Rating: NNNN
Folker is exactly what one expects from a record of folkish songs by Paul Westerberg at this stage. A wry and endearing collection of tunes with as much humour as sadness, Folker has hints of Dylan at times, and a poppier jangle in others. Still, it remains recognizably Westerberg throughout, with lyrics ranging from the personally revealing My Dad through the nonsensically cute to the narrative of $100 Dollar Groom. The production is loose, and the years of wear and tear have just added character to Westerberg’s voice, supporting the romantic notion that destroying oneself adds to one’s appeal. Some of the tunes are annoyingly long, some lyrics self-indulgent and bitter, but tracks like 23 Years Ago make up for it.
