The Replacements

The Replacements: Let It BeLet It Be (1984)
Twin/Tone

Reviewer Rating: 5

User Rating:

Contributed by: DarthNaderDarthNader
(others by this writer | submit your own)
Published on April 22nd 2008Well, it has been about 23 and a half years since Let It Be was released and since that is (approximately) Michael Jordan's number, I figured it was about time a review of it got tossed up. For those unfamiliar with the Replacements, shut off that new Simple Plan album and listen up. These guys .

Well, it has been about 23 and a half years since Let It Be was released and since that is (approximately) Michael Jordan's number, I figured it was about time a review of it got tossed up.

For those unfamiliar with the Replacements, shut off that new Simple Plan album and listen up. These guys were a rock band. Not in the sense that Green Day is a rock band (huge tours, obnoxiously epic albums, etc.), but in the sense that they were there to play some music, break some shit and be pioneers of alternative rock. With their discography they covered pretty much all the bases of rock music. Note the differences between the hardcore stylings of Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take out the Trash and the mellow grooves of All Shook Down. Simply put, these guys influenced a lot of people and played really good songs. Hopefuly the majority of you already know that. Anyways, Let It Be was their real breakthrough and was well-accepted by fans and critics alike. It ranked #239 on Rolling Stone's Top 500 albums of All Time list, for what it's worth. I suppose talking about the music is more important than that, though.

What sets this album apart from the rest of their work (for me, at least) is the vast landscape that they cover. It almost runs like a well-put together mix tape(/CD/playlist) when played all the way through. The speedy punk of "We're Comin' Out" gives it an early edge at track 3 before slipping into the toned down "Androgynous and Black Diamond" later in the album. In between the more dynamic tracks, Let It Be is chock full of stellar alternative rock songs. Songs like "I Will Dare" and "Gary's Got a Boner" give a backdrop with which the Replacements can work off of to give the album some diversity.

Often the question comes to mind when dealing with "classic" or "essential" albums: Why are they considered that in the first place? With Let It Be, as with some other such albums, it's not always clear at first. Upon further inspection though, Let It Be really is the wheel being invented. Such a vast number of modern artists draw from this album that it's a bit ridiculous. For instance, you'd be lying if you told me that the Goo-Goo Dolls never had a listen to "Unsatistfied" and don't tell me that you haven't heard multiple bands try to recreate the sincerity of the piano ballad "Androgynous." Simply put, the timeless qualities of the Replacements lie in the fact that they did it first and, as in many cases, did it best.

Let It Be truly is a pleasure to listen to. It's fun, edgy, creative and emotional. I could go on pushing the need to listen to this album but that would be unnecessary. While it's not going to serve up a complete curveball that you've never heard before, listening to Let It Be sounds like going straight to the source. Those who are willing will enjoy its seemingly careless execution and those who aren't can go back to their Hinder MP3s. In no way am I attempting to be nostalgic or reminisce about old music. I listen to modern music and enjoy it. The thing about Let It Be is not that it is great music from the `80s -- it's great music in general. Appealing to a wide audience and yet completely credible, Let It Be shows one of the pioneers at their peak.

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Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not respon sible for them in any way. Seriously.

toosoftforpunk (May 27, 2012)

How can one describe the effect of Let It Be? Not one track on the record failed to please me, though some are more outstanding than others. I see many people talking about Unsatisfied and Answering Machine, however the teenage angst Westy never outgrew displayed on Sixteen Blue, the superior version of Black Diamond, and the bombastic fun of Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out make the grade for my favorite tracks on the record. I can only say good things about this record. Listen to it, get drunk with it, pass it on to the Westerberg virgins, never let it die.

sean021122 (March 1, 2012)

Total fucking crap. Total fucking crap. yes total fucking cokc sucking crap. Overrrated, overprduced, overhyped piece of shit that further tarnished the replacements' legacy and recruited all the sad lame wanna be mall poser hot topic punks as listeners. As well as all the adult oriented radio baby boomers who wanted something melodic yet "edgy". Stinking up 'college radio' and mainstream major stink. Stick with 'sorry ma' and 'stink' and half of 'hootnenanny' and you won't ever need anything else by this band. Your ears will thank you!

MN_punkmaster-skaman (June 10, 2008)

Still can't pick between this and "Tim" as their best.

greg0rb (April 26, 2008)

You too? I always review stuff based on athlete's numbers coinciding with how long ago something was released... wait, nah. Heh, just found that funny. Good review.
-Greg

rinjonjori (April 25, 2008)

As great as this album is made out to be-- pleased to meet me kicks this to the curb. I understand why this is considered a classic, but in my own little universe there is a better replacements record.

blip (April 25, 2008)

simple plan? your elitist references to crappy music need updating.

TommyPickles (April 24, 2008)

Fanfuckingtastic

ryannn (April 24, 2008)

This is almost as close to perfection as alternative/colleg/indie rock gets. Right up there with R.E.M's Reckoning and Pixies Doolittle. "unsatisfied" and "Answering Machine" are two of the greatest tracks from the 80's, classic.

the_problem_with_fire (April 24, 2008)

that gary's got a boner song is annoying and could have been left off of this

lostandclowned (April 23, 2008)

one of my favorites.

kenjamin (April 23, 2008)

Good review. Check out the pitchforkmedia review too because the reviewer pretty much nails it in regard to how perfectly all the tracks work together.

R3vengeTherapy (April 23, 2008)

I guess I'll be the first to disagree with everyone and say this record is not that great. "Tim" is the best Replacements record, by like a mile. I'll take "Bastards of Young" over any song on this album, that's for sure.

preston (April 23, 2008)

Great! I also re-obtained "Sorry, Ma." I listened to the shit out of it in High School--Great!

DrGunn (April 23, 2008)

perfect. its imperfections just make it more perfect. i remember listening to this for maybe only the second time while on a bus going through new zealand a few years ago, and answering machine coming on and just blowing me away. that was when i knew that this band was going to mean the world to me.

i'm just finishing up the replacements oral history that just came out (it's pretty good) and it has me in such a 'mats mania. i really need to pick up those reissues.

kenjamin (April 23, 2008)

What's the point of reviewing this? The remastered reissue came out today with six bonus tracks and punknews posts a review of the 2002 Twin tone release?

TheOneTrueBill (April 23, 2008)

This album has been with me through some great times and it's been with me through some pretty terrible times. Definitely one of my top five albums of all time.

HonestAbe (April 23, 2008)

One of my alltime favorite albums. "I Will Dare"....you're my favorite thing.....fucking awesome

King_Rodney (April 23, 2008)

Sensational!

Ass_Pirate (April 23, 2008)

Soooooo good.

nameless (April 23, 2008)

This is a perfect album, and one of my absolute favorites.

bikeage (April 23, 2008)

their best

Godfather (April 22, 2008)

"unsatisfied" is one of my favorite songs ever

this album makes me happy and sad all at the same time....it's hard to explain but it's definitely amazing

mechpope13 (April 22, 2008)

10/10 just for have a song title "Gary's Got A Boner"

Cyanotic (April 22, 2008)

Punx points for dissing Green Day.

scientistrock (April 22, 2008)

Nice review. This is so good it's really beyond words for me. This was going to be my next review, but you snooze you lose.