What’s up, Darling Ones?
In honor of the 31st anniversary of Paul Westerberg’s first solo record, “14 Songs,” I decided to rank his solo efforts based on whim and my current mood.
I included some of the Grandpaboy stuff, but kept out all the basement recordings.
1. Suicaine Gratifaction
This should come as no surprise. This is my favorite solo Westerberg album and of course I would only like the best. I love art that guts me and eves me a heaving pile of goo. Suicaine does that to me.
2. Mono
Since this is my website, we play my rules and I’m treating “Stereo/Mono” as two distinct records. Some Westernerds will find that controversial and all I have to say to that is, #TeamFingernails.
“Mono” is vastly superior. I’d like to argue that “Eyes Like Sparks” and “Kickin’ the Stall” are better than anything on “Stereo,” but “Only Lie Worth Telling” might be the best song on both albums.
Anyway, Sparks & Stall are probably Paulie’s sexiest songs, which is saying a lot because his music is mostly romantic and not sexy.
3. Come Feel Me Tremble
I have a real soft spot for this one. Probably because of the dueling “Crackle & Drags,” but I also love “Wild & Lethal” too. And it’s true love because I’m not really a fan of 5-minute songs. Plus, the cover of “These Days.” I dunno if anything Westerberg has done can be called underrated at this point, but if so, this one is it.
4. Stereo
This record is solid. It’s fine. It’s Westerberg and that’s not too shabby. What slots this one at #4 is its lack of songs with lyrics that actively make me cringe.
5. 14 Songs
Thus begins the cringe. There are some beauties on here. I’m partial to “Things” and “Black Eyed Susan.” And his laugh when he sings “my little Frankenstein” on “Mannequin Shop” is the only redeeming thing about that song.
But “Someone I Once Knew” is just…
When I was super amped to see Westerberg for the first time in 02, my co-worker PromoJoe would walk past singing this song to remind me that Westerberg was a fallible human. Those reminders probably kept me from spontaneously combusting in excitement.
6. Dead Man Shake
Nothing actively embarrassing on this one. It’s just mostly forgettable. The “Souvenirs” cover is decent. I always remember this one because Wolfdogg had a real “Vampires & Failure” thing for awhile. Westerberg played it in Milwaukee when we saw him in 04 (?).
7. Eventually
“Good Day” saves this from the last place. I’m not completely cold-hearted. That “hold my life one last time” KILLS me.
But “Trumpet Clip” is the absolute worst. And a lot of rest of it ain’t that great.
8. Folker
That sweet song about his dad is probably the only redeeming thing about this record. Oh, and “Lookin’ Up in Heaven” is good. I listened to the shit out of this when it first came out and now I can’t even remember how a lot of the songs go. I will never forget, however, how bad “Jingle” is.
And to be fair, even bad Westerberg is better than some artist’s best.
Love from my little rock & roll ass to yours,
Jodi