Saint Paul

So far this decade Paul Westerberg has broken up his band, ended his marriage, quit drinking, left his manager, and attempted to get out of his recording deal. "I didn't have a master plan," the 36-year-old singer declares. "Each one was a matter of survival." In his 10 years leading the much-loved Replacements, Westerberg stacked up the sorts of accolades associated with the lives of the saints—and the record sales to go with them. But despite ecstatic reviews, his first solo album, 1993's 14 Songs, got lost amid Warner Music's corporate civil war. Westerberg's poetic soul did not crowd out a punk's willingness to pick a fight with the big boys, but the label refused to let him go and promised to make it up to him next time. Well, next time is here. Westerberg has recorded a collection of thoughtful songs called Eventually, to be released this month. "I've made a folk-pop record. I'm very comfortable with that," he says. "I m totally aware that people are going to say it isn't as raw as it used to be. Well, I'm not supposed to be. I would be embarrassed." The length of the stretch limo Warner has provided to ferry the Minneapolis native around New York suggests that this CD must have the sort of promotion budget not seen since Caesar attempted to exercise his option on Cleopatra. "Now that I'm settled down they give me the big car," Westerberg says. "Where was it when I was young and wild and could have filled it with floozies?"

BILL FLANAGAN