Band Spotlight: The Replacements

Genre: College Rock

History: The Band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1979 when frontman Paul Westerberg desperately told another young fella (the initial singer) that the rest of the band did not like him. These four young lads were all very amateurish musicians and were nine times out of ten extremely hammered for every performance they played. This made the band rather notorious in the American Underground Rock Scene. That being said, they are most renowned for constantly delving into the topic of youth and teenage angst. Hell, it was first hands experience. Bassist, Tommy Stinson was merely twelve when he joined the band. They released their first album, Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash in 1981 on independent label, Twin/Tone Records. As the band garnered more and more success they began to earn the interest of the major labels. After the landmark Let It Be was released to positive reviews, the band signed to Sire Records. Unfortunately, the "mats" eventually disbanded in 1991.

Musical Style: The Replacements began as a punk band. They played raw, raucous, noisy music. Westerberg's vocals were described as being a "raw-throated adolescent yowl." A great example of this can be heard on the early, ballad-like "Go." Slowly the band's sound would evolve and they began to venture into various musical styles including classic rock, piano-rock, soul, and metal. This was clearly demonstrated on 1984's Let It Be, quite possibly one of the greatest albums of all times.

Top Songs:
"I'm in Trouble"
"Kids Don't Follow"
"Go"
"Fuck School"
"Mr. Whirly"
"I Will Dare"
"Unsatisfied"
"Androgynous"
"Sixteen Blue"
"Answering Machine"
"Bastards of the Young"
"Left of the Dial"
"Kiss Me On the Bus"
"Can't Hardly Wait"
"I'll Be You"

Best Album: Let It Be (1984)

Why You Should Listen to The Replacements: Why not?

Listen to "Unsatisfied" and if you disagree, you can just [Go] Fuck yourself!