Let It Be

this is good. my brother thought i wouldn't like it because typically i don't look too favorably on messy late-century rock. which is true. but the thing is that post punk messy is still bright and has some underlying cheerfulness but by the time you get to grunge the messiness is just the grey hopelessness of aberdeen, wa. the replacements are kinda straddling the line between the two. the albums starts bright and goes grey. from the beginning thru unsatisfied, every song has been progressively less cheerful. seen your video has a fantastic instrumental interlude. the singer's voice is also getter progressively hoarser with every song. like dude, drink some water, please. answering machine goes more experimental. strong album. stylistic journey is emblematic of the transition from post punk into the 90s. i'm leaning towards a 4/5 because despite the strength of the album, to be honest the second half was not exactly to my tastes.

A little more punk than I anticipated, I've always heard about The Replacements but never listened so was pleasantly surprised. Definitely fun to hear in passing but not sure if I'd naturally pull to them.

I realize I am actually quite familiar with this album without ever having knowingly listened to it. Always a wild experience, in fact. It’s happened on this project a few times. That feeling of familiarity, knowing the lyrics to songs I haven’t heard in years, well, it can’t be separated from my rating. Don’t know how I would feel if I heard this cold. 4 Boolean: True

I'm not at all familiar with The Replacements. One or two tracks in, I thought there were similarities to The Violent Femmes, who I really like But, the more I listened to them, the less I liked them! Dunno, just found it all loud and chaotic most of the time. I'll give them a 2 and move on.

I'd heard of them but not really listened to them before. I was expecting it to be angrier. But I quite liked it overall. The lo-fi production added to its charm (is this really me saying this?) and the themes ran together album made it consistent. But I'd probably not seek it out again. Solid 3

Really like this album. It took me a little while to get into it. Eventually, "Black Diamond" put me over the top. Not quite punk, not quite indie, not quite alt rock, but a an enjoyable lurch between the three.

QUE BIEN SUENA ESTO LOCO AL FIN ALGO QUE DISFRUTO 9,5/10

I've always been meaning to check out The Replacements, and now I finally have! And yeah, this is a pretty good album. What I find most interesting is how you can really hear alternative rock starting to take shape here. There's still plenty of that raw punk rock energy, but it's mixed with this emerging college rock sound, heavier guitar distortion, and lyrics that feel pretty different from what you'd typically hear in mainstream '80s rock. It's almost like you're hearing the early blueprints for what alternative rock would become in the '90s. There's a lot of fun stuff going on here, too. The album jumps between scrappy punk songs, more melodic tracks, and some surprisingly heartfelt moments. I also appreciate the band's sense of humor, which actually made me chuckle a few times. The vocals are a bit hit-or-miss for me. Sometimes Paul Westerberg's rough, unpolished delivery works really well, while other times I wasn't quite feeling it. Interestingly, I could hear little hints of what Kurt Cobain and the grunge scene would sound like years later, especially in that combination of messy guitars and vulnerable songwriting. Overall, I'm glad I finally gave The Replacements a listen. It's a fun, slightly messy album that captures an important moment in the evolution of alternative rock. Not every track worked for me, but there's plenty here to appreciate, and I can definitely see why this band became so influential. 3.7/5

Pretty solid album. Still not massively into punk, so I don't fully like/appreciate it, but I understand its influence. Black Diamond was my fav song and first listen of the album.

Res olrajed euq yah

No. 442/1001 I Will Dare 4/5 Favorite Thing 3/5 We're Coming Out 3/5 Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out 3/5 Androgynous 5/5 Black Diamond 4/5 Unsatisfied 4/5 (2x) Seen Your Video 4/5 Gerry's Got A Boner 3/5 Sixteen Blue 4/5 (2x) Answering Machine 4/5 Average: 3,77 What a great surprise, immensely enjoyed listening to this album. Androgynous is an absolute highlight for me.

After four forgettable songs to start the record, six of the last seven are bangers

Saturday, 24 October, 2026 Amazing record. The MATS are wild men!

Punk that’s also pretty jangly and melodic. I was fully on board with the towering “Black Diamond”, a muscular, bruising rock song that makes for an exciting contrast to the tender piano-forward “Androgynous” (perfect song) that preceded it, then also with the brisk and melancholy “Unsatisfied” that almost sounds like heartland rock that follows. The differences sum up what makes this record special: genre agnostic performances that always stick the landing. Portends a lot of the 90s alt-rock to come, for better or worse.

“Yesterday was a good result for us. We had a laugh, we had a few pints, cheered on the mighty Hammers. We was completely outnumbered, but we stuck by our mates and we stood our ground. No matter what happened. That's what it's all about.” Green Street Hooligans (2005)

The most genuine and best coming-of-age album of the 80’s. Some of Westerberg’s most touching and painful songs perfectly surrounded by humorous, raging throwaways. They would move from here to aimless adulthood on their phenomenal Sire debut, “Tim”.

Some fun ones!

Solid!

Liked it.

Average

4.25

2.5

The Replacements are one of those bands who have the Punk attitude but know how to write a catchy melody In spite of themselves. “Androgynous” & “Unsatisfied” (especially the later) are easily worth price of admission into this album. These are a couple slower numbers but convey so much emotion. You can feel the pain in “Unsatisfied” with each sung line. “Androgynous” is a song I feel about blurring the lines with how Male and Females dress and how they can wear each other’s clothing while still being themselves and gender. Clothing shouldn’t define who you are or how you feel. There’s still definitely dumb rockers on here like “Gary’s Got A Boner” but even other faster tracks like opener “I Will Dare” & and “Favorite Thing” keep the upbeat vibe with catchy guitar and vocal melodies. These guys deserved more success buts it’s almost better they are this hidden diamond in the rough 4.5/5

I Will Dare 4.2 Favorite Thing 4 We're Comin' Out 3.8 Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out 4 Androgynous 4.1 Black Diamond 4.3 Unsatisfied 4.5 Seen Your Video 4 Gary's Got a Boner 4.2 Sixteen Blue 4.5 Answering Machine 4.4 Score: 4.181818182

This was a really interesting listen. I have (shockingly) never listened to The Replacements before. From the first few tracks I expected the whole album to be very punk, heavily influenced by Ramones and Sex Pistols, but I was surprised at the diversity of styles and musicianship of a lot of songs throughout the record. Androgynous evoked The Smiths, Black Diamond could be a Kiss song, and Unsatisfied was reminiscent of The Tragically Hip. This band was far more than just a punk band and it really shows on this album. Definitely an album I will revisit.

Androgynous is the only song I know off this one, but it is really good one. Glad to get the opportunity to hear the whole thing. It was a good punk album with a few good songs. For me, it is a high 3 on the 3/5 scale.

It was alright but not a stand out

(10/10) An incredible alt rock album that combines punk and power pop sensibilities in a way that's fresh and exciting <3

4/5 - enjoyable punk album. Don’t have many negatives but it missed out on a higher score because the songs weren’t super memorable

I didn’t like it

Really enjoyed this! Didn’t know too much about this band apart from recognising first song. There’s plenty of attitude here but also variation between the tracks. 3.2/5

I thought I liked punk but I this album improved markedly when it shifted to a more traditional rock sound with the song Androgenous. Overall a solid album let down by the first half

Having listened to this album, I have to admit I'm feeling pretty indifferent about it. I thought the first half was fine and there were some enjoyable moments, but nothing that particularly grabbed me or made a lasting impression. I think I also made the mistake of listening to the outtakes, which really put me off towards the end. I found them quite jarring and didn't particularly enjoy the experience, which probably left me with a slightly more negative impression of the album overall. Rating: 2.5

It's alright but it isn't anything special

This Alternative Rock album feels like trying to make out a conversation in a crowded, noisy bar where the band keeps turning up the volume. The guitars are ragged and jangly, the drums pound away, and Paul Westerberg's rough voice shifts between shouting and singing with a restless, unpolished energy. There are occasional melodic moments, but the sound keeps veering between catchy rock and a jumble of noise, leaving me straining my ears for something that holds my attention. As the album goes on, the rawness becomes tiring, and the songs begin to blur together. By the end, I'm less interested in what the band might do next than in getting out of the bar and enjoying some quiet.

I wanted to hate this album, but somehow I can't? The Replacements were clearly ahead of their time musically and fundamentally. This album does not feel like your average 1984 album. The lyrics and vocals are a bit too punk for my taste, but the music is actually really solid, in an odd way. It's some mix of punk, classic rock, alternate rock, and new wave with suprises strewn throughout - kinda fascinating...

I've tried this album a few times over the years, and always end up coming to the same conclusion that instrumentally this is a fun, rough around the edges blast of punk rock, but that I can't stand the vocals. They often veer too much into a borderline drawling style, and there's just something about how he carries a melody that sets my teeth on edge. Some of the lyricism is also rather eye-rolling to say the least. A shame, as otherwise I could see this being something I'd rate very highly.

Oh, I actually liked this a lot. Not quite punk, not quite indie, not quite alt rock, but a pretty satisfying amalgam of all three. There’s a fine, fuzzy line that’s hard to define - I know I’ve listened to many similar albums and came away feeling like they fell flat, but this one worked for me. I’m not sure exactly why that is. Although it’s not great all the way through, there’s enough that hit in whatever subtle way that it ended up a net positive. It’s really evocative of that hazy period between teenage and adulthood. Favorites: We’re Comin’ Out, Black Diamond

While I have always been (and likely always will be) a Tim truther, Let It Be is STILL one of the greatest American underground records ever made. It's the Murmur of Minneapolis, an album that helped pioneer the sounds of the decade to come and one of the first brilliant fusions of punk, pop and rock together under one roof. Westerberg becomes the poet he's always meant to be on "Androgynous", "Unsatisfied" and my personal favorite "Answering Machine", the ending of which is one of the most satisfyingly cathartic pieces of near-incoherence ever committed to tape. ("if you'd like to make a call...") In the same vein of highly influential alt/indie masterpieces, once again taking the opportunity to lambast the fact that Zen Arcade isn't in this book. I guess we had to make room for Sex Packets.

Oops. I was confusing The Replacements with The Residents, I think. I wasn’t looking forward to this, but when I figured out that I goofed and then listened, well, things got better. If I had heard this when it was released, I think I might have enjoyed it. I don’t need any songs about boners, thanks but no thanks, but a fun album in any case.

I have liked The Replacements songs before, particularly off of Pleased to Meet Me, but it was interesting hearing them go through a bunch of different styles. Cowpunk, hardcore, more power pop stuff like on Pleased. So yeah, really enjoyable record.

Mas o menos, suenan bien pero no me empilan

Хороший приклад альтернативного року з 80х. Дуже приємний альбом, чудові пісні, теплий звук з дзвінкою гітарою.

Вперше прочитав про цей альбом у журналі КЛАСІК РОК, який я купував в часи навчання в універі. Власне так я взагалі і дізнався про реплейсментс. Класний гурт, завжди імпонувала їхня така розслабленість і певна слакер складова.

College radio at its finest. Not something I like in big doses and not outstanding in my opinion. Gritty and punk but kind of boring.

Pretty decent, hard to believe it's from the first half of the 80's.

Yet more easy pub listening.

Huh I feel like I’ve heard of an album called Let it Be before I think there’s actually some great instrumentation on this one from nice guitar riffs and great drumming. “Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out” (what a name huh?) is kinda exactly what I do like about Punk and has great energy. There isn’t really a moment where I flat out hate this album Still can’t be gaslit into genuinely liking this genre though. The British vocals are almost always too much and variety is really lacking at times. There’s some songs that are just weird on this and honestly for a genre that has prides itself on having something to say it doesn’t have a whole lot of anything here imo It’s better than average for punk, as in it’s a lot cleaner and less abrasive, but it still fails to deliver a whole lot of what I’d genuinely call good music. Pretty easy 5/10

Shockingly better than I expected! The music was great, where it had the aggression of punk but actual decent songwriting with variety in each track. Androgynous was the definite standout; the lyrics and piano were a treat. The songs actually have something to say. And it's balanced out by the sillier, edgy songs. There's a level of self-awareness here that's very refreshing. I clown on punk a lot, but THIS is where it and its ideas shine.

I'd heard a few Replacements songs and liked them before, but I guess I never gave them a proper listen. I was surprised at how much I liked this! I think I need more. 4 stars with a bullet.

En del bra, en del för skränigt för mig

This is surprisingly close to what punk music eventually grew up to be, way closer than some of the others got. It falls cleanly into a narrow genre I think of as "music from the Rock Band soundtrack" despite not being in that game (I think). I bet all of these are really fun to play, and they sound like they're having a blast. Pretty enjoyable listen.

Let It Be is not always punk rock musically, but it is one of the most - and best - punk albums in spirit. To prove this, you need to look no further than the album stealing its name from a Beatles' song. Or the band covering Kiss in a nod to their childhood heroes - it's a very uncool move, but what's more punk than not caring what other people think? The album is messy and wears its heart on its sleeve. Paul Westerberg sings about dejection, rejection, and not fitting in with a pained rasp. The tender piano ballad "Androgynous" and thoughtful "Sixteen Blue" sit perfectly imperfectly next to "Gary's Got a Boner." "Unsatisfied" is an outcast anthem and "Answering Machine" is a scorching web of guitars. This is a rare album that manages to feel ramshackle and thrown-together despite every song being tremendous on its own.

Good punk/hard rock album. Lots of energy, good tracks. I'll probably go back to this one. 4/5

Its an ok album. I found it interesting because this band, being underground rock and roll, has so many punk elements and even songs are really close to being that genre!

I don’t know this band, but I think Chrissy Hyde of The Pretenders is in it? I’m too lazy to look it up and I don’t like The Pretenders anyway. This album was pretty cool though, for an 80s album.

7 - GOOD

A band that I've already heard about, but never really listened to, besides hearing covers of Androgynous. I can definitely hear how they influenced early Goo Goo Dolls works. Definitely need to listen to more of their albums. 3 stars.

Excellent album! Westerberg could write a fkn song. Perfect band.

I would replace the replacements

2,9/5

Fantastic album, I am probably in the camp that thinks Tim is better

The Beatles! Oh wait. A good coming of age album. Androgynous

Couldn’t quite but androgynous really turned it around for me. Must relisten. RYM: Y (#715) Saved a song: N

This album emotes a pretty typical response from me for punk music. This has a bit different feel than most, but still punk to me.

Rheostatics

This is just blue collar rock at it’s most tedious. Nothing stands out just a 33 minute long drone. I cant understand what makes this something that deserves to be on this list. Yes I dont like it so my view is bias, but is this genuinely one of the best examples of this type of music, let alone of everything?

I liked the finger snaps in “We’re Comin’ Out”, but if I was to judge my experience against how much enjoyment Tommy or Gary were getting, then I’m afraid I’m on par with Tommy. It’s definitely more tolerable overall than the 1.5 album I listened to yesterday, so I am generous enough to round up.

My major issue with this album was the fact I kept thinking about the They Might Be Giants song "Hi, We're The Replacements" and (once again) being annoyed they aren't on the list. Bits of this were quite Ramonesy, just more chaotic. I think the vocals are pretty questionable, but I actually enjoyed the rest quite a lot... at least at first. For example, I really liked Androgynous where the piano was a bit Badly Drawn Boy. For me, the low point was Black Diamond, which just felt like an uninspired cover of a standard hair metal by numbers track. I don't much like Kiss anyway, but The Replacements made it worse. I also didn't like Seen Your Video (surprisingly, despite not particularly liking the vocals, I liked a song with fewer vocals even less). Gary's Got A Boner is just shit. In fact, somehow for an album that's only 33 minutes long, it outstayed it's welcome, with, for me at least, a much worse second half. I think this is probably just about a 2.5, but it's getting a 2. 2/5

Pretty damn good early alt-rock, very punky and jangly.

They probably could’ve replaced this with something else

I actually liked the more melodic take on punk from this band! Some 80s pop influences here and there while still remaining very much in their genre. Not too bad! Standouts: Unsatisfied • Sixteen Blue

I'm not sure why I feel so much affection towards this album, because it's pretty unremarkable. Maybe that's why? It's short, it's to the point, and everything feels like it was decided very carefully but without pretension. The production on here is immaculate. The album sounds fresh and new. It's a real pleasure to listen to.

only knew a couple replacements songs can't hardly wait, bastards of young turns out androgynous is one of them 💥i will dare 💥androgynous 💥black diamond

One of the best coming-of-age albums from the 80s. Iconic album cover and ballsy album title. Stacked full of so many good songs, this is the record where Westerberg really starts to lay the foundation for being such a great songwriter and lyricist. From the jangly I Will Dare to the more serious Unsatisfied and Sixteen Blue while still throwing in some more humorous songs with a wink and a smile. Just a great album.

This was fine. I don’t know that it really stood out to me. Some good parts. Some very meh. The interesting thing is what this sounded like. I thought Black Diamond sounded a ton like Runaway by Bon Jovi. There’s the “ooooo…” but even beyond that the structure and notes were very similar. They both came out in Jan 84 so who knows. Also, the Spotify album had an “outtake” called Temptation Eyes….holy hazy shades of winter. Replacements sounded veeeery close. Okay, so after researching further. Black Diamond was a KISS song. So replacements off the hook. But it’s a cover. And temptation eyes was a cover of The Grass Roots. So do I round down for that? Or round up for hilarious song titles like Gary’s got a boner? Think I go down. 2.5

Pretty solid and easy to hear why Cobain was a fan of the band and lead singer. Couple times I was like “whoa, Kurt Cobain sounds just like this guy.” Solid album that likely gets better with additional listenings. Rounding up cuz I like to rock. 3.75/5

Solid alt rock

Cheeky cheeky monkeys. But it all MEANS something. The army this wackjob of an album inspired includes me.

It’s always comforting revisiting old favourites and finding the spark is still there. Middle age has given me a new appreciation of Answering Machine and the shear audacity of naming your album Let It Be.

not the mood

They cover a lot of ground for being a post-punk band. Some of it's just scraping by, most of it is really impressive. Much of it deals in teenage disposition. I could see this HITTING if you were coming of age when it was released. First off, "Androgynous" is so pure and ahead of it's time. The song is sung in a way that's so plain and clear-eyed, which is something lacking about non-binary representation in media to this day. I've saved this song for many more listens down the road. I thought the opening "I Will Dare" had me sat down for another forgettable mid-80's run-of-the-mill british rock album, but things often got much more gritty in the songs to come. Por ejemplo, "We're Comin Out" is performed to sound like they were trying to blow the hinges off the recording booth door. With a very swanky bridge too. "Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out" has the same punk aesthetic too, but this one's got more story and character to it. I can see how "Unsatisfied" gained popularity, the chorus is much more anthemic than most songs on here, and a sign of bands to come (sounds a bit like a Guns n Roses cut). Needed a second listen for this one. I further appreciated the melding of punk energy with their sensibility for a good hook. Even at their most hookish, there's something grounded about Let It Be. Maybe a lot of that has to do with how incredible "Androgynous" is, especially for 1984. It’s a firm 4/5

Day 400 Fine, but nothing I’d particularly want to return to. Highlights Were coming out Unsatisfied

I knew nothing about The Replacements, but for some reason I thought I wasn't going to like this at all. I Will Dare and Unsatisfied were fine. Androgynous was the best song on the album, in my opinion. But, the rest of the album I didn't really like. I just don't like this genre that much.

Ok, nothing that grabbed me as an essential listen.

TL;DR: S tier US indie rock. A revelation. BEFORE: I've heard of them but never listened. Not sure why given their rep etc. AFTER: Not what I expected. Definitely rock but otherwise hard to classify and all the better for it. Not unlike The Clash's later efforts, this is punk-y but covers a lot of ground musically and Paul Westerberg has a songwriting touch that reminds me of Neil Finn. The lyrics vary wildly between juvenile and deeply personal and the music follows suit, which I love. I enjoyed this so much that I listened to it three times - not bad for a mid-week pick. HIGHLIGHTS: Its all good and during each listen I had new favourites. I Will Dare swings like early Violent Femmes. We're Coming Out is breakneck punk buoyed by a massive, chaotic guitar solo and a leftfield breakdown. Unsatisfied, Sixteen Blue and Answering Machine capture a sadness and yearning that hit close to home. Androgynous is a genuinely touching piano ballad that was decades ahead of its time - the anti-Dude Looks Like A Lady. Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out and Gary's Got A Boner pair pleasingly stupid lyrics with great music. Black Diamond is one of the only times I have ever enjoyed a KISS song. LOWLIGHTS: N/A. VERDICT: 5 stars

great stuff

Thought I might like this more than I did

This is good rock n roll... uh... music

As not really a punk fan, some albums here are suprisingly good and some not so remarkable. This one is a mix, between some meh tracks, are some really good gems. Favourite: Black Diamond, and Unsatisfied, Androgynous, Answering Machine and Coming Out were really good too, also they were pretty different from each other as style goes, but most of them had great lyrics too, and that is not everyday 3.8

Pas fan

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Tim is better

4.5

Great album, I don't personally hear the epic masterpiece. But great emotions on a quite raw production. May be a bit too underdone on the production side... Very thin eq wise like a low q cassette. Idk 8.66 ★★★★

Not bad, but not something I would return to often. 3.5 stars

This is one of those perfectly imperfect albums, but that's what makes it special. Paul Westerberg's writing some of the greatest songs ever, interspersed with a Kiss cover, a half-assed instrumental, and a songs about kids getting boners and/or their tonsils out. I think the looseness of it makes the more serious songs shine and the goofy stuff provides some relief. I think it really nails the vibe of youthful angst and it still rings true today. Highlights for me are "I Will Dare", "Favorite Thing", "Androgynous", "Unsatisfied", "Sixteen Blue", "Answering Machine", but every song is essential, even "Gary's Got a Boner". 5 stars.

Toto IV by Toto. Phil Collins No Jack Required. Or maybe Stephen Bishop Careless. Those would be my ideal ‘replacements’ for this fairly bleh album. It’s got the hoarse hardcoreness and screamy punk vibe of Nirvana and the jingy jangle of REM’s poppier janglier tunes but those acts are already on the 1001 list. Don’t really need this.

Seems fine

It's fine. Too bad that this is one of the "best" 80s albums