Folker - Paul Westerberg
Folker Image
Metascore
60 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 12 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.1 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 21 Ratings

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0 out of 10
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  • Summary: No, it's not a folk album, but Westerberg does handle all of the instruments himself on this latest solo release. (We suppose that it's hard to find replacements for The Replacements.)

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 12
  3. Negative: 2 out of 12
  1. Under The Radar
    90
    The album is Westerberg at his extremes. [#7]
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  2. Paste Magazine
    80
    Raw and revealing.
  3. Uncut
    60
    It only reveals its strengths after a dozen or more plays. [Nov 2004, p.112]
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  4. 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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See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 15
  3. Negative: 0 out of 15
  1. MaureenO
    10
    Once again, Paul Westerberg has created a masterpiece. He has given the music world what it has lacked for too long; honest-to-goodness music. Westerberg's whimsical and thought-provoking lyrics never let up on this album. … Expand
  2. 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.… Expand
  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.… Expand
  4. MikaelB
    4
    Wanted this to be good. First track is enough for to abandon one of my favorite rockers of all time.... trying to be tongue and cheek? how about a refund?… Expand

See all 15 User Reviews

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