Weezer

Decades after its founding, Weezer remains something of an enigma, a blend of big, joyful arena rock with leader Rivers Cuomo’s shy-guy reticence, metal riffs with nerdy lyrics, and goofy humor with obsessively precise pop craft.

Formed in California in 1992, the band debuted with 1994’s Weezer (a.k.a.

“The Blue Album”), an album whose indelible hooks (“Say It Ain't So,” “Undone - The Sweater Song”) and overall sweet disposition (“Buddy Holly”) made it an instant antidote to the angst of grunge.