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Amazon.co.uk Review
On their first releases the Replacements seemed to have more ambition than other post-punkers, but it wasn't until Let It Be that they actually realised it. There's still plenty of smirking here--"Seen Your Video" is a great snotty taunt--but there's also smartly-crafted pop like "I Will Dare" and not-quite-love songs like "Answering Machine", not to mention a rocking cover of uncool Kiss that's played perfectly straight. This is classic, all-over-the-board indie rock, especially the angst-ridden empathy of "Sixteen Blue", where Paul Westerberg, all of 23, remembers just how it is to be a teenager. --David Cantwell
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The Replacements for the previous years had tinkered away making good albums with some stand out tracks. Then like many of their contemparies (Husker Du - Zen Arcade, Minutemen - Double Nickels, Meat Puppets - Meat Puppets II) 1984 was to be the year it all clicked together. Make no mistake, this is a defining moment in American Punk.
From the upbeat 'I Will Dare' through to the closing 'Answering Machine' they never bettered this.
There problem was that they were in the wrong place at the wrong time and so success eluded them, but this was a blessing as they were one of the coolest underground bands around. Fronted by one of America's greatest songwriters Paul Westerberg and backed up by the Stinson brothers and Chris Mars this album was the first in the Holy Trinity which included 'Tim' and 'Pleased To Meet Me'. Songs of despair, growing up, sexuality and love-lost all in 30 minutes of music.
Argueably two of their finest songs were on this album in 'Answering Machine' and 'Unsatisfied', but as with all great albums there were no fillers.
The vinyl album was murder to find in the UK, but thankfully all of their records are easily available on CD now. But as I said this is the pick of the bunch and in my opinion among the best three records of the last 20 years. It's ironic now how many bands name-check them, but if only that had been transferred to sales then and given the band the success they deserved.
I had the great fortune to see them playing many of these songs live, but now almost twenty years later they sound just as fresh which is undoubtatly the sign of a great album.
Anyway, I've given you my opinion, so if want to own one of the real classics, this is the one!
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I was into the pixies and dino jr, sugar for years and kept on hearing about this band - the replacements - the drunken, shambling rock and roll influenced band - lead by singer Paul westberg - some sort of 80/90 songwriting icon for the original, disenchanted slacker generation (not the 90's middle class white generation who wear nirvarna tops, moan about how sh(t life is and then get univeristy paid for them by their parents)- anyway I felt that as a keen music snob i had to check it out.
very glad i did too - it has some fantastic songs on it. Altough it does not play through as well as it successor Tim - it contains absolute alt -rock gems as 'i will dare', 'Answering machine' and 'androgynous'.
I cant really say much else - if you like alt - rock (rather than modern day - mass produced indie) you really need to get this.
You could keep reading reviews and reviews on it till the cows come home - and people will consistently say good things about it. Just get it - its a steal at the price they sell it at.
very glad i did too - it has some fantastic songs on it. Altough it does not play through as well as it successor Tim - it contains absolute alt -rock gems as 'i will dare', 'Answering machine' and 'androgynous'.
I cant really say much else - if you like alt - rock (rather than modern day - mass produced indie) you really need to get this.
You could keep reading reviews and reviews on it till the cows come home - and people will consistently say good things about it. Just get it - its a steal at the price they sell it at.
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The Replacements were arguably the best American rock band of the 1980s. Along with REM, Husker Du and Fugazi, they made vital underground rock music which helped shape the fabric of today's rock music while the wider musical population bought up Madonna and Duran Duran by the bucketload.
After three fabulous albums of Brat-punk brilliance, they unleashed Let It Be in 1984 and it broke them in to the wider consciousness, seeing them sign to Warners to following year.
Previous to this, we had only really seen Westerberg open up on few occasions, most notably the lovely 'Within Your Reach' from the underrated Hootenanny! But it was on this record that he finally began to embrace the greatness that was so obviously inside him but was bogged down by bad weed and great beer.
Opening with the fabulous 1-2 punch of 'I Will Dare' and 'Favourite Thing', both of which sound like a rough edged REM, there are still moments of weakness like the near parodic cover of Kiss' 'Black Diamond' where they simply were better than the band they end up imitating.
But these weakpoints in the roundedness of Westerberg's still developing songwriting are counteracted by the magnificence of the other songs. 'Sixteen Blue', his homage to cult 70s guitar pop geniuses Big Star is a touching teen anthem, 'Answering Machine' is a devastating break up paean and the lovely, vaudeville by way of U.S hardcore of 'Androgynous' is touching and wonderfully constructed. The real masterwork though is the awesome 'Unsatisfied', a bitter love song turned anti-Reagan protest song which cuts deep on every level.
They made albums that were as good as this again, but never bettered it. A masterwork of American guitar music.
After three fabulous albums of Brat-punk brilliance, they unleashed Let It Be in 1984 and it broke them in to the wider consciousness, seeing them sign to Warners to following year.
Previous to this, we had only really seen Westerberg open up on few occasions, most notably the lovely 'Within Your Reach' from the underrated Hootenanny! But it was on this record that he finally began to embrace the greatness that was so obviously inside him but was bogged down by bad weed and great beer.
Opening with the fabulous 1-2 punch of 'I Will Dare' and 'Favourite Thing', both of which sound like a rough edged REM, there are still moments of weakness like the near parodic cover of Kiss' 'Black Diamond' where they simply were better than the band they end up imitating.
But these weakpoints in the roundedness of Westerberg's still developing songwriting are counteracted by the magnificence of the other songs. 'Sixteen Blue', his homage to cult 70s guitar pop geniuses Big Star is a touching teen anthem, 'Answering Machine' is a devastating break up paean and the lovely, vaudeville by way of U.S hardcore of 'Androgynous' is touching and wonderfully constructed. The real masterwork though is the awesome 'Unsatisfied', a bitter love song turned anti-Reagan protest song which cuts deep on every level.
They made albums that were as good as this again, but never bettered it. A masterwork of American guitar music.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Just excellent..................
I have to confess, i only got into THE REPLACEMENTS through THE GOO GOO DOLLS. I heard GGDs were very much influenced by this minnesota quartet from the late 70s and 80s and after... Read more
Published on 21 Aug 2008 by Mr. Matthew R. Meyrick
One of the greatest rock albums ever.
There's nothing I could say that hasn't been more or less said in the other reviews, so will just say you should buy this album as soon as possible, and hear who most of your... Read more
Published on 23 Jan 2008 by Mr. D. Mcgrady
Replacin-rockin good times
Many years have passed sinse i was first told by someone that i would love The Replacements and that i should check them out ... Read more
Published on 3 Feb 2007 by R. Walsh
A Key Work of the Era
"Let it Be" stands out amongst the rest of the Replacements' catalogue as an era defining classic. They never bettered it, and very few other artists have even attempted to capture... Read more
Published on 4 Sep 2006 by Steven Dedalus
One of the greatest rock&roll albums ever: Westerberg's High
"Music taught me a lot of whatever I know about prose, about the way prose should sound. The Good Earth. New Day Rising. Dub Housing. Let It Be. Astral Weeks... Read more
Published on 29 Oct 2003 by Jason Parkes
One of the best post punk albums
Starting with the melodic 'I Will Dare'(featuring Peter Buck) you can tell they had moved on from their slight hardcore sound. Read more
Published on 9 July 2003 by "damaged_goods"
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