Let It Be – Replacements Style

Posted by Carlos Gabriel Ruiz on May 20th, 2008

Rhino just keeps doing it. A few weeks ago they re-released all The Replacements Twin Tone albums as remastered editions with b-sides, outtakes, and in depth liner notes. What else could any hipster alt rock fan dream of?

So, on order of release there was Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash, Stink, Hootenanny and then their Twin Tone apex of Let It Be. Who else would dare to blatantly ape The Beatles title but Paul Westerberg and company? Those Minnesota boys have some bravado, and with due reason: Youth never sounded more beautiful as when captured by Paul Westerberg, Chris Mars, Bob Stinson, and Tommy Stinson.

Do you doubt the wisdom of Pretentious Record Store Guy? Then pop in Let It Be and be instantaneously mesmerized by “I Will Dare” and continues all the way through to “Answering Machine”. In between are gems of “Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out”, “Androgynous”, and “Unsatisfied” maybe the best answer to Mick and Kieth’s opus to Satisfaction.

How do you say I love you to an answering machine?
How do you say I need you to an answering maching?

Often considered either the best band or worst band ever based solely on their live shows, The Mats live were either an exercise in organized chaos coming together in unified excellence or simply mass chaos. Unfortunately, Pretentious Record Store Guy was too young to ever see the The Mats live and in person, but he has caught Westerberg on tour with Grandpaboy and it was amazing.

Now if they’d only get to the Warner Bros. records and get Pleased to Meet Me and Don’t Tell A Soul

Leave a Reply

  • Parade of Freaks website, with new comics every Monday