Let It Be

This is a fun album. The music is like slower punk music, and it reminds me of a coming-of-age movie. Some of the songs blended together a bit but it's overall a very well made punk album with great songwriting that is easy to listen to.

Saw them get kicked off TP tour, Also last show in Grant park I will dare We're coming out Unsatisfied

more introductions to bands this time around! i always get a little excited when it's not the sixteenth bruce springsteen or rolling stones or bob dylan album. this album has a real cool and dirty sound to it. i really can't get into specifics which is a little sucky, but it's a pretty solid sound here. this is another album in the collection that i would classify as a true hidden gem, especially in the '80s rock sphere.

Love this. Full of teen angst and punk rock grooves. But some great melodies in here as well - the standout being Androgynous. A bare bones album, a little sloppy, sounds like they could be playing at some sleazy bar somewhere, rather than honing their sounds and experimenting in the studio. 4.5

Best Song: Unsatisfied I didn't mind this at all. I was not really familiar with them prior to this and found it enjoyable. 4/5.

die ersten paar songs waren echt nicht meins, danach waren aber auch paar gute dabei

Let it be known the Replacements can still rock your living room in 2026

breathing flowers in a black sky one day no one will give a fuck

A nice, fun, loud, youthful rock ‘n’ roll album.

Love the Mats. Tons of energy. Paul Westerberg is one of my favorite singers and lyricists.

This flames out toward the end (appropriate) but is mostly very good. 4.5

I'm a bigger fan of the later charming heartbreaker Replacements material than the class clown hardcore side so this one is a mixed bag for me, but "I Will Dare", "Androgynous", and "Answering Machine" are among their and anybody's greatest songs. "Seen Your Video" is a hoot I'd forgotten all about. I wish some former college DJ had snuck into the Kennedy Center sound booth and played their version of "Black Diamond" when KISS stood up there with Sylvester Stallone getting medals the other night. That would've been very Replacements. BTW, the b-sides and outtakes CD on the deluxe edition is excellent.

I kinda missed the boat on them when they were college rock darlings but at their peak, they were fantastic.

I heard this probably ten years ago and didn’t think much of it at the time. What is wrong with me? It rips and I’m stupid

I really enjoyed this one. Not every track is a winner, but they're all at least interesting. I always roll my eyes when someone describes a band as being ahead of their time, but this really feels like it should have come out 5-10 years later. Just some great alt rock.

I never had any idea where this album was going from track to track and it rules it shifted from alt rock classics to the pogues hanging out with bad religion to genderqueer billy joel to a kiss cover (of all things) to soul asylum to the guitar shredder about that young man's problem Look, I knew this was one of those "this is your favorite band's favorite band" kind of records I had never bothered checking out and I thought I knew what to expect from that. I was wrong. this was so much weirder and more interesting added to collection

4.5

The Good: If we find ourselves in times of trouble… The Bad: Mother Mary isn’t coming… The Ugly: The mental image of Mother Mary trying to come… what???!@!!?!??!?!??!?!!! Sorry about that, it seems that, at times, my brain just kind of goes loopy for no other reason than it can… A couple of years ago, while I was going through some ‘80s deep-dive, I landed on this album and it did not click… Today, the album did manage to click… and I don’t know why… maybe because I have been subject to one too many shit albums lately on this list, which has turned this one into better than it was several years ago? Also, could be just me, but I am going through a nostalgia phase, maybe because Christmas is almost upon us and you start being bombarded with nothing but nostalgia… Anyway, the album is what it is… not so good as the Beatles, however, considering they are Replacements, they are better than the houseband… if you know what I mean. 4* as they also represent Minneapolis!!!

This was super cool. Was not expecting what sounds like a grunge album from 1984. Great album and clearly super influential.

Wow!

What a classic!

Their third album. Indie / Rock / Punk. My first time with this album. Really liked it. At times I wondered if it was Post Punk, Punk or ahead of it's time and pre Grunge, Grunge. Black Diamond and Seen Your Video are particularly good tracks. Good energy, fun album.

Really good album. Loved the Kiss cover of "Black Diamond"

Didn't like this at first but it does grow on you. Worth a relisten 4*

Good, solid rock.

androgynous isch jz s herte lied wo ussesticht, very cute! hans na gern, wie abghackt und verspielt s klavier mengisch isch ohhh und de text isch umso besser! black diamond sehr en coole ahfang! HÄ WISO FIZZED SIE JZ SO ANNE die erste paar songs sind echt nüt speziells gsi seen your video isch auno cool, hett nöd denkt, dass es na gsang git GARYS GOT A BONEEEEEER ultradumm aber s macht schono spass hahahah how do you say goodnight to a answering machine komischs lied, es tönt für mich nöd wie es lied wo (fast) kei drums het...hans jz nöd direkt GERN aber finds sicher mal spannend ahh schon fertig ener naja ahgfange aber s hetmer immeeeer meh gfalle, hii und daa cooli text. via

This was such a fun listen, it sounded like a cross between Oasis and Nirvana in some places, then The Smiths and Chuck Berry in others

Thought I already rated this one.

I thought this was pretty good! It hits that critical 'I would play this again' bar for a 4-star rating. Answering Machine was a pretty great lyric and Unsatisfied felt very raw and powerful. The opening tracks happy bouncy feeling wasn't my favourite part of this record for sure, but there was lots to like.

Rich and complex. Full of possibilities and something new each listen. Some killer individual tracks surrounded by some less-inspiring, but still good variations 4.4

I really like The Replacements. I Will Dare is my favorite of their songs. Funnily enough, just yesterday a new music video for I Will Dare was released and a band that I’ve seen about 8 times, The Shackletons, are in it. I also really like the song Androgynous.

Oxford Dictionary of English alternative rock /ɔːlˌtəːnətɪv ˈrɒk , ɒlˌtəːnətɪv ˈrɒk/ ▸ noun [mass noun] a style of rock music characterized as unconventional or outside the mainstream. tour de force /ˌtʊə də ˈfɔːs , ˌtɔː də ˈfɔːs/ ▸ noun (plural tours de force /ˌtʊə də ˈfɔːs , ˌtɔː də ˈfɔːs/) a performance or achievement that has been accomplished or managed with great skill: 'Let It Be' is a tour de force, the Replacements third album is a tour de force of alternative rock. – ORIGIN French, literally ‘feat of strength’.

Great riffs, good commentary, and just straight up funny songs at times.

Has the punk attitude but with a nice sound and some interesting chord structures instead of 12-bar blues. If you didn't tell me this was from the 80's it could have been a late 2000's garage rock thing.

Fun to see the whole album after loving androgynous for a long time. Answering machine does some cool stuff with sound

GARY'S GOT A BONER! This was pretty good.

This was decent 80s rock.

I'm a bit embarrassed to say that the only songs I've ever heard (before this album) by The Replacements were "I will dare" (from this album) and "Skyway" (from the later "Pleased to Meet Me"), both of which I heard as part of my intern work at the Minnesota Historical Society for an exhibit called "Sounds Good to Me: Music in Minnesota". Those two songs were pretty different from each other, so I wasn't sure what to expect. And apparently true to form for them, I didn't get much that I expected. I liked it that the songs were all over the map, ranging from their punk roots (like "Favorite thing") to almost-ballads (like "Androgynous"); I particularly enjoyed the crossover sound of "We're coming out", and the Uncle-Tupelo-esqueness of "Unsatisfied". (I really wanted to enjoy their off-kilter cover of Kiss' "Black diamond", but it seemed strangely faithful to a pretty boring Kiss tune.) I enjoyed it more than I expected, I'll admit, and since we don't have half-star ratings, that nudges it up into 4-star territory for me. It's a curious album choice for this collection in some ways, given that it doesn't have any well-known songs by them, but I don't know their discography enough to say if some other album would be better or more representative (it seems like a lot of people really liked "Tim", though). And very cool that future owners of Bob and Tommy Stinson's parents' house in Minneapolist commissioned a stained glass window of the album cover, and put it into one of the top-story windows of the house where the album cover photo was shot (for all the musical tourists).

The Beatles if they were good. 4/5

Pretty good, nice that it's a bit more complex/interesting musically than a lot of punk rock. If it was much longer, I might give it a lower rating, but I thought it was a good length and hits on interesting topics.

Really like it

goed album! beetje te lang om heel goed te zijn

What a great surprise. I have heard of them but never really listened to The Replacements. This is a stellar album, it has some punk style and you can hear the seeds of grunge planted here. I think they did a great job with a variety of sounds on this record too

A nice punk album, but not a lot of standouts. The sincerity of it really elevates the tracks. 4/5

cool, punk. really enjoyed it

Expected this to be a generic rock album from the 80's. Turns out, the combination of jangle pop, punk and garage rock made this quite the interesting record. It has a lot of attitude, with the singer almost screaming instead of singing in most of the songs. The guitar riffs can also be very powerful, specially in the more punk inspire tracks, like "We're Coming' Out" (which accelerating pace at ending is very cool) or 'Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out'. It also has some intimate moments. 'Androgynous' is one of them, as it is a ballad about two non-binary individuals being in love with each other. Have to appreciate the inclusion of the LGTBQ+ community. One more thing that I liked a lot about the record is that it feels very organic and genuine. I believe that a lot of music from this time riles too much in effects, while this album doesn't feel as processed as others do. In the end, I don't think this record does anything specially fancy or groundbreaking, but it manages to be very solid and catchy album.

Replacements are always fun. Super energetic alternative rock and punk music. The stuff that sat on the fringes while Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, and INXS reigned supreme. Not quite goth, or early emo, but counter culture enough to push the norms for the mid 80s. Thoroughly impressed by the cohesion and dynamics of this album. It sounds fresh in the big '25, almost as if I unearthed a lost album of theirs that NO ONE has heard. But I know this is one of the bigger releases. Will come back to this.

Their finest moment, in my book. Westerberg is on the top of his game and the band sounds as hungry as ever. 4.5/5

A delightfully messy album

I don’t like this album as much as Don’t Tell A Soul, but I enjoyed it.

this is great for what it is: a divertite bunch of songs

I really like the Replacements, but I hadn't listened to this one before. I enjoyed this one a lot even though I'm still partial to Tim and Pleased to Meet Me. I wasn't a huge fan of "We're Coming Out" but "Unsatisfied" sounded a lot like the other Replacements songs I've become familiar with and like the sound of. This gets a 3.5 but I'm rounding up to a 4 because it's better than a true neutral/middle of the road but I don't like it as much as other 4s.

So very nearly 5 ⭐️

Wasn't too familiar with this band, but really enjoyed it and will check out other albums.

This is an album I feel I’ve heard a lot about and have actually listened to several times, but have basically no recollection of. What a treat to hear it like the first time again! Makes me want to check out Colin Meloy’s 33 1/3 book on ‘Let it Be’. It’s hard to see how this influenced The Decemberists, but less difficult to see how the Replacements contributed to the make up of Tarkeo.

Mirá lo que es esa tapa, loco. Zapatillas ícono. 8/10

You know, when I find myself in times of trouble, good music is what often calls to me, except for when it doesn't. Fortunately, today is one of those days where it does. This may not be the Beatles album most think of when "Let It Be" comes to mind, but I'd argue it's just as good and important as that one. The Replacements are not the Beatles, but they don't need to be. I mean, there's a reason why this album's on this list but not the Beatles album. This Replacements album is actually really good. It's remarkably ahead of its time in many ways. The musical style and general tone of the album fit right in line with the alt-rock and indie rock bands that would follow. To hear this in 1984 must've been mind-blowing. Of course, it's not exactly mind-blowing nowadays given what's followed, but that's not to say that the album's aged poorly. Quite the contrary, in fact. The passing of time has been very kind to this album. The lyrics are part of this. You've got some angst on songs like "Unsatisfied," some more comedic elements on songs like "Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out," and you even have a gender-non-conforming love song of sorts with "Androgynous." Again, the fact that this released in 1984 is remarkable. Plus, you've got some solid instrumental variety that makes this album stand out from song to song. Let it Be isn't quite a masterpiece, but it's still a strong album that makes perfect sense for a list like this. High 4/5.

Very tender grunge, a little bit woke but sincerely and not performative. Definitely a grower

A gem

Echt een vet album! Lekker grungy en vol energie!

Another band I've heard of for ages, but never followed up. Tracks like I Will Dare and Sixteen Blue were familiar though. And another discovery for me that I will come back to. A great album.

Long time no hear, and now I am not the age this album is aimed squarely at it wasn’t quite what I remember. Which is on me. Brought back some good memories but that’s it, for the personal nostalgia value gonna score it higher than if it was a first time listen today 4 Star

Fun listen. Definitely more mature punk sound.

Contemporaries of R.E.M. and were tipped by critics to be the bigger band and although they signed to a major label it never really happened for them, largely due to their self-destructive behaviour. They also swing from snotty to poetic from track to track. There's a song on here called Gary's Got A Boner and also a progressive anthem to tolerance called Androgynous. I first heard the song a couple of years ago and still can't quite believe it was written in 1984. I've also got a lot of love for Unsatisfied and one Peter Buck making an appearance on the opening track I Will Dare though I'd always assumed he played the mandolin when in fact he supplys the guitar solo.

Not nearly as good as the Beatles let it be but still good! 3.5

Solid album. Wasn't initially feeling some of it, but I feel like I settled into it and after that point it really flowed along well.

Insane that this is the only Replacements album on this list. Great album and all but they have even more. It's just really bizarre considering they had a 1001 slots and then filled them with 800 mediocre albums by mediocre bands.

I want to hear so much more punk like this. They have the distinct punk sound but they also give a shit that it sounds good too. Too much of the genre is people playing bad intentionally and asking you to applaud them for it. This is a rare punk mix of musicality, consistency in theme, and range. Really solid listen.

How can Tim and Dead Man's Pop (the dont tell a soul "correct" version) bor be on this list? Boo to the 1001.

I thought it was ok

I enjoyed this. There was some really great writing and it really was just an all around terrific album.

Amazing rhythm, fast pacing and punk essence that I can't quite describe, but it works fascinatingly. Another band that I didn't know almost at all, and this only opens a discography worth exploring. 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Enjoyed this a lot more than i expected to.

Solid

Started off not really in to it, but slowly converted as the album went on. Pretty solid rock album that I feel deserves a bit of time with.

The Replacements are one of the greatest bands of all time. Let it Be is the moment where they start to shed their party band reputation in favor of who they really are, the downtrodden band after the party. “Unsatisfied” is a gut punch to this day over 40 years later. “Seen Your Video” shows them aware of where the world is going and them holding on to a purist idea of what rock and roll is. Aside from a few leftover tracks from their party band days this is the beginning of the mature Replacements that would come to light on the next album, Tim. But many of the band’s best moments are right here. This is a big bang moment where a million indie rock bands that come in the next few decades would find so much inspiration. Paul Westerberg’s lyrics show a vulnerability in the mid 80’s, while metal guys dressed like women but wrote songs that were full of testosterone.

At høre Let It Be føles som at sidde på et teenageværelse i midt-80’erne: plakater på væggene, tomme øldåser på gulvet, en blanding af grin, skænderier og stille øjeblikke, hvor nogen pludselig spiller en sang, der rammer dybt. Det er både ungdommens kaos og dens øjeblikke af klarhed – og det føles stadig frisk i dag. Albummet er angiveligt på listen, fordi de går fra punk til alternativ rock men hvor de bevarer punk-energien Jeg synes også nogle af numrene er meget punket, korte og har sådan en lidt kantet DIY lyd. Man kan godt høre de er inspireret af ramones. De var åbenbart med til at starte genren college-rock som var udprøget på collegeradioer. Det er mere melodisk punk-rock. Både nirvana og R.E.M så dem som forbilleder og guitraristen fra R.E.M spiller faktisk også med i dette band. Teksterne er fjollet og sjove. kan man også se på titlerne af sangene. SYnes det var fedt at lytte til og jeg tænker det ligger mellem 4 og 4,5 men giver det 4

Good energetic rock album, easy listen. Might not be very extraordinary, but not in the bad way. +I will dare +Androgynous

This was pretty fun. Mixing couldve been better, but I’m looking forward to hearing more from them

4,5

7/10

The Replacements are such a classic band. The highlight for me was definitely 'Unsatisfied'.

i enjoyed this a fair bit to be fair, must’ve been an important record for its time, some great alt rock, i enjoy this more than the other let it be

Classic album, own it on vinyl! Androgynous is lowkey one of the best songs of the whole 80s.

Entre rock classique et révolte plus «dure», une belle voix un peu rauque et du plaisir à l'écoute

Such an important record for the 80’s alt guitar movement. Filled with noisy crappy and occasionally gorgeous and rocking tunes, it was as good as guitar music got in its day.

Never heard this album before, but it was pretty awesome. standout songs: I Will Dare Tommy Gets his Tonsils Out Answering Machine

"Can you help me occupy my brain?" Listened to B4? Yes Tracks Already Saved on Spotify: 1 - Androgynous Standout Tracks: I Will Dare, Favorite Thing, We're Coming Out, Androgynous (84/100)

I love The Replacements. This album is so fucking good. The range is incredible, the production excellently complements the vocals and instrumentation. Lyrics can be a little sparse, but ultimately accomplish everything they want to. I enjoyed this very much. 4/5

нормалек, но ничего себе не добавил.

I had never listened to them before and I liked it.

Let it Be is an album that captures the zeitgeist of its time perfectly. On its release this was an indie album that went mainstream in ways that nobody expected, especially, I think The Replacements. Although, they were obviously taking themselves more seriously than previous records some of the raw energy from their previous work remains, showing the listening that tighter does not mean overly produced. Overall, as a work that was important at the time and influential to what followed. It certainly deserves a place on this list. There were certainly more interesting records released at the same time, but that captured the attention of the public like “Let it Be” did. Another fun listen on this list from an important work. Underneath the theme of the angst of growing up in a world rapidly turning a little shittier, is a band who is clearly having fun themselves, which is almost always infectious to the listener. Surrounded by rock and roll releases increasingly influenced by pop and electronica, the Replacements reminded everyone that sometime unbridled energy is enough. It still holds up today as a good, if not great, piece of music.

Good find

Very nice, right in my wheelhouse.I love gruff vocals, guitar focused rock with a dissatisfied vibe. It has that "punk" feel, probably at the core of every track, making every track feel honest although obviously some were "tongue in cheek". "Unsatisfied" is a standout, but if I'm honest the one that had me turning up the volume every time was the cover of "Black Diamond". I love covers that do something different than the original.

Pleasantly surprised by this album. Feels like quintessential 80s teen garage rock. Some really solid hidden gems, enjoyable hits and a few weirder throw-ins. All around good. Top tracks: Androgynous, Black Diamond, Unsatisfied

really great portrayal of youthful angst. would be massive in the development of alt n indie rock as rejections of the glitzy mainstream rock of the 80s. especially 1984, a year known for being perhaps the biggest year of pop music ever. Seen Your Video is an explicit rejection of MTV culture. it's nice and rough and gay and *real*. deserves to be one of the 1001? yes

Complex melodic tunes. Kind of has that Green Day vibe. The lyrics are surprisingly deep (or at least the topics are).

It's clear to see how influential this album has become in light of the explosion of grunge and post-punk. The bands carefree attitude is starkly contrasted by their attention to greater social and personal issues or isolation. A fantastic underground record, 8/10

Surprisingly good. Brings me back to those adventurous bands like dead milkmen, minutemen, firehose, violent femmes. Raw reckless and passionate.

Pretty good

Favorite songs: Black Diamond, Unsatisfied, We're Comin' Out, I Will Dare Least favorite songs: Gary's Got a Boner 4/5

Perhaps the greatest example of a band in transition, and they laid it out directly on the record. The Replacements were firmly punk rock, as the early tracks on this album showed, but it was clear Westerberg and crew were already headed down a new path, far more influenced by Big Star than Black Flag. That said, even though there’s some pop-punk perfection and emotionally gutting tunes, it’s still fairly uneven and missing the focus that some of their later work had. That doesn’t mean it still doesn’t hold up as a killer rock record. Well worth the listen.

better than anticipated

angsty and gay fuck yeah

Definitely more punk than post-punk, whatever is said on them. But it's good punk, so I'm not gonna complain.

The one that made The Replacements into alt-rock royalty. Thanks in part to their growing disinterest in writing another punk album, as well as their rivalry with fellow Minneapolis band, Hüsker Dü, pushes the band to do something more melodic and lyrically mature. And they mostly succeeded! Songs like "We're Coming Out" and "Gary's Got a Boner" proved they still had an edge, but "Unsatisfied" and "Answering Machine" showed that The 'Mats had some emotional depth, and "Androgynous" is a landmark song in that no one was talking about gender identity or queerness as the time, especially in a song so accepting. While this album does a lot of good, you can tell this is the first step towards something bigger (their next album, Tim, is my favorite by far) and some choices ("Black Diamond" in particular) seem misguided or emblematic of the band's tendency toward audience antagonism and self-sabotage. Regardless, an excellent record that absolutely deserves to be here.

Lekker toegankelijke, maar met vlagen toch ouderwetse punk. Met tussendoor ook nog wat niet-punk liedjes. De échte punkers zullen er ongetwijfeld op spugen, maar ik ben geen echte punker en ik vind dat eigenlijk wel plezierig. Een klein beetje Nirvana hoor ik er ook wel in op de één of andere manier. Ik mis bij mezelf net een stukje emotie om hier een 5 voor te geven, maar een dikke 4 verdient het zeker.

Mutta tässäpä onkin nelosen arvoinen rock-levy! Sopivasti pop ilman liikoja kompromisseja ja hyvä meno läpi platan.

I quite liked this.

I Will Dare, Androgynous, Unsatisfied, Seen Your Video, Answering Machine

Gantsstic album. Takes balls to me your album Let It Be post Beatles. Badass band

Fun listen. Will listen again

4.1 - I'm gonna need to revisit this, felt like a bit of me and never heard of them before

Wasn't sure where this was going for the first couple of tracks, it didn't seem to have any particular direction.. however.. that first few songs aside I think it found itself and became a pretty decent listen.

Adore this album. Also just happens to have my favorite Replacements song on it - "Unsatisfied", which features Westerberg's passionate delivery and gravelly wails...almost to the point of losing his voice altogether. The entire record is a mix of punk & pop hooks, melding into an alternative rock sound that definitely feels ahead of it's time for 1984.

Once upon a time this used ot be my least favourite Replacements albums, but I'm older now, and know better. Ahead of its time on androgynous and still as epically teenage pop brilliant as onlt Answering machine can be

Concise and fun.

I've never listened to The Replacements before. There is a lot of variety to this album, something you don't get from most punk albums. Some songs have more of a hard rock or metal influence, while others are more distinctly punk. All around, it is a well-balanced album that doesn't overstay its welcome.

Fav: Unsatisfied Least Fav: Answering Machine Fair play to making a song about having a boner sound so damn good

I love this band and this is a great album but I think Tim is their best album. Sixteen Blue, Androgynous, and Unsatisfied are my favorite tracks

Decent riffs in here. Better than most of the albums getting recommended on this list. The bar is getting lower and lower each day.

Fun!

Dope punk stuff!

Solid punk album but also nice to the ears, 4* Beatle-esque in some tracks.

Satisfied is an all time favorite of mine.

A really good post-punk album. It feels timeless.

I liked this - it’s now my second favourite album called Let It Be.

8/10

I Will Dare Unsatisfied Sixteen Blue Answering Machine

The album hits the ground running with a catchy riff and keeps the energy going throughout. I wish I had heard this when I was younger. I would've loved this in high school when I was obsessed with the Clash. This is so well-rounded. You can't predict what the next song will sound like based on the first, but it's still a cohesive sound.

Great album

Don’t know much about punk but this fucks It’s refined and raw at the same time Cannot wait to listen to this again before my rugby game this weekend Solid 4

Perhaps not for my grandmother but this is another example of shit rules. Such a sick album to come out when it did. This is close to my brand of 80's "post-punk". I remember listening to this in high school bc Tanner made me and thinking eh but since becoming an REM fanboy this really stands out more clearly as a great album. Gary's Got a Boner is so good. I'm happy the list made me relisten to this as I will continue to relisten to this.

One second its bash and crash proto-skatepunk the next its reflective post-punk and the next its a Randy Newman pisstake about genderqueer lovers. This is a defining album in the list of "Albums Mack gets and likes but doesn't much care about" which puts it at a 4.

My kind of punk

Digestible punk, what's not to like?

I don't have anything new and exciting to say about this album

March 7, 2025 HL: "I Will Dare", "Androgynous", "Unsatisfied", "Answering Machine" Cool beans; never gave the Replacements much attention, even though they keep popping up in various other people's greatest albums lists (Paste*, Rolling Stone, et al) On paper, a buncha messy drunks from Minnesota ripping off Big Star, Kiss and the New York Dolls doesn't sound like anything I'd want to listen to once. But after listening to Let it Be twice, there's oodles of (juvenile) charm and memorable melodies that make it all worth it. *Paste's 300 is probably the most interesting greatest albums list I've come across (aside from this one!!), not just because it balances the usual suspects (Beatles, Springsteen) with RYMcore favourites (Fishmans), but also features Asian (Fishmans) and South American artists that critics from N.A. tend to ignore. Also, 2 Replacements in the top 100. Crazy

A post-punk album that’s actually good!? I mean that’s probably because it sounds nothing like any of the other post-punk albums on this list. Maybe it’s sort of meaningless to cobble all the varied and not so wonderful things punks went on to do once they’d learned how to actually play their instruments into a single genre?

Haha boner. I thought this was a good’un, which isn’t usually the case with a post-punk album. Simpsons: No

Decent album. Add Tommy Tonsils to the list of TT's references.

Not my thing but I actually liked the whole album!

That went pretty hard

It'd be a 5 star from me if it wasn't for the "outtakes" - not sure why they included them, maybe they didn't have enough material to make an album but oh well.

Tim and Pleased to Meet Me are my two favorite albums by the Replacements. I have been exposed to Let It Be less than those other two albums. This is my third favorite Replacements album and there is a lot of really great songs on here. My personal favorites are. I Will Dare Unsatisfied Favorite Thing Androgynous Black Diamond (I like it better than the KISS version) Answering Machine Gary's Got a Boner isn't even as bad of a song as one would think that it could be. I would not recommend starting off a review of Replacements albums with this one, but I do think this is an album that should be heard in concert with Tim and Pleased to Meet Me. Addendum: I just found out that neither Tim nor Pleased to Meet Me are in this book. What the hell? Both are classics and easily the Replacements two best albums. I guess the 75 Bjork and 32 White Stripes/Jack White albums didn't leave room for 1-2 albums by one of the best early indie-punkish bands ever.

Kicks ass. Great punk rock. Not perfect, but scrappy, full of energy, and with enough variety not to get bored. Must-listen #74.

So Many great songs and it’s just a classic 4/5

Sometimes it sounds like it's on the verge of being new wave and other times it's more punk. I love the rawness to it and it feels genuine. They were ahead of their time with Androgynous. There are also some pretty sick riffs in there.

If blues and folk are the genesis of all modern music, then punk is the genesis of all post-modern music. The Replacements are a classic example of punk / hardcore band that evolved and grew out of their genre sound and took it to a new level. This is kind of the birth of pop punk, alt rock, indie rock. Its all the DNA of punk, but they took their own spin to it and turned it into something else. There's slow songs, rockabilly songs, hardcore songs. I love its smart, sincere but also silly and funny. You can draw a direct line from The Replacements to blink-182 but also The Strokes and then take that today with bands like Petey or MJ Lenderman. Its all there. I'm always so impressed with acts like The Replacements that were brave enough to take this music to a different level. This album rocks.

I like it. Nothing special but better than a lot of other albums on here. I realized I knew them from Can't Hardly Wait.

A little too punk for me at times but mostly liked it

punky iron maiden, proto strokes, ugodno iznenađenje

I’ve always enjoyed The Replacements, my second favorite band out of the MSP during the burgeoning 80s. A blend of punk ethos and pop sensibility. This one is a bit uneven, but some great ones on here including the anthemic I Will Dare.

Real good album. I'm not super familiar with the Replacements, although I did recognize Unsatisfied from somewhere. 3.5/5

I don’t recall being aware of this band before but will be investigating further. Really liked this album and will be adding this to my playlist.

Somehow I looked up today's album, saw it, went about half of my day, typed it in, hit play, and made it three songs in before going "this really isn't what I thought The Pretenders sounded like" That's because it's not The Pretenders. I don't know. My brain is shut off for the year.

I don't like it as much as Tim or Pleased to Meet Me, but it's a fun album.

Very polished unpolished sound that took me by surprise. 3.5 or higher.

++: I Will Dare, We're Comin' Out, Androgynous, Unsatisfied, Gary's Got a Boner, Sixteen Blue, Answering Machine +: Favorite Thing, Tommy Get's His Tonsils Out, Black Diamond, Seen Your Video 9,1/10

Dette likte jeg veldig godt! Mange vibber her, var som en merkelig blanding av Rancid, Boomtown Rats og Joe Cocker. Deilig med litt klassisk gitardrevet rock som også har litt variasjon. Beste sanger: Favorite Thing, Androgynous og Black Diamond

Har ikke hørt om bandet en gang, så starta med lave forventninger til enda en av de tilsynelatende hundrevis av alternativ rock albumene fra 70- og 80-tallet på lista her. Men ble skikkelig revet med! Høres ut som et punkeband som beholder edgen sin samtidig som de eksperimenterer med andre innflytelser. Og beholder sin barnslige humor samtidig som de snuser på mer alvorlige temaer. Kult også å høre en 40 år gammel (!) kjærlighetssang om transpersoner. Beste låter: We're Coming out, Seen Your Video

Very much more than the sum of its parts. The singing isn’t great and neither is the musicianship, but it goes together to make a good sound.

Enjoyed this one, will definitely relisten. Standout tracks: - I Will Dare - Unsatisfied

This was great. I want to give this another listen over the summer

They hit so many genres so damn well on this album. I've listened to "Tim" a million times but never gave this one it's due.

One of those bands I'd heard of but never found the time to listen to. Thank you 1001 list, this was a goody. Good mix of punk and indie, crunchy bass and jangly guitar. Listening again, that bass sound is just fantastic.

I enjoyed this

Interesting. I liked it

It feels illegal to be giving this album a 4, but the truth is that it sounds like every other post punk album. I so badly wanted to like it. I'm sorry.

A good album worthy of further listening. 4 stars or B-.

Needs another listen to really know what it's all about. Or not

Shinola!

Never heard of this band before, but glad I know of them now. I found this a really fun album to listen to. Will be listening to more of The Replacements

Fun, punchy and punky, though a bit one toned here and there. It was good but not sure it is one of the best rock albums of the 1980s? It means the decade didn't produce the best ever rock albums, that's for sure.

for some reason i always mix up the replacements and the proclaimers cos their names are kinda similar. so those were my only thoughts going into this album even though i KNOW i’ve listened to it before and i’ve known “androgynous” since i was a teenager. i think these guys are kinda pranksters…naming their own album after a famous beatles album is such a cheeky move. is paul westerberg the latest in our line-up of little stinkers? it’s very possible. GREAT fucking guitar riffs my god. the middle part of “seen your video” is just perfect. kind of incongruously (for the era/scene) tender and empathetic lyrics which, when delivered with that strange desperate inflection in westerberg’s voice, come across as really earnest, despite the overall piss-take tone of the record given the title and the tonsillectomy song and the boner song. honestly the songs that i didn’t like as much musically i still enjoyed because of the lyrics. i know they took inspiration from alex chilton vis a vis his guitar sound but i actually think the replacements are very much operating in the tradition of big star’s startlingly sincere and plainspoken lyrics (*”i loved you, well, never mind.”*). plus the influence of lou reed’s ambiguously gay storytelling which also seem sincere if sometimes a bit muddled, and anyway the stumbling is sweet to me. this is what every suburban power pop group thinks they sound like but they DON’T. this is another album i wish i’d known as a teenager beyond “androgynous”…i would have loved crying to “sixteen blue.” fav tracks: i will dare; favorite thing; unsatisfied; seen your video; sixteen blue; androgynous

I don’t usually like punk but I enjoyed this. I’m not sure I can describe what it was that was different about this that made me like it. I guess I thought it was catchier? And the catchiness out-weighed the grating/repetitive aspects of punk that I usually don’t like? I didn’t love his voice at a lot of points; it reminded me of the scratchy kind of voices I don’t love in grunge music, but again the music was interesting enough to me that I didn’t mind it toooo much. *Fav tracks: I Will Dare, Androgynous, Answering Machine*

I wouldn’t wish lives like the ones the members of this band have led on anyone. And still, I kind of mourn that this attitude just doesn’t exist in rock and roll anymore. I wouldn’t want to hang out with Paul Westerberg or Tommy Stinson, but damn if they didn’t write some awesome music. This album sees the band starting to “mature” (as much as they ever could) into a more deliberate sound. Still carrying a little of the rowdiness from “Sorry, Ma,” which I also listened to to get a sense of the shift. Some real gems on this album, but still not as good as the album that follows it. 4.5/5

One of the bands that I’ve heard a lot about without actually listening to them. Good this though, what I expected: catchy, post-punk ish, with mainly catchy songs. There was a couple that passed me by but maybe theyll be growers

Why these fuckers use the album name of an already well known record.

### *Let It Be* by The Replacements: In-Depth Review Released in 1984, *Let It Be* marks a pivotal point in the career of The Replacements, where they transitioned from their punk roots to a more eclectic and mature sound. It’s an album that not only defines the band’s legacy but also captures the essence of 1980s alternative rock. The record is often seen as one of the quintessential albums of the decade, solidifying The Replacements' place in music history. In this review, we’ll delve into the album’s lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, while also weighing its pros and cons. ### Lyrics The songwriting on *Let It Be* is often lauded for its raw, unfiltered honesty and introspection. Lead singer and songwriter Paul Westerberg’s lyrics range from deeply personal to witty and irreverent, capturing the disenchanted youth’s voice with precision. The songs tackle themes such as alienation, longing, and the absurdity of growing up, resonating with listeners who feel like outsiders. "Unsatisfied" is a prime example, with its repeated refrain of “I’m so unsatisfied” becoming an anthem for the restless and discontented. The simplicity of the lyrics adds to the song’s power, emphasizing the feeling of being stuck and yearning for something more. Westerberg’s delivery is raw and vulnerable, which gives the track an almost desperate edge. Conversely, songs like "Gary's Got a Boner" display the band's more playful and juvenile side. While it’s less sophisticated than the album’s other tracks, it serves to lighten the mood and demonstrate the band's punk rock roots. The humor and straightforwardness in tracks like “Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out” reflect a carefree spirit, reminding listeners that The Replacements never took themselves too seriously. "Westerberg’s exploration of gender and identity in 'Androgynous' is ahead of its time, addressing themes of fluidity and acceptance. The song is tender and empathetic, celebrating nonconformity with lines like, 'He might be a father, but he sure ain't a dad.' The lyrics emphasize how outdated traditional gender roles can be, a progressive message that resonates decades later. However, some tracks feel underdeveloped lyrically. While "Gary's Got a Boner" might provide comic relief, it lacks the depth found in the album's stronger songs, which could be seen as a missed opportunity to maintain a more consistent tone. ### Music Musically, *Let It Be* is an eclectic mix of punk rock, power pop, and alternative rock, showcasing the band's growth and musical diversity. The album opens with “I Will Dare,” featuring jangly guitars reminiscent of R.E.M., a band The Replacements were often compared to. The lead guitar line, contributed by Peter Buck of R.E.M., gives the song a polished, melodic edge, making it one of the most accessible tracks on the album. Tracks like “Favorite Thing” and “We’re Comin’ Out” retain the band’s punk energy, with fast tempos and raucous guitars. These songs are raw and aggressive, channeling the youthful energy that characterized their earlier work while also displaying a tighter, more refined sound. The album’s heavier tracks serve as a reminder of the band's roots in punk, despite their evident evolution. "Sixteen Blue" is another standout, with its haunting, arpeggiated guitar line and emotive solo that convey a sense of yearning and frustration. The slower pace allows Westerberg’s voice to carry the emotional weight of the song, creating a more introspective atmosphere compared to the more frenetic tracks. The cover of KISS’s “Black Diamond” is a surprising addition, as it brings a classic rock element into the mix. The Replacements inject their punk flair into the song, making it their own while paying homage to the original. The inclusion of the cover adds to the album's unpredictability and reflects the band's broad influences. While the album's diversity is a strength, it can also make the record feel disjointed at times. Some may find the transition from a raw punk song to a ballad jarring, as the band jumps between different styles and tones. However, this eclecticism can also be seen as a deliberate choice to illustrate the multifaceted nature of the band. ### Production The production on *Let It Be* is relatively raw, retaining a lo-fi aesthetic that suits the band's punk ethos. Unlike the slick production associated with many mainstream 1980s rock records, the album’s sound is gritty and unpolished, which works in its favor. Producer Steve Fjelstad and the band didn’t aim for a polished studio sound, allowing the natural energy and imperfections to come through. The rough production quality contributes to the authenticity of the music, especially on tracks like “Unsatisfied,” where the coarse guitar tones and Westerberg's strained vocals amplify the song's emotional impact. The live feel of the recordings adds an immediacy to the songs, making the listener feel as if they are in the room with the band. However, some aspects of the production may be seen as drawbacks. The rawness occasionally leads to inconsistency in sound quality, with some instruments sounding more prominent than others in the mix. In songs like “Gary’s Got a Boner,” the production feels almost too unrefined, which might detract from the listening experience for those who prefer a more polished sound. The DIY approach might alienate some listeners who are unaccustomed to the roughness associated with punk and alternative rock of that era. ### Themes Thematically, *Let It Be* explores a range of subjects, from personal struggles and existential angst to youthful irreverence and humor. Central to the album is the concept of dissatisfaction, as exemplified in “Unsatisfied,” where Westerberg laments a sense of emptiness despite striving for fulfillment. This theme is a recurring thread throughout the album, resonating with listeners who struggle with the same feelings. The album also addresses issues of identity and conformity, particularly in “Androgynous,” where gender roles are questioned and rejected. This theme of nonconformity extends to other songs, such as “I Will Dare,” where the band encourages taking risks and defying expectations. The Replacements' rejection of societal norms and celebration of individuality is a consistent message, giving the album a rebellious spirit. Songs like "Sixteen Blue" explore the adolescent experience, capturing the confusion and turmoil of teenage life. Westerberg’s lyrics delve into the insecurities and pains of growing up, portraying them with a sense of empathy that sets the album apart from more typical punk fare. It is in these moments of vulnerability that the album resonates deeply with those who have felt misunderstood or alienated. Yet, not all tracks carry the same thematic weight. The inclusion of songs like “Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out” and “Gary’s Got a Boner” adds levity to the album, but they don’t contribute to the overall themes as strongly as other tracks do. These songs feel like throwbacks to the band's earlier, more carefree style, which may disrupt the flow of the album for some listeners seeking a more cohesive narrative. ### Influence *Let It Be* is widely considered one of the most influential albums of the 1980s, paving the way for alternative rock bands that followed. It demonstrated that punk-rooted music could evolve to encompass introspective and emotionally complex themes, inspiring a wave of artists who sought to combine the rawness of punk with more mature songwriting. The album's influence can be seen in bands like Nirvana, who blended punk attitude with emotive lyrics in a similar fashion. It also helped to shape the sound of the burgeoning college rock scene, impacting bands like The Pixies, Soul Asylum, and even R.E.M. Westerberg's songwriting, in particular, is often cited as a major influence on subsequent generations of musicians, who sought to capture the same mix of vulnerability and defiance. Despite its lasting impact, *Let It Be* did not achieve mainstream commercial success at the time of its release, which limited its immediate influence. However, its status as a cult classic has only grown over time, with many now recognizing it as a cornerstone of alternative rock. ### Pros and Cons **Pros:** 1. **Raw Emotion and Honesty**: Westerberg’s lyrics and vocal delivery are deeply personal, offering an unfiltered glimpse into feelings of dissatisfaction and alienation. 2. **Musical Diversity**: The album’s eclectic mix of styles—punk, rock, ballads—showcases the band’s versatility and growth as musicians. 3. **Unpolished Production**: The rough production enhances the authenticity of the music, capturing the band’s raw energy and spontaneity. 4. **Cultural Relevance**: Themes of nonconformity, identity, and youthful rebellion resonate across generations, making the album timeless. 5. **Influence on Alternative Rock**: It laid the groundwork for the alternative rock scene of the late '80s and early '90s, inspiring countless bands. **Cons:** 1. **Inconsistent Tone**: The album’s shifts between humor and introspection can make it feel disjointed at times, potentially detracting from its thematic coherence. 2. **Underdeveloped Tracks**: Songs like “Gary’s Got a Boner” don’t carry the same weight as others, appearing more as filler than substantive contributions to the album. 3. **Lo-Fi Production Drawbacks**: While the raw production adds to the album’s charm, it can also result in uneven sound quality, which might be off-putting for some listeners. 4. **Limited Immediate Impact**: The album’s initial lack of commercial success limited its influence during the time of its release, with recognition growing mostly in retrospect. ### Conclusion *Let It Be* by The Replacements is a seminal album that represents a turning point for the band and for alternative rock as a whole. With its mix of introspective lyrics, diverse musical styles, and unpolished production, it captures the essence of youth and rebellion while pushing the boundaries of what punk music could be. Although some tracks may lack depth or cohesion, the album’s strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, earning it a well-deserved place in the pantheon of great rock records. Its enduring influence and timeless themes make it not just a classic of the 1980s, but an essential listen for anyone interested in the evolution of alternative music.

(3-) 4

i want to give this a 5 so badly but there were just not enough songs that i really really liked, BUT i did really thoroughly enjoy this album and a lot of the songs on it, i just don’t love it as a cohesive piece as much as i wanted to, but no i actually really liked this and i’d say this is like a 4.5 for me, as good to me as magazine was for me, i don’t know they kinda nailed this is that crazy or what, anyway yeah this was super super fire very solid lots of bangers that will be on my playlists very soon, listened to this one twice beatles reference

Pre listening thoughts: I’ve heard a few songs by the replacements but I’m still not 100% sure what to expect. But I liked what I’ve heard so we’ll see! Post/during listening thoughts: love me a good 30 min album. This is pretty good 80s rock. The production doesn’t date itself and I always love seeing punk’s early blossoms. Sometimes it’s a little too “loud and fast” for me but overall a good listen. 8/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: nah but once again a good listen! Fav tracks: I Will Dare, Favorite Thing, Androgynous, Unsatisfied, Seen Your Video, Sixteen Blue, Answering Machine Least fav tracks: We’re Coming Out

Great punk sounds, very 80's. Interesting song writing, something different.

Rockin' into the weekend. I like propulsive and I like punk--it's like they can't keep away, try as they might. Tonsils, boners, gender bending, of course the material for songs. And songs like 16 Blue and Androgynous show what they could stretch to when they wanted.

I never paid a whole lot of attention to The Replacements, not for any particular reason. And for whatever music-critic cred I may think I have, I would have been sure this band hails from London in the shadow of The Clash. So, wrong there, bud. I'm hearing what must have been an outsized influence on Jeff Tweedy and Wilco, in addition to tons of other bands, and while this is a little more raw and raucous than I gravitate toward (hence my unfamiliarity), this is great stuff. I loved the un-ironic cover of Kiss (Black Diamond) and appreciate their "can't give a fuck" aesthetic. But you can tell they really do. Hard to pull that off. It's rough in places, beautiful in others, and somehow it all stands together.

Man, I haven't listened to this in decades. Held up great. Nice variety of material. (Love the Kiss cover.) Paul's a hell of a songwriter and performer. At least on this album. I never could get into their other releases, but this one is lightning in a bottle.

4/5

Some of the songs are fun to listen to. Very "the clash" in some songs and some weird concepts for songs.

Diverse rock and punk rock album about growing up and uncertainty. Some good themes here overall. Didn’t care for the extra songs on the expanded version, but I enjoyed this album more than I was expecting. The second half of the album was what I enjoyed most. Standouts: We’re Coming Out, Tommy Got His Tonsils Out, Black Diamond, Seen Your Video, and Sixteen Blue.

Honestly pretty good. Only a song or two were kind of duds to me compared to the rest. Very cool!

pretty okayish 80s punk rock. androgynous and the first track bump it up a bit for me

Can’t let it be

Great album, ahead of its time. Mixes up the sound among tracks to ensure it is not just a samey mix. Good lyrics

Been hearing about The Replacements my entire life, on of my Dads favorite bands. For whatever reason never gave them a shot - I dont think I'm a big alt rock guy. Glad to have listened to this one though. Some awesome songs I'll come back to a lot and really love Westerbergs voice. Sounds a lot like Cobain to me.

Had a bit of a replacements phase in college so fun to return to them. Many gems on here (unsatisfied, androgynous, answering machine, Gary’s got a boner) but a few too many songs that seem included just to prove their punk bonafides and don’t add to the whole. The rare band that is better when they deviate from their genre than when they try to exemplify it. Underrated in American music history for their impact on college / alternative radio.

There are a few Replacements songs that I really really like, but they are not on this album. The tracks we do have though are endearing in the same style as the ones I really like are; they call out to the youthful ennui I often feel for a time long passed. It's a nice place to settle in and hang out for a while. I always feel wistful listening to these guys. They make me wish I'd been a reckless and restless American youth in the 80's noodling on a guitar with my buddies and causing some shit wherever we go. It's ripped jeans and a shoplifted 6-pack. It's comfortable and slightly illicit in that way that only retro American punk is.

A few newbies for me! Loved Greg has a boner as a goof track

Pretty fun rock. One song was too noise-rock for me, but overall enjoyable and silly-in-a-fun-way in some spots. Liked it a lot.

A surprise hit for me! I found this really fascinating. It varies across the board tonally yet comes across as this very genuine portrait of adolescent feeling. There's an almost "Bruce Springsteen goes punk" kind of sound here that I really enjoy. I find the mentions of queerness on "Androgynous" and "Sixteen Blue" really interesting as these offhand feelings that exist in the speakers world. Not a thing id ever check out otherwise but very happy I listened

Let it Be Kind of familiar with this, one of those albums that get talked about a lot. I remember downloading it dodgily in pre streaming times, but it must have been a poor quality or highly compressed version as it didn’t sound as good as the version I’m listening to now. I didn’t really give it many listens but I did like Unsatisfied, which I’ve got on a few playlists to this day I Will Dare, love this, very power pop, Byrds and Tom Petty ish with a punk new wave edge to it. Makes sense that Peter Buck plays on it. Favourite Thing is similar, with great guitar interplay. We’re Coming Out, beers a bit close to a slightly tuneless punk thrash, although i love the piano breakdown at the end and the solo is good. The lead and rhythm guitars on Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out are great, a cool post punk power pop combo, but the song just kind of fizzles out, even though I like sense of humour to it. I can hear a lot of people must have been influenced by Androgynous, it does sound a bit like Mercury Rev and other 90s US and UK indie bands. Amazingly progressive and sympathetic lyrics for the time too. Bit of a gem. Black Diamond. Bit of an oddity, don’t know the Kiss original at all, but seems a strange choice of band to cover. It’s fine but not as interesting as the other tracks. Unsatisfied is excellent, a great bit of songwriting, it immediately sounds right, well constructed, but with enough roughness around the edges and a pleasing lack of polish. Stand out track. Seen Your Video is another great slice of power pop, love that, idiosyncratically, it’s wordless until the end. Gary’s Got a Boner. I’ve got a boner. Sixteen Blue is really great, a few little county touches with a great sense of longing and yearning. Excellent solo. Answering Machine is also great, love that’s it’s just guitars and nothing else until the little bit of percussion at the end. I like their sound, the two ‘lead’ guitars, and his unconventionally affecting voice, and the unpolished looseness and occasional dissonance of their playing. Can hear a lot of Libertines in that. It is possibly a bit patchy overall, but this is a great little album, it’s punk new wave power pop classic rock synthesis is great, it’s rough edges and it’s sense of often imminent musical collapse gives it such charm - you can see and hear why it’s been so influential and why it gets talked about so much. A definite minor classic, easily in the high 4s. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Playlist submission: Unsatisfied

Great Album let's get into this!

I quite like this.

Going into this record, I was under the impression that The Replacements were more reminiscent of a British new wave band. While some songs had hints of that sound, I was pleasantly surprised to hear a great amount of influence from 70's punk bands like The Clash and Sex Pistols. There was a great mix of tracks on this album with fast-paced punk sound (some even with some thrash metal vibes) with some slower, softer songs to balance out. Clocking in at just over 30 minutes, this record packed a very memorable punch to me in a compact package, and very much makes me want to put The Replacements more permanently in my daily listening rotation. Notable Tracks: Favorite Thing We're Comin' Out Unsatisfied 7.5/10

Short and sweet album. You can feel the emotion in each song. I especially liked Androgynous, Unsatisfied, Sixteen Blue. Something about the raw and strained voice is satisfying to me.

cool

Very cool album. My first thoughts were, "I've heard this done innumerable times over the years". But, all of those albums were after this record come out. Although I feel that this record has not stood the test of time quite as well as some of its contemporaries, the influence is clear and I will be revisiting this album for sure!

Magnificent. 4.5 star

Great album. This is an album I own and have listened to several times. Some of the punkier and "dumb" tracks like "Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out" and "Gary's Got a Boner" are a little lacking, but this album also has bonafide great sentimental songs like "I Will Dare," "Androgynous," and "Unsatisfied." ****

I like this I like it a lot Androgynous is such a good song, great song, fantastic . Unsatisfied is a standout. I like the whole thing. its a very very decent album solid 4

A coming-of-age album that doesn't take itself too seriously at times. I'm a little more familiar with The Replacements later work, so it's interesting to hear their early punk sound transition into the post-punk/alt rock sound that I'm familiar with. That transition seems to happen in real time, almost as if it's maturing along the way like this album's subject matter.

One of the more interesting albums I've ever heard. I didn't like it and wouldn't really want to listen again but I thought it was inventive musically and lyrically. Definitely belongs on this list, but there weren't a lot of non-covers on here that I'd want to listen to again.

Un popurrí curioso de rock-indie-punk... Me ha gustado. Un 4.

Un 4, pero por las canciones añadidas en la versión Deluxe.

Look me in the eye Then, tell me that I'm satisfied Was you satisfied? Look me in the eye Then, tell me that I'm satisfied Hey, are you satisfied? And it goes so slowly on Everything I've ever wanted Tell me what's wrong This is a pretty good album. Its very down to earth and genuine, and doesn't wear out its welcome. 4/5

Great album

💖 gary’s got a boner 🗣️ 7️⃣

Never heard about them - cool stuff

Thoughts before listening: I really enjoy the Replacements, and this widely considered one of their best albums. That being said, I don't believe I have heard this album as a whole. I certainly will recognize some songs, but Tim is the only Replacements albums that I own. Review: Yeah, this is good, but it's not my favorite from the band (Tim or Pleased to Meet Me are better). I love the Replacements' sloppily played and punk inspired rock n roll, and this album has that in spades even if they have better songs on other albums. My favorites here are "I Will Dare" and "Unsatisfied" both of which are classics of 80s post-punk indie rock. I also really like "We're Coming Out", "Sixteen Blue", and their Kiss cover "Black Diamond". 4-stars because assuming Tim is on this list it's getting the top rating.

I really really really like the song Unsatisfied. I like a lot the album but not as much as I wish I did.

Pretty good 3.5

Track 3 was amazing. Very punky vibes. Overall really enjoyed this album and ended up listening to it a few times. Shocked I'd not heard of them before

I had never heard this one. I liked it much more than expected. Some really good stuff here.

This process has unveiled a love of post punk that I didn't know I had. Really enjoyed the spectrum of pinky noise through to some genuinely catchy tunes.

Solid

Not the Beatles. Came in expecting some shitty knockoff, it was actually unique a type of rock I’m so used to but done in a way that made it seem fresh. Im giving this a 4 just because androgynous made my playlist in reality it’s a 3.6/5

Cool, liked it.

Enjoyable punk bops. Featuring top hits like 'Gary's got a goner'

I enjoyed this more than I thought I was going to. Some good songs here!

I immediately got into what this band was putting down on this album. The thrill didn’t really last all the way through though, but it managed to stay above the “just okay” line.

I liked the vibe of this album

Raw, I will Dare and Unsatisfied rocked!

A little post punk / pre hardcore mixed with sentimental sap. I love it. I’ve always like everything I’ve ever heard from Westerberg but I never go search for more of his music. I don’t know why. This is a really good album.

Loved it.

“Love each other so…. Androgynous” is stuck in my head

Like your drunken mates have managed to scrape enough money together to record an album veering from punk rock medical procedures, embarrassing boners, gender studies and the relationship between technology and loneliness. Great songs, great melodies and even though it's from the 80's, the feelings deisplayed here haven't aged at all. Plus bonus points for naming it the same as a Beatles' album. Best Tracks: I Will Dare; Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out; Answering Machine

Loved the first half of this album. What a forward thinking band with Androgyny and Alt rock was born. Wish I heard this as a kid.

really fucking great! 8.9/10

Very punky but some bangers Favorite is I will dare

Pretty good. Good variety. "Androgynous" was a standout track

This was a fun album. I hadn’t made it to The Replacements yet in my punk/post-punk exploration, and it was interesting to hear their take on it. I like that they have a mix of sounds and styles, from the farcical poppy punk of the Ramones and quirkiness of The Damned to the hardcore punk of Rancid to the 60s-pop-inspired sound of the Buzzcocks and The Cure to baroque pop/cabaret of the Dresden Dolls. Similarly, their lyrics range from crude and brash to sincere and introspective. The punk attitude is all over the album, but rather than angry in-your-face political screeds, the lyrics deal with the internal turmoil of trying to figure out where you belong in the world as a teenager and obliquely railing against the cold indifference of everything. I could’ve done without a couple of the more farcical songs, but even those had their charm. I can see why this album is so highly regarded and will likely keep it in regular rotation.

One of the best albums of the 1980s. Westerburg’s voice is iconic. Seems like a soundtrack to a specific time period.

This album starts being a bi of a late punk record where one's a bit inclined to stop the listen. But the 2nd half is really great, tarting with the little ballad 'Androgynous' which doesn't seem to much of a thing these days but was something in the 1980s. So, yeah, a 'Just okay' first half and a great 2nd half.

More frantic than Tim, but I still enjoyed it quite a bit. I appreciate the Replacements more as I've gotten older

This one was a pleasant surprise. I’ve heard of this band, but never gave them a listen. Very solid alternative/punk/post punk. I wish I found this record when I was like 17.

I was surprised by this one. Really impressive, if just slightly unpolished. They have a knack for bringing the melody back into the music while also deviating into the punk world for a bit. A solid mix of aggression, blues, and even some complex social battles. The power chords and raspy singing creates a lovely mix. Similar to J Roddy Walston stuff!

A classic sounding post punk album. It's screaming and hoarse vocals perfectly match the ambiance and chaos they create. It's a timeless sound that could be dropped today in blend right in with only a few moments showing its age. While it doesnt break the mold but it does what it does very well. " Unsatisfied" is one of the highlights of the albums showing the slower more melodic pain stuff while "We're Coming Out" showcases the instrumental talents of the band. Plus Minnesota!

I've listened to this album before. I should listen to it more often.

As a massive alternative and grunge rock fan, who until recent years knew little of where that sound came from, I was really looking forward to an entry from The Replacements. I've read a bit about them and listened to a few songs that come up as suggested plays when I'm done listening to related bands. But I saved listening to a full album until now. I hear their original punk influence on We're Coming Out (the sound) and Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out (the sound and the irreverent lyrics). And I hear their indie/alternative influence of contemporaneous bands on I Will Dare (think REM, which makes sense given Pete Buck appears on guitar) or Favorite Thing (think Husker Du) and of bands that came later on Unsatisfied (think Gaslight Anthem) or Seen Your Video (think The Doughboys). It is a good but not quite great album, and yet I still feel like it was everything I was hoping for - because it helps fill in a musical hole between the 70s and 90s rock I listened to in high school. 70s rock was classic rock and deservedly vintage (thus cool) while 90s rock was modern and heady (so of course cool). But 80s rock that got the most play seemed to be either hair metal or yacht rock and felt a bit goofy - fun (I love it, don't get me wrong), yet lacking depth. This album helps connect the dots so I liked it as much for that as I did its own rock qualities.

This album really grew on me the more I listened. To some extent, they sound like a lot of other bands, but they do it really well (and there were a lot of moments where Paul Westerberg reminded me of Kurt Cobain, who came later and claimed he never really listened to the Replacements). There were some moments that initially bugged me (e.g., noise at the end of We're Coming Out, scream-ish singing in Unsatisfied (kind of like when Kurt Cobain sings Pennyroyal Tea - but like most of the album, it started to grow on me, despite this), ridiculous lyrics in Gary's Got a Boner, annoying repeated "If you need help" in Answering Machine). But lots of good moments right from the offset and even the stuff I didn't like at first stopped bugging me on subsequent listens. I can definitely see revisiting this album and exploring more of their albums. Favorite tracks: I Will Dare, Favorite Thing, Black Diamond, Androgynous, Unsatisfied (even though I initially disliked it!), Sixteen Blue.

Rating: 8/10 Best songs: Favorite things, We’re comin’ out, Tommy gets his tonsils out, Seen your video

5 if not for Gary has a boner existing

Listened Before? Yes Album Art: 4 / 5 (dig the contrast between the blue-filtered black and white and the red font. Captures the sense of an era) Listened to this one back in college as part of a huge music dump that Luke Wienecke dropped on me. Didn't really appreciate it at the time, but listening back I really love the post-punk vibes and the range of the band. I think their sound is best when polished the least; Androgynous and Unsatisfied being the two main standouts to me. The former being a tender stripped down and sloppy song and the latter being a vulnerable song with some sweet production work. At the same time, this album has other upbeat gems like Gary's Got a Boner, I Will Dare, and Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out. Gut feel and two listens puts this at a strong 4 for me. Some really great range on display here with an eclectic mix of processed post-punk and more stripped down and crusty songs. The song writing and compositions are what stands out to me. Added to Library? Yes Songs Added to Playlists: - Unsatisfied (Driving) - Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out (Skate Mix)

This was an interesting album for sure. It definitely feels like punk most of the time, but there was a good variety in the instruments and the composition of the songs. Even songs like Unsatisfied showed the vocal range of the singer. The latter half of the album started fading out as I was working, but there were riffs in every song or two that would catch my ear. This feels like a 3.5 that probably earned a re-listen.

That album had a little bit of everything. Started with some funk, followed by a couple of slightly metal songs, then a slow ballad Androgynous. The instrumental Seen your Video and then the blues song were probably my favorite part. This album was a very pleasant surprise I was afraid going in that it would just be another cookie cutter punk album from this list. But there were times that I was thinking it would be a 5. Answering Machine let me down as the last song which is going to bring this album down to a 4.

Gary’s boner

Yllätyin. Odotin samaa brittisoftrock -härpätystä, mutta tämä olikin enemmän punk-levy. Hauskoja sanoituksia, kepeitä kappaleita. Sopii tempon puolesta lenkille ja tarpeeksi höttöä, että pystyy keskittymään menemiseen.

I recall walking into a record store in the late '80s and asking "Who's this?" about the band the clerk was playing throughout the store. The answer was The Replacements, and I wound up buying "Pleased to Meet Me" before leaving. I went on to buy their next two albums as well (not as good). So I like The Replacements. They were one of the better alternative bands back when alternative was actually alternative. But they're second tier. And that's not bad. But it's not 5 star material, like this album. I actually prefer "Pleased to Meet Me", but this came first, establishing The Replacements change from their previous sound, so there's a small historical aspect to the rating, which would be true "Pleased to Meet Me" as well, but even so for this album. By today's standards, when there's 10,000 alt/indie bands on Spotify, The Replacements don't stand out as much, but at the time, there were a very nice alternative. 4 stars. (Probably more like 3.5 really.)

Loved this. Don't know why I havnt listened before.

This was a fun listen. Had some groovy pep to it, foot tapping jams. 4.5

7.5/10

For an album of this vein, I wasn't anticipating how honest and emotionally open and intelligent it was. Which is not to say that this kind of music can't be. Of course that's not the case. It just surprised me. And that was the goal for the band. They wanted to create something more sincere than their previous work, and I think they succeeded in doing so. And the best product of this choice would have to be the song Androgynous. Consisting solely of Paul singing while playing the piano, it focuses on the idea of gender identity and being comfortable in your own skin no matter what others say. For this time period, it feels very forward thinking, and was not what I ever thought I would see on here, but it's a beautiful song, and I love it. While I think the rest of the album is mostly on par in terms of songwriting, most songs are more traditional alternative power pop. Paul has the perfect amount of teen angst in his voice, and the rest of the band is very punk adjacent, with more aggression and energy in their playing to keep things moving. Rating: 7/10

Strong bops couple misses

Originally a punk band in the vein of the Ramones, Let It Be saw The Replacements incorporating new instruments (acoustic ones!) into their music along with some slower song structures (Unsatisfied, Sixteen Blue). The result is still raw and mostly very loud but really displays the heartfelt sentiment behind many of their tracks. It's technically competent (no small feat given the DIY feel of the record) but the impact goes beyond any particular drum fill or bass groove. It's been said that this band invented alternative rock and the similarities to a host of later groups are as plain as day. Paul Westerburg's singing has obvious influences on the grunge movement (Eddie Vedder especially) and the whole band deserves respect for their own contributions. Listen to this front to back and you'll hear just where a lot of song conventions came from. Seminal.

Solid 4 - Vibes were good, liked that there was some variety outside of the standard punk array.

Didn't expect to like that as much as I did. A lot of those songs fucking rip

Very earnest in the feeling it wants to make. Loved the energy.

That was pretty good and I can see how this was very impactful at the time. Takes influences from a lot of great stuff and probably influenced other great artists aswell.

i was about to make a joke involving the beatles and their let it be album, but hearing the first song i actually can tell some similarities between both bands, funny heh. its crazy how theres a lot of songs that as you expect of punk are pure musical riot and silly lyrics and then they drop a song like Androgynous, which talks about genders overall, in fucking 1984, thats so ahead of its time man, crazy. and very beautiful song too. no wonder its the most streamed one. overall its a punk record, not really my thing, but my feet never stopped counting the beat on this one, so great, thats all i want from an album like that. Seen Your Video absolute banger

This album is all over the place in terms of sound and style. Punk, acoustic, alt rock, the softer side of grunge, “Gary’s got a boner” and so on. There’s probably at least ONE song on here that you’ll like. And it’s Gary’s Got a Boner! For me, I liked Sixteen Blue, Androgynous, Unsatisfied and Answering Machine. What? Did you think I was going to say Gary’s Got a Boner? Grow up

Wowed by Androgynous. 4.5

I'm starting to sense a bias on this list toward punk bands. i might just go safety pin a RANCID patch on my jean jacket later.

Never really listened to the Replacements in an album format before. Always knew of their positions on lists for music or influence, etc. Now I get it. They hit in that special time overlap of punk / post-punk / new wave / pop where when it works, it works and when it doesn't, it flops. Let It Be works. 4/5.

this album's track listing is wild! the replacements' first two songs are sweet, which definitely cuts into the stereotype of what punk music is. what's more punk than that? but the replacements made sure to include songs like "tommy gets his tonsils out" and "gary's got a boner," which are definitely your typical punk of creating songs with titles and lyrics that make your elders stop in their tracks. but i will not forget that the replacements included cutesy, clever lines or they have a lyric of "you're my favorite thing, bar nothing". i see you, paul westerberg. what's most punk about this album is the song "androgynous". this album was released in 1984, and to have a song that blatantly talks about non-gender conformity is pretty great. the song is limited to only a piano, but the distorted vocals don't allow the lyrics to be as coherent as much as they would otherwise. still, the song's intention is clear: some people appear androgynous and they do what they want to do. "tomorrow, who's gonna fuss?" as in, mind your own business. this album is the only one of the replacements that i know; apparently they toned down their previous punk nature for let it be. i wouldn't necessarily characterize this album as straight punk. there's a bit of a peppy pop approach at times. yes, the new wave genre is absolutely here! and the instrumentals! the instrumental sections in "seen your video" and "unsatisfied" are particularly beautiful. punk can be characterized as songs played quick and fast without much fuss or intricacy. instrumental sections aren't unheard of in punk but are uncommon. the usage of these instrumentals is a breath of fresh air but also showcase the band's talents without the vocals interrupting. two of the more morose songs on the album, "sixteen blue" and "unsatisfied", provide balance to the more lively songs. i don't think it's an accident these are more rock based. the roaring, unrefined vocals allow these melancholy songs to hit deeply. the unpolished nature of "unsatisfied" (which the band freely admits to!) possibly makes this song more noteworthy than otherwise. but a song doesn't need to be tweaked to death in order to achieve greatness. again, that's punk!

I find the blatant rip-off of the "Let It Be" album title to be hilarious, and particularly appropriate for a punk-adjacent band; it's brash and it lacks all sense of decorum and reverence. There is a lot of diversity and styles on display in this album. For instance, as songs, "Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out" and "Androgynous" couldn't be further from each other. One is heavy hitting musically, the other is more like a piano cabaret ballad. The similarity that brings them together still is the fact that both still manage to be rebellious and outspoken; they carry that punk spirit, just in different ways. The Replacements are definitely nothing if not multi-faceted. They find several ways across this entire album to convey that punk spirit. It's diverse and it's clever. I liked this quite a bit! It definitely kept me interested and on my toes!

Just a really satisfying album to listen to. Still carries a bit of their punk rock days, but shows the evolution.

Raw and angsty. Quite messy, but the variety keeps it engaging and interesting. Tracks like I Will Dare, Androgynous and Unsatisfied definitely rise a step above the rest with a bit more of a poignant and honest message. Why am i not surprised that Ted Nugent's contribution is Gary's Got a Boner.

interesting 4*

Unpolished, ragged at times but always very listenable and with a huge heart. Halfway between husker du and REM which is a pretty good place to be.

I've never heard of them but I like it. Feels like it a soundtrack to an early 90s teen movie. Stand out track - Unsatisfied

I'd dug this out earlier in the year after enjoying something else on this list that led me to The Replacements as something I might like. And I did. Hadn't heard it before that, but this is right up my street in lots of ways and I'll certainly listen to it again. It's even got a listenable version 20th Century Boy on the extended version I could download as well as some acoustic versions which are a nice change of pace. Yeah, this is pretty decent. Proper rock and roll band as well.

Heck yeah! Don't know how I live in MN and have never listened to the Replacements

Pretty good album with a couple of gems.

Un 4, pero por las canciones añadidas en la versión Deluxe.

I’ve always really enjoyed this album. Androgynous I had on repeat for months last year

Nice bit of guitar driven soft rock. I'd listen again

I had no prior expectations but walked away a fan. It is rare for me truly enjoy any music from the 80s but this album was great.

I really loved this. All of it was good but when they soften up a bit, man they are special. The vocals fit perfectly with the music. Great band.

The only Replacements album I'd listened to before today was Pleased to Meet Me, which I thought was pretty solid. However, I'd heard that Please to Meet Me was when their sound started to divert more from their punk rock sound, so I wasn't completely sure what Let It Be was going to sound like. Let It Be definitely has more of a punk sound that Pleased to Meet Me, but I feel like both albums have a very low-fi sound to them. I really love Paul Westerberg's vocals, and I think his voice is the perfect fit for The Replacements' DIY sound. The lyrics range from sophomoric humor to reflections of teenage angst and uncertainty, but no song feels out of place. I really enjoyed a lot of the guitar parts on this album too, and I loved that they ranged from punk thrashing to melodic. For a long time, my only exposure to eighties music was mostly top 40 pop and rock, but as I dive deeper into music that wasn't played on the radio constantly, I'm always so surprised to hear that there was music like this being recorded in the eighties, and it's always such a pleasant surprise to hear albums like this. Favorite song: "Unsatisfied." This had my favorite guitar playing on the album, and I loved the use of the lapsteel. The lyrics on "Unsatisfied" really resonated with me too; I had a tough home life as an adolescent, and I often find myself pondering the 'what-if's' of my life back then.

Yes I like it ....trash

4.0

Excellent band. Not my personal favorite Replacements album.

Mmmmh punk

So so so close to a 5 for me. If this were me back when I rated my first 5, it would have been a 5. But not it is just a tiny bit under for me.

I enjoyed this much more than I was expecting. 7/10

nice! some pretty cool songs with topics you don't hear a lot in older music

yeah enjoyed this

Yeah quite enjoyed this, hadn't heard of them so it was a nice surprise. Raw, punchy, great range of songs. Fav Track: We're Comin out

A ripping listen! Had never really come across them before but felt like I could hear how they influenced a lot that came after - there's especially some proto-pop punk Green Day stylings in there which were really fun. Thought the lyrics and somgwriting had nuance and punch, and the performances were raw enough to feel very genuine. A keeper. Fave track: Answering Machine

I liked it.It was pinky yet had some very beautiful moments like the song androgynous.Good album