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Post by Kathy on Aug 26, 2004 13:57:19 GMT -5
The subject says it all - this is for people who have heard the record already who want to share their views. For those of you who don't want to hear any opnions before you have a chance to listen for yorself -- STOP READING NOW!!!!  The rest of you...carry on. |
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Post by mrsteakneggs on Aug 30, 2004 15:03:55 GMT -5
OK, I'll bite
I've been listening to Folker over the weekend, about 6 or 7 times thus far. It's similar in texture and tone throughout- the only lazy comparative link I can make is say, 'Stereo' but performed with a full "band". This is a reflective record, probably among his most personal, and it has that autumnal feel to it- it makes sense that it's getting released in early September.
It appears that PW really made an effort here to build this album as a coherent flowing whole with some thematic (and almost conceptual) intents, and I commend him. There's much mention about fathers and sons, marriage, heaven, tragedy, and loss. It's probably more up front and "about life" then any other Westerberg record. It rambles, spits, bobs, and weaves. Alot of it sounds like he's drunk. Seriously. And it's not always a good thing. In any event it's a whole lot to take in at once.
I think the record ultimately fails when taken in as a whole, though it's a valiant attempt at something new. The obvious beef might just be the sheer length of the thing (over 50 minutes), and I think 10 tracks rather than 13 might have been a wise decision. Some of the tunes run over 5 minutes, rare for our man. There are a series of really brilliant moments here, but also elements difficult to get behind. The middle section runs heavy with a number of samey, long, mid-tempo ballads. The lyrical ideas are flowing strong, but the melodies and instrumentation aren't really carrying the day. "$100 Groom" starts out with some clever lyrics and chord changes but can't really recover past the 1:30 mark. "23 Years Ago" and "How Can You Like Him" are just overlong, each one stretching a reasonable idea too far. I think the deletion of these two tracks and the addition of a rocker like "Everything Goes Wrong" could have done wonders for the pacing and the hooks.
All this being said, the strong tracks here are among his best stuff. The first 5 tracks on the record are fantastic. "When Will We Arrive" is a tour de force with a propulsive relentless melody and searing lyrics. It's a really great performance. "My Dad" is a big surprise too, maybe one of the coolest "tribute songs" I've heard, a downtempo Stonesy stomper, simultaneously funny and sad and reflective. I think the real standout for me might just be track 5: "Any Way It's All Right", a real yearning but tough tearjerker, sort of like "Runaway Wind" but more jarring in its simplicity, effectiveness, and bare bones production.
"Jingle (Buy It)" and "As Far As I Know" find PW mining some Beatlesque territory, with solid enough results. And fortunately, the end of the record also starts to pick up steam. "New Life" kicks ass with a crazy vocal melody and screaming guitar solo. "Gunshy" and "Folk Star" are both formidable rockers as well.
The bad does not outweigh the good by any means here. Overall I'd give the record about a 7 out of 10. There's enough great material here that will join the annals. But the record is weighed down with some forgettable middle of the road stuff as well. I really heard alot of Dylan's 'Time Out of Mind' sort of thing here. Big Star's "Third" even. Westerberg really seems to be looking over his life in this record and he doesn't always like what he sees. But this perspective is tempered by meditations on mortality, rocking out, and seizing the day. I think it will grow on me.
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DDog
Star Scout
"Wherever you go, there you are..."
Posts: 395
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Post by DDog on Aug 30, 2004 15:59:15 GMT -5
"23 Years Ago" and "How Can You Like Him" are just overlong, each one stretching a reasonable idea too far. I think the deletion of these two tracks and the addition of a rocker like "Everything Goes Wrong" could have done wonders for the pacing and the hooks. For the most part, I agree with mrsteakneggs review but I don't believe "Everything Goes Wrong" would have fit the context of Folker (IMO)- although I also noted how the pacing drags somewhat during the middle tracks. EGW is definitely a Grandpaboy rocker and it just wouldn't work here. I WILL say that I've been hitting my repeat button on "23 Years Ago" (a coulda, woulda, shoulda ballad) alot this weekend - I think it rounds off my top 5 Folker favorites. I'd give Folker 8 out of 10~ There's alot of great tracks and perhaps a few iffy's, but I believe the fans will enjoy it tremendously...and it will grow on mrsteakneggs  |
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Post by mrsteakneggs on Aug 30, 2004 16:26:58 GMT -5
That's cool, yeah I should go back and listen to "23 Years Ago". I have to admit I kinda stopped listening to the middle of the record after awhile. "23 Years Ago" definitely has that Big Star Third thing happening, just sloppy, atmospheric, echoey, ponderous, and yeah, probably better than what I'm giving it credit for right now.
"How Can You Like Him" really annoys me though.
"My Dad" is really the one that got me first. The lyrical delivery is so slurred it's great, just the way PW paints the picture of the character sitting in his chair with the strangely out of place rocking backbeat. But it all gels. Cool as hell song. And then after the 5th or 6th listen I realized the melody line is stolen from "Positively 4th Street"! Awesome. Oh yeah, and "New Life" is obviously "You Can't always Get What You Want". I wonder if there are anymore ripped off things I'm not noticing yet!! ;D
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DDog
Star Scout
"Wherever you go, there you are..."
Posts: 395
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Post by DDog on Aug 30, 2004 17:15:39 GMT -5
That's cool, yeah I should go back and listen to "23 Years Ago". I have to admit I kinda stopped listening to the middle of the record after awhile. "23 Years Ago" definitely has that Big Star Third thing happening, just sloppy, atmospheric, echoey, ponderous, and yeah, probably better than what I'm giving it credit for right now. "How Can You Like Him" really annoys me though. "My Dad" is really the one that got me first. The lyrical delivery is so slurred it's great, just the way PW paints the picture of the character sitting in his chair with the strangely out of place rocking backbeat. But it all gels. Cool as hell song. And then after the 5th or 6th listen I realized the melody line is stolen from "Positively 4th Street"! Awesome. Oh yeah, and "New Life" is obviously "You Can't always Get What You Want". I wonder if there are anymore ripped off things I'm not noticing yet!! ;D During my first few listens, I actually kept skipping over "23 Years Ago" since it's the track that really slows down in tempo. But then the lyrics just started jumping out at me creating all that heartache imagry Paul's words are best known for~ even in their simplicity~ this one most definitely pulls you in. |
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Post by Kathy on Aug 30, 2004 19:54:57 GMT -5
During my first few listens, I actually kept skipping over "23 Years Ago" since it's the track that really slows down in tempo. But then the lyrics just started jumping out at me creating all that heartache imagry Paul's words are best known for~ even in their simplicity~ this one most definitely pulls you in. Agreed, I was skipping this on most of my initial listens and now I really like it. it does slow things down but the lyrics/imagery are powerful but simple and heartbreaking. I love GunShy -- I find myself singing it in my head a lot |
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Post by badtimesroll on Aug 30, 2004 22:14:53 GMT -5
I haven't been able to stop listening to "When Will We Arrive". To me, this song seems really personal to him, as much as "My Dad", if not more. I'm trying to sift through it, but it seems to deal with questions about an afterlife, etc. Maybe that's too obvious, with the "down on our knees" and other references, but I'm not smart enough to figure it out.
For that matter, I don't believe most of the album is easily accessible, say, like "Mono". That's not a slam, "Folker" just has a different, emotionally deeper feel to it. I think the real payoff will come in repeated listenings.
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Post by scoOter on Aug 30, 2004 22:47:01 GMT -5
i've been WAITING to chime in here.
if this album were priced at $1000, and "my dad" was the only song on it, it would be worth it.
i tear up while laughing every damn time.
fortunately, there are other songs on the album. "gun shy" & "folk star" are both cracking little numbers, and he howls in a way he hasn't howled in a long time on "folk star" (although at times he sounds unsure whether or not he SHOULD be howling).
"as far as i know" is impossible to get out of your head.
most of us have already heard "lookin' up to heaven", but this really IS a gorgeous song.
i like "how can you like him".
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Post by Kathy on Aug 31, 2004 11:34:39 GMT -5
That popmatter review quotes a line from GunShy:
Witness the Keefy rocker "Gun Shy", in which he sneers: "I learned to tell it like it ain't / When I run this fast I faint and fade."
Color me stupid, but I have been hearing that line as:
"I'll never tell it like it ain't
When the money starts to faint and fade"
anyone?
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Post by karenripington on Aug 31, 2004 12:03:38 GMT -5
That popmatter review quotes a line from GunShy: Witness the Keefy rocker "Gun Shy", in which he sneers: "I learned to tell it like it ain't / When I run this fast I faint and fade." Color me stupid, but I have been hearing that line as: "I'll never tell it like it ain't When the money starts to faint and fade" anyone? not to confuse things further but I'm hearin': "I learned to tell it like it ain't When the money starts to faint and fade" |
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Post by Kathy on Aug 31, 2004 13:30:15 GMT -5
not to confuse things further but I'm hearin': "I learned to tell it like it ain't When the money starts to faint and fade" well you and I are at least on the same page on the last line as opposed to "When I run this fast I faint and fade"...which just doesn't make any kinda sense. |
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DC
Tenderfoot
Posts: 17
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Post by DC on Sept 1, 2004 19:25:42 GMT -5
My Dad sitting in his chair,
he sits and stares all day.
At his flat screened TV
at Christmas he got from me.
With is finger, as he give a touch,
He tells me that I paid too much.
He sits there and watches alone.
I'd give him everything I own.
My Dad sitting in a chair
still got hair and pride.
Ask him how he's feelin',
with an imbasil grin he's fine.
Cancels doctors appointments,
he says they only make him come back.
He's still got some ointment
from when my sister had that crash.
His passions always been golf,
He always pulled for the Twins.
Broke his back some months ago,
and complained of a twinge.
My Dad sitting in his chair,
does a crossword, then Today
He's got his chocolate swoon(?)
and with his spitoon takes aim.
His Bible on the floor,
next to the baseball box score.
His dresser is a picture book,
of his one and only Grandson.
My Dad sitting in his chair,
never seen me play.
He gets a kick from the newspaper
when he sees the family name.
His Bible on the floor,
next to the baseball box score.
and on his dresser are pictures of
his one and only Grandson.
My Dad I Love
My Dad I Love
My Dad I Love
My Dad I Love.........
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Post by Kathy on Sept 1, 2004 19:56:57 GMT -5
Ask him how he's feelin',
with an imbasil grin he's fine.
I think it's --
---with an emphysema grin he's fine (Paul's dad had emphysema)
there are a lot of lyrics on this record I can't make out, stop mumbling Paul!!
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DDog
Star Scout
"Wherever you go, there you are..."
Posts: 395
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Post by DDog on Sept 2, 2004 6:55:21 GMT -5
Ask him how he's feelin', with an imbasil grin he's fine. I think it's -- ---with an emphysema grin he's fine (Paul's dad had emphysema) there are a lot of lyrics on this record I can't make out, stop mumbling Paul!! I'm hearing "emphysema grin" too as well as... "My dad sittin' in a chair, just across from there, each day..." and "Missed spitoon, he takes aim" and "he still got some annointment (wordplay?) when my sister had that rash (could be crash, I suppose)" Last verse, I hear "Our Dad" instead of "My Dad" Can anyone tell me about "baseball box score"?...me no sports guru  |
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Numskll
First Class Scout
Posts: 173
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Post by Numskll on Sept 2, 2004 8:23:39 GMT -5
Can anyone tell me about "baseball box score"?...me no sports guru Me either, but I do know this: hard core Baseball fans sometimes keep and study extensive records and statistics of players, teams, games etc. You'll sometimes see them at Baseball games with big portfolios open writing stuff on forms or something. I think 'baseball box scores' is a reference to those geeky documents. |
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Post by A Regular on Sept 2, 2004 8:56:46 GMT -5
Grab your local sports page, and flip to the baseball section. You will find a statistical summary of the previous nights games, which lists the players with their at bats, runs, hits, runs batted in...and a pitching summary at the bottom, showing innings pitched, hits, runs, walks, strikeouts.
After baseball geeks have learned the system, they can glance at a box score and give you a basic summary of how the game went. Its almost like short hand.
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Post by kgp on Sept 2, 2004 10:45:01 GMT -5
I think I've learned more about Paul from those few questionably transcribed lines than anything else I've ever read. I hope I can say that about the whole album.
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Post by A Regular on Sept 2, 2004 11:05:02 GMT -5
I think I've learned more about Paul from those few questionably transcribed lines than anything else I've ever read. I hope I can say that about the whole album. Oh, you mean about box scores?  |
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Post by scoOter on Sept 2, 2004 15:08:09 GMT -5
"my dad" is fvckin' amazing.
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Post by kgp on Sept 2, 2004 16:05:23 GMT -5
Oh, you mean about box scores? Yeah, that and he's a big spender at christmas. jeez, I was being sincere for once. |
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