Weezer's second self-titled album, known as The Green Album, was released on May 15, 2001. It was the band's first record after a four-year hiatus and the departure of bassist Matt Sharp, replaced by Mikey Welsh. Again produced by Ric Ocasek, the album marked a shift towards a more direct, concise, and polished sound, with short songs and a focus on melodic simplicity.
The lead single "Hash Pipe" became an immediate hit, reaching number 2 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. The song was written by Rivers Cuomo after a period of creative block, inspired by an encounter with a sex worker in London. The second single, "Island in the Sun", was an even bigger success, with a music video directed by Marcos Siega showing the band in a beachy, festive setting, becoming a summer classic.
The album received generally favorable reviews and was certified platinum by the RIAA. Although some critics noted its brevity (only 28 minutes) and its more streamlined production as a departure from the rawer sound of the debut, the record was a commercial success and reaffirmed Weezer's relevance in the early 2000s alternative rock scene.