October 17, 2004 | Posted by david at 05:52 PM

I know everything

Paul Westerberg

Now that I've moved to Minneapolis, I've decided to get to know the city's musical history a little better. As a big Jayhawks fan, I was pleased to learn that they played their first show a couple blocks away from where I live. As a beginner with the vast legacy of the Replacements, I was amused by the fact that not only is Tommy Stinson's mother a waitress at a restaurant up the street from my apartment, but there is a Stinson Boulevard in this fair city. (Upon further investigation, it looks like the road wasn't named after Tommy, but I like my version better.) So I have the Replacements' albums to listen to sometime (what's the best one, Robots and Robot readers? Let It Be?), but also frontman Paul Westerberg's output. I know Dyslexic Heart from the movie Singles (you know the song too, trust me), but that's about it. When I came across As Far As I Know via Salon's Wednesday Morning Download column, I knew immediately I loved it. Clocking in at 3:05, it's one of those pop songs that's so sugary it'll hurt your teeth from repeated listens. It reminds me of the poppier Elvis Costello songs, like Veronica, though it benefits from what that song could have used: a lack of fancy production, making the track sound like he recorded the track in his basement (which he did) in a few awesome minutes. (See Costello's Veronica demo from the expanded version of Spike, which I listen to twice as often as the bloated album version.) As Far As I Know is on Paul Westerberg's album Folker, which you can buy from Vagrant Records here.

Comments

Oh man, I am trying to imagine what it would be like not being familiar with any Replacements albums and just starting to get into them... I can hazily recall the days in high school. Anyway, you want to start with Tim and Please to Meet Me in my opinion. Also Let it Be as you've mentioned. My god, you are in for a treat. Tim especially -- look past the muddy mix; there are incredible songs on that album. Have fun!

Posted by: Mark at October 17, 2004 05:57 PM

welcome to mpls, dave!

perhaps I'll see you out at the shows...

Posted by: mr g at October 17, 2004 06:37 PM

Likewise welcome to Minneapolis!

My $.02 = Put "Let It Be" at the top of the pile, and leave Paul's solo stuff for later. "Hootenanny" and "Pleased To Meet Me" are also keepers. After "Pleased" the Mats became more of a front for Paul's solo stuff, which I think is pretty formulaic. Mats discography at http://www.theskyway.com/discography.html

To dig into the punkrawk scene, check http://www.tcpunk.com/main.html -- loads of people who were part of it in the 70s/80s are still posting.

/d

Posted by: Drew Miller at October 17, 2004 07:13 PM

While Stinson Boulevard isn't named for them, there is a bench on Lake of the Isles that was dedicated to Bob Stinson after he died. Supposedly, the inscription is "Don't forget to tip your bartenders and waitresses." More Replacements landmarks here.

Posted by: Eric at October 17, 2004 07:25 PM

let's hear it for MSP! (one of) my hometown(s)!!

I agree with Drew who suggests "Hootenany" and "Pleased To Meet Me". With Westerberg's solo stuff, it all begins and ends for me with his first album "14 Songs". One listen to "Black Eyed Susan" and you will be happy for days. Also worth your while to check out the first two or three Chris Mars solo albums ('Mats' drummer) for self-produced quirky pop perfection.

More MSP bands you may or may not want to check: Soul Asylum (don't listen to anything after "And the Horse..."), Hüsker Dü, Babes In Toyland, Trip Shakespeare, Polara, Low (actually from Duluth, but close enough), Jayhawks, Dylan Hicks, Lifter Puller, Run Westy Run, Dwindle, Calvin Krime, The Cows, Brother Sun Sister Moon, Selby Tigers, Suburbs, The Jets, and PRINCE!

I don't know what the scene is like there today (not having been back in quite a while), but I believe Radio K (770 AM) and KFAI (90.7? FM) are the places to go on the radio for good music.

Enjoy your explorations! And walk around Lake Harriet for me, ok?

Posted by: --s-tephen at October 17, 2004 07:39 PM

welcome to mpls... it sucks.

Posted by: peter at October 18, 2004 12:06 AM

early replacements set here along with some other early 80's gems.

http://www.twintone.com/video/


also - tommy stinson's new cd - village gorilla head - was a pleasant surprise for me.

Posted by: eddie at October 18, 2004 05:13 PM

Put me down for Pleased to Meet me and (though I'll probably take a lot of static for this) I also really loved Tim (the first Mat's record I ever bought . . . what can I say, I'm not from Minneapolis).

Long live the Matts (even if Tommy Stinson's now in guns n' mutherfrickin' roses)

fc

Posted by: fatcitizen at October 18, 2004 10:03 PM

I'd put them at:

1. Tim
2. Let It Be
3. Pleased to Meet Me

You can't go wrong with any of them, actually. Good moments on all them, even the lesser-liked Don't Tell a Soul and All Shook Down.

As for Paul's solo albums, I'd go with:

1. Mono
2. 14 Songs
3. Stereo

I think the new Stinson album is good, but his Bash & Pop record (now out of print) was much better, as is the finally-released album by his post-B&P band, Perfect.

Posted by: Coolfer Glenn at October 19, 2004 03:41 PM

Since you're in Minneapolis, you should go see Joanna James sometime. She's a friend-in-law of mine who is really amazing and reminiscent of Jeff Buckley. Whenever I'm in mpls I see her if she's playing. I think she's playing next Thursday (the 28th) at the Fine Line.

Sorry for the plug but I just think she's awesome. Your blog is addictive, by the way.

Posted by: bryce at October 21, 2004 03:49 AM

Of course Stinson Blvd. isn't named after Tommy. It was named after BOB.

Posted by: Sting at October 22, 2004 05:24 AM
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