Music

Average customer rating:

Underrated
Forever Paul
Paul's best album
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak
Fugitive Kind

Suicaine Gratifaction
Paul Westerberg
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Eventually
Dead Man Shake
14 Songs
Grandpaboy
Don't Tell a Soul

ASIN: B00000I40T
Release Date: 1999-02-23

Tracks:

It's A Wonderful Lie
Self-Defense
Best Thing That Never Happened
Lookin' Out Forever
Born For Me
Final Hurrah
Tears Rolling Up Our Sleeves
Fugitive Kind
Sunrise Always Listens
Whatever Makes You Happy
Actor In The Street
Bookmark

Amazon.com

Few artists have been so revered and so lambasted simultaneously as Paul Westerberg. That's what happens when you front one of the greatest rock bands of the '80s (the punkish, youthfully disillusioned Replacements) and then can't reach such lofty heights again. Finally, with Suicaine Gratifaction, Westerberg stops trying to be that renegade rocker. Instead, his third solo effort is practically adult-sounding, a mostly somber collection of sweetly ragged folk and rock (often piano-based) that reveals the 38-year-old songsmith more comfortable in his own artistic skin than maybe anytime previously. Thankfully not too comfortable, for Westerberg is wondrous when sounding wounded and worn, which is often the case on this demon-confronting effort. The mostly solid Suicaine Gratifaction is maybe his best effort in a dozen years. --Neal Weiss

Customer Reviews:

Underrated.......2005-12-04

Most of the reviews I've read of Paul's recent albums have said something along the lines of "well, this isn't as good as the Replacements, but at least it's better than Suicaine Gratification." This has to be one of the most unjustly panned albums of all time. I'll admit that some of the songs are a little unfocused, but there are some real gems here. His voice sounds great, the production is full without being overwhleming, and the lyrics are as great as ever. I would urge any fans of Paul and the Replacements to give this one a chance, or even a second chance.

Forever Paul.......2005-09-09

Paul Westerberg is my hero. I've never heard an artist who could affect such looseness and sincerity at the same time. His perfectly ragged pop songs roil with whatever emotion he's trying to express at the time,whether it be the bitterness of a break-up or the simple joys of rock&roll music.
Suicane Gratifaction is easily my favorite of his albums. I met Paul once,and according to him the first 4 songs on this one may be his best. Can't say as I disagree. "It's A Wonderful Lie" shimmers with weary optimism and unique lyrics('get up from a dream & I looked for rain,take an anphetamine in a crushed rat-brain/how am I feeling? better,I suppose...'). Jangly rockers like "Final Hurrah"& the bittersweet "Best Thing That Never Happened"(my personal fave) have a loose drive that pulls you in as the cool hooks pile up. "Born For Me" is the follow-up/sequel to the excellent "Love Untold",the single from Paul's previous album,"Eventually". It's one of his most heartfelt and yearning love songs,sung as a duet with the great Shawn Colvin.
"Suicane Gratifaction" is easily his most mature album,but also his most eccentric. Shifting between subtle acoustic numbers,stomping,Beatle-esque pop songs,alt country-ish pop rockers and a few surprises(shout out to the epic "Fugitive Kind",a song that gets no play,even amongst Westerberg fans),this album never loses it's way thanks to the unique character of the man behind it.

Paul's best album.......2005-05-21

I had heard only lukewarm reviews about this album when it began to peak my interest. Similar to every other Paul Westerberg/Replacements album, it's wickedly inconsistent--some good songs, some bad ones...prepare the finger which presses the 'skip' button. To that, I say "Wake up!" This is the masterpiece that ONLY Paul Westerberg could ever deliver!

This album shows Paul settling comfortably into middle age. No longer is he the bratty 20-something singing, "Gary's Got a Boner." Now he's the 40-something crooner singing, "Born for Me," which, for my dollar, is the most well-arranged Westerberg song ever.

Now what we get with SUICAINE GRATIFICATION as a whole is a mix of sweet, reflective and (yeah, I know it sounds weird when referring to Paul Westerberg) orchestral songs. Gone are the guitar, bass, and drums for most of the album, being replaced with piano, cello, and horn arrangements. However, the rocker-at-heart still comes out on tracks like, "Final Hurrah," and "Lookin' Out Forever." But it's the softer, more personal tracks like the aforementioned "Born for Me," and "Self Defense," that win out in the end.

Fault Westerberg if you must for not reaching back to his punk roots, but at this point in his career it might seem a bit forced if he tried (see: 2003's less-than-stellar, COME FEEL ME TREMBLE). What we get here instead is a collection of songs that embodies the spirit of Paul's musical agenda: sloppy, intellegent, fun, and unquestionably genuine.

The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.......2004-09-20

Taking gambles is a good thing, and Paul Westerberg's solo career has had its share of risks. The most noticable and admirable (or disgusting, depending on your opinion) one is how Paul has gone from a screaming frontman for a punk band to a balladeer. His mellow side is definitely his most compelling. And that's part of the reason why Suicaine Gratifaction is probably Westerberg's most patchy solo album.

There are those who dwell in the past who wish that Paul Westerberg would rock out like crazy like in the old days. Strangely enough, Suicaine's weakest moments are when Paul is trying to amp himself out of his acoustic guitar/piano mode. Best Thing That Never Happened, Last Hurrah, and Fugitive Kind are pretty boring, predictable, and overthought. Some of the softer songs find him struggling to fill empty space like Tears Rolling Up Our Sleeves and Born for Me.

But Suicaine Gratifaction's best moments are the quieter songs as well. It's A Wonderful Lie, Bookmark, Actor In The Street, and Sunrise Always Listens are some of the best songs here. But if they were included on any other Westerberg album, they wouldn't be considered as such.

And that's why this is Paul Westerberg's most inconsistent album. Taken on its own terms, it's not bad at all. Alongside his previous and future albums, it's not that great.

Fugitive Kind.......2004-05-08

What can you say about an artist who begins an album with "I get up from a dream and I look for rain?" A former punk who doesn't let the drums kick in until track 3? A man who would steal the piano line from "The Way We Were," and then give that song the lyric "your world is a balloon to me, I poke a hole and see what's inside?" A guy who would write a song equating an actor with a Christ-like martyr?

You'd say he was an original, that's what.

"Suicaine Gratifaction" is Paul's best solo work to date - an intensely personal, genre-defying lo-fi album with incredible coherence. Paul loves his hooks, and delivers some great ones, along with his patented wordplay. He turns depression into black humor with "It's a Wonderful Lie" and "Sunrise Always Listens," gets exuberant with "Fugitive Kind" and "Lookin' Out Forever," goes romantic with "Born for Me," and then gets delivers a heartbreaking character-study, "Bookmark," that might be the most piercing, and melodic, song he's ever created.

Even the filler is good. "Best Thing that Never Happened" is overlong, but it has a great groove. "Tears Rolling Up Our Sleeves" can't quite justify its title, and "Final Hurrah" gets a little lazy - but B-level Westerberg is better than most artists A stuff. "Suicaine Gratifaction" is Paul's most complete and entertaining album - get it and rediscover what it means to be a true music fan.

Average customer rating:

Heaven
Unbelievable effort
The best yet ... the Westerberg album I've been waiting for
Paul returns with a mixed bag...
Excellent CD-Grows with each listen

Suicaine Gratifaction (Limited Edition)
Paul Westerberg
Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000I40W
Release Date: 1999-02-23

Tracks:

It's A Wonderful Lie
Self-Defense
Thing That Never Happened
Lookin' Out Forever
Born For Me
Final Hurrah
Tears Rolling Up Our Sleeves
Fugitive Kind
Sunrise Always Listens
Whatever Makes You Happy
Actor In The Street
Bookmark

Customer Reviews:

Heaven.......2000-03-27

Paul Westerberg is the best song writer this side of heaven.

Unbelievable effort.......2000-02-17

If you are a Paul Westerberg fan, you know how good his material is. If you are not, then its time you picked up Suicane. This is Paul's best solo release, and quite possibly the best album he has been associated with since the Replacement(s) days with Tim. 14 songs is amazing, and Eventually is pretty good, but neither can compare to the soft force and quiet confidence that his latest effort does. "Its a Wonderful Lie" is perhaps the most honest, and non-cliched song I have ever heard. Followed all the way to the end with the ever-so-sad "Bookmark. All points in between are keepers. While Eventually was a bit spotty, and hit-or-miss, this album reinstates Paul as the best living songwriter.

The best yet ... the Westerberg album I've been waiting for.......1999-12-06

I own every Replacements and Westerberg album produced by a record label, and there is something special about Suicaine Gratification. When the album came out, I asked a trusted clerk at a music dealer to describe the album. He said melodramatic. I said that is what I like. But his description isn't complete, because through and through, this is the best Westerberg solo album yet. It keeps his classical sound and powerful lyrics. This album has all the emotion, passion and drama one would expect from this great song writer. I expected typical Westerberg when I bought this, but I received more than that. I agree with previous reviews about the collection of songs, but one that has been overlooked is "Fugitive Kind," an absolutely brilliant song. It may be my favorite Westerberg song since that dark day when the Replacements ceased to exist. This is a must buy for any 'Mats fan, but also a must-have for any who prides themselves on having a wide musical taste. Westerberg's treatment of human emotion is unmatched, and he continues to write about topics that others don't, or couldn't. Still, there's a humor in his lyrics that doesn't seem hokie. No other album this year is like Suicaine Gratification.

Paul returns with a mixed bag..........1999-11-02

I have been a fan of Paul Westerberg for years. The man can write damn good songs. I mean, lyrically can anyone touch him? I say no way. the only thing lacking on this album is the pop catchy-ness that pervaded his last record, Eventually. Several of the Suicaine tracks are astounding, though. Especially "Self-Defense" which makes me wish that I hadn't have quit piano lessons when I was 11 and opt for the drums. Same Westerberg sound, too. It's classic, but I wanna see Paul really take a trip in another direction...Paul meets The Dust Bros.? I'm babbling, buy the record, but if you must choose, I say get "14 Songs" first, save up, and THEN get "Suicaine"...

Excellent CD-Grows with each listen.......1999-05-16

I have found myself listening to this CD over and over. Not only do the lyrics sneak up and surprise you with their complexity, but the music grows on you as well. A definite achievement for Westerberg.

Average customer rating:

The last Replacements album was this one!!!!
SLACKING BY A SLACKER
SLACKING BY A SLACKER
Get this version!
Former Replacement almost hits the mark with new release.

Suicaine Gratifaction
Paul Westerberg
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music

Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music

Alternative Rock | Imports | Stores | Music

Rock | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000IO8G
Release Date: 1999-06-29

Tracks:

It's a Wonderful Lie
Self-Defense
Best Thing That Never Happened
Lookin' Out Forever
Born for Me
Final Harrah
Tears Rolling up Our Sleeves
Fugitive Kind
Sunrise Always Listens
Whatever Makes You Happy
Actor in the Street
Bookmark
33rd of July [*]

Album Description

Japanese edition of the former Replacements leader's 1999 & third solo outing overall (and first for Capitol) with '33rd Of July' added as a bonus track. 13 tracks total.

Album Details

Japanese Version featuring an Exclusive Bonus Track: '33rd of July'.

Customer Reviews:

The last Replacements album was this one!!!!.......2006-05-16

Ok, no other members of the band but come on, 'Bookmark' would have been regarded as a work of genius had the record come under the Replacements moniker. "THIS TITLE IS CURRENTLY NOT AVAILABLE" is absolutely criminal and the album will be recognised in years to come on those lists of greats that ducked under critical (and popular} radar. Brilliant writing worthy of the best of the replacements, It's a Wonderful Lie, Sunrise Always Listens also. Very good Replacements rock songs, Best Thing That Never Happened, Lookin' Out Forever, Final Harrah, affecting songs like Tears Rolling up Our Sleeves and no filler, such as those fun but weak songs about tonsils, pool, thunder, clowns, red wine or darlin's! ... Ok, I don't like 'Actor in the Street on this one!! But barring that, great.

SLACKING BY A SLACKER.......2001-10-10

The greatest affliction Paul Westerberg has to fight is his absurdly adoring fan base - they worship him the same way cultists of Kerouac and Plath lay prostrate. That's a nice way of saying he's nowhere near as good as his followers say he is, and this is coming from someone who loved The Replacements more than any other band on the planet.

Westerberg's solo albums have been fine until this one. I'm afraid "Suicaine Gratifaction" is a tedious exercise in pretension, the product of someone whose buddies have fooled him into thinking he's a genius no matter what he does. It's flat and it's boring.

One of Westerberg's [fans] told me that "Suicaine" was his greatest solo record because it was a giant [...] to everyone, from his record company to his fans. Be that as it may, I'm not in the habit of being told to go [...] myself, and neither should anyone else.

If you want to pay [some] bucks for this record, more's the pity.

SLACKING BY A SLACKER.......2001-10-09

One of Westerberg's [fans] told me that "Suicaine" was his greatest solo record because it was a giant F. U. to everyone, from his record company to his fans. Be that as it may, I'm not in the habit of being told to go F myself, and neither should anyone else.

If you want to pay 34 bucks for this record, more's the pity.

Get this version!.......2000-02-23

Get this version if only for the inclusion of 33rd of July! This is great song and I am angry that they did not put it on the domestic release of Suicaine Gratifaction.

Trust me on this one... 33rd of July is great.

As far as the rest of the record goes, it is also great. If you like Paul's slow stuff, you will definitely like this. If you like the material on 14 songs and Eventually, you will like the pop/rock songs too.

Former Replacement almost hits the mark with new release........1999-04-26

Not quite as good as his first solo release 14 Songs, but far better than the disapointing Eventually. There is a good mix of rockers and ballads, but falls just short of being the great kind of Paul Westerberg writing that we all know and love.

Music:

Music