Paul Westerberg - "My Road Now"

The growling, disheveled, king of the underdogs Paul Westerberg begins "My Road Now," a new song that sprung up around every corner of the internet today, with typical Replacements gravitas: "...fuck me." The lead-in of a failed take perfectly sets up what might be one of Westerberg's most appealing songs in years. Over a simple chord progression on the piano, Westerberg weaves a tale of a partnership gone sour with his infamous cigarrette and booze-scorched vocals and humor-dusted misery: "This is my road now, and you can hit it baby. / I don't care where you go. / This is my road now, and you can hit it honey. / Hit it like I owed you a whole lot of money." The best line though may be this heartstring-tugging imagery in the second verse: "You won't know where the money went. / You ain't broke, but you're badly bent." There's no real hopeful lyrical message in this recession-era ballad. Instead its the light hum of strings and the disarmingly potent melody that lift the spirits, proving strong enough to get stuck in this listener's head after just a single go-around. Time, it seems, hasn't diminished this Mats' touch one bit.

Paul Westerberg - "My Road Now"

Divine Providence, The Deerplacements, and The Derivative Argument

Divine Providence may not be Deer Tick's Mona Lisa or magnum opus—personally, I'm still partial to War Elephant and Born On Flag Day—but it's still a hell of a record. For the past 7 or so years, the John McCauley-fronted Providence band have been building a loyal and increasingly large fan base around rabid, fearsome, and often unpredictable liveshows. Divine Providence is the band's first attempt at capturing that raw energy on record.

The first time I saw Deer Tick live was at a free show in Portland. The band ripped through three sets over three-and-a-half hours, playing both armfuls of originals and classic covers by the likes of John Mellencamp, Ritchie Valens, Tom Petty, and The Replacements. The set ended with a sloppy rendition of The Beatles' "With A Little Help From My Friends." Alls those beers and Jack and Cokes had caught up with the band by the final song, and instead of finishing it, former guitarist Andy Tobiassen kicked McCauley from on top of an amp down into the drum kit with a loud crash. It was an aptly disheveled rock and roll finish for a night that had me believing again in the power of dirty guitars, pounding drums, and narrative storytelling.

Big Star :: Documentary Trailer & Covers

I've been on a Big Star kick all week, thanks to the trailer for Nothing Can Hurt Me, a new documentary about the band's "massive critical acclaim, dismal commercial failure," and enduring legacy as "pop music's greatest cult phenomenon." The movie's tagline sums it up: I never heard Big Star on the radio, or even at a record shop. I listened to Big Star because other band's told me to via cover songs and tributes. My introduction to Alex Chilton first came through Elliott Smith's hushed cover of "Thirteen" (there are countless takes on "Thirteen," but like Jeff Buckley's "Hallelujah," Smith's is the definitive cover version). Later, as I dove more into Replacements' lore, I was pushed more into the world of Big Star, always remembering Paul Westerberg's line from "Alex Chilton": "Never travel far, without a little Big Star." So today, while I play #1 Record, Radio City, and Third/Sister Lovers on repeat, I thought I'd share my favorite Big Star covers by some of my favorite bands. And maybe even turn a few readers on to one of rock's greatest songwriters.

Johnny Thunders - "You Can't Put Your Arms Around A Memory"

I'm a Replacements fanatic. I've got every album, bootleg, and cover. I even own the oral biography, (though I haven't yet watched the new documentary). And the more you listen to and learn about Paul Westerberg and the rest of the 'Mats, the more you appreciate the band's two major influences: Alex Chilton and Johnny Thunders. Thunders—born John Genzale and later renamed after the DC comic book hero when he joined the New York Dolls—was one of those talents that burned bright, but for a tragically short period of time. Recently, I've become particularly enamored with Thunders' 1978 solo outing So Alone, which features an all-star cast of supporting musicians like The Pretenders' Chrissie Hynde and Thin Lizzy's Phil Lynott. The album also boasts what is perhaps Thunders' signature track: "You Can't Put Your Arms Around A Memory," a classic anthem that lifts its title from a line on the 1950s sitcom The Honeymooners. The song, which has aged beautifully with time, also happens to feature slashing lead guitar work by Peter Perrett of The Only Ones, who's track "Another Girl, Another Planet" was a live favorite of The Replacements.

Johnny Thunders - "You Can't Put Your Arms Around A Memory" (from So Alone)

Goodbye Portland

I'll miss the record stores, especially Mississippi; I'll miss the parks and farmers markets; Dove Vivi's cornbread pizza, Por Que No's chorizo tacos, and Broder's pytt i panna; the beer, especially Upright #4; affordable everything; seeing bands at Doug Fir, Mississippi Studios, and the Cherry Sprout Produce Market; having an independent coffee shop that roasts their own beans on every corner; surfing on the coast; the crowd at last Thursday; the three different color-coded recycling bins; and the bike paths. (I won't miss the endless rain nor the pretentious and jaded bartenders; the lack of jobs; or the people who stop at intersections when they don't have a stop sign.) But most of all, I'll miss sipping coffee in my hammock on the front porch, especially on a sunny Sunday morning with a book or newspaper in hand, as kids and dogs play, yell, and bark in the park across the street. Goodbye Portland.

Ty Segall - "Goodbye Bread"
Deer Tick - "Portland" (Live Replacements cover)
White Fang - "Portland Sucks"
M. Ward - "Paul's Song"


"Every town is all the same, when you've left your heart in the Portland rain..." - M. Ward

Mixtape: Coffee For Breakfast, Please

Kyle MacLachlan - "Diane, it's 8 AM..."

Hugh Masakela - "A Cheeka Laka Laka"

Tapes 'n Tapes - "One In The World"

Body Language - "Social Studies"

Donora - "I Think I Love You"

Dawes - "Hey Lover" --> "Blake Mills - "Hey Lover" --> Dawes - "Hey Lover"

Cotton Jones - "Lune Chatter"

The Replacements - "Kids Don't Follow Intro"

Natural Child - "Crack Mountain"

The Death Set - "Negative Thinking"

Gold Motel - "Slow Emergency"

Mary Wells - "You Beat Me To The Punch"

Jessica Lea Mayfield - "Words of Love" (Buddy Holly)

Raveonettes - "Red Tan"

New Animal - "Nightmares of Candy Yang & The Black Italian"

Paul Westerberg - "...we're very loud and spirited..."

Middle Brother - "Portland" (The Replacements)

Cass McCombs - "County Line"

Coffee For Breakfast, Please.mp3

Thanks to Root Strata Blog for the "Diane" recordings and The Voice Project for the Dawes cover. "Hooray Coffee" is a print by artist Nate Duval. Order from his awesome store here.

Natural Child - "The Jungle"

"Living in our boxcar laid up in the jungle. Thought I was a God, but now I'm feeling humble. Making lots of money, give it to the children. Making lots of children, now we got a village."

There's something incredibly endearing about Natural Child's "The Jungle"—a scuzzy, garage-rock and possibly psychedelic-fueled country sing-along about living in a boxcar in the jungle. The Nashville band exhale equal amounts of fiery swagger and stale beer into its Southern fare, creating a wonderfully eclectic world where punk rock and country music stand toe-to-toe in a perfect swaying boozy harmony. This young and brash Replacements-recalling trio—who opened for the Black Lips on a recent tour—also have a flare for the loud and heavy, as on the propulsive bass-led track "Nobody Wants To Party With Me." MP3s and vinyl are available to purchase at the band's label, Infinity Cat. Fuck, this band's good.

Natural Child - "The Jungle" (from Scion A/V Garage's Strange Boys/Natural Child 7")
Natural Child - "Nobody Wants To Party With Me" (from Bodyswitchers)
Natural Child - "Dogbite" (from 7")

Boners In The Garage

Along with the dirty guitars and guttural vocals of garage rock and punk music comes the staple raunchy song about sex. If you're the Winks, one song isn't enough (just read their track list). Here are a few classics and recent favorites. And despite the Winks' unbelievably crude lyrics, there's no denying a helluva catchy melody.

No Bunny - "Do The Fuck (Yourself)" (from First Blood)
Diarrhea Planet - "Ghost With A Boner" (from Aloha!)
Replacements - "Gary's Got A Boner" (from Let It Be)
Gun Club - "Sex Beat" (from Fire of Love)

The Story Behind "Johnny's Gonna Die"

After watching a drunk and drugged Johnny Thunders stumble his way around on stage, insult the audience, and eventually pass out, then 18-year-old audience member Paul Westerberg went home and wrote the song "Johnny's Gonna Die." The song—one of two Westerberg would write about his idol Thunders—was a rare unhurried moment on The Replacements' otherwise racing 1981 debut Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash. The wildly influential Thunders—a member of punk pioneers the New York Dolls in the early 1970s and then leader of the Heartbreakers—died ten years later from drug-related circumstances. Thunders' cult status lives on not just in Replacements' tributes, but in songs by the Clash, Nick Cave, Alex Chilton and Guns N' Roses.

The Replacements - "Johnny's Gonna Die" (from Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash)
Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers - "Born To Lose" (from L.A.M.F.)

Spin: The 125 Best Albums From The Past 25 Years

Spin recently released their 125 best albums of the past 25 years list—one that found U2's Achtung Baby at the top spot. Ranking albums can be a pretty silly exercise (see the juxtaposition of Queen Latifah and M.I.A. at 102 & 103), but it's also a good chance to catch up with any records you may have missed or overlooked over the years. The best part of the list however is all the links to older issues of Spin, which you can peruse through freely and in their entirety. Perhaps you'd like to read a Q&A with Black Francis from 1988, a feature on the Replacements from 1989, or just glance through the hilarious tobacco and tape (see above) ad campaigns from the 80s.

RIP Alex Chilton

Alex Chilton, the cult hero and legend behind pop acts the Box Tops and Big Star, died Wednesday in New Orlanes at the age of 59 from what is believed to be a heart attack. The musician will certainly be remembered, not only for his own great work, but in the music of his fans and friends. Particularly, Paul Westerberg's 1987 ode to his hero, aptly titled "Alex Chilton," and Elliott Smith's beautiful cover of "Thirteen."

The Replacements - "Alex Chilton" (from Pleased To Meet Me)

Elliott Smith - "Thirteen" (Big Star cover)

12 Favorite Replacements' Songs and Covers

I've been on a huge Replacements kick the last few months. I recently finished the communally-written biography It's All Over But The Shouting and then, shortly after, saw Deer Tick perform "Can't Hardly Wait" in concert. The Mats never made it big, but their influence still abounds. After getting a hold of all the bootlegs and EPs this past weekend (Shit, Shower & Shave, Inconcerated, Shit Hits The Fans, etc.), I decided to compose a definitive list of my favorite Mats songs, as well as their best covers. Enjoy.

The Favorites:

1) "Can't Hardly Wait" (Tim outtake version)

I prefer this raw version of the classic: more guitar, less horns and polish.

2) "Favorite Thing" (from Let It Be)

Great opening riff. Bob Stinson's guitar drops beautifully in and out of this song. It's pure adrenaline and fun.

3) "Bastards of Young" (from Tim)

One word: anthemic. It's probably the second best song Westerberg ever wrote.

4) "If Only You Were Lonely" (outtake from Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash)

Best line: "Somewhere there's a smile with my name on it."

5) "Nowhere Is My Home" (from Boink!!)

From the 1985 Alex Chilton-produced sessions—released in the UK only.

6) "Buck Hill" (from Hootenanny)

The Mats response to surf music—and in particular the Trashmen's "Surfin' Bird"—was an ode to a Minnesota ski hill. To love the band, you have to be able to laugh with them.

7) "Talent Show" (Studio demo from Don't Tell A Soul)

A keyhole into the band's reckless onstage nature. Also catchy as hell.

8) "Kiss Me On The Bus" (from Tim)

Charming, light pop from the band that wrote "Fuck School" and "I Hate Music." Who knew?

9) "I Will Dare" (from Let It Be)

REM's Peter Buck has a nice mandolin riff, but Stinson plays the real groove.

10) "Careless" (from Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash)

1:08 of their early no-frills punk, but it still has that signature Mats sound thanks to Stinson's riff.

11) "Androgynous" (from Let It Be)

The best lyrics Westerberg ever wrote. Undoubtedly, he was ahead of his time.

12) "Little Mascara" (from Tim)

"All you ever wanted was someone to take care of you / All you're ever losin' is a little mascara." Great line.

Favorite Covers:

"Another Girl, Another Planet" (The Only Ones)

"Black Diamond" (KISS)

"I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man" (Prince)
"20th Century Boy" (T. Rex)

"Route 66" (Chuck Berry/Rolling Stones)

Here's the Mats performing "Kiss Me On The Bus" on SNL in 1986. They infamously changed into each other's clothes after their drunken version of "Bastards of Young"—hence Bob Stinson's little pants. They were banned from the show afterwards, mostly for directly cursing into the camera.

The Replacements - "Nowhere Is My Home"

In a March 1984 interview with the San Francisco 'zine Riding The Blinds, Replacements singer and guitarist Paul Westerberg tried to sum up the feelings about his young band:

To like us, you have to try and understand us. You can't come in and just let your first impressions lead you. Because your first impression will be of a band that doesn't play real well, is very loud, and might be drunk. Beneath that is a band that values spirit and excitement more than musical prowess. To me, that's rock and roll, and we're a rock and roll band.

The Replacements are one of the most beloved and underrated bands of the 1980s. Both a cult favorite and genuine classic rock group, their earnest anthems of disaffected youth continually prove to be timeless works of sweat-fueled and beer-soaked art. With Bob Stinson's wild and unsettled guitar riff setting the tone, the unreleased "Nowhere Is My Home" is a small sampling of the band's achievement—but nevertheless, a favorite.

The Replacements - "Nowhere Is My Home" (unreleased from UK only Boink!!)

Swimming Pools

Nothing says summertime like a couple of songs about swimming. And what better backdrop than California artist Eric Zener, who obsessively paints the webs of light and reflections in the underwater chlorine-filled worlds known as swimming pools.

Loudon Wainwright III - "Swimming Song" (from Attempted Mustache)

The Replacements - "Pool and Dive" (from Don't You Know Who I Think I Was?)

UPDATE:

Real Estate - "Pool Swimmers" (from Fake Blues 7")

Thao & The Get Down Stay Down - "Swimming Pools" (from We Brave Bee Stings and All)

Soundtrack: Adventureland

Adventureland had me at hello. Or rather, at the introductory riff to the classic Replacements track "Bastards of Young."

Set in the summer of 1987, the film's landscape is colored by the trickle down effect of Reaganomics and plenty of cheesy rock (see Foreigner, Falco). But the focus is never on the era's silly chart-topping bands or ridiculous clothing; they are simply elements that help place the film's characters—poor, nerdy, and rebellious—in the margins.

Musically, Adventureland does what Dazed and Confused did for 70s rock acts like the Runaways and Alice Cooper. Adventureland gives the unruly greats of the 80s, specifically Hüsker Dü and the Replacements, a contemporary platform to be celebrated and heard. The two Minneapolis bands are not only featured on the soundtrack, they are also written into the screenplay: Kristen Stewart's character Em wears a Hüsker Dü t-shirt and love interest James, played by Jesse Eisenberg, finds a Replacements LP in her record collection. The song "Bastards of Young" almost serves as a sketch for James, who finds himself abandoned and lost after college:

God, what a mess, on the ladder of success,
/ Where you take one step and miss the whole first rung. /
Dreams unfulfilled, graduate unskilled, /
It beats pickin' cotton and waitin' to be forgotten.



We are the sons of no one, bastards of young.
/ We are the sons of no one, bastards of young. /
The daughters and the sons.



Clean your baby womb, trash that baby boom. /
Elvis in the ground, we're waiting on beer tonight. /
Income tax deduction, what a hell of a function. /
It beats pickin' cotton and waitin' to be forgotten.



(chorus)



Unwillingness to claim us, you got no word to name us.



The ones who love us best are the ones we'll lay to rest,
/ And visit their graves on holidays at best.
/ The ones who love us least are the ones we'll die to please.
/ If it's any consolation, I don't begin to understand them.



(chorus)

The soundtrack also features a dose of Lou Reed favorites, including "Satellite of Love" and the simultaneously haunting and soothing Velvet Underground treasure, "Pale Blue Eyes," which appears twice to emphasize James's devotion to Em.

It's not often a director so heavily invests, both thematically and contextually, in his soundtrack. And it's even more unusual for a director's taste to be this great. 

The Replacements - "Bastards of Young" (highly recommended)

Hüsker Dü - "Don't Want to Know if You Are Lonely"

The Velvet Underground - "Pale Blue Eyes" (closet mix) (highly recommended)