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October 25, 2005

Heresy

I'm gonna say it: I'm tired of how we're not supposed to like Westerberg's 90s material. The truth is, I got tired of this proscribed posture years ago, but now I've really, really had enough of it.

You know what I'm talking about. 14 Songs and Eventually etc. are just "commercial sellouts" from the guy who spent the 80s sweating blood and booze. What absolute hooey.

I just got done playing "Once Around The Weekend," and for about the one-billionth time since I first heard it, I was struck by what a perfect song it is. Is it "Color Me Impressed?" Is it "Here Comes A Regular?" No. It's not supposed to be. Rather, it's the sound of an artist who has a vast and brilliant grasp of the craft of songwriting, serving up a sonic diamond and getting nothing but grief for it. What is wrong with people that they want this man to be puking out variations on "Sorry Ma" until he's 60? Why on earth am I even having to sit here and write this?

The same thing happens to me when I listen to "Black Eyed Susan" or "MammaDaddyDid," or any number of other 90s Westerberg gems. I realize that these are songs that thousands of lesser artists would kill to be able to write, but Westerberg himself only got proclimations of "feh" from our guardians of artistic "authenticity."

Anybody else want to get in on this rant? Can we put an end to "Westerberg orthodoxy" forever?

Posted by Steve Seel at 1:51 PM

Comments

i'm with you my good man. Suicaine got a HORRIBLY bad (and undeserved) rap imo as well.

also, as far as i'm concerned Stereo & Mono are the best things he's ever done. yes i loves me some classic Mats stuff, but even their best records had a few clunkers imo, but i can't really say the same for Stereo and Mono.

his catalog from the earliest days until now shows one of the best progressions of any artist in the last 20-25 years imo. sure there were a few misteps, he's human just like anyone else.

Posted by solace at October 25, 2005 1:58 PM

YES. Agreed, right down the line.

Next?

Posted by Steve Seel at October 25, 2005 2:08 PM

Westerberg is the master at writing the most achingly beautiful songs I've ever heard. You know the kind of ache I'm talking about. The kind where you so totally identify with the character in the song that all you can do is go, "Yeah, man.. I know what you're talking about." Granted, I haven't heard a lot of his post-Mats stuff, but what I have heard, he still has it. He's come a long way since the days of being a "habitue' of CBGB's"

Posted by Frick at October 25, 2005 2:31 PM

I like "14 Songs". So there.

Posted by auntiesmedley at October 26, 2005 11:42 AM

Paul seems to have a big fan base, most seem to love the 90's stuff. Evidence the current thread about 14 Songs on the fan message board.

http://paulwesterberg.proboards23.com/index.cgi?board=generalpw&action=display&thread=1127390293

Posted by butzodaddy at October 26, 2005 2:59 PM

I like just about everything Westerberg has done whether it's with the Replacements or as a solo artist. "Eventually" is a great CD. Well said, Mr. Seel.

Posted by mojo at October 26, 2005 3:43 PM

Thanks for the URL, butzodaddy! For some odd reason I LOVE "Silver Naked Ladies" (damned if I know why, it's not my usual style). It was nice to see some other people who dig that song. I plan to put it on a mix CD some time in the near future.

Posted by auntiesmedley at October 26, 2005 5:07 PM

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