The Replacements are one of my favourite bands of all time, with their rough and ready bar band sound contrasting with Westerberg’s sensitive insightful lyrics, and creating some terrific college rock. After making one of my favourite trios of albums in the mid 1980s – Let It Be, Tim, and Pleased To Meet Me – the slick, mainstream Don’t Tell A Soul smoothed off the last of their raw edges. When Westerberg launched his solo career in 1993, with 14 Songs, it was more of the same; good songs buried under slick production that drained their life and authenticity.
Westerberg didn’t give the same polish to ‘Man Without Ties’ – the b-side to the 14 Songs single ‘World Class Fad’ – it sounds off-the-cuff, and all the stronger for it, just Westerberg, his acoustic guitar, and a sing-along chorus. ‘Man Without Ties’ is also the name of Westerberg’s Unofficial Fan Website, so it’s clearly a loved song in his catalogue.
In retrospect it seems obvious that Paul Westerberg sounds better raw and spontaneous, and in the 21st century Westerberg has almost exclusively released albums that he’s self-recorded in his home studio, and he’s been all the better for it.
Men without ties don’t dress for dinner
Do the Friday night frozen pizza thing
Don’t want no wife or no beginner
You’re the Friday night frozen pizza kingEverything you buy is soon expired
Some neighbors they’re a-thinking that you’re gay
Others they assume that you’ve been fired
See you smoking cigarettes all dayMen without ties don’t dress for dinner
Do the Friday night frozen pizza thing
Don’t want no wife or no beginner, with a knife
You’re the Friday night frozen pizza kingOn Saturday they won’t catch you in your yard
You’re dreaming of tonight’s fine cuisine
With a microwave and a library card
It’ll taste like plastic, but it’ll be fast and hotMen without ties… it’s about timeMen without ties don’t dress for dinner
Men without ties don’t need a thing
Don’t want no wife, show to cut by
Man without ties is king
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Oh my Word. This record. So much love for 14 Songs. This album is part of me. Love the lost era for Westerberg. When he didn’t know what he wanted but kept on breaking our hearts
I like that line “When he didn’t know what he wanted but kept on breaking our hearts” – that’s a good summation. There are songs I really like – First Glimmer, World Class Fad – but it’s just a little too polished for Westerberg to sound comfortable. Stereo is my favourite of his solo discs.
I’m torn between Eventually and 14 Songs. They’re both monumental albums for me. Because they’re flawed and messy too.
I don’t know this one at all… truth be told, I don’t know too much Westerberg. Certainly not as much as I should… and judging from this, I should jump right in.
Do you know The Replacements? This song’s less slick than most of Westerberg’s material in the late 1980s and 1990s.
Only a little bit, but I explored them at a time when I appreciated who they were, but not how they sounded. I had one Westerberg album – Stereo, which I liked (though I probably liked the Grandpaboy bonus disc more).
That Stereo/Mono set is easily my favourite Westerberg solo release.
I think I might have Folker, though it hasn’t been listened to!
I like that one too.
Okay then! I shall quit procrastinating and delve in!
I misread 14 songs single at first (not knowing the album, I misinterpreted that the single contained 14 tracks – fantastic value for an EP!)
I like the sounds of his 21st century recording technique, the do-it-yourself method
I don’t think everyone sounds better raw, but it works for Westerberg. He’s kind of bluesy, and emotionally honest, and slick doesn’t work for him.
Thanks for this. Like hearing an old friend from way back.
Did you know this one?
No. But it sounds like a lot of his other stuff. I’m listening to Alex Chilton right now so it continues our vibe.