Draft:Weezer Recording Chronology:Weezer (The Green Album)

From Weezerpedia
Weezer
Studio album by
Weezer
ReleasedMay 15, 2001
RecordedDecember 2000, Cello Studios, Los Angeles, California
GenreAlternative
Length28:34
LabelGeffen
ProducerRic Ocasek
Weezer chronology
Pinkerton
(1996) 		Weezer
(2001) 		Maladroit
(2002)
Singles from Weezer (The Green Album)
  1. "Hash Pipe"
    Released: April 2001
  2. "Island in the Sun"
    Released: August 28, 2001
  3. "Photograph"
    Released: 2001

Weezer, most commonly referred to as The Green Album, is the third studio album by Weezer. It was released on May 15, 2001, by DGC Records.

Overview

The main ten song album released in 2001 was recorded in the winter of 2000 and 2001 in Cello Studios with producer Ric Ocasek.

Unlike Weezer's first two albums, Green has never been reissued as a "deluxe edition" with bonus tracks, but singles with additional B-sides and international editions with bonus tracks released throughout 2001, some featuring songs from the related release Christmas CD.

Track lists

All tracks are written by Rivers Cuomo

No.TitleLength
1."Don't Let Go"2:59
2."Photograph"2:19
3."Hash Pipe"3:06
4."Island in the Sun"3:20
5."Crab"2:34
6."Knock-down Drag-out"2:08
7."Smile"2:38
8."Simple Pages"2:56
9."Glorious Day"2:40
10."O Girlfriend"3:49
Total length:28:34

Additional B-sides

2000

Post-touring home demos, October 1–December 7, 2000

This list of demos represents the best versions of the songs at the time. They were all recorded to Cuomo's DA-88 8-track recorder at his home studio.

Performer(s) Title Filename Date of recording Recording location Length Appeared on Notes
Rivers Cuomo Hole in Time 01 208 Hole in Time 2000-10-01.mp3 October 1, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA 3:28 Alone VII: The Green Years
Rivers Cuomo I Wish You Luck 212 I Wish You Luck.mp3 October 7, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA 3:10 Alone VII: The Green Years
Rivers Cuomo Teenage Victory Song 211 Teenage Victory Song.mp3 October 7, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA 2:37 Alone VII: The Green Years
Weezer The Christmas Song October 20, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA 3:08 Kevin and Bean: The Real Slim Santa
Weezer No More Confusin' October 25, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer That's the Way October 25, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA Later renamed "Sugar Booger"
Weezer Ayleen October 25, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer New Joint October 25, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Big Rock Star October 25, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer I Wish You Luck October 25, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Happiness Together October 25, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Cryin' and Lonely October 26, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer No More Confusin' October 27, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer That's the Way October 27, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Take It Slow October 27, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Ayleen October 27, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Cryin' and Lonely October 27, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer If You Want It October 27, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA Later renamed "Photograph"
Weezer Inside a Smile October 27, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA Later renamed "Smile"
Weezer Crab October 27, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer No More Confusin' October 28, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer That's the Way October 28, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer New Joint October 28, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Ayleen October 28, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Cryin' and Lonely October 28, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Homely October 28, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Crab October 28, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Inside a Smile October 28, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer If You Want It October 28, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Dope Nose October 28, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer I Hear Bells October 29, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer That's the Way October 29, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Don't Let Go October 29, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer If You Want It October 29, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Crab October 29, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Everybody Go Away October 30, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA 2:10 Guitar Center: Fresh Cuts Vol. 4
Weezer If You Want It October 30, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Inside a Smile October 30, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Crab October 30, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer That's the Way October 30, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Ayleen October 30, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Seeds Fall Down October 30, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Homely October 31, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer No More Confusin' October 31, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Homely October 31, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Christmas Celebration November 10, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA 2:24 YTV Big Fun Party Present Later worked on at Cello Studios with Ric Ocasek
Weezer The Christmas Song November 10, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA 3:15 Now! Christmas 2 Later worked on at Cello Studios with Ric Ocasek
Weezer O Girlfriend November 11, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Starlight November 11, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Homely November 11, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Castles in the Sand November 12, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Oh Lisa November 12, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer New Joint November 12, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Gimmie Some Love November 13, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA Later renamed "Simple Pages"
Weezer I Hear Bells November 13, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer The Christmas Song November 15–November 16, 2000 3:08 Christmas CD Above recording but with work done at Cello Studios with Ric Ocasek
Weezer Christmas Celebration November 15–November 16, 2000 2:22 Christmas CD Above recording but with work done at Cello Studios with Ric Ocasek
Weezer Sister-Brother November 20, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Childhood Ties November 20, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer The Badger November 20, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Burning Sun RC-burning_sun.mp3 November 21, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA 2:29 Leaked online
Weezer Knock-down Drag-out November 21, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Break Up November 27, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Mr. Taxman November 27, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Drink the Water November 27, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Castles in the Sand November 27, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Break Up November 28, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Tough Guy Hat November 28, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Mad Kow November 28, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Break Up December 3, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA Instrumental take
Weezer Gimmie Some Love December 3, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA Instrumental take
Weezer Knock-down Drag-out December 3, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA Instrumental take
Weezer Starlight December 3, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA Instrumental take
Weezer Island in the Sun December 3, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Ayleen December 3, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Childhood Ties December 3, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Break Up December 6, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Gimmie Some Love December 7, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Drink the Water December 7, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Mr. Taxman December 7, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Homely December 7, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Don't Let Go December 7, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Knock-down Drag-out December 7, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Starlight December 7, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer If You Want It December 7, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Inside a Smile December 7, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
Weezer Crab December 7, 2000 6145 Rodgerton Dr., Los Angeles, CA
about this table
Karlification!

These demos are culled from numerous DA-88 8-Track master tapes, and represent the best version recorded at the time. Multiple alternate, unused and abandoned takes of each of the below songs exist, representing many days spent working full time in the little studio throughout much of October.

—Karl Koch, Weezer Recording History, Page 12


2001

The Green Album recording sessions, December 27, 2000–January 17, 2001

Album cover

Starting on December 27, 2000, the band, plus returning producer Ric Ocasek and engineers Ken Allardyce, Alan Sanderson, and Carlos "Loco" Bedoya recorded 21 songs at Cello Studios, 10 of which making the album, and 7 being released as B-sides.

Most of the below recordings started out as run-throughs by the band to get the drums and bass down, with the vocals and guitars being regarded as "scratch takes" and being re-taped, or in some cases, even taped over later. During recording, one of the assistant engineers would make DAT tapes of the day's work as backups, which were then copied over, where Karl Koch would make CDs of the sessions. In some cases, Koch was asked to make edits of the in-progress recordings so the band could test out different arrangements if needed (this process would go on far beyond recording wrapped up, with changes being made during or even after mastering in some instances).

On January 31, 2001, the individual tracks from the sessions at Cello would then be transferred into Lord-Alge's Pro Tools system in Miami for mixing. Mixing being done digitally allowed changes to be made to the tracks during mixing due to the unlimited amount of tracks at hand. Mastering initially took place on February 19, though even more changes were taking place across different studios in Los Angeles, thus the mastering process was re-done several times, even during the band's Yahoo! Outloud Tour and extending into the band's Japan tour that April, where Rivers Cuomo would be mailed mixes, masters, and album sequencings before they were finally finished later that month.

Performer(s) Title Filename Date of recording Recording location Length Appeared on Notes
Weezer Knock-down Drag-out December 27, 2000 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA
Weezer Don't Let Go December 27, 2000 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA
Weezer Knock-down Drag-out December 28, 2000 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA
Weezer Don't Let Go December 28, 2000–February 1, 2001 2:59 Weezer (The Green Album)
Weezer Cryin' and Lonely December 28, 2000 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA
Weezer Break Up December 28, 2000 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA
Weezer Gimmie Some Love December 28, 2000–January 31, 2001 2:57 Weezer (The Green Album)
Weezer Homely December 28, 2000 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA Later became "Lonely Girl" with a new chorus
Weezer Island in the Sun December 29, 2000 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA
Weezer Starlight December 29, 2000 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA
Weezer Hash Pipe December 29, 2000 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA
Weezer Oh Lisa December 29, 2000–February 1, 2001 2:52
Weezer O Girlfriend December 29, 2000 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA
Weezer Brightening Day December 29, 2000 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA 2:11 "Island in the Sun" (UK retail CD #2) Mixed by Jack Joseph Puig
Weezer Crab December 29, 2000 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA
Weezer If You Want It December 29, 2000 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA
Weezer Island in the Sun December 30, 2000 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA
Weezer Hash Pipe December 30, 2000 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA
Weezer Crab December 30, 2000 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA
Weezer Inside a Smile December 30, 2000–February 8, 2001 2:39 Weezer (The Green Album)
Weezer Teenage Victory Song December 30, 2000 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA
Weezer Sugar Booger December 30, 2000 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA 4:04 "Island in the Sun" (UK retail CD #2)
Weezer Island in the Sun January 1–February 4, 2001 4:04 Weezer (The Green Album)
Weezer O Girlfriend January 1, 2001 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA
Weezer Hash Pipe January 1, 2001 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA
Weezer No More Disappointments January 1, 2001 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA
Weezer If You Want It January 1–January 19, February 4, 2001
Weezer Crab January 1, 2001 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA
Weezer No More Disappointments January 2, 2001 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA
Weezer O Girlfriend January 2–February 4, 2001 3:50 Weezer (The Green Album)
Weezer Hash Pipe January 2, February 15–February 16, 2001 3:07 Weezer (The Green Album)
Weezer Knock-down Drag-out January 2, 2001 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA 2:09 Weezer (The Green Album)
Weezer Crab January 2–February 8, 2001 2:35 Weezer (The Green Album)
Weezer Always January 2–January 20, February 6, 2001 2:05 2:40 "correct" mix done on October 13 by Jack Joseph Puig
Weezer Starlight January 3, 2001 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA
Weezer Break Up January 3, 2001 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA
Weezer Teenage Victory Song January 3–February 7, 2001 3:04
Weezer Homely January 3, 2001 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA
Weezer Starlight January 5, 2001 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA 3:19
Weezer Gonna Make My Move January 6–February 8, 2001 2:41 Weezer (The Green Album)
Weezer Always January 7, 2001 Cello Studios, Hollywood, CA Full-band version featuring Farfisa organ
Weezer New Song January 17, 2001 Ocean Way Studios, Hollywood, CA 1:52 Later known as "I Do"
about this table
Karlification!

The Green Album was recorded At Cello Studios in Los Angeles, which used to be a part of Western Studios, where many albums were cut for artists in the 60's such as Frank Sinatra (1969's "Cycles"), the Mamas and The Papas and the Beach Boys, who recorded their masterpiece Pet Sounds there. The basic tracks were recorded to 2" 24 track analog tape, which was a challenge in today's day and age. the drums alone were miked up with over 10 microphones, each of which required a separate track. When one factors in the tracks required for bass guitar, rhythm guitar (often doubled in stereo or even tripled with a center track as well, lead guitar (also often doubled), guitar solos, and vocals, which generally required at least 3 tracks, it got pretty tight when it came time to add a spontaneous alternate guitar idea, or alternate vocal melody.

(information as to what instruments and gear was used in the recording process is slated to be added to the "Equipment History" pages as soon as possible.)

Anyway, over 20 master 2" reels were filled with various "takes" through out late December through the first 2 weeks of January. In some cases as many as 5 or 6 master takes were saved of a song, each representing a run through by the whole band of a song, that was deemed good enough to save. These run throughs were primarily for getting a perfect take of the drums, and where possible the bass guitar as well. Lead and rhythm guitars and Rivers's vocals were in there as well, but these parts were generally regarded as scratch takes - just there to fill out the sound as the band played the song as a whole. Later the guitars and vocals (and depending on the song, the bass) would be re-taped, using up free tracks until there wasnt enough to spare. Then, assuming they had gotten better takes of the bass and guitars, the original scratch tracks would be considered fair game for taping over with other things like the final vocals and such.

Over the course of the recording, the assistant engineer would make DAT tapes of whatever was done that day, as safety back-ups and for reference. From these a "daily CD" was created by Karl, which was burned in whatever running order was popular that day, and each rough cd would range (as the recording went on) from songs that were in a very rough state to songs that had had a lot more work dont to them. The effect of listening to the CDs could be rather odd, as a polished sounding song would often lead into a rough instrumental of the next track.

While recording was going on, Rivers was still writing, so in-studio demos would also be recorded, such as for "I Do". Also, Karl was sometimes instructed to do a rough edit of an in-process song on his computer, to help determine what it would sound like with or without a certain verse or solo or whatever. So these versions started to pile up as well.

As the process went on this way, various early or rejected versions of the songs in progress would thus be preserved on the daily CDs. At the end of the recording process, Karl made a "best of the early versions" set of CDs, and destroyed the original "Daily CDs" (this wasn't ruining anything, as the masters were also on DATs and the 24 track tape. The concern was over the large amount of extra rough mix cds that started to pile up, and the possibility that one of them could slip out of the studio in the wrong pocket). The list below is drawn from this info, and represents every song that was worked on in this period, regardless of whether it actually got finished or made it to the album or whatever.

While mixing the album in Miami Beach, additional recording work was done by "dumping" all 24 analog tracks of a song from L.A. into the Pro Tools computer based recording system, and with the unlimited additional space available in the digital realm, various last minute additional tracks were added as needed to try out small guitar touches, additional tries at getting the vocals better, or whatever was deemed necessary. When the song was truly finished in the recording phase, the digital tracks were all "flown" back down the hall via some really thick cables, back into Tom Lord-Alge's mixing desk, where he'd break it down and get to work. Often a song was completed late one night in the recording room, and a few hours later in the morning, Tom would show up and start work on the mix over in his mixing room. It was a hectic pace to say the least! The end result of the work in Miami was a pile of 1/2" digital mixdown tapes on reels.

Compounding the sense of urgency was the upcoming Outloud Tour, which was starting by hell or high water on Feb 21st 2001.

After Miami, the tapes went back to L.A. for mastering, the final process wherein the songs are put in order and given an overall E.Q. and such, so they sound cohesive as an album. However, during the short period between Miami and the start of the Outloud Tour, Rivers made a number of last minute changes and decisions, prompting work in some other L.A. studios to add touches here and there, and edit some songs, as well as do some B-side work. The mastering was re-done several times, even during the Outloud Tour. All during that tour and right up to the start of the following Japan tour, Rivers was listening to fed-exed in mixes, masterings and album sequences. In the end it wasnt over until well after the Outloud Tour was over, almost at the point when the band boarded the plane to Japan for the April tour. In the short period in L.A. before the Japan Tour started, Several more B-sides were polished up, and the running order and song choices of the album were finally made final.

During the process of mastering, somewhere in April 2001, (when some songs were in fact still being edited and having last second mix fixes done), someone at a mastering studio thought he had the new weezer album and stole unfinished, incorrectly mastered copies of many of the soon to be released tracks, plus some tracks that were slated for b-side status. These tracks made it out as mp3s and were announced as "the new album", when in fact the order was wrong, the mixes were wrong, the mastering was wrong, and even what tracks that were included was wrong. It was a classic example of how difficult it was to keep an album under wraps in todays age of digital propagation and outright piracy, and led to a lot of unnecessary confusion. (the actual sessions were confusing enough as it was! In fact the wrong edit of "Always" even ended up on the UK single months later, due to some mislabelled masters.)

—Karl Koch, Weezer Recording History, Page 13


Retrieved from "https://www.weezerpedia.com/w/index.php?title=Draft:Weezer_Recording_Chronology:Weezer_(The_Green_Album)&oldid=160941"