Paul Westerberg's second solo album,
Eventually, delivered a full three years after his debut,
14 Songs, illustrates that he has problems telling the difference between maturity and stodginess.
Eventually follows the same pattern as
14 Songs, as he balances up-tempo,
Stonesy rockers with introspective, folky ballads. Generally, his slower numbers cut the deepest, like the affectionate
Bob Stinson tribute, "Good Day" and the heart-tugging "MamaDaddyDid." When
Westerberg rocks out, he sounds tired and mannered; neither his riffs nor his performance has the energy of vintage
Replacements, or '70s and '80s
Stones, for that matter. And the rockers demonstrate the major flaw of
Eventually -- its carefully considered production. Though the production is clean and professional, its very slickness emphasizes the uneven quality of
Westerberg's songwriting. There are some gems here -- in fact, there are even more this time around than on
14 Songs -- but
Westerberg still sounds uncertain of what direction he wants to pursue and how to grow old gracefully. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine