Paul Westerberg – Folker
March 13th, 2010
Paul Westerber’s – Folker (Vagrant VR-0401-2) is his seventh post replacements LP. Folker is full of heart and fun. In some cases it resembles early replacements then changes gears to sound like the fine work on 14 songs (Sire 4S255). So having said that, this latest collection of 13 songs is a must hear. But don’t be fooled at first. Like all other past Westerberg LP’s this one too will be enjoyed even more after 6 or 7 times played. “Lookin up in Heaven” has great melody changes and clever lyrics makes you wonder why this guy isn’t played on radio stations anywhere else but college town stations. One would say the song “As far as I know” which was featured on the Vagrant sampler “(Another year on the street Vol. 3, vg-0397-2)” would appeal to a younger, hipper, folkier audience. But on the contrary is more like the Paul Westerberg you’re expected to hear. It has good guitar with nothing fancy and a clean well written bunch of songs that will keep you singing in your head as long as it’s in your player. The acoustic sounds good on Paul even with an edge toward the gritt.
