Cat Num: B002515301 

1996 

Pinkerton is the second studio album by the American alternative rock band Weezer, released on September 24, 1996. The album largely chronicles the romantic life of frontman Rivers Cuomo and his disillusionment with rock stardom.[1] The album derives its title from the character B.F. Pinkerton from Giacomo Puccini's 1904 opera, Madama Butterfly. Cuomo has described the album as the story of his struggle with his inner Pinkerton.[1]

In contrast to the band's eponymous debut album, Pinkerton features a rougher, more abrasive sound, intending to better capture the band's live sound. Upon release in 1996, the album received mixed reviews and was considered a commercial failure. The album has since received a critical reappraisal. It was certified gold in 2001[2] and platinum in 2016. As of September 2016, Pinkerton has amassed U.S. sales of over 1,000,000. It was the last Weezer album to feature bassist Matt Sharp.