One more chance to get it all wrong, or maybe get it half right?

Published by
Placemat
at 08.May.08 in 'Mats Memories, Reunion and wishful thinking. 22 Comments

This thread startin’ business is all complicated & shit…

Everybody read the Spin article, right?  All of a sudden Tommy has done a 180, & it seems the fabled reunion isn’t so much a fairy tale but a possibility.

I would never fault anyone for a pay check.  & If it happens, I’ll go, probably on more than one occasion.  Still, I can’t help being turned off by the idea.  The Mats have been many things over the years, but an oldies act sure-as-shit ain’t one of ‘em.

& I’m sorry, fuck precedence, it’s just not the Mats without Christopher Mars behind the kit.  If the man don’t wanna play, the man don’t wanna play.

However, if Paul & Tommy went into the studio/basement together & cut a new record…Then decided to tour in support…Now, that’s something I could get behind.  I could care less what the called themselves. Y’know they’re gonna bust out all the oldies, but the new material changes everything.

Even more than that, between Paul & Tommy, I think there’s real potential for a fantastic album.  & I  would love to hear it.

Curious about everyone’s opinion in regards to a Mats reunion.  & Let’s hear a little noise regarding a Paul & Tommy record.

Side Note:  Lately whenever there are rumors of a  Mats reunion, the Pixies are inevitably mentioned.  I just watched “Loud, Quiet, Loud” & the Pixies are the most un-fun band in the world.   Sesh, what’s the fucking point?

Mats Madness - That’s All Folks

Published by
Some Guy
at 08.May.08 in 'Mats Madness. 6 Comments

Championship

Well it ain’t lost yet so it’s gotta be a winner.

Let It Be, dominant throughout the whole tournament, prevailed 38-25 over Tim in the championship match. What put Let It Be over the top? Was it the reissue, Jodi’s campaigning, or Lay It Down Clown? Check out how the final bracket shaped out as you try and imagine a Mats’ cover of “One Shining Moment:”

Bracket

So what did we learn from all this? Folks like All Shook Down more than I thought. Like the Chicago Cubs, Sorry Ma may not be the strongest entry, but it’s got the most die hard fans. Anything else?

Video Tuesday — Campaigning at the polls edition

Published by
Jodi
at 06.May.08 in Seen Your Video. 0 Comments

Random Aside: When I was a kid (think like 11-years-old) I used to listen to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” every night while gazing fondly at the liner notes. I convinced myself that Michael and Paul McCartney were singing “The Girl is Mine” about me. Because, you know, why not? I spent a lot of time worrying about how I was going to tell Paul that I loved Michael more.

Vote for truth, justice, and the American way. Vote Let it Be!

paid for by the People for Good Rock and Roll

Mats Madness Championship

Published by
Some Guy
at 05.May.08 in 'Mats Madness and Uncategorized. 11 Comments

And then there were two…

Let It Be vs Tim
Well not literally those two obviously, but their namesakes. It’s Let It Be vs Tim for the the championship. And you thought deciding between All Shook Down and Hootenanny was tough! Voting open till end of day Wednesday. Thursday we crown a champion.

Vote here!

In the Blogs: Special Friday edition because apparently I missed Wednesday

Published by
Jodi
at 02.May.08 in In the Blogs. 9 Comments

In the Blogs

Goldmine has five questions for Peter Jesperson, including this gem:
GM: Do you have a favorite out of the four Rhino reissues?
PJ: That’s an impossible question! Let It Be is probably considered their best, and with good reason, but I’d have to go with Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash. It was the first Replacements album we put replacementsbw3_4.jpgout on Twin/Tone and I just personally have an attachment to it. With the inclusion of all the bonus tracks, which includes the original Replacements’ four-song demo Paul Westerberg gave me, the album has now grown from 18 to 31 songs, which is such a great thing. What more could you ask for?

Which reminds me. You can still vote in ‘Mats Madness. Go ahead, I dare you. Go choose between Tim or Pleased to Meet Me, and watch your heart die a little.

Tony Pierce at busblog reminisces about interviewing Our Man Paul and includes some outtakes of the interview. [editor's note: Yes, I have decided to call him Our Man Paul, because it makes me laugh.]

The Kitty Brains Collective points out the Paul Westerberg and The Replacements’ influence on Wilco’s song “Gun.” It’s pretty interesting, go listen.

I am often easily charmed by good, interesting writing. I am even more charmed when the good, interesting writing includes the lyrics to “Customer.”

You know what else I am a sucker for? Just about anyone talking about how they discovered and continue to love the ‘Mats.

If you haven’t picked up the reissues yet, Chris Riemenschneider of the Strib gives a nice rundown of the extras.


My Old Kentucky Blog has a nice write up of the ‘Mats and the reissues, my favorite part? (because of course you want to know that):
If you just dipping you foot into the ‘Mats, certainly, start with Let It Be. The influence of this little (33 minutes) record is now such that it is no longer blasphemy to mention in the same breath with Velvet Underground and Nico, London Calling or Born To Run.

Okay, this is the weirdest bit of news. At least to me. So Glen Campbell is gonna cover “Sadly Beautiful.” What’s weird, and stick with me on this one, is that it’s GLEN CAMPBELL cover The ‘Mats. He gets all caps because when I was a kid, or maybe an early teen and started to have favorite bands, I would quiz my mom on the music she loved when she was younger. She told me how she never got into Elvis because her older sister Jackie loved Elvis, and The Beatles didn’t really do much for her at all. Then she went on to tell me how she really, really loved Glen Campbell. Like to her he was the bee’s knees and I thought that was just about the nerdiest thing I had ever heard in my entire life. And now Glen Campbell is covering my favorite band. I am totally gonna buy my mom this CD for my mom.

Video Tuesday-Because Jodi has psychic abilities and made me do this through thought control

Published by
blasty
at 29.Apr.08 in Seen Your Video. 4 Comments

Makin’ breakfast for Blasty

Mats Madness - Final Four

Published by
Some Guy
at 29.Apr.08 in 'Mats Madness. 9 Comments

We’re down to the Final Four and, just like this year’s men’s basketball Final Four, it’s all number one seeds.  Much to the dismay of some, Hootenanny just couldn’t keep up with All Shook Down.  Here’s where we stand (right click to embiggen)

Now is when things get interesting, tempers start flaring, fists start flying, and namecalling inevitably ensues.  Voting open now through end of day Friday.  Who will survive, and what will be left of them?

Vote Here!

Mats Madness Round 3

Published by
Some Guy
at 24.Apr.08 in 'Mats Madness. 20 Comments

We’re into the Elite Eight folks!  Not many surprises in Round 2.  14 Songs put up a good fight but with the reissues coming out I expected Sorry Ma to beat it.  I thought Once, Twice might give All Shook Down a run for its money, but not so much.  Without question though the match of the tournament so far was Don’t Tell A Soul vs. Stereo.  It was neck and neck well into the fourth but Mr. Rabbit played some big D and We May Be The Ones hit a couple of clutch free throws to eek out a one point victory.  Here’s the latest bracket (right/ctrl click to embiggen):

Bracket3Friday Night has been strong so far, but does it have any chance against powerhouse Tim?  Sorry Ma has been on the ropes a bit in the early rounds.  Does it have any more left in the tank?  And Hootenanny vs All Shook Down sounds like the game of the week.  Voting is now open for this round through end of day Monday.

Vote Here!

In the blogs: Later than usual because I am still reading the liner notes edition

Published by
Jodi
at 23.Apr.08 in In the Blogs. 13 Comments

In the Blogs
There’s still time to vote in this round of ‘Mats Madness!

Ross Raihala over at the PiPress not only has a chance for you to win all four of the ‘Mats reissues, but he also gives you a rundown on the backstory of each album, key tracks, liner notes, and bonus material.

Readers of The Walrus are pointing out what they forgot when compiling some of the Saddest music ever and mention Here Comes a Regular.

The Billboard Q&A with Paul and with Tommy has stirred up the ‘Mats reunion rumors everyone is weighing in:
Paste (who also review the reissues)
Filter
Chromewaves
Rollng Stone
Idolator

The release of the reissues causes Kevin Cole of KEXP to reminisce about his time in Minnesota and discovering the ‘Mats.

Dave Foley of News Radio and Kids in the Hall talks about his Westerberg Fandom in the StarTrib.

Popmatters reviews the new reissues.

Video Tuesday — A Note to Men of the World

Published by
Jodi
at 22.Apr.08 in Seen Your Video. 22 Comments

Dear Men of Earth,

You getting a little lonely and looking for a nice ladyfriend to pass the time with? Here’s how you do it. Set up a video camera, sing a sweet, tender cover of a ‘mats song. Post on YouTube. Then wait for the adoration to roll in. I promise you, it will totally work.

I’m a woman. I know these things. Plus, right now I totally have a crush on this dude.

I used to be nobody,
Jodi

P.S. I am not talking about the reissues because mine won’t be here until tomorrow. So if y’all want to go on and talk and talk and talk about how fucking fabulous they are go right ahead. It’s not like it will make me cry or anything. Not that you care. You meanies.

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