Our Top 10 Weezer Album Covers list will look at a rock band that formed in the 90s. Their musical style is alternative rock, power pop, emo, as well as other musical styles. They achieved success right away when they released their Blue album in 1994. Blue and Pinkerton were considered two of the best albums in the 90s. Their single “Beverly Hills” was the band’s first single to top the modern rock charts and their first single to top the Hot 100. Weezer is one of the most popular groups from the post-grunge and alternative rock genre. Weezer isn’t your typical rock band. When they weren’t studying or watching TV, they were rehearsing in the garage. The band added humor to their music. Weezer has won awards throughout their career. The band has sold over 35 million albums worldwide.
Weezer makes an impression with their music as well as their album covers. Their albums covers aren’t like other rock stars’ album covers. A lot of rock stars don’t appear on their album covers, but Weezer is different. They appear on most of their album covers. The band wants their fans to know who they are when they buy their albums. The photographers created interesting pictures for Weezer’s album covers. The artwork is related to the themes of the albums in one way or the other. Our Top 10 Weezer Album Covers list will look at their amazing album covers and the stories behind them.
# 10 – White Album
The 10th pick on our Top 10 Weezer Album Covers list is White Album. White Album is Weezer’s 10th studio album. Lead singer Rivers Cuomo tackled new areas for this album. He wrote about gender dynamics, dating and religion. The music for the album is like their first two albums Blue and Pinkerton. The album was inspired by Rivers Cuomo hanging out at the beach in California. The album cover features a picture of the band on a beach. They are standing in front of a lifeguard’s house. Weezer is fully clothed on the beach. Two of the members are wearing jackets while one is wearing a sweater. There is a coin collector on the left side of the cover. There are two people sitting on the beach together. You can see a shot of the ocean. It is a clear sky. The band’s name is written on top of the album cover in white letters.
The band wanted to use color schemes for some of their albums. This is one of the albums that use a color scheme. This is the “white” album. The cover has a white hue. Photographer Brendan Walter helped accomplish the goal that Weezer wanted for this album cover. He created a beach atmosphere. He took an inviting picture. It makes you want to be on the beach. Rivers Cuomo wanted the album to be reminiscent of the Beach Boys. He wanted people who didn’t live in the beach area to know what it feels like to spend time on the beach.
Brendan Walter did an excellent job shooting this picture. He took their picture from a distance which allows you to picture yourself on the beach. You can’t help noticing the beach. Your eyes will be drawn to the beach. Brendan Walter is a photographer and art director. He has worked with Weezer, Fall Out Boy, Train, Panic! At The Disco, Regina Spektor, as well as others. White Album was released in April 2016. The album peaked at number four on Billboard 200. White Album features the singles “Thank God for Girls,” “Do You Wanna Get High?” and “King of the World.”
# 9 – Black Album
The ninth pick on our Top 10 Weezer Album Covers list is Black Album. Black Album is Weezer’s 13th studio album. Rivers Cuomo wanted this album to be the opposite from the White Album. He wanted this album to be darker than the White Album. He was prepared to use profanity which was something he didn’t do on any of their other albums. He wanted the band to have a dark edge. The album cover features the band standing in front of a black background. The band has black paint on them. Scott Shriner is standing on the left. His picture is taken from his right side. Rivers Cuomo is second from the left. His hands are in his pocket. He is wearing glasses. Patrick Wilson is looking towards the right. He is also wearing glasses. Brian Bell is on the right. His picture is taken from his left side. There is a light reflecting from their bodies. The band’s name is written above the band.
Brendan Walter took a fascinating picture for the cover. The band wanted to complete the “color” albums with this album. Weezer wanted to see how black they could get the album cover. Brendan Walter had everything in black. He had black paint poured on the band. The band proved they really wanted to get this album cover done to put themselves through that. They got a chance to show off their fun side by being good sports during the process. The finished product was impressive. He kept everything black except for the light reflecting from Weezer’s bodies. You can tell by looking at it that it is the “black” album. It is a simple picture that doesn’t need interpretation. Black Album was released in March 2019. The album peaked at number 19 on Billboard 200. Black Album features the singles “California Snow,” “Can’t Knock the Hustle,” “High as a Kite” and “Living in L.A.”
# 8 – Raditude
The eighth pick on our Top 10 Weezer Album Covers list is Raditude. Raditude is Weezer’s seventh studio album. The title of the album was suggested to Rivers Cuomo by actor Rainn Wilson. Weezer worked with other artists for the album. They worked with Jermaine Dupri, Lil Wayne and members of the All-American Rejects. Weezer’s Brian Bell was hesitant about working with outside people. Rivers Cuomo convinced him to do the album. The album cover features a picture of a dog jumping in the air.
The dog is jumping in the living room. It is as if the dog was caught in midair. The curtains are open. You can see outside. There is a book and a pen on the table. There is a television by the window. There are a couch and chairs in the living room. There is a box that is beside the couch. There is a yellow border around the picture. The band’s name is written in white letters with a red outline. The album title is written in yellow letters.
Jason Neely took this picture of Sidney (the dog) when he was two. He submitted it to National Geographic. Jason Neely allowed Weezer to use the photo for the album cover. Rivers Cuomo found this picture. He loved the picture and wanted to use it for their album cover. He thought the picture described how he felt when he performed live. It is a lively picture of the dog. If you are an animal lover, the picture will make you smile. The dog looks happy in the picture so you can’t help smiling at it.
This picture describes how we all feel when we are energetic and happy. Jason Neely had impeccable timing to get the picture of Sidney in the air the way he did. This looks like a complicated picture to get of the dog suspended in the air. Raditude was released in October 2009. The album peaked at number seven on Billboard 200 and seven on the rock charts. Raditude features the singles “(If You’re Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To,” “I’m Your Daddy,” “The Girl Got Hot” and “Put Me Back Together.” The album sold over 240,000 copies.
# 7 – Teal Album
The seventh pick on our list is Teal Album. Teal Album is Weezer’s 12th studio album. The songs on this album are cover songs. This is the band’s first cover album. The songs are mostly from the 80s. Some of your favorite songs may be on the album. The album cover features the band standing in front of a teal background. The band is dressed in 80’s clothes. The clothes are reminiscent of Miami Vice. Brian Bell is on the left. He is wearing a pink or lavender suit. He is standing on a profile. His back is facing the band. Rivers Cuomo is wearing a white jacket and pants. He is wearing a teal shirt that matches the background. Scott Shriner is wearing a black flowered shirt with blue pants. He has his hands in his pockets. Patrick Wilson is wearing a blue jacket with a white shirt and pants. The band’s name is above them in white letters.
Sean Murphy took a picture of the band that was appropriate for the album. Weezer was going for a mostly 80s theme and that is the look Sean Murphy gave the band. Weezer looks as if they stepped out of the 80s. The band’s clothes match the color of the background. The colors are vibrant and eye catching. This is completely opposite from the Black Album. The Black Album is dark while this one is bright. The covers are different, but similar at the same time. Sean Murphy is a photographer who is mostly known for working with Weezer, SF Spanish Fly, Ugly Kid Joe, Beasts of Paradise, Smash Mouth, Rehab, OPM, A Perfect Circle, Matthew Good Band, Tenacious D, Powerman 5000, Bad Religion as well as others. Teal Album was released in January 2019. The album peaked at number five on the Billboard 200. It features the songs “Africa,” “No Scrubs,” “Billie Jean” and “Take On Me.”
# 6 – Red Album
Red Album is Weezer’s sixth studio album. This is one of the only albums where all four members of the band take turns singing lead. The band experimented musically on this album. The songs on the album are about things that happened in the past and their reflection on it. The album received positive reviews from critics.
The album cover features the band standing in front of a red background. Brian Bell is on the left. He is wearing gray and black. He has his hat tilted on his head. His left hand is grabbing his right arm. Patrick Wilson is wearing a sweater and slacks. He is turned to the right. His picture is taken from his left side. Rivers Cuomo is wearing a blue shirt and jeans. He is wearing a cowboy hat. Scott Shriner is wearing a black shirt and jeans. He is also wearing sunglasses. The band’s name is written in white letters.
This album cover was compared to the Village People’s artwork because of the way Weezer is dressed on the cover. The cover art happened by accident. They took pictures for the album cover, but they didn’t think it matched what the album sounded like. Sean Murphy was back to the drawing board. The band had fun at the photo shoot. They decided to go as their alter ego and take a weird picture. Weezer agreed to this album cover because they thought it represented the band the best.
The band wrote on the album together and wanted to decide how the artwork would look for the album together. The band got the chance to play dress up on this album cover. They got to wear their favorite things and have fun on the shoot. Sean Murphy captured a fun picture of the band. They didn’t take themselves too seriously. Red Album was released in June 2008. The album peaked at number four on Billboard 200. Red Album features the singles “Pork and Beans,” “The Greatest Man That Ever Lived (Variations on a Shaker Hem),” “Dreamin’” and “Troublemaker.” The album sold over 443,000 copies.
# 5 – Maladroit
The next pick on our Top 10 Weezer Album Covers list is Maladroit. Maladroit is Weezer’s fourth studio album. The band wanted to be more open with the fans on this album. They wanted their fans to have a say on what songs they used. Weezer incorporated heavy metal music on this album. The album cover features a young man sitting on a green couch. The man is wearing a suit. He is reading a book. There are two tables with lamps on them. There is a wooden chair next to the couch. There is a chair by the window. There is a painting on the wall. The band’s name and album title are written at the top of the cover in dark lettering.
This album cover was designed by a fan. Weezer wanted the fans to be more involved in the creative process of the album so they had an art contest. The band isn’t featured on the album cover. This cover was a great way for the band to honor the fans and let them have control over the album. The picture doesn’t fit the theme of the album, but it was a chance for Weezer to let their fans feel involved in the album. If you look at the pictures the colors from their color albums are represented in the picture. There is something black, white, red, teal, green and blue in the picture. It might be a fun game to pick out the different colors for the album. Maladroit was released in May 2002. The album peaked at number three on Billboard 200. Maladroit features the singles “Dope Knows,” “Keep Fishin’,” “Slob” and “Space Rock.” The album sold over 600,000 copies.
# 4 – Make Believe
Make Believe is Weezer’s fifth studio album. The band went back to emotional lyrics on this album. Rivers Cuomo wrote about personal issues. He was told to write songs that Elton John or Billy Joel would have written. The album received mixed reviews despite being a hit. The album cover features a black and white picture of the band. The album cover is like the color albums. They are all wearing black clothes. Three of the members are wearing black and white sneakers while one is wearing boots. Two are wearing jackets. None of the members are standing in the same position.
Patrick Wilson has his hands folded in front of him. Rivers Cuomo’s arms are crossed. Scott Shriner has his hands at his side. Brian Bell has his hands behind his back. There are white images behind the band. The background is black. The band’s name and album title are written in the middle of the cover. The band’s name is written in white while the album title is written in purple.
As we mentioned earlier, this album cover is like the band’s color scheme album covers. The difference is this album features illustrations in the background. Karl Koch and Sean Murphy had the band dressed in the same color outfits. It was a sign of unity. The band is color coordinated with the illustration and the background of the cover. The band has stoic looks on their faces which coincide with some of the songs on the album.
Carson Ellis did a great job with the illustration. It made the album cover stand out. It is something else to look at in addition to the band. It also adds light to dark clothes and background. Karl Koch is best known for working with Weezer. Carson Ellis is an illustrator who has worked with Weezer, The Decemberists, Colin Meloy, as well as others. Make Believe was released in May 2005. The album peaked at number two on Billboard 200. Make Believe features the singles “Beverly Hills,” “We Are All on Drugs,” “Perfect Situation” and “This Is Such a Pity.” The album sold over one million copies.
# 3 – Pinkerton
Coming in at number three on our list is Pinkerton. Pinkerton is Weezer’s second studio album. This album had a darker sound than their debut album. Rivers Cuomo wrote about being lonely and the life of a rock star. Rivers Cuomo felt lonely because of what he was dealing with in his personal life. He felt limited by rock music. He started feeling emotion from opera and classical music. The album cover features a picture of a man with a cane. He is wearing a hat. He is wearing a blue coat. There is a horse in the picture. The man and horse are in the mountains at night. There is snow on the ground, cabin and trees. It is snowing in the picture. The band’s name and album title are on top of the album cover. The lettering is white.
The album cover was derived from the painting by Hiroshige called Kambara yoru no yuki which means Night snow at Kambara. This painting fits because it represents solitude. Rivers Cuomo felt isolated during the time they recorded the album. Rivers Cuomo had surgery on his leg which led him to walk around with a cane. This also fits with the painting since the man in the painting is walking with a cane.
The band honored the painting but it made it their own. We’re not sure why they chose this painting for the album cover, but it is calming and peaceful. This is another album cover that doesn’t feature a picture of the band. Pinkerton was released in September 1996. The album peaked at number 19 on Billboard 200. Pinkerton features the singles “El Scorcho,” “The Good Life” and “Pink Triangle.” The album sold over one million copies.
# 2 – Green Album
Green Album is Weezer’s third studio album. Rivers Cuomo made this album simple. He avoided writing autobiographical songs. He didn’t want to write about what was going on in his life. This album cover features the band members. They are standing against a lime green background. Three of the band members are wearing black clothes while one is wearing green and brown.
Mikey Welsh is on the left. He is wearing a green shirt that matches the background. He is wearing white sneakers with black dots. Rivers Cuomo is holding a guitar. He is standing slightly ahead of the band. Brian Bell is wearing black with a red shirt underneath. Patrick Wilson is on the right. He has his arms behind his back. The band’s name is above the band. The lettering is white.
Marina Chavez and Karl Koch did an album cover reminiscent of Weezer’s debut album cover. The band wanted to do a tribute to their producer Ric Ocasek who produced their debut album. This album cover is supposed to go back to the sound that made them famous. This album cover is different from the other color albums because none of the members hold instruments. Marina Chavez and Karl Kock blended light and dark colors for the cover. The background is light while the band’s clothes are dark.
Marina Chavez is a photographer who has worked with Weezer, Big Mountain, Seed, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Jayhawks, Hurricane, Dogstar, Brendan Lynch, No Authority, Immature, Pete Droge, The Yellowjackets, Depeche Mode, Simon Says, Rob Zombie, Switchfoot, Green Day, Tim McGraw, All-American Rejects, Korn, Allison Moorer, as well as others. Green Album was released in May 2011. The album peaked at number four on Billboard 200. Green Album features the singles “Hash Pipe,” “Island in the Sun” and “Photograph.” The album sold over one million copies.
# 1 – Blue Album
The number one pick on our Top 10 Weezer Album Covers list is Blue Album. Blue Album is Weezer’s debut studio album. They had trouble writing music for fans who preferred grunge music. The band wanted Ric Ocasek to produce this album because of his work with the Cars. He was able to get the band to make a brighter sound for the album. The album cover features the band standing in front of a blue background. Patrick Wilson is on the left. He is wearing a white button-down shirt with black pants. His hands are on his side. River Cuomo is wearing blue and tan. His hands are behind his back. Matt Sharp is wearing a pink shirt and blue jeans. His hands are folded in front of him. Brian Bell is on the right. He is wearing blue and black. His hands are in his pockets. The band’s name is written in the top right corner of the cover.
This is the first of the color scheme albums. This album cover was compared to the Feelies’ Crazy Rhythms. Each album covers have the same background. Each album covers have the same concept of the members being on the cover. Peter Gowland captured a realistic picture of the band. It looks like a picture you would take with your friends. He didn’t use imagery for the album cover. He just relied on the band. They are the stars of the picture. He used a pretty shade of blue for the background shot.
Most of the band liked the album cover while Matt Sharp didn’t. He didn’t like the way his head looked in the picture. We’re not sure what he didn’t like about the album cover but it turned out fine. It was a great way to introduce fans to the band. Peter Gowland was a photographer who worked with Weezer, The Gaylords, Connie Russell, Linda Lawson, Sweathog, White Zombie, as well as others. Blue Album was released in May 1994. The album peaked at number 16 on Billboard 200. Blue Album features the singles “Undone-The Sweater Song,” “Buddy Holly” and “Say It Ain’t So.” The album sold over three million copies.
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