Finally... Pleased to Meet Me

Finally picked up a copy of the Replacement's "Pleased to Meet Me."  Why so long?  When it was first released in 1987, I was dead broke.  Between that and the mediocre reviews, hell, I just went back to the lab and got stuff done.

So... what do I think in this retro-review?  It's OK, but not great.  "Alex Chilton" and "Skyway" are good, "The Ledge" sounds like something we'd all be listening to in 1995, so calling it ahead of its time fits, but only in retrospect.  "Can't Hardly Wait" is worthwhile.  The rest.. almost works.  I've heard worse filler tracks.  The door-and-walking-out sounds at the end of the original album are apropos: it's the sound of the band checking out.  After this, the Replacements' next two (and final) albums are little more than Paul Westerberg with backing from some members of his former band.

Now for the good parts: the bonus tracks on the Rhino re-release are what this album should have been!  Masterfully played, irreverent, raucous, and funfunfun!  "Route 66," "Bundle Up," "Tossin' N' Turnin'" – these songs have life and breath.  The main part of the album shows what happens when suits get their clamps on innovators in the throws of burning out – i.e.: meh.

I'm glad I didn't buy it in 1987.  I didn't really have the money, and the disc didn't have the bonus tracks.  From the vantage point 27 years in the future though, I am glad to finally give this album a complete listen.

p.s.: Just went back to their first album and listened to "Kick Your Door Down."  That's the reason to listen to the Replacements in the first place.  If you've never heard them, start at the start.