Record Label: Rhino Records
Genre: its the fucking Replacement
Band Link: link
Buy on Amazon.com link

When labels decide to put together greatest hits packages for legendary or influential bands with loyal followings, there will always be some chagrin stemming from the fan base. Some bands’ outputs can result in an easily compiled album, while there are others wherein a compilation of any kind is heresy.

But I have to admit this one is pretty damn good. The Replacements were a great album band mid career, but their early stuff and later stuff were both sub-par and spotty. The Mats’ first two (or at least album and follow up EP) were raucous and messy, and only slightly indicative of what would come. Additionally, the two albums that followed 1987’s Pleased to Meet Me were downright boring. So taking the best out of those records only makes sense. Especially for a big fan like me who never really wanted to buy those mediocre ones (actually funny story: my first Mats album was 1988’s Don’t Tell a Soul, but I absolutely detested it give or take the two songs that appear on this one. I ended up selling it because I knew I’d never listen to it. About 5 years later, the musical karmic gods have come full circle).

I know to some it’s sacrilege to take apart the Mats 3 classic albums, Let it Be (1984), Tim (1985), and Pleased To Meet Me, but quite honestly, each of those albums contain their fair share of filler. The songs selected for this comp are pretty much every one that fans would want. Sixteen Blue’ is one of the only songs I’m really missing here.

Of course, with a new greatest hits, there has to be the all-new recordings to make even the die-hard fans pick up the album. Are the songs worth it? Well, they really don’t sound all too different from Paul Westerberg’s recent output (especially because Tommy Stinson has been playing with Westerberg for a while). Not great, but I think this compilation is more targeted towards casual fans, or people like me who really only have the big three albums and want the good songs from the lesser albums on disc. A good idea, really.

If you haven’t heard the Replacements, there is no better way to be introduced than this compilation. And if you seriously haven’t heard them, you fucking NEED this.

Bottom Line: A really strong best of for one of the 1980s most influential rock bands, and possibly one of the most important American indie bands ever. PS, the new tracks aren’t great.
Notable Tracks: Color Me Impressed, Unsatisfied, Left of the Dial, Can’t Hardly Wait, Achin’ To Be, Merry Go Round.
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