#156 The Replacements, 'Let It Be' (1984)

Previously #241

Punk band, The Replacements, took a bit of a different direction on this album. Having grown tired of the loud, noisy punk songs they were known for, they decided to write an album of more considered, structured songs. This record was a coming of age, more mature songs dealing with themes of growing up, adolescence, rejection and general teenage awkwardness. That’s not to say they completely abandoned the raucous Punk sounds completely. Songs like ‘Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out’ and ‘We’re Comin’ Out’ are enough to get the crowd moshing and body slamming, however, the latter evolves into a finger-clicking interlude completely changing the pace of the song, and I think that’s where the extra dimension comes in.

‘Androgynous,’ describes Dick and Jane, a couple not bound by the assigned genders, a simple piano-based song about 30 years ahead of its time. ‘I Will Dare’ opens the record; a jangly guitar-pop song that sounds like The Smiths or early R.E.M. No surprise then to discover that R.E.M.’s Peter Buck plays the guitar solo on the song. Buck was in discussions to produce the album, actually, but the band didn’t have enough material at the time. He did assist with some pre-production stuff and ideas, other than this solo and his influence is really heard throughout the record. This album sits alongside Sonic Youth’s ‘Daydream Nation’ (#171), Pixies’ ‘Surfer Rosa’ (#390) and R.E.M.’s ‘Murmur’ (#165) as a cornerstone for Alternative Rock in the ‘80s. The album title is a cheeky reference to The Beatles album. The band has stated that they were planning on calling the next record ‘Let It Bleed’ after the Rolling Stones album. This album is varied and unique. It’s a diverse, multi-dimensional listen. I couldn’t let this review pass without mentioning the song ‘Gary’s Got  A Boner,’ because as much as they’d grown up, they were still young cheeky Punks at heart. I’ve had this song stuck in my head for the past day.

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