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Paul Westerberg - 49:00

Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 2:19 am
by philipgar
For those who don't know (and care), Paul Westerberg just released his new album 49:00 on amazon.com for 49 cents. It's a bit odd, and only a single track (43 minutes or so). I've listened to it twice so far, and it's starting to grow on me. It starts out pretty coherent, and seems to march into insanity as it progresses. I think that's the best way to put it. It has a very raw sound to it, similar to his grandpaboy recordings, but even more so. Definitely worth checking out if you're a paul fan. For 49 cents, you can't really beat it, although it makes me wonder when he'll next release a real album.

Phil

Re: Paul Westerberg - 49:00

Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 1:13 pm
by foureyedsometimes
I've played it twice too, as you say it's a great record though it does tend to fall into madness at times. I think a few more listens will sort that.
Are SA fans not 'Mats/PW fans these days?
When my friends and I first got into SA Mats and HuDu, they were all equally revered, it seems to have changed over the years.

Re: Paul Westerberg - 49:00

Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 3:38 pm
by philipgar
foureyedsometimes wrote:I've played it twice too, as you say it's a great record though it does tend to fall into madness at times. I think a few more listens will sort that.
Are SA fans not 'Mats/PW fans these days?
When my friends and I first got into SA Mats and HuDu, they were all equally revered, it seems to have changed over the years.
Most of the fans I've met tend to be fans of the mats/PW as well. I think there's just not a huge discussion in the off-topic forums for some reason.

As for 49:00, it definitely grows on you. I can't count how many times I've listened to it now, but it really just sounds great. The madness goes away (or maybe you become one with it) after enough listens, and it just starts to make sense.

phil

Re: Paul Westerberg - 49:00

Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 8:55 pm
by mystic_spiral_3
There were a number of good complete songs as well as promising pieces of songs. The ending of the track was interesting as Paul had lines here and there from 70s pop songs.

Re: Paul Westerberg - 49:00

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2008 9:25 pm
by philipgar
And, now, while 49:00 is no longer available (who knows why), Paul has answered the question of the missing 5:05, with a new release on tunecore called 5:05. It's available at Image for now (who knows for how long though). you can pay the dirt cheap price of 99 cents, or thank paul for his efforts and pay $5.05 for it.

Phil

Re: Paul Westerberg - 49:00

Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2008 9:50 am
by Asylunt
Just bumping this thread, to stir discussion now that it has settled.

I'm pretty effing convinced that this is a work of pure genius!

I'm a pretty big Westerberg fan and normally eat up songs others dismiss, so I could be biased. It is a work of art like Pink Floyd's The Wall, only with DIY Punk production instead of overdone studio work. (Note: I love Pink Floyd and mean no disrespect.)

49:00 is organic sounding, like it literally grew out of the dust in the cracks of Paul's basement floor. The countless layers of tracks on top of one another, most being random Paul Vocals, make me feel like I am in the scene in Being John Malkovich, when Malkovich goes in his own head, except it's Paul's head. And I think that's what he was going for.

I mean if you strap headphones on tight, crank the volume, consume a little pot or beer, and close your eyes, you'll be blown away. Give it a few spins and you'll find something new hidden away with every listen. Start isolating the left and right channels with that balance knob on your receiver, it's like a whole new album.

If I start talking about individual songs on here this post will get to be too long, but my highlights are:
[using the MWT unofficial track listing]

Something in my Life is Missing
Devil Raised a Good Boy
Good Night Sweet Prince
(If, upon listening to this song with headphones, you do not well up with tears a little, then you have no soul. Beautiful, this is music as true art!)
Outta My System
I'll Never Die
Oh Yeah! (Something about having a little rock and roll son of my own makes this one a riot to listen closely to.)

And I consider 5:05 a part of the album as the CD I burnt has both on there.

5:05 is a anthem, not it's an anti-anthem, whatever it is, it gets me riled up to go make dirty basement punk rock and self release it just to stick it to the unnecessary record industry that pumps out so much mediocre to terrible music just to make money. And to not be ashamed of my run-on sentences! :)