Comments on: The Replacements :: Pleased To Meet Me http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/ Los Angeles based mp3 & music blog Fri, 05 Dec 2008 01:08:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.6 by: John V http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-111835 Sun, 27 Jan 2008 00:49:35 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-111835 ANSWSERING MACHINE. great song. stays with you. what is the phone company lady saying/repeating at the end? ANSWSERING MACHINE.

great song. stays with you.
what is the phone company lady saying/repeating at the end?

]]> by: Doug http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-109289 Fri, 25 Jan 2008 06:00:26 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-109289 PTMM is a sentimental favorite for me, being the album they were up to when I discovered them; it's got that "first love" association for me. It holds many of my favorite Mats tracks (e.g., "The Ledge", "Nevermind", "I Don't Know"). The production is a little slicker than sometimes I like, but it's not off-putting for me. Let It Be's goofier numbers are certainly fun but aren't tracks I could listen to over and over, but "Androgynous" and "Unsatisfied" never get old; "Answering Machine" does have a raw passion that is more powerful than I think was intended. However, I think I'd give Tim a slight edge, because of the insurmountable combination of "Bastards of Young" and "Left of the Dial" and "Here Comes a Regular". Of the three, that's the album I can most easily listen to from start to end. (Granted, these days I tend to listen more to music on shuffle.) But I think there's strong tracks on every one of their albums, and even on Paul's solo albums. PTMM is a sentimental favorite for me, being the album they were up to when I discovered them; it’s got that “first love” association for me. It holds many of my favorite Mats tracks (e.g., “The Ledge”, “Nevermind”, “I Don’t Know”). The production is a little slicker than sometimes I like, but it’s not off-putting for me. Let It Be’s goofier numbers are certainly fun but aren’t tracks I could listen to over and over, but “Androgynous” and “Unsatisfied” never get old; “Answering Machine” does have a raw passion that is more powerful than I think was intended. However, I think I’d give Tim a slight edge, because of the insurmountable combination of “Bastards of Young” and “Left of the Dial” and “Here Comes a Regular”. Of the three, that’s the album I can most easily listen to from start to end. (Granted, these days I tend to listen more to music on shuffle.) But I think there’s strong tracks on every one of their albums, and even on Paul’s solo albums.

]]> by: Wade http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8751 Sat, 05 May 2007 16:04:23 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8751 Any of y'all ex-Skyway subscribers? Maybe the Skyway's still going. I agree that Kevin G's on the money when he suggests the Mats' legend doesn't loom quite as large as seems deserved. Pitchfork's stable of writers seems uniformly to sneer at them, and Paul's solo ouvre probably hasn't done much to cement his legacy (though I would argue that the best songs on Eventually rank just a notch--just a hair--below Paul's best Mats stuff, and that even Suicaine Gratifaction boasts a couple of gems). The two Mats best-ofs haven't represented the band especially well, either. In fact, contra j. neas, I think the best-ofs highlight how distinct the individual albums are, both musically and emotionally. I can't choose a favorite among the Golden Trifecta. I rank All Shook Down up near the top, too. It was really ahead of its time, one of the great alt. country albums released 10 years too early. Any of y’all ex-Skyway subscribers? Maybe the Skyway’s still going. I agree that Kevin G’s on the money when he suggests the Mats’ legend doesn’t loom quite as large as seems deserved. Pitchfork’s stable of writers seems uniformly to sneer at them, and Paul’s solo ouvre probably hasn’t done much to cement his legacy (though I would argue that the best songs on Eventually rank just a notch–just a hair–below Paul’s best Mats stuff, and that even Suicaine Gratifaction boasts a couple of gems). The two Mats best-ofs haven’t represented the band especially well, either. In fact, contra j. neas, I think the best-ofs highlight how distinct the individual albums are, both musically and emotionally. I can’t choose a favorite among the Golden Trifecta. I rank All Shook Down up near the top, too. It was really ahead of its time, one of the great alt. country albums released 10 years too early.

]]> by: dave http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8471 Thu, 03 May 2007 04:42:56 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8471 "stink" almost wins, just 'cause of the stellar opener (kids don't follow). it kind of goes downhill from there, though, so i think PTMM takes the prize for me. /ex-punk with a soft spot for rough edges “stink” almost wins, just ’cause of the stellar opener (kids don’t follow). it kind of goes downhill from there, though, so i think PTMM takes the prize for me.

/ex-punk with a soft spot for rough edges

]]> by: Josh http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8425 Wed, 02 May 2007 20:01:23 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8425 Let it Be is my favorite. Theres a guitar texture on 'Seen Your Video' which just sums up great 'Mats to me. I love that feeling. The obvious choices for best tracks like 'Unsatisfied' and 'Sixteen Blue' to me have never been the best on there. The chorus' of 'I Will Dare' 'Favorite Thing' sum up the pop melodies they possessed and 'Seen Your Video' 'We're Coming Out' and 'Answering Machine' are what rock is all about. the Kiss cover is cool but drags on. Let it Be is my favorite. Theres a guitar texture on ‘Seen Your Video’ which just sums up great ‘Mats to me. I love that feeling. The obvious choices for best tracks like ‘Unsatisfied’ and ‘Sixteen Blue’ to me have never been the best on there. The chorus’ of ‘I Will Dare’ ‘Favorite Thing’ sum up the pop melodies they possessed and ‘Seen Your Video’ ‘We’re Coming Out’ and ‘Answering Machine’ are what rock is all about.
the Kiss cover is cool but drags on.

]]> by: j. neas http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8308 Tue, 01 May 2007 19:02:16 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8308 Has anybody else heard Tommy Womack's song "The Replacements?" It's a rollicking 8 minute ode to the band where he relates his own live experiences with them. He saw them twice, both times they were awful, and then he finally gambled on a third time and they were the best band he'd ever seen. It's a wonderful song that almost recalls "Treatment Bound" in its ramshackle storytelling, couldn't-give-a-damn way. I love it. Well worth hearing. Has anybody else heard Tommy Womack’s song “The Replacements?” It’s a rollicking 8 minute ode to the band where he relates his own live experiences with them. He saw them twice, both times they were awful, and then he finally gambled on a third time and they were the best band he’d ever seen. It’s a wonderful song that almost recalls “Treatment Bound” in its ramshackle storytelling, couldn’t-give-a-damn way. I love it. Well worth hearing.

]]> by: Matt M http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8281 Tue, 01 May 2007 14:36:20 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8281 Cameron, Did you "see" the Portland show on the Don't Tell a Soul tour? Great show, I thought, with extra encores and a version of We'll Inherit the Earth that was unbelievable (and that's not a tune or LP that I particularly rate with the rest of the catalog.) That's one reason I still hold them up as my favorite live band. The shows could go from disaster to uninspired to moments that belong in the same orbit as any "best live band" you want to include. And don't get me wrong, the heights to me are what made the rest of it worth rolling the dice on a ticket. Tyler, If I had to pick, I think I'd have to go with Let it Be, too. I spent that decade proclaiming it as best record of the 80s. I can't help but notice Westerberg's nod to the Faces, though on Answering Machine (certainly in my top 5 mats tunes). Check out That's all You Need on A Nod is as Good as a Wink. Cheers Cameron,
Did you “see” the Portland show on the Don’t Tell a Soul tour? Great show, I thought, with extra encores and a version of We’ll Inherit the Earth that was unbelievable (and that’s not a tune or LP that I particularly rate with the rest of the catalog.) That’s one reason I still hold them up as my favorite live band. The shows could go from disaster to uninspired to moments that belong in the same orbit as any “best live band” you want to include. And don’t get me wrong, the heights to me are what made the rest of it worth rolling the dice on a ticket.

Tyler,
If I had to pick, I think I’d have to go with Let it Be, too. I spent that decade proclaiming it as best record of the 80s.
I can’t help but notice Westerberg’s nod to the Faces, though on Answering Machine (certainly in my top 5 mats tunes). Check out That’s all You Need on A Nod is as Good as a Wink.
Cheers

]]> by: Tyler http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8248 Tue, 01 May 2007 07:14:49 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8248 I'd second what aaron said about "can't hardly wait". "tim" version always did it for me, lyrically and musically. gotta give it up to "let it be" as well. it's just so weird and weighty. you've got the dumb throwaway songs that are still strangely awesome - "gary's got a boner" and "tommy gets his tonsils out" - but then you've got songs like "androgynous" and "answering machine", which are literally perfect. you could not improve on those songs or the recording. and if you think about it, have you ever heard anything that sounds quite like "androgynous" or "answering machine" or "unsatisfied"? to me, nobody comes close. and it's that weird dual nature of the album that I love - half-joking and half-serious, usually both at the same time. I’d second what aaron said about “can’t hardly wait”. “tim” version always did it for me, lyrically and musically.

gotta give it up to “let it be” as well. it’s just so weird and weighty. you’ve got the dumb throwaway songs that are still strangely awesome - “gary’s got a boner” and “tommy gets his tonsils out” - but then you’ve got songs like “androgynous” and “answering machine”, which are literally perfect. you could not improve on those songs or the recording. and if you think about it, have you ever heard anything that sounds quite like “androgynous” or “answering machine” or “unsatisfied”? to me, nobody comes close.

and it’s that weird dual nature of the album that I love - half-joking and half-serious, usually both at the same time.

]]> by: aaron http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8247 Tue, 01 May 2007 06:57:53 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8247 for me it is "let it be" all the way. i also love "tim" and "all shook down". but if you don't love "sixteen blue" or "unsatisfied" you were probably never a teenager. some of the truest lyrics i've ever heard--i have thought many times that paul is inside my head (as i suspect a lot of people have). and the teetering-on-the-brink-of-implosion musicianship always gets me really excited. also, the "tim" version of "can't hardly wait" blows the "pleased to meet me" one out of the water. excited to hear about the reissues. for me it is “let it be” all the way. i also love “tim” and “all shook down”. but if you don’t love “sixteen blue” or “unsatisfied” you were probably never a teenager. some of the truest lyrics i’ve ever heard–i have thought many times that paul is inside my head (as i suspect a lot of people have). and the teetering-on-the-brink-of-implosion musicianship always gets me really excited.

also, the “tim” version of “can’t hardly wait” blows the “pleased to meet me” one out of the water. excited to hear about the reissues.

]]> by: cameron http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8243 Tue, 01 May 2007 03:27:54 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8243 i'm from portland, and "saw" the replacement three times. i'm pretty sure that instantly ruins me as a potential replacements fan, i liked the records, but was pretty sure the band on record was completely different from the band i saw on stage. back then, i thought that "boink!" was the shizz. i’m from portland, and “saw” the replacement three times. i’m pretty sure that instantly ruins me as a potential replacements fan, i liked the records, but was pretty sure the band on record was completely different from the band i saw on stage.

back then, i thought that “boink!” was the shizz.

]]> by: Matt M http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8242 Tue, 01 May 2007 03:01:53 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8242 Embarassment of riches, I'd say. Having seen many shows from the Twin Tone days through to the last tour, I was also taken by surprise at just how wonderful Westerberg's first solo lp and tour and were. Plenty of good tunes there and live you got a real, liberated Paul Westerberg and three guys playing their dream gig. Check the SNL performances of Knockin' on Mine and Can't Hardly wait (a live Jim Dickinson version almost!) if you can find them. Also, to Kevin G. I know what you mean about whether the Mats are standing the test of time. I've got two teenagers now who love a lot of really great music and they love Let it Be - but they got no idea what Seen Your Video is all about and it does little good to try and explain it. I think sometimes it's hard to get past 1980s production values, too. Embarassment of riches, I’d say. Having seen many shows from the Twin Tone days through to the last tour, I was also taken by surprise at just how wonderful Westerberg’s first solo lp and tour and were. Plenty of good tunes there and live you got a real, liberated Paul Westerberg and three guys playing their dream gig. Check the SNL performances of Knockin’ on Mine and Can’t Hardly wait (a live Jim Dickinson version almost!) if you can find them.

Also, to Kevin G. I know what you mean about whether the Mats are standing the test of time. I’ve got two teenagers now who love a lot of really great music and they love Let it Be - but they got no idea what Seen Your Video is all about and it does little good to try and explain it. I think sometimes it’s hard to get past 1980s production values, too.

]]> by: zandar http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8241 Tue, 01 May 2007 02:49:16 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8241 I love PTMM, it is just packed full of great songs and great moments. "Shootin' Dirty Pool' always hits me like a sledgehammer. I can't listen to it at any volume lower than blistering. But... Let it Be is better. I tend toward the on-the-edge-of-chaos musically. For a long time the Replacements Stink was my favorite. Let it Be veers into barely-contolled anarchy more than once, and I always suck it in gleefully. Plus, this kind of music needs to be stripped bare. artifice does not suit it well. i thought Tim, though promising, was totally ruined by the production. I would feel the same about PTMM, but it is too damn good. Tim had good songs, but they weren't good enough for me to ignore the reverb. In stark contrast, Let it Be simply puts Bob over here, Paul over there, and lets Tommy and Chris fight over the space in the middle. Amps hum, bandmates chat and paul counts down. That band really should never have been presented any differently. I love PTMM, it is just packed full of great songs and great moments. “Shootin’ Dirty Pool’ always hits me like a sledgehammer. I can’t listen to it at any volume lower than blistering.

But… Let it Be is better. I tend toward the on-the-edge-of-chaos musically. For a long time the Replacements Stink was my favorite. Let it Be veers into barely-contolled anarchy more than once, and I always suck it in gleefully. Plus, this kind of music needs to be stripped bare. artifice does not suit it well. i thought Tim, though promising, was totally ruined by the production. I would feel the same about PTMM, but it is too damn good. Tim had good songs, but they weren’t good enough for me to ignore the reverb. In stark contrast, Let it Be simply puts Bob over here, Paul over there, and lets Tommy and Chris fight over the space in the middle. Amps hum, bandmates chat and paul counts down. That band really should never have been presented any differently.

]]> by: courtney http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8225 Mon, 30 Apr 2007 23:17:58 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8225 Honestly, I might have gone with "Nevermind", personally. I'm in the same 'Mats camp as you are, and that song sometimes just pops into my head at random moments. Absolution is out of the question, it makes no sense to apologize, the words I thought I brought, I left behind, so, never mind. All over but the shouting, just a waste of time..." Honestly, I might have gone with “Nevermind”, personally. I’m in the same ‘Mats camp as you are, and that song sometimes just pops into my head at random moments.
Absolution is out of the question,
it makes no sense to apologize,
the words I thought I brought, I left behind,
so, never mind.
All over but the shouting, just a waste of time…”

]]> by: Satisfied '75 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8223 Mon, 30 Apr 2007 22:58:20 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8223 Im intrigued at the news of these mats reissues. any word of what, or if, any unreleased demos, etc will be added to them? Cant Hardly Wait studio sans horns, etc? Im intrigued at the news of these mats reissues. any word of what, or if, any unreleased demos, etc will be added to them? Cant Hardly Wait studio sans horns, etc?

]]> by: Steve Sanders http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8220 Mon, 30 Apr 2007 22:41:35 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8220 Good point j.neas, there seems to be no one album of mats songs that really stand out from the others as a really complete piece of work a la Exile on Main Street or a Wowee Zowee. But if I had to pick one it would totally be Tim. That album just rocks. Hold My Life is an unbeatable opener and Here comes a regular is a magnificent closer. Everything in between is pure gold, even the punkier tracks which take the sting out of other mats albums for me. Waitress in the Sky? Little Mascara? Kiss Me On The Bus? Brilliant rock songs with the wittiest lyrics this side of Morrisey. But PTMM has Skyway, my vote for the most beautiful and dead-on unrequited love song of all times. Or maybe I'm just a little pathetic. Good point j.neas, there seems to be no one album of mats songs that really stand out from the others as a really complete piece of work a la Exile on Main Street or a Wowee Zowee.

But if I had to pick one it would totally be Tim. That album just rocks. Hold My Life is an unbeatable opener and Here comes a regular is a magnificent closer. Everything in between is pure gold, even the punkier tracks which take the sting out of other mats albums for me.

Waitress in the Sky? Little Mascara? Kiss Me On The Bus? Brilliant rock songs with the wittiest lyrics this side of Morrisey.

But PTMM has Skyway, my vote for the most beautiful and dead-on unrequited love song of all times. Or maybe I’m just a little pathetic.

]]> by: j. neas http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8213 Mon, 30 Apr 2007 20:00:09 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8213 I notice that a theme in our responses here seems to be "Well, this album is better, but X and Y songs are really amazing.." It could be we've hit an example of the 'Mats as a "singles" band as opposed to an "album" band. It's just that they managed, for a period of 4 or 5 years, to crank out album after album of great single songs. "Color Me Impressed" and "Within Your Reach" can go toe to toe with "Unsatisfied" and "Answering Machine", "Sixteen Blue" and "Here Comes a Regular," "Alex Chilton" and "Bastards of Young." They really were just a great songwriting band. I notice that a theme in our responses here seems to be “Well, this album is better, but X and Y songs are really amazing..” It could be we’ve hit an example of the ‘Mats as a “singles” band as opposed to an “album” band. It’s just that they managed, for a period of 4 or 5 years, to crank out album after album of great single songs. “Color Me Impressed” and “Within Your Reach” can go toe to toe with “Unsatisfied” and “Answering Machine”, “Sixteen Blue” and “Here Comes a Regular,” “Alex Chilton” and “Bastards of Young.” They really were just a great songwriting band.

]]> by: Rachel P http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8211 Mon, 30 Apr 2007 19:22:23 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8211 I love both versions of the Replacements. Give me a double feature Hootenanny and Tim anyday. Although I have to admit, the Sensitive Paul phase is my favorite. I love both versions of the Replacements. Give me a double feature Hootenanny and Tim anyday. Although I have to admit, the Sensitive Paul phase is my favorite.

]]> by: Derek http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8210 Mon, 30 Apr 2007 19:13:07 +0000 http://www.aquariumdrunkard.com/2007/04/30/the-replacements-pleased-to-meet-me/#comment-8210 While I think PTTM is the most cohesive album of the three, I don't think Paul ever surpassed the emotional rawness of Unsatisfied or Answering Machine. Those two songs will haunt you for a long time. While I think PTTM is the most cohesive album of the three, I don’t think Paul ever surpassed the emotional rawness of Unsatisfied or Answering Machine. Those two songs will haunt you for a long time.

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