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

Makin’ breakfast for Blasty

Mats Madness - Final Four

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)
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Mats Madness Round 3

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!

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

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.

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Video Tuesday — A Note to Men of the World

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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To while away the time before tomorrow, read about resissues reviews, Jesperson interviews and way way more

First of all, don’t forgot to vote for the best ‘Mats record before it’s too late!

Pitchfork gives the resissue of Let it Be a perfect 10 (told you Let it Be was the best. One of these days you will all listen to me and my infinite wisdom. Rolling Stone only gives it 4 stars.

VH1 lists 10 Great Songs by The Replacments, five (yes FIVE) of them are off of Let it Be.

If you only read one thing this week, read Teenage Kicks’ kickass interview with Peter Jesperson. Part 1 and Part 2.

Bill Deville of 89.3 The Current gets all excited about the reissues.

If you haven’t read it yet, Reuters has a great, great, great, great interview with Paul and tommy about the reissues.

What I like the most about this recollection of a Replacements’ concert, is not that the author, Jim, doesn’t really remember much it’s that the ticket cost $2.50.

A columnist in North Dakota rakes leaves and reminisces about the ‘Mats.

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Zuzu’s Petals : A Primer

If anyone’s interested, a lengthy Zuzu’s Petals appreciation featuring many mp3s can be found here. editor’s note: you have scroll a bit past the McCain stuff, but it’s there!

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Mats Madness Round 2.1

So there’s been issues raised with the legitimacy of the voting since people can vote more than once in each round.  Therefore I’m pulling the plug on the current voting in round 2 and asking you to kindly redirect all your voting to the following site:

Vote here

You should only be able to vote once now from here on out so make it count!  Sorry about all this unprofessionalism.  Things will go smoother next year when we vote on best song!  We’ll give this round an extra day now and let it run until end of day Wednesday.  With the reissues being released on Tuesday and being fresher in people’s minds, will that affect the voting?  Hmmm…interesting.  

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Mats Madness Round 2

All right, we’re into the Sweet Sixteen!  What did we learn from Round 1?  Well, I learned that folks REALLY like Tommy!  All 4 Tommy albums are still alive while less than half of Paul’s solo stuff survived.  Here’s the updated bracket (right click or control click to embiggen):

Bracket Round 2And here’s the link to the new poll:

Vote here!

The poll is open now through end of day Tuesday (Isn’t something else also happening Tuesday?)

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In the Blogs: Holy Baloney the ‘Mats are everywhere edition

In the Blogs

Over at Minn Post Jim Walsh offers up a glimpse at the liner notes in the ‘Mats reissues coming out next week.

Earlier this week, local TV Station WCCO did a pretty nice, lengthy piece on Laurie Lindeen calling her the “coolest lunch lady.” Includes a very awkward Westerberg family picture, and snippet from the Fakebook event last summer.

VH-1 is offering up a stream of Let it Be (Deluxe Edition).

The Village Voice weighs in on the ‘Mats reissues.

Paul Westerberg — An American Hero.

Carrie Brownstein lists her 11 favorite ‘Mats lyrics over on NPR.

In non-’Mats news, I am babysitting my nephews Nolan, 4, and Liam, 3. They are cleaning the bathtub because they want to. Is that bad?

Hitsville is listing songs about rock and gets to Left of the Dial.

P.S. There’s still time to vote in the first round of ‘Mats Madness.

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