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Post by Philip Garcia on Jul 25, 2008 2:05:26 GMT -5
Personally, I find that the more I hear this album, the more I love it. My favorite paul solo album to data was probably suicane (although it depended on my mood). I liked the less polished albums before this, but they don't have the same power this one seems to hold.
Something about this album seems to just keep growing on me. I have to easily be on my 30th or 40th listen of the album (I've had it on all day long on repeat). I can't say that particular songs are what makes it great, but the whole experience. It's not about one or two good songs, but about the entirety of the album. I guess I'm a rare breed that listens to albums in order from start to finish without skipping over songs. It's the way I like music to be, and with most of the bands I like there isn't a song I absolutely don't want to hear. This album just flows, and I think that's what is so great about it.
I remember the first time I heard it kind of thinking this is a bit weird, and not really that great, but then after listening more and more it just really grew on me. Parts of the album are kind of haunting, but all of it is exciting, and just plain fun.
While I do want another paul studio album, I don't mind this stuff at all, I think some of his stuff is best suited for the studio, but other material just really works in this format. I really don't consider this an album of leftovers or demos or outtakes or whatever. They're some of his best songs, but rearranged in an entirely different way, that works for them. Some of the songs I'd like to see released separately as a studio version, but I wonder if I'd like that as much. Either way, I really hope to some day catch some of this material live.
Phil
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Post by TomT on Jul 25, 2008 5:27:02 GMT -5
I don't know. Every morning I get up I look forward to hearing 49:00 that day. I guess it works just fine for me. It's new, it's innovative, it's inspiring. Let go of his past and give the guy a break. He's put out the "Murmur" of 2008. Anyone remember the buzz around the innovative mystery weirdness of REM's Murmer when it came out in 1983? The incoherent lyrics, the strange 10 second segues between songs... It was new and exciting to hear over and over. 49:00 to me is a pure art expression from Paul. I'm talking about the editing and release approach. I guarantee you he had fun putting this together. He ralized his vision with this one. I love it for what it is. Unusal inspiring art. *edit: I wrote this before seeing Phillips post above. It's a response to posts on the previous page. Phil, we obviously feel the same way.
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Post by deebee76 on Jul 25, 2008 8:34:45 GMT -5
I can't really add much to what's already been said as far as the positive comments go, because I feel the same way. As die-hard a PW fan as I am, he never ceases to amaze me. As far as I'm concerned, he hasn't had a poor album in his career, 'Mats or solo.
This new record is just another in a long line of quality releases from the man. It gets better with every listen, you discover great new bits every time out. It flows together perfectly, and I love just listening to it straight through, as is. It deserves all the praise it's getting because it's a great record, plain and simple. I'm on about my 20th full play of it this week as we speak...
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Post by Man Who Never Learned to Fly on Jul 25, 2008 11:51:24 GMT -5
After listening to it a few times, one word comes to mind that I normally don't associate with Paul: ambitious.
And I like it.
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Post by ClamsCasino on Jul 25, 2008 12:06:46 GMT -5
clams, i don't think he'll ever write another left of the dial or alex chilton again. those were 20+ years ago as i'm sure you know. another time and place. Yeah, that's why I said that we can't fault him for not writing another one. But I was talking more about quality than about any specific song. I just randomly picked two songs that everyone seems to rank as a favorite.
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evin
First Class Scout
Posts: 147
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Post by evin on Jul 25, 2008 12:42:47 GMT -5
I agree Clams. I don't think I could pick a favorite. Not that you were picking a fav either. To me it's the signature sound of his electric that I dig especially when coupled with some fury style lyrics/vocals. He seems to have found this one particular tone that only he has. I think it started sometime in the early 90s. It's very mid frequency fuzz with almost a slow flange on it to the point where you can't recognize the sweep of the flange but it has the jet engine whine. sorry off topic here.
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Post by Emerick Rogul on Jul 25, 2008 12:55:29 GMT -5
does anyone know what the cover song is between "hello goodbye" and "born to be wild"? i can't seem to place it. i think i recognize all of the others:
"hello goodbye" - beatles (don't know - please help) "born to be wild" - steppenwolf "stupid girl" - stones "i'm eighteen" - alice cooper "i am a rock" - simon and garfunkel "rocketman" - elton john "dandy" - kinks "i think i love you"
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Post by GtrPlyr on Jul 25, 2008 13:07:18 GMT -5
does anyone know what the cover song is between "hello goodbye" and "born to be wild"? i can't seem to place it. i think i recognize all of the others: "hello goodbye" - beatles (don't know - please help) "born to be wild" - steppenwolf "stupid girl" - stones "i'm eighteen" - alice cooper "i am a rock" - simon and garfunkel "rocketman" - elton john "dandy" - kinks "i think i love you" For that missing spot I hear: "Lost Highway" - Hank Williams
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Post by Emerick Rogul on Jul 25, 2008 13:16:36 GMT -5
ah yes, "lost highway" is it! thanks...
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Post by DuluthToMadison on Jul 25, 2008 15:09:35 GMT -5
The more I listen the more I like..........has everything I love about his music. Just try to pigeonhole that album into a category. I feel like I'm scanning through a radio station broadcasting right from Paul's brain.
I can't help but think that Jeff Tweedy's sitting somewhere thinking "Why didn't I come up with that?"
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Post by Veets on Jul 25, 2008 17:45:37 GMT -5
Don't know if this has been suggested above, but I can see how the "Something in my life is missing" song could be about PW's dad. All except the bit about painting houses for a living.
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Post by scoOter on Jul 25, 2008 18:41:09 GMT -5
it's official - "devil raised a good boy" is the greatest song of all time. the last solo (after he yells "go johnny" or whatever) is balls to the wall. the rumble as it ramps up, the squall of noise in the middle. it's sort of what the guitar was made for as far as i am concerned.
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Post by Placemat on Jul 25, 2008 18:54:33 GMT -5
it's official - "devil raised a good boy" is the greatest song of all time. the last solo (after he yells "go johnny" or whatever) is balls to the wall. the rumble as it ramps up, the squall of noise in the middle. it's sort of what the guitar was made for as far as i am concerned. Yeah. The 1st solo is killer, & you think it can't get any better, but then the 2nd solo comes along & kicks the shit outta the 1st solo. Favorite tune on the record by far.
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Post by SnowCover on Jul 25, 2008 23:08:33 GMT -5
"I'm Clean" is Grandpaboy. The upright bass is proof.
Edit: (to my ears)
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Post by TomT on Jul 27, 2008 6:17:42 GMT -5
I was washing my car in the driveway yesterday and "I'm Clean" kept spinning in my head. I like that Paul cops to the fact that he might have been an asshole back in the day. "I used to be so mean, but now i'm clean". Some of the riffs and choruses from this album will just randomly pop up in my head throughout the day.
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Post by mrblasty on Jul 27, 2008 8:05:01 GMT -5
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Post by wiser's deluxe on Jul 27, 2008 8:44:40 GMT -5
i'm -- oh, make up a number -- eleventeen listens in and still can't put it down or turn it off. as i and many others have written on this board, this album is what Paul has been striving to achieve all of his life.
and the fact that he's attempted it and accomplished it, is a testament to why it's a one-man's masterpiece, tough to grasp in one nevermind 12 listenings, and hard to get your arms around. nit-pick all you want about the sound or the overdubs or how this doesn't pair up to Bastards of Young.
and it shouldn't. this is Paul on the verge of turning 49. it's a mature, focused, post-alternative approach that lacks the sentimentality of Suicane and the over-produced wanna-be-a-hit flavor of Eventually. it's more complete than Mono-Stereo and Come Feel Me ..., and it's something that Folker once dreamed it would be. folks, this one's it. i believe we'll be comparing everything Paul puts out after this to this one.
this is raw, unpolished and desperate, the desperation of this album something few of us at 20, nevermind 49 (and trust me i'm up there), have the guts or ability to tap into. it's this quality that got me listening to The 'Mats in the first place, and suddenly, 20-some years later, here it is again.
enjoy this ride, cause i don't think it comes around all that often. and milk this sucker for all that it's worth, because it's that goddam good.
twelveteen stars in my book.
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Post by Kathy on Jul 27, 2008 8:51:38 GMT -5
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Post by mrblasty on Jul 27, 2008 17:32:36 GMT -5
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Post by hootenanny58 on Jul 27, 2008 19:04:13 GMT -5
I've been listening to it all weekend. 'Shouldn't over-analyze it but here's my thoughts:
1. Is this where pop music meets up with cubism? Paul Picasso?
2. I went back and listened to "Postcards From Paradise" at the tail end of Stereo; there's something there that might have intrigued Paul enough to take another crack at sloppy lo-fi.
3. Paul might be releasing the outtakes before he releases the finished product; he's trying to scoop the bootleggers.
4. I think I'll have a go at playing it backwards to get another perspective.
5. The following words were never more true: "Beautiful flower, in your garden, but the most beautiful by far, is the one growing wild in the garbage dump ..."
6. Paul did say after enduring Sony's meddling during the Open Season project that it made him want to come back and make the dirtiest record ever.
7. I've never purchased a recording for 49 cents in the 40 years since I kicked off my collection with a used copy of the Beatles' We Can Work It Out/Day Tripper single
8. I love Paul Westerberg; this proves that I'll buy anything and everything this man ever releases - which is no dump on 49:00 ... I love this guy's songwriting, period.
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