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Post by deebee76 on Sept 8, 2004 23:41:21 GMT -5
I dunno what it is, but a lot of 'Mats songs and Paul's solo songs I kinda classify as "fall" songs - meaning the season, not the band. Summer just ending, leaves falling, the smell of burning wood in the crisp, cool air...daylight getting shorter...
Anyways, Folker somehow fits into this train of thought for me completely. Even a song like Gun Shy doesn't sound like a summer rocker to me, it sounds like getting ready to go out on a crisp October night...23 Years Ago, What About Mine, Anyway's All Right - all perfect "fall" songs.
Or maybe I'm just a friggin' weirdo, I dunno...
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Post by thetwilitekid on Sept 8, 2004 23:51:32 GMT -5
and the leaves were burnin' up in the street...
wore my jacket and you wore your sweater
underneath the bridge was an Indian summer...
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Post by scoOter on Sept 9, 2004 8:52:53 GMT -5
I dunno what it is, but a lot of 'Mats songs and Paul's solo songs I kinda classify as "fall" songs - meaning the season, not the band. Summer just ending, leaves falling, the smell of burning wood in the crisp, cool air...daylight getting shorter... Anyways, Folker somehow fits into this train of thought for me completely. Even a song like Gun Shy doesn't sound like a summer rocker to me, it sounds like getting ready to go out on a crisp October night...23 Years Ago, What About Mine, Anyway's All Right - all perfect "fall" songs. Or maybe I'm just a friggin' weirdo, I dunno... no, i think you are on to something. kind of like how fountains of wayne is a summer band. |
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Smorgasberg
Star Scout
It has to be the shoes, money!
Posts: 527
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Post by Smorgasberg on Sept 22, 2004 18:20:58 GMT -5
Yeah, man. After repeated listenings, Folker has grown into the album of the season for me. Don't feel like a lengthy analysis, but it seems "deeper" than the last couple releases. After an iffy initial reception, I think Folker may have more staying power for me. Its mix of light and dark, hope, regret, and remembrance goes well with the recent short sunny days, and cold woodsmoke scented nights. And now, how about a cup of Folgers?  |
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Post by troublkepnyerhedup on Sept 22, 2004 18:49:02 GMT -5
it seems "deeper" than the last couple releases. After an iffy initial reception, I think Folker may have more staying power for me. I agree, the deeperness has holded onto me. |
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suicainekid
First Class Scout
What would you have me do?
Posts: 139
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Post by suicainekid on Sept 23, 2004 8:12:28 GMT -5
This is one of the first things that struck me about the album, largely because I'm a sucker for associating records with the seasons. Of course, some of it may be the timing; Stereo probably qualifies as a great fall (or, for us Brits, Autumn) record too, but because it came out in spring it doesn't have that direct connection of listening to it when it was still new and suddenly thinking 'hey, it wasn't this dark this time last week'!
Particularly fall evoking moments for me include:
The changeover from the shiny, snappy Jingle to the aching, rustic Now I Wonder - its like stepping outside from the cosy indoors to face an unexpected sharp wind (but blue sky) with all the browning leaves billowing around you.
Looking Up In Heaven - the acoustic guitar sound in this song could be bottled and sold as 'the taste of the fall' in my book. Definitely one for a walk in the woods one brisk, but bright, autumnal day.
Anyways All Right/$100 groom - Both these songs have a wonderful internal warmth but a brisk chilly exterior. And what that means I don't know.
As Far As I Know - It just has that perfect fall crispness. The bridge is particularly fall like - to me it evokes the hour of darkness getting earlier by the day and the streetlights coming on in the last throes of twilight. Either that or the site of car taillights through silver rain.
Breathe Some New Life - it does that classic Westerberg thing of tainting optimism with an eternal sadness (or is it tainting sadness with optimism?). Fall is like that to me. It can be pretty and pleasant but its a sign that a long dark winter is not far off (which is not a good thing).
The Sandy Denny bit at the end of Folk Star - should be self explanatory.
Special mention to some of the vocal effects on the record too (e.g. the background vocal on Anyways All Right) that have that kind of yearning, distant type quality - like shouting into a cave in the summer and having the echo come back to you in the Fall.
Lyrically, I suppose the autumnal aspects come from the reflection of things gone past or left behind, lost opportunities and the search for reconciliation (which is easier to do in the fall than in the winter) - the passing of the seasons like a lifetime in miniature!
Almost enough to make me glad summer is over!
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Post by troublkepnyerhedup on Sept 23, 2004 9:27:20 GMT -5
Special mention to some of the vocal effects on the record too (e.g. the background vocal on Anyways All Right) that have that kind of yearning, distant type quality - like shouting into a cave in the summer and having the echo come back to you in the Fall. That howling-into-the-wind background vocal is all over (or under) Folker. I'm trying to think when he's used it in the past. |
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suicainekid
First Class Scout
What would you have me do?
Posts: 139
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Post by suicainekid on Sept 24, 2004 10:28:34 GMT -5
That howling-into-the-wind background vocal is all over (or under) Folker. I'm trying to think when he's used it in the past. 'Don't Want Never'? Alternatively you could loosely trace it back to Stink (although not necessarily as back-up). I'm primarily thinking the chorus of 'Go' here. |
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Post by kgp on Sept 24, 2004 20:14:57 GMT -5
I'm liking Folker more since the days are getting shorter. The ghostly, howling vocals remind me of listening to the 10 watt college station on my shitty radio with the taped-up antenna, but in a good way.
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Post by deebee76 on Oct 18, 2004 13:52:59 GMT -5
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Post by PeterCetera on Oct 18, 2004 14:48:57 GMT -5
I think Broken Social Scenes You Forgot it In People is a perfect fall album.
Or
A Red House Painters Album.
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nkirk
Tenderfoot
Posts: 2
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Post by nkirk on Oct 25, 2004 20:32:48 GMT -5
FOLKER !!!!!!!! This is THE masterpiece we've been waiting for. I shook me at first listen --- I was, and still, am on a "Stereo/Mono" binge (can't stop playin' 'em!) --- not to mention the fun that is included on the "half-great/half-fair" Come Feel Me Tremble" CD ----- but then came "Folker"!!!!! This is an incredible album! These songs are haunting as well as "stick-in-your-head" winners!! "Breath Some New Life," "$100 Grrom," "How Can You Like Him," "Now I Wonder" ---- I mean, can it get any better than this?!!! I will admit with some finer production values and a guest drummer it would be TOO HOT TO HANDLE!!!! Mr. Westerberg has finally focused on an incredible array of tunes here. I don't even have a clue where he will go next. And just when I thought, about 10 years ago, that he could never surpass "Love Untold" or "Born For Me" he gave us all the thrilling songs, "Meet Me Down The Alley," "Let The Bad Times Roll,' "AAA" and many, many others. He IS the best. The finest. The true KING of Pop/Rock -- Alt/Rock --- whatever you want to call it Rock! Long live Paul Westerberg, the Folker!
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