Band: The Replacements
Who They Are: Lovable drunks from Minneapolis led by sensitive fuckup, Paul Westerberg
The Contestants:
Let it Be
Released in 1984 by Twin/Tone Records
Vs.
Tim
Released in 1985 by Sire Records
The Pros:
- “Unsatisfied,” “Androgynous,” “Sixteen Blue,” “Answering Machine”
- Raw production
- Intense guitar playing
- Balances sensitivity with blasts of hard rock
- Sums up the American teenage experience
The Cons:
- Uneven (“Gary’s Got a Boner,” “Black Diamond,” “Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out”)
The Pros
- Completely solid
- Some of Westerberg’s best ballads (“Swingin’ Party,” “Here Comes a Regular”)
- More accessible
- “Left of the Dial,” “Bastards of Young”
The Cons:
- Dated production
- Bob Stinson is reined in
- More restrained
The Verdict:
This was really hard, but I went with Let it Be. It’s a sentimental favorite. However, I’m sure Tim will have its defenders. What do you think?
OK, out of the early albums “Let it Be” will be seen as the classic due to it’s uneven nature. In addition, it is the first album they released that could be translated to a mass rock audience. It was also their last indie release. “Tim” is a more mainstream release on a major label, and didn’t have the breakthrough feeling “Let it Be” had.