All for Nothing |
All Shook Down
This album signaled the devolution of the
band formerly known as The Replacements and the rise of Paul
Westerberg, solo artist. The songs on this album take on
a decidedly more rootsy, country vibe, which informs some of
his later solo work. The whole thing actually feels like a pretty
decent template for all that was to come with bands like Wilco
and their seminal Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Even an
emo stalwart like Matt Pryor from The
Get Up Kids name checks this album on a record by his less-emo The New Amsterdams side
(and then main) project. Jumping in the way-back machine, I
recall feeling pretty disappointed by the lack of bite when
I first bought this back in 1990, but over time the poppy tunes
penned by indie rock’s poet laureate have burrowed their way
into my cold, cold heart and made me a appreciate a more sober,
more desirous of cash Westerberg. |
Don't Tell a Soul |
Hootenanny
I'd forgotten how much I loved this album
until recently downloading the remastered album to replace the
cassette tape version that sits in my attic worn to dust by
my high school Blazer's tape deck, and is now moldering away
with nary a tape player in all the house. This was the base
of my blossoming affection for shambling rock 'n' roll, an album
so full of character that it's a wonder Paul
Westerberg wasn't canonized on the spot. Is it a little
goofy in some of its punk rockabilly toss-offs? Sure. Is everyone
sober in the slightest? Most likely not. Is it one of my favorite
albums of all time despite its relative lack of seriousness
(despite having Say
Anything's ultimate love song, "Within Your Reach"
on it)? Hell yeah. It's nostalgic, it was what I turned to in
times of happiness and teen angst, but mostly it's the start
of something bigger. Listen to "Color Me Impressed"
and ask yourself if this doesn't define a generation. |
Let It Be |
Pleased to Meet Me |
Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash
|
Stink |
Tim |
Musical Connections:
Grandpaboy
Guns N' Roses
Paul Wetserberg
|
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