Rocktober Album #14: The Replacements – Let It Be (1984)

Until a couple years ago, I had always heard of The Replacements, but had never actually heard a single song by them. Not unlike a disgruntled blogger you might know, The Replacements were born in Minneapolis in the late '70s. I had a notion as to how I thought they might sound, and that was confirmed when I bought 1984's Let It Be, the band's fourth album.

Listening to this album, you can hear how The Replacements influenced a lot of American "alternative" bands, both in the '80s and '90s. By this point, The Replacements had moved from the harder-edged punky feel of their earlier albums to a nice combination of punk energy and more listener-friendly tunes. The songs are generally catchy, but that doesn't mean that they lost their edge. Most of the songs are fast-paced and still have a punk feel to them, and some of the songs are straight-up punk.

All in all, this is a really good album. Plus, I used to love to hang out on roofs.

1. I Will Dare
This is a catchy '80s alt-rock song and pretty much what I expected The Replacements to sound like.
2. Favorite Thing
This is one that maintains its punk edge, but is also pretty catchy.
3. We're Coming Out
This one is definitely straight punk. The guitars are fast, the beat is breakneck. I especially like the bridge. It slows down for a while, before kicking back into gear.
4. Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out
As far as I know, this is the only song about getting one's tonsils taken out. It's a good song.
5. Androgynous
This song is slower, with just a piano accompaniment. It's about androgyny.
6. Black Diamond
You know this one rocks because it's a KISS cover. I've always thought it was odd that they would cover KISS, since punk bands were generally opposed to arena rock and such. Regardless, it's a good cover. They manage to stay true to the original, but make it their own at the same time.
7. Unsatisfied
This song is slower than most, which isn't to say it's a "slow song." It's more poppy than punky, and it's a good one.
8. Seen Your Video
Back to the punk beat with rock guitars, this song doesn't have much in the way of lyrics. Most of the song is instrumental, with a short spat decrying the "phony rock and roll" that lead singer Paul Westerberg is seeing in "your video." On behalf of all of us, he exclaims that "we don't wanna know."
9. Gary's Got a Boner
This is one of the better song titles of all-time, especially because the song was recorded in 1984, so it can be assumed it's about Gary Coleman. My favorite line? "Gary's got a soft-on."
10. Sixteen Blue
This is another ballad about teen angst, I assume.
11. Answering Machine
This is my favorite song on the album. The fuzzy riff is awesome. And the subject matter is good as well. More relationship angst. How DO you say "good night" to an answering machine?

Playlist.com only had 6 songs, so deal with it.