The Replacements...

[schiss]

In line with the R.E.M. thread, The Replacements were a band at the same time with the same underground following. So, were they alternative rock gods or overrated?

I find Paul Westerberg's writing very insightful, even in his immature early writing days. And I won't even bother with which album I like best, it's impossible for me to say... I love 'em all.

Certainly, let's not limit this discussion to the bands' albums... Paul, Tommy, Chris and Slim all had a few solo efforts, too. Tommy's 2 albums were great!



Schiss

"...pass around the lampshade, there'll be plenty enough room in jail..."

 

[secretagent44]

they're definitely great, but not my personal favorite band of this time period. my favorite album would have to be tim, though my favorite individual songs are probably on let it be. even on tim though there seem to be some 'throw away' tracks that keep me from completely enjoying the great ones. the album after time had good songwriting but lacked the intensity and immediacy of the others. even so, it's hard to complain about a band who gave us tracks like 'answering machine,' 'bastards of young,' left of the dial,' and 'here comes a regular'

 

[markl]

The Replacements were a bastion of honest, from the heart rock 'n roll in a time when there was nothing else like that in existence. No one was doing what they did, or at least not that well. I think their best material will absolutely stand the test of time.

One of the worst and one of the best concerts I ever saw was the Replacements. The first time I saw them, I had front row seats. They were drunk, the show was chaotic and short. I perservered and saw them a second time near the end of their run. Unbelievable! I have seen hundreds and hundreds of shows. That second show is in the top ten of all time. They KILLED. They were tight, clean (apparently) and ferocious. Great rock 'n roll.

Westerberg has a new CD "Mono" out which is recorded in mono (he's trying to make some point with this, so we all have to suffer). Nevertheless, although the record company wouldn't let them use their real names, it is rumored that all former living Replacements played on various tracks. It's very loose, spontaneous, low-fi, and spirited. For the hardcore elite only though.

The real release of "Stereo" is supposed to follow, a different collection of songs than "Mono". No word on whether any Replacements play on that but don't bet on it. Presumably it makes use of two channels of audio, or let's hope!

markl

 

[neil]

Indeed, Tim was a fantastic album. In fact, I'm gonna pop that in tonight. I just love the tune Swingin' Party (I think thats the title).

 

[MacDEF]

My favorite Replacements albums:
"Tim"
"Pleased To Meet Me"

 

[schiss]

many folks considered their last album "All Shook Down" to be Paul's forst real solo record. While the songs seem to get more mellow as the album progresses (which isn't necessarily bad), I do find myself loving the lyrics more and more. Is "Attitude" about the late Bob Stinson? "...a B O B is what I can't use, I got an attitude..." Hmmmmm.