Alone II: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo
Encyclopedia
Alone II: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo is a compilation album
by Weezer
frontman Rivers Cuomo
. It is a sequel to Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo
. On July 24, 2008 on riverscuomo.com, an entire list entitled "The 4 and 5 star demos of river como" [sic] was posted, with certain songs designated as songs that either appeared on Alone
, Buddyhead's Gimme Skelter compilation, or Alone II. Soon after the list was posted, the site was redirected back to Cuomo's MySpace
.
On October 15, 2008, the album was made available for pre-order on Amazon.com
and its release date was revealed as November 25, 2008, with http://www.interpunk.com reporting it will contain "a 3 song mini suite from the highly sought after Songs from the Black Hole
and a cover of the Beach Boys' "Don't Worry Baby
" and posting the cover artwork. The artwork was confirmed by Pitchfork Media
on October 27, 2008.
Alone II debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers
chart with opening week sales of 6,000.
, earlier bands, and self-recorded demos. Of these songs, despite the large amount of unreleased material that has been made available by Cuomo on the internet, large chunks of his work remain unheard by fans. These include certain demos for The Blue Album
, various songs from the scrapped Songs from the Black Hole
project, over a hundred songs he composed and demoed throughout 1999 (songs which he has described as ranging from "drone-y Romantic," "abrasive dissonance" and "riffy pop-rock") and well over a hundred songs that didn't make the cut for Make Believe.
The idea for the demo collection was made 10 years ago, when Cuomo had brought up the idea to his record company. However, they discouraged him from the idea because they didn't want to "dilute the Weezer name" by putting out less polished material. It wasn't until 10 years later that Cuomo pushed harder for the collection and it gained enough support for a release.
There were some legal issues between Cuomo and Geffen
about releasing the album:
During promotional interviews for Alone in 2007, Cuomo mentioned the possibility of releasing more demo albums through Geffen
records. Of the reported 15 hours of demos Cuomo has made, he believed that one or two more solid albums on the level of Alone could be created.
:
Much like the first Alone album, Alone II features liner notes
. These notes provide detailed descriptions and insight into where Cuomo draws inspiration to write and arrange his music, specifically stating the time and dates where songs were written. Cuomo commented on the liner notes:
Songs added:
Songs left off:
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
by Weezer
Weezer
Weezer is an American alternative rock band. The band currently consists of Rivers Cuomo , Patrick Wilson , Brian Bell , and Scott Shriner . The band has changed lineups three times since its formation in 1992...
frontman Rivers Cuomo
Rivers Cuomo
Rivers Cuomo is an American musician, best known as the lead singer, lead guitarist, and principal songwriter of the alternative rock band Weezer. Raised in an Ashram in Connecticut, Cuomo moved to Los Angeles at age 19, where he participated in a number of rock bands before founding Weezer in 1992...
. It is a sequel to Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo
Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo
Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo is a compilation album by Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo, released on December 18, 2007. It is available as a digital release, CD release and 12" vinyl...
. On July 24, 2008 on riverscuomo.com, an entire list entitled "The 4 and 5 star demos of river como" [sic] was posted, with certain songs designated as songs that either appeared on Alone
Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo
Alone: The Home Recordings of Rivers Cuomo is a compilation album by Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo, released on December 18, 2007. It is available as a digital release, CD release and 12" vinyl...
, Buddyhead's Gimme Skelter compilation, or Alone II. Soon after the list was posted, the site was redirected back to Cuomo's MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
.
On October 15, 2008, the album was made available for pre-order on Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Amazon.com, Inc. is a multinational electronic commerce company headquartered in Seattle, Washington, United States. It is the world's largest online retailer. Amazon has separate websites for the following countries: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Japan, and...
and its release date was revealed as November 25, 2008, with http://www.interpunk.com reporting it will contain "a 3 song mini suite from the highly sought after Songs from the Black Hole
Songs from the Black Hole
Songs from the Black Hole is an unreleased, unfinished Weezer album. A space themed rock opera/musical, it was originally envisioned as the follow-up album to The Blue Album, but over the course of recording, the album's concept was discarded and the album was transformed into Pinkerton...
and a cover of the Beach Boys' "Don't Worry Baby
Don't Worry Baby
"Don’t Worry Baby" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Roger Christian, produced by Wilson and first recorded by the Beach Boys. The band's version, a tender ballad with falsetto lead vocal by Brian, was first released on their 1964 album Shut Down Volume 2. It was also released as the B-side of...
" and posting the cover artwork. The artwork was confirmed by Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
on October 27, 2008.
Alone II debuted at #2 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers
Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical...
chart with opening week sales of 6,000.
Background
Rivers Cuomo has long been known by fans to have recorded a great deal of unreleased material, nearly 800 songs in his lifetime. This material was recorded with WeezerWeezer
Weezer is an American alternative rock band. The band currently consists of Rivers Cuomo , Patrick Wilson , Brian Bell , and Scott Shriner . The band has changed lineups three times since its formation in 1992...
, earlier bands, and self-recorded demos. Of these songs, despite the large amount of unreleased material that has been made available by Cuomo on the internet, large chunks of his work remain unheard by fans. These include certain demos for The Blue Album
Weezer (The Blue Album)
Weezer, also known as The Blue Album, is the debut album by the American alternative rock band Weezer, released in May 1994 through DGC Records. The album was produced by former Cars frontman Ric Ocasek and recorded in Electric Lady Studios in New York City...
, various songs from the scrapped Songs from the Black Hole
Songs from the Black Hole
Songs from the Black Hole is an unreleased, unfinished Weezer album. A space themed rock opera/musical, it was originally envisioned as the follow-up album to The Blue Album, but over the course of recording, the album's concept was discarded and the album was transformed into Pinkerton...
project, over a hundred songs he composed and demoed throughout 1999 (songs which he has described as ranging from "drone-y Romantic," "abrasive dissonance" and "riffy pop-rock") and well over a hundred songs that didn't make the cut for Make Believe.
The idea for the demo collection was made 10 years ago, when Cuomo had brought up the idea to his record company. However, they discouraged him from the idea because they didn't want to "dilute the Weezer name" by putting out less polished material. It wasn't until 10 years later that Cuomo pushed harder for the collection and it gained enough support for a release.
There were some legal issues between Cuomo and Geffen
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
about releasing the album:
During promotional interviews for Alone in 2007, Cuomo mentioned the possibility of releasing more demo albums through Geffen
Geffen Records
Geffen Records is an American record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operated as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-Beginnings:...
records. Of the reported 15 hours of demos Cuomo has made, he believed that one or two more solid albums on the level of Alone could be created.
Artwork and liner notes
The album's cover photo was taken while Cuomo was in high school for his senior portrait. Cuomo elaborated on the photo session in an interview with Pitchfork MediaPitchfork Media
Pitchfork Media, usually known simply as Pitchfork or P4k, is a Chicago-based daily Internet publication established in 1995 that is devoted to music criticism and commentary, music news, and artist interviews. Its focus is on underground and independent music, especially indie rock...
:
Much like the first Alone album, Alone II features liner notes
Liner notes
Liner notes are the writings found in booklets which come inserted into the compact disc jewel case or the equivalent packaging for vinyl records and cassettes.-Origin:...
. These notes provide detailed descriptions and insight into where Cuomo draws inspiration to write and arrange his music, specifically stating the time and dates where songs were written. Cuomo commented on the liner notes:
Track listing
All songs written by Rivers Cuomo, except where noted.- "Victory on the Hill" – 0:50
- "I Want to Take You Home Tonight" – 3:56
- "The Purification of Water" – 3:56
- "I Was Scared" – 2:54
- "Harvard Blues" (Cuomo, Professor Nancy Yousef) – 0:31
- "My Brain Is Working Overtime" – 3:27
- "I Don't Want to Let You Go" – 3:46
- "Oh Jonas" – 0:26
- "Please Remember" – 0:37
- "Come to My Pod" – 1:31
- "Don't Worry BabyDon't Worry Baby"Don’t Worry Baby" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Roger Christian, produced by Wilson and first recorded by the Beach Boys. The band's version, a tender ballad with falsetto lead vocal by Brian, was first released on their 1964 album Shut Down Volume 2. It was also released as the B-side of...
" (Beach Boys Cover) – 2:58 - "The Prettiest Girl in the Whole Wide World" – 2:44
- "Can't Stop PartyingRaditudeRaditude is the seventh studio album by American alternative rock band Weezer, released on November 3, 2009 and is their final album on DGC Records, Geffen Records and Interscope Records...
" (Cuomo, Jermaine DupriJermaine DupriJermaine Dupri Mauldin , known as Jermaine Dupri or JD, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper.- Early life and career :...
) – 2:18 - "Paper Face" – 3:20
- "Walt Disney" – 2:50
- "I Admire You So Much" – 0:46
- "My Day Is Coming" – 4:23
- "Cold and Damp" – 3:35
- "I'll Think About YouHomie (band)Homie is a side project of Rivers Cuomo, lead singer of the band Weezer. Homie, as it stands now, was a one-time effort. Homie has released just one song, "American Girls", for the soundtrack of the 1998 film Meet the Deedles...
" – 3:01
Track list changes
Between the time that Cuomo put his demo spreadsheet online on July 24, 2008 and the album's release, the track list for Alone II changed.Songs added:
- Victory on the Hill
- Harvard Blues
- My Brain is Working Overtime
- Can't Stop Partying
- I Admire You So Much
- Cold and Damp
Songs left off:
- I've Thrown It All Away
- Bad Girl (early version of The Angel and the One)
- Softies
Track origins
- "Victory on the Hill" is an all-trumpet instrumental written and performed by Cuomo in late 1993. Its all-trumpet sequel, "Defeat on the Hill", was written and recorded between touring for Weezer (The Blue Album) in mid-1994.
- "I Want to Take You Home Tonight" was recorded in 2002.
- "Paperface" was recorded in 1992. A full-band demo was released on the deluxe version of Weezer (The Blue Album).
- "Don't Worry Baby" and "The Purification of Water" were recorded in 1992 and 1993 before the release of the band's debut album, Weezer (The Blue Album).
- "I'll Think About You" was originally written in 1994 and later a contender for the never-released HomieHomie (band)Homie is a side project of Rivers Cuomo, lead singer of the band Weezer. Homie, as it stands now, was a one-time effort. Homie has released just one song, "American Girls", for the soundtrack of the 1998 film Meet the Deedles...
album. The recording featured on this collection was recorded in 1997. - "Walt Disney" and "Harvard Blues" were recorded in 1995.
- "Come to My Pod", "Oh Jonas" and "Please Remember" were recorded for Songs from the Black HoleSongs from the Black HoleSongs from the Black Hole is an unreleased, unfinished Weezer album. A space themed rock opera/musical, it was originally envisioned as the follow-up album to The Blue Album, but over the course of recording, the album's concept was discarded and the album was transformed into Pinkerton...
, recorded in 1995. - "The Prettiest Girl in the Whole Wide World" was recorded in 1997 during the band's hiatus as an early contender for 2001's Weezer (The Green Album). A new version ended up on RaditudeRaditudeRaditude is the seventh studio album by American alternative rock band Weezer, released on November 3, 2009 and is their final album on DGC Records, Geffen Records and Interscope Records...
as a bonus track. - "I Was Scared" was recorded in 2003 as an early contender for Make Believe.
- "My Day is Coming" and "I Don't Wanna Let You Go" were recorded in 2006 and 2007, before the release of Weezer (The Red Album)Weezer (2008 album)Weezer, also known as "The Red Album", is the sixth studio album by the American alternative rock band Weezer, released on June 3, 2008. Rick Rubin and Jacknife Lee both helped to produce the album...
. "I Don't Wanna Let You Go" ended up as the closing track the Weezer's 2009 album RaditudeRaditudeRaditude is the seventh studio album by American alternative rock band Weezer, released on November 3, 2009 and is their final album on DGC Records, Geffen Records and Interscope Records...
. - "Can't Stop Partying" was written by Jermaine DupriJermaine DupriJermaine Dupri Mauldin , known as Jermaine Dupri or JD, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper.- Early life and career :...
with additional work and writing by Cuomo, and was demoed in 2008. A version of the song appeared on Weezer's studio album Raditude featuring Lil WayneLil WayneDwayne Michael Carter, Jr. , better known by his stage name Lil Wayne, is an American rapper. At the age of nine, Lil Wayne joined Cash Money Records as the youngest member of the label, and half of the duo, The B.G.'z, with B.G.. In 1997, Lil Wayne joined the group Hot Boys, which also included...
. - "Cold and Damp" was recorded in 1999.