So after about a month of research, i've decided that "Waiting for Somebody" is my favorite track on the Singles soundtrack. However, even though i love the Replacements to the point where i'm starting to think that they're my favorite band, the uneven reviews for his solo stuff have always kept me from exploring that catalog. is there enough stuff worth exploring to jump into it, or should i just stop here? and is there an album or some songs in particular that i should be looking for?

sincerely,
chase

Solo canon?

More like a solo .22.
Pretty disappointing, overall, although there ARE highlights. Admittedly, I have not heard it all but
Mono
is the best of what I have heard.

Start there.

He's got at least a dozen albums, though (including Grandpaboy), so there's good stuff in there. Frustratingly tame at times, though.

I like the live Gravel Pit quite a lot, as well as both Mono and Stereo

Yeah, wait for a best of.

Steve

Westerberg's solo material can be put into two buckets:

Somewhat radio friendly pop'ish ballad material
Self produced raw, bluesy, lofi rock (ala grandpaboy)

Most Replacement fans seem to dismiss the first bucket stuff as overly tame and disappointing, but if you like "waiting for somebody", these albums are similar stylistically (esp 14 songs and Eventually). Each may have a song or two that will make you wince, but there are some gems on them on them too. I'd probably stear clear of Suicane Gratification but all others are worth checking out.

Come Feel Me Tremble is awesome.
Folker is very good.
Mono is good.

The rest varies from decent to meh.

I am a big fan of Westerberg's solo work - call me a sucker for almost anything he puts out. Here is my ranking of the albums:

1. Mono
2. Come Feel Me Tremble
3. Grandpaboy EP
4. 14 Songs
5. Stereo
6. Folker
7. Suicaine Gratification
8. Eventually

I saw this on yer year-end list, too, FT. Man, I thought this album was AWFUL...& I'm as big a PW fan as you can find. I could only make it thru the whole CD like, twice. Maybe I should give 'er another chance.

To answer the initial question, the solo stuff is as all-over-the-map as the Mats stuff was, really. Chris Mars has released some good stuff, too.

It seems to be a very polarizing record. Those who love it really love it, and those who hate it really hate it. If I'm not mistaken, our own katie, a princess originally liked it, but now doesn't. Perhaps you will be the opposite example of that scenario.

i like Folker less and less - although there are some fine songs on there.

1. Mono
2. Eventually
3. Come Feel Me Tremble
4. Grandpaboy EP
5. 14 Songs
6. Dead Man Shake
7. Folker
8. Suicaine Gratification
9. Stereo

The trouble with buying Mono is you're forced to get the dull and insipid Stereo along with it. My suggestion would be to grab Eventually for cheap from the used bins. It's got a few good rockers, a heartfelt eulogy for Bob Stinson, and probably too much Don't Tell A Soul-style mid-tempo grandiosity - but it's PW's best "real" album.

On a side note - I have never seen PW so I am going to be on line at 10am on Saturday to buy tix for this Feb. 19th Portland show (playing with a real band). I cannot friggin wait.

Is it for sure that he's touring with a full band, R? I've been fence-sitting about getting tix for his Vancouver show because of that very point. Full band + PW = whole lotta fun.

http://members.aol.com/paulspage/news.htm

look under news - under Dec. 23rd - says Paul Westerberg and His Only Friends will be touring.

1. Mono
2. Stereo

I feel that the rest are almost completely worth skipping.

I like Stereo/Mono and 14 Songs isn't bad. Folker has a few songs I really like, but it doesn't really stick as a whole.

When all is said and done, however, my favorite is All Shook Down. Yes, it's filed under Replacements, but if I remember correctly, only one song--"Attitude" maybe--features all four playing together.

[quote I am a big fan of Westerberg's solo work - call me a sucker for almost anything he puts out. Here is my ranking of the albums:

1. Mono
2. Stereo
3. Come Feel Me Tremble
4. Grandpaboy EP
5. Folker
6. 14 Songs
7. Eventually
8.Suicaine Gratification[/quote]

I believe he is still an undermined talent, especially with the last 4 albums he put out. If you're a fan or even want to see an intersting "rock doc" his Come Feel me Tremble is fairly honest. It is reverent, sad, and detached about who he is, was, yet not demystifying him or his talent. Much in the vein of GBV's Watch me Jumpstart, but less revealing in his pathos.

Good point. He intended that to be the first official solo record, but the label wanted the Mats name on it.

My big problem with his last few albums is that it seems like he's just releasing EVERYTHING he records down there in the basement. I've said this before, but it's like I'm buying a box set on the installment plan. The man apparently can't tell between his good work & the crap anymore. Months ago he was going on & on about how GREAT "Folker" was, & I think it's easily his worst solo effort. But Vagrant seems happy to just schlock whatever he gives 'em out there.

I agree for the most part, but even when in the band there was a tendency to toss utter crap out there, like "Gary's Got A Boner" or "Dose of Thunder". I'm not sure if PW is plagued by insecurity and fears that his best effort will come up short, or if he's performing his recent output for his own amusement, critics and sales be damned.

I am a huge Replacments fan. Saw them live a number of times even though sometimes there was vomitting, drummers falling off chairs, playing three songs at the same time without knowing it... all part of the charm. Recorded or live, nothing like them.

I have finally given up on P.W. I've bought every solo except the last one.. and I hear the voice, the rawness, the composition, the hunger in the lyrics and chords...and I hope for it to be the 'mats and it never is... and even with songs that are strong, I never, ever choose to play them after about new months new.

And absolutely, All Shook Down is the first solo... and I never choose to playthat either...

Forgive me... but it is like a lover who's betrayed me and I can never get obner the hurt.