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Folker - Paul Westerberg
Metascore
60 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 12
  3. Negative: 2 out of 12
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  1. Under The Radar
    90
    The album is Westerberg at his extremes. [#7]
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  2. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Rough-and-tumble folk rock with a winning--if self-conscious--DIY approach. [17 Sep 2004, p.76]
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  3. Paste Magazine
    80
    Raw and revealing.
  4. Pitchfork
    72
    There's a disarming simplicity and artlessness... with an increased emphasis on persistent pop melody over crafty wordplay.
  5. Mojo
    70
    Marks a major leap along the road to recovery. [Nov 2004, p.96]
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  6. PopMatters
    70
    Folker may not be the definitive answer to devotees' prayers, but it is a notable addition to his oeuvre.
  7. Uncut
    60
    It only reveals its strengths after a dozen or more plays. [Nov 2004, p.112]
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  8. All Music Guide
    60
    It's hard not to walk away with the feeling he's capable of better than this.
  9. Filter
    60
    Sounds sometimes Dylan and most of the time Starbucks. [#12, p.102]
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  10. Trouser Press
    60
    Pleasant but alternately catchy and bland.
  11. Alternative Press
    20
    The lyrics on Folker make the tripe in Westerberg's early solo material... read like T.S. Eliot. [Oct 2004, p.144]
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  12. Blender
    10
    A poorly-recorded collection of lazily-written songs recorded by an artist whose muse deserted him long ago. [Oct 2004, p.131]
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User Reviews

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User Score
8.1 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 21 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. Mark
    8
    It's amazing how much this album grew on me over the course of a year or so. It feels so natural and uncalculated, (forget self-consciously ramshackle!), and over time the vocals seem to become clearer, the guitars more purposeful, the melodies more memorable (the drums just as off!). As Far As I Know and What About Mine? are beautifully-conceived songs, but for me it's How Can You Like Him? and Gun Shy that bring about tears of joy that a human being can create and communicate such startling emotion through music. The man is frighteningly good.… Full Review »
  2. RobertB
    8
    This one is a grower.
  3. JohnO
    7
    I would give Stereo/Mono and Come Feel Me Tremble each a 10. Having said that, Folker has some gems and some filler, where the previous two records are end-to-end marvels. Gun Shy and My Dad are my favs. If you're just getting to know Paul, I wouldn't suggest this as your first purchase. With regards to the DIY stuff getting old (from a prior post), get used to it - he's not going back to the old way.… Full Review »
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