Minnesota is arguably as melodious as any state in the union. Over the years, it has produced almost as many great musicians and bands as it has lakes – and the variety is as diverse as the weather.
From the reverb-drenched sounds of The Trashmen in the ‘60s (anyone remember “Surfin’ Bird”? – “A-well-a, b-b-b-bird, bird is the word …”) to Prince’s reign over the pop charts in the mid-‘80s; from helping elevate folk into the realm of poetry with the export of Bob Dylan to the Cities’ post-punk heyday that spawned acts like The Suburbs and Hǘsker Dǘ; from blues legends such as Lamont Cranston and Spider John Koerner to the hard rock of Slaveraider and American Head Charge – Minnesota has delivered something for everyone.
This blogger’s favorite Minnesota contribution to the larger musical gene pool will always be The Replacements – the Twin Cities tipplers, ragtag romantics and, ultimately, self-saboteurs who influenced more rock bands than they sold records. The Mats’ first four albums – constituting a slop-rock, proto-grunge paradise and originally released on the local Twin/Tone label – finally got the deluxe reissues they deserve this week.
Whether current or former, famous or provincial, who or what composes your favorite Minnesota music?
Submitted by jennyjean4 on April 25, 2008 - 9:47am.
The Replacements are hands down my favorite Minnesota band and possibly my favorite band ever. I don't know if they were even aware of how great they were until after they had self-destructed. I can listen to their albums today and they don't sound dated to me, they're timeless. I still enjoy everything that Westerberg puts out on his own. I love his lyrics - they're deceptively witty. He's just one of my favorite musicians around. I only wish I could have seen The Mats' perform live. I've seen Paul twice and both instances were great, but to have seen the whole band back in their heyday would have been amazing.
Submitted by geetar_boy on April 25, 2008 - 11:52am.
As I was thinking about this I was kinda surprised to realize just how many of my favorite musicians are Minnesotans. MN has certainly produced a lot of great acts. But my favorite Minnesota band?...I am a SOUL ASYLUM guy, through and through.
Energy, attitude, immediacy, melody, wisdom, humility, p!#s and vinegar, witty-clever-insightful lyrics, massive-distorted-telecaster fueled guitar riffs, noise, feedback, boyish good looks, freakish white boy dreads, worn out jeans and "SpaghettiOs" Tees....how could you go wrong?
I wish I could bottle the feeling you get at a Soul Asylum show (especially in the big room at 1st Ave). You feel alive! You feel euphoric. You feel like dancing! Most things that make you feel that good are not even legal.
They have always had that "guy you knew in high school" thing goin' for them...just normal guys kickin' out the jams (way before the Seattle scenesters trademarked that particular characteristic).
AND, they are STILL doing it....25 odd years after they began.
Submitted by writers bloc on April 25, 2008 - 12:23pm.
Soul Asylum is one of the best and most consistent live bands I've ever seen. The last time I saw them play, on Harriet Island, former Replacement Tommy Stinson was slapping the four-string for them, so it was a match made in rock 'n' roll heaven.
Anything from 'Bringing it All Back Home', 'Highway 61 Revisited', or 'Blond on Blond' would have been more representative of Dylan's acheivment. Right now I'm humming 'Queen Jane, Approximately'. An utterly unique sound that, like Jimi's guitar, has never been duplicated.
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The Replacements are hands
The Replacements are hands down my favorite Minnesota band and possibly my favorite band ever. I don't know if they were even aware of how great they were until after they had self-destructed. I can listen to their albums today and they don't sound dated to me, they're timeless. I still enjoy everything that Westerberg puts out on his own. I love his lyrics - they're deceptively witty. He's just one of my favorite musicians around. I only wish I could have seen The Mats' perform live. I've seen Paul twice and both instances were great, but to have seen the whole band back in their heyday would have been amazing.
As I was thinking about this
As I was thinking about this I was kinda surprised to realize just how many of my favorite musicians are Minnesotans. MN has certainly produced a lot of great acts. But my favorite Minnesota band?...I am a SOUL ASYLUM guy, through and through.
Energy, attitude, immediacy, melody, wisdom, humility, p!#s and vinegar, witty-clever-insightful lyrics, massive-distorted-telecaster fueled guitar riffs, noise, feedback, boyish good looks, freakish white boy dreads, worn out jeans and "SpaghettiOs" Tees....how could you go wrong?
I wish I could bottle the feeling you get at a Soul Asylum show (especially in the big room at 1st Ave). You feel alive! You feel euphoric. You feel like dancing! Most things that make you feel that good are not even legal.
They have always had that "guy you knew in high school" thing goin' for them...just normal guys kickin' out the jams (way before the Seattle scenesters trademarked that particular characteristic).
AND, they are STILL doing it....25 odd years after they began.
Soul Asylum is one of the
Soul Asylum is one of the best and most consistent live bands I've ever seen. The last time I saw them play, on Harriet Island, former Replacement Tommy Stinson was slapping the four-string for them, so it was a match made in rock 'n' roll heaven.
Atmosphere, the Jayhawks and
Atmosphere, the Jayhawks and Babes in Toyland, today. Tomorrow it will probably be a different list.
Prince and the Revolution.
Prince and the Revolution. And I did mean "and the Revolution." The band always gets forgotten. I have yet to see Prince perform live.
I loved the Revolution years
I loved the Revolution years too. You must see Prince live if you ever get the chance - I've never seen a better showman and musician.
Anything from 'Bringing it
Anything from 'Bringing it All Back Home', 'Highway 61 Revisited', or 'Blond on Blond' would have been more representative of Dylan's acheivment. Right now I'm humming 'Queen Jane, Approximately'. An utterly unique sound that, like Jimi's guitar, has never been duplicated.
This a revolutionary band
This a revolutionary band for sure. Initially the band was called the Impediments.
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