Rolling Stone (10/31/96, pp.65-66) - 3 Stars - Good - "...Melodies bounce with vigor; in the lyrics, help is just a sunshiny day away....There is still plenty of Weezer's signature dorkiness....But what you get is true to the sun-'n'-fun aesthetic of great jangly pop..."

Spin (11/96, pp.120-121) - 7 - Worthy - "...ripping out an endearing cross between post-punk gnarl, Cars pop and the Cheap Trick that's nourished generations, the result is a gawkily new wave AOR with all the phallic assurance torn away..."

Entertainment Weekly (9/27/96, p.78) - "...PINKERTON should please all those indie-rock purists who like their pop sloppy and raw, but it'll disappoint anyone who prefers a candy coating on the bubblegum." - Rating: B

Entertainment Weekly (p.185) - 5 stars out of 5 - "The self-produced album sounds as raw as Cuomo's lyrics, without any of the sheen that Ric Ocasek provided on the band's debut....What makes PINKERTON more than a blog entry is Cuomo's unfailing gift for power pop."

Q (11/96, p.138) - 4 Stars (out of 5) - "...On every tale of romance, delivered in perfect verse/chorus formula, you can see Jennifer Aniston giving it some attitude in the kitchen..."

Melody Maker (10/5/96, p.52) - "...Weezer might rollick, Weezer might write thumpingly irresistible choruses 'til the mad cows come home, but you wouldn't be alone in supposing Weezer make being young sound like f***ing weary hard work....My advice is to ignore the lyrics entirely..."

NME (Magazine) (9/28/96, p.57) - 7 (out of 10) - "...By the time the affecting acoustic lament `Butterfly' wafts in like Big Star at a wildlife protection meeting, PINKERTON starts feeling like a truly moving album. No, really..."