you guys dont get it. this is an amazing amazing record. only thing i can complain is the lyrics. the melodies are just great man. and it's certainly an improvement for weezer adding more depth and increasing their song lengths. not to mention the guitar solos. woohoo. you guys gotta give it a second listen! i cant stop playing the cd man.
  23. RickB
    May 14, 2005
    10
    I think "Make Believe" is a great album. It shows Weezer's musical versatility.
  24. JamesW
    May 14, 2005
    2
    Stinks.
  25. FrankW
    May 14, 2005
    0
    I have a friend who was crying by the second song and just turned it off. He had listened to the two best songs of the album. They just grew progressively worse. The album wouldn't be quite as bad as it is if it was completely instrumental (not saying that the songs are decent because the just plaing aren't), but Cuomo's lyrics are so disgustingly bad they might have failed I have a friend who was crying by the second song and just turned it off. He had listened to the two best songs of the album. They just grew progressively worse. The album wouldn't be quite as bad as it is if it was completely instrumental (not saying that the songs are decent because the just plaing aren't), but Cuomo's lyrics are so disgustingly bad they might have failed in a high school poetry class. For troubled inner city kids. With learning disabilities. People who argue this album's merits have never listened to a good song in their entire life.… Expand
  26. frankd
    May 14, 2005
    10
    stop to always referring to blue album and pinkerton because this is a GOOD album, best song is the last one.
  27. FlynnN
    May 13, 2005
    4
    People who like this record just don't get it.
  28. ChrisF
    May 13, 2005
    9
    Great album, lyrically it's a bit weak. but oh well.
  29. VincentGallo
    May 13, 2005
    0
    We can't let Weezer get away with this shit.
  30. FrancisF
    May 13, 2005
    8
    Listen to it again. Then you will know whats going on.
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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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