The Replacements Albums Ranked From Worst to Best

This week we're circling back around to the band that Kram came within an inch of choosing during our first round of personal picks, The Replacements.
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The Replacements were an American rock band formed in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1979. Initially a punk rock band, they are considered one of the pioneers of alternative rock. The band was composed of the guitarist and vocalist Paul Westerberg, guitarist Bob Stinson, bass guitarist Tommy Stinson and drummer Chris Mars for most of its career. Following several acclaimed albums, including Let It Be and Tim, Bob Stinson was kicked out of the band in 1986, and Slim Dunlap joined as lead guitarist. Steve Foley replaced Mars in 1990. Towards the end of the band's career, Westerberg exerted more control over the creative output. The group disbanded in 1991, with the members eventually pursuing various projects. A reunion was announced on October 3, 2012. The band is referred to by their nickname "The 'Mats" by fans, which originated as a truncation of "The Placemats," a mispronunciation of their name.
The Replacements' music was influenced by rock artists such as the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, Faces, Big Star, Slade, Badfinger, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and Bob Dylan as well as punk rock bands such as the Ramones, the New York Dolls, the Buzzcocks, the Damned, and the Sex Pistols. Unlike many of their underground contemporaries, the Replacements played "heart-on-the-sleeve" rock songs that combined Westerberg's "raw-throated adolescent howl" with self-deprecating lyrics. The Replacements were a notoriously wayward live act, often performing under the influence of alcohol and playing fragments of covers instead of their own material.
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Let us know what you think of our lists and how you rank the albums down in the comments. Thanks for watching!
#TheReplacements #AlbumRanking #WorsttoBest
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[@shanenackerud4448]

How Jason can rank Let It Be at #5 (should be top 3 if not top 2) is mind blowingly stunning. Makes me question every other ranking he has done or will ever do.

[@keanuwick1082]

Jason is my complete oppo on music production I think lol.

[@smoshbooz]

Let it be is absolutely their best (top 2). No legitimate reason to place it lower than that. Just wannabe contrarian

[@thereagauze]

@@smoshbooz your mind is going to be blown with my list then: 1. Stink 2. Sorry Ma 3. Hootenanny 4-5 tied Tim/Pleased to Meet Me 6. Let It Be 7. Don't Tell a Soul.(never heard all shook down) Coming from punk side and not college rock as we called it back then.

[@burmajones803]

I think what age you are when you first listen to this band can make a huge difference in how you respond to them. If you listen to them as a teenager or a young adult, then Westerberg's lyrics can be like a kick in the head. Emotions barely contained underneath the surface with themes of loneliness, awkwardness, being self-conscious, lovesick, and aimless but also bratty, rebellious, not quite as smart as you think you are, outwardly tough but feelings of vulnerability, etc. All the kinds of things you might feel very acutely as an adolescent or a young adult. This band's attitude and Westerberg's lyrics are what make this band so great. If you don't value those elements as highly as other elements, then maybe they won't connect with you quite as well, I think.

[@VoiceofHarold1]

Absolutely! As an angsty teenager, I played The Ledge and Answering Machine a lot. I remember I had a friend over one time, and I proceeded to annoy the hell out of him because I kept playing Answering Machine over and over. lol (Did I hear one of the guys say that Answering Machine is a throw away track?!! Can't Hardly Wait, Skyway, Left of the Dial, and I Will Dare epitomized young romance too! Unsatisfied and Bastards of Young spoke to me a lot during early adulthood. I remember thinking "the one's who love us least are ones we'll die to please" basically epitomizes the plight of working in some thankless customer service job trying to make your way in the world.

[@asmahism]

I think I can agree and understand where you’re coming from but I didn’t get into the ‘Mats until my mid 20s. I do think if I had found them as a teen some of the lyrics would have resonated even more. I will say as a not Teenage angst machine there’s many lyrics that hit harder just because I’ve lived a bit longer. Life is not one experience or moment which is why the silly fits with the serious. “The ones who love us best…”. That whole verse is just as good as Gary’s got a Boner. Androgynous is as important as covering Kiss on an album whose title they stole from the Beatles. I guess what I’m getting at is someone who begs you to look them in the eye and tell them you see satisfaction can also turn around and make fun of being scared of getting your tonsils out because that’s what life, is a big weird experience not always filled with seriousness or just dumb jokes (it’s all actually seriously dumb joke which made them such a good band) I wish I had found them as a teen though there was enough music that finding them a bit later was a nice surprise. I’ll I’m rambling but Let it Be is my favorite specifically because of the damn 80s production that steals all the life from Pleased and Tim. The alternate version of Alex Chilton really show how good both albums could be if they didn’t fall into the 80s production sound, but hindsight 20/20 and all that, and everyone loves to act like the band ripped failure from the jaws of success or whatever, it’s 5am and j haven’t slept since 1am so who knows what the hell I’m rambling about. “How do you say good night to a comment on a random video?”

[@rdrrr]

@@asmahism I think PTMM's production is alright. The drums are punchy and you can hear the bass. It's Tim that really sounds bad. Tommy Erdelyi was going deaf when he produced it, and you can tell. Muddy and tinny, all the instruments blur together, which just sucks because Tim also has some of Westerberg's very best songs.

[@Jimbaud1]

I got into The Replacements just prior to their break-up, and I've totally loved them ever since: 1. Let It Be (5 stars) 2. Tim (4.5 stars) 3. Please to Meet Me (4.5 stars) 4. All Shook Down (4 stars) 5. Don't Tell a Soul (4 stars) 6. Hootenanny (3.5 stars) 7. Stink (yup, I'm counting it - 3.5 stars) 8. Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash - (3 stars)

[@Rockingjourneyman]

Stink should be counted Why omit it? But of the three only one is a fan so what do we expect

[@sonicmojo]

@@Rockingjourneyman these guys have the worse taste in music. They are only rating bands like these because they were asked to do so. You can tell they hated this band and Sonic Youth. They can blow. 🤮

[@coolhandflick]

1. Let It Be 2. Pleased to Meet Me 3. Tim 4. Hootenany 5. Sorry Ma 6. Don't Tell a Soul 7. All Shook Down 8. Stink

[@t-man5196]

My list (Best to worst): 1. Let It Be 2. Tim 3. Hootenanny 4. Sorry Ma 5. Stink 6.Pleased to Meet Me 7. All Shook Down 8. Don’t Tell a Soul

[@robertharvey2604]

My favorite band. I'm a big fan of Westerberg. And they didn't even come to my attention until my 40s. I was a teen in the 80s and wasn't listening to college rock. My ranking: Tim Let it Be Pleased to Meet Me Hootenanny Sorry Ma All Shook Down Don't Tell a Soul

[@russthompson8050]

1. Let it Be 2. Tim 3. Pleased to Meet Me 4. Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take out the Trash 5. Hootenany 6. All Shook Down 7. Don't Tell a Soul

[@tbob1927]

Been looking forward to this and it didn’t disappoint! For me it’s 1. Tim 2. Let It Be (so hard to pick between those two, going on today’s mood) 3. Pleased to Meet Me 4. Don’t Tell a Soul 5. Hootenanny 6. Sorry Ma 7. All Shook Down

[@tattoofthesun]

I dig this

[@johnlefsky8731]

1.Let It Be. I don't do star ratings, but if I did there wouldn't be enough stars in the firmament to rate this record. I can't tell you how many times I put Answering Machine on mixed tapes back in the day. 2. Pleased To Meet Me. Outtakes/Alternate tracks and covers from this era are also great. 3. Tim 4. Hootenanny 5.Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash 6.All Shook Down 7.Don't Tell A Soul. The last two have some good tunes, but I never go back to them. I've heard positive things about the box set. The outtakes are supposed to be good and the remastering is supposed to be better, but I haven't gotten around to it. I've only been watching you videos for the last year, so I don't know if you've ever done shows on Husker Du or The Minutemen. A few other stray ideas- Funkadelic, The Mekons, Sly and the Family Stone.

[@tattoofthesun]

You should definitely check out Dead Man’s Songs or whatever the remixed album is. It’s fantastic and saves the album

[@wheelerainslie6]

7. Don't Tell A Soul 6. All Shook Down 5. Pleased to Meet Me 4. Sorry Ma 3. Hootenanny 2. Tim 1. Let It Be

[@Vanessa.P]

Really enjoyed seeing your lists. Look forward to the top 10 songs lists. I've been having quite a tough time with mine although my number #1 has always been locked.

[@LisaTedescoVC]

I love when one of you is willing to take on a discography that you aren’t particularly enthusiastic about. It’s good to get outside the box; either you grow or it solidifies your previously held opinion, but mostly it makes you a good sport. Good job, Joe. The Replacements are a tough one for me. I love a few of their songs and I certainly respect them and their influence BUT if you ask me at any given time if I would like to spin one of their records? Probably not. I might tackle the top 10 songs list though, Later this week as Glen and I are in the middle of the massive Paul McCartney discography, bassography if you will heheh, for the bass channel. You guys take care. ✌️💜🎶

[@oppothumbs1]

I feel the same way about Nirvana.. I feel Queen has 2 tolerable songs, I think Pink Floyd has two good songs. I only like 5 of Nirvana's songs though Unplugged on MTV make me sit up and listen and like them more. Paul McCartney on his own has few good songs (Jet, Juniors Farm, Maybe I'm amazed).

[@oppothumbs1]

Paul had done good work . I don't understand the popularity of Hey Jude and Let it Be but I love the Beatles. Hey Jude is repetitive and tedious nah nah nah nah but sure maybe great songs can be. Can I find anyone else to concur that the white album and abbey road are their worst records? GEORGE MARTIN AGREES WITH ME AND HAS SAID SO. I guess too many of Paul's songs sound a little sappy, corny to me and to me and my monkey. It’s interesting to see Paul’s fans fight for every inch of a John song on KZbin. McCartney was somewhat of a schmaltzy showbiz pop singer like Billy Joel .. but he has written some great songs. But all the silly loves songs behind that mask does not make him a "genius" or make him equivalent to irreplaceable talent and impact of John Lennon, who also couldn't do so well on his own but with Yoko on your back what's a monkey to do? John Lennon was superior artist - but not the musician McCartney was . John could be cruel but was more substantive and deep. He gave The Beatles their artistry and intellectual depth, and he wrote most of the Band's breakthrough songs during their formative years (Hard Day's Night, Help, etc.) that put them on the map. And he single-handedly invented Psychedelic Music, and the use of Surrealism in popular music. He was a once-in-a century 'original' who, at a time when it was not popular, had the personal courage to use the Band as a platform for speaking out publicly against war, social brainwashing, injustices, and hypocrisy. His guitar playing, harmonic complexity ("Because", "Girl", "Julia"), and brilliantly creative chord progressions were unlike anything that came before, and is often overlooked.

[@greenalishi222]

1) Let It Be 2) Live At Maxwells 3) Sorry Ma 4) Stink 5) All Shook Down 6) Hootenany 7) Don t Tell A Soul

[@ScottBerry-yn8rw]

Thanks for ranking these. I've been a Mats fan since 1988. I was visiting my brother at University of North Texas and his roommate turned me on to them. I immediately bought Tim and Pleased to Meet Me. There was no looking back after that. Saw them open for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers in Austin in 1989 (sloppy show) and at the Texas Ballroom on the University of Texas campus in 1991 (they owned the room!). I just read their "warts and all" biography Trouble Boys and I highly recommend it to any Mats fan that hasn't read it. An engaging, but at times difficult and heartbreaking read. They were an amazing band, but they often were too drunk to play or would play bad on purpose out of spite if somebody pissed them off. They could not get out of their own way. At least we have the albums. Thankfully I got to see them one last time on their reunion tour in 2014 and they were great. My rankings (I actually love or at least like them all to varying degrees): 1. Tim 2. Let It Be 3. Pleased to Meet Me 4. Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash 5. Hootenanny 6. Don't Tell A Soul 7. All Shook Down 8. Stink Shout out for For Sale: Live At Maxwell's, recorded live in 1986.

[@Vanessa.P]

7. All Shook Down - 2.5 6. Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash - 3 5. Hootenanny - 4 4. Don't Tell a Soul - 4 3. Pleased To Meet Me - 4.5 2. Let It Be - 5 1. Tim - 5 I have loved The Replacements for many years but for the last few years tended to only listen to my favourite songs and albums by them. It was really nice to revisit the albums I listened to less often for this list. I love my top 3 a lot but ultimately Tim wins for my favourite because its always been my favourite. It just felt wrong to pick anything else.

[@Aubry92]

Hootenanny is their third or second best album, so fun

[@roxannewalsh]

I just made a funny observation when I did my list - Paul Westerberg is just 3 months younger than me. I always thought of him and the band as being far younger, probably because their early attitude and topics were not those of 22 old adults? Anyway, I liked them, even if it was not my just lost youth they were talking about... 7. Hootenanny 2,5 6. All Shook Down 3,0 5. Don't Tell a Soul 3,5 4. Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash 4,0 3. Pleased to Meet Me 4,0 2. Let It Be 4,0 1. Tim 4,5 (my #5 AOTY 1985) I also really recommend Paul Westerberg's first solo album - 14 Songs which was my #9 AOTY 1993. His later albums have good songs here and there but I found none of them very consistent overall.

[@roberthardin2133]

Tim was my introduction to the Replacements, and it continues to grow on me as time goes on. at the time, I thought it was a lot less punky than I was led to expect, so I continued backwards and didn't really give the later records a chance. maybe I'll do that now...

[@mikerem9997]

Maybe when doing it don't listen to these bad reviews of Dont Tell a Soul. It's their 4th best no the last as some thing on here. Not a bad song on it, OK it doesn't have a good production. But I don't like Sorry Ma but for Johnnys gonna Die.

[@frangarcia7774]

1. Let It Be 2. Pleased To Meet Me 3. Tim 4. Sorry Ma, Forgot to Put Out the Trash 5. All Shook Down 6. Don't Tell a Soul 7. Hootenanny The first 3 are really close. I also like a good bit some songs by Paul Westerberg solo

[@paulh6673]

They've been a top 5 band for me for many years now. 1) Let it Be 2) Tim 3) Pleased to Meet Me 4) Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash 5) Hootenanny 6) Don't Tell a Soul 7) All Shook Down "Stink" would be between Hootenanny and Don't Tell a Soul. Some genuinely useless filler on even their very best albums, and I still wouldn't change a thing. First time I've ever heard anyone say The Replacements were "trying too hard"!

[@t-man5196]

What useless filler is there on Let It Be?

[@paulh6673]

@@t-man5196 yeah I think in that album's case "useless filler" is probably too harsh a term. A couple of songs that are more "throwaway", perhaps. But I still like them all and it wouldn't seem like the Replacements without them.

[@LeotheOrangeCat]

The "dumb" songs are a counterweight to the empathetic songs. As a whole, it works.

[@burmajones803]

Kramzer, try the Dead Man's Pop version of Don't Tell a Soul. It was the band's preferred mix but the record company shelved it and sent the album to Chris Lord-Alge to make it sound big for the radio. Lord-Alge gave it a sheen that doesn't really fit the band. Dead Man's Pop is shaggier and different sequencing.

[@edgustafson]

Yeah, I love that version of the album. We'll Inherit the Earth, especially sounds really good without the Lord-Alge sheen on it.

[@RealJeffTidwell]

I’m just getting into this album now, and the Don’t Tell A Soul release has its pros but it’s just, too, overblown. Dead Man’s Pop helped me appreciate the songs a lot more.

[@Ras137]

For the first time since the Beatles I actually know all the featured musician's work (though I gave relisten this week). I don't know of any other band whose work elicits such strong opposing opinions in me. 7. Sorry Ma, forgot to take out the trash (* 1/2) - "Johnny's Gonna Die" is the only halfway decent song. 6. Hootenanny (**) - "Color Me Impressed" is good, and overall felt a little better than the debut. I think my problem is that to me the Replacements are an indie pop band with a fantastic songwriter and these first two albums the Replacements think they're a punk band,. Also, and while I think it's a schtick, the "We don't give a fuck" and "We're too cool to care" attitude wears on me. 5. Don't Tell a Soul (** 1/2) - A real bore. "I'll be You" is the album's one saving grace. 4. All Shook Down (*** 1/2) - The one sorta "middling" album though I think closer to 3 than 5. The Replacements meet adult contemporary. Bland...but it's probably the best sounding album. 3. Pleased to Meet Me (**** 1/2) - probably overall has the best songs but I can't stand the sound on this album, it sounds "thin" to me. What the problem is, I have no idea. 2. Tim (*****) - You guys may not care for it, but I like the sound of this album. Before the relisten, Let it Be to me was a clear #1 but it's closer than I thought. I think Tim's biggest problem is that it's lesser songs are more forgettable than Let It Be's 1. Let it Be (*****) - During my relisten, I listened to the albums chronologically, "I Will Dare" was such a breath of fresh air after slogging through the first two albums. A grand mix of the sophomoric (e.g. "Gary's Got a Boner") and the mature (e.g. "Androgynous"), I've been loving this album since my late teens early 20s. I wonder if I discovered it at an older age if I would like it nearly as much. As always great video guys... look forward to the rest of the week. Now I need to go decide on my favorite Replacements songs.

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

I also listened to their albums in chronological order and I had the same reaction you did when I got to Let It Be ("Is this the same band that made the first 2 albums???") The songwriting on Let It Be is so much more sophisticated.

[@edgustafson]

Your ranking is the same as mine.

[@oppothumbs1]

/Don't Tell a Soul/ is a Very Good Record an All Shock Down has too many mediocre songs. Name one record on Don't Tell a Soul that is bad and I disagree.

[@shoogerkane]

Cram, you da man. My list is same as yours (I think): 1. Let It Be 2. Tim 3. Pleased To Meet Me 4. Sorry Ma 5. Don't Tell A soul 6. Hootenanny 7. All Shook Down If Stink was included (arguably should be at 8 songs), it'd be at 5 ahead of Don't Tell...

[@mrfunball5204]

Don't tell a soul was my first mats record and I love it, they're not drunken slobs anymore but real craftsmen taking advantage of the studio, great American music 🎸💥🇺🇸

[@jasonlindsay2429]

My first introduction to The Replacements was in 1988. Spin magazine had a live picture of Paul who had cut his hand and his guitar was covered in blood as he played on. I was hooked! There has never been another band like The Mats

[@elmwise7146]

So difficult !!!! 7.Dont tell 6. Hootenanny 5. Tim 4. All shook down 3. Pleased to meet me 2. Sorry ma 1. Let it be

[@darrellwhitman2484]

My list : 7. All Shook Down 6. Don't Tell A Soul 5. Hootenanny 4. Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash 3. Tim 2. Pleased To Meet Me 1. Let It Be 4.

[@burmajones803]

Black Diamond was included because they needed another song to complete the album. It's a good cover, nonetheless.

[@lightningstrikes7314]

Westerberg basically created the template and foreshadowed the Gen X slacker-loser persona in the 80s that Beck/Nirvana/Seattle/Radiohead were ironically successful with in the 90s. His 1st 3 solo albums made in the 90s contain some great songs, 14 Songs, Eventually and Suicaine Gratification. I think he's struggled to get music out in the last decade for whatever reason.

[@VoiceofHarold1]

Good Point! Yet weirdly, Kurt Cobain didn't consider himself a fan of the Replacements or them to have influenced him. There's actually an interview clip where a young woman asks him about the Replacements and he just says he saw them live once and didn't like them (which is understandable, if his impression was based on one of their live performances at the time. lol)... This might be controversial, but as good as Cobain was, he wasn't in the same songwriting league as Westerberg. Sorry.

[@lightningstrikes7314]

@@VoiceofHarold1 Agree, Westerberg trumps Cobain as does Eitzel.

[@joeschmoe487]

All Shook Down was supposed to be a Westerberg solo record but the record label insisted on calling it a Replacements record

[@oppothumbs1]

TIM is the Masterpiece. HOLD MY LIFE - 10 KISS ME ON THE BUS - 10 / WAITRESS IN THE SKY - 6 BASTARDS OF YOUNG - 10 / LEFT OF THE DIAL - 10 HERE COMES A REGULAR - 10 SWINGING PARTY - 10 LAY IT DOWN CLOWN - 4 / LITTLE MASCARA - 9 I'LL BUY - 3 THUNDER - 8

[@LeotheOrangeCat]

"Let It Be" is better.

[@billkeon880]

Let It Be is one of my first exposures into fun punky feel so it feels like a cohesive whole in my mind. One of my fav 1980s albums. Top Replacements album. Sounds like the Rolling Stones if they were born in 1985

[@edgustafson]

Yeah, it does have that sort of Exile on Main Street feel with it's ramshackle feel and genre hopping.

[@burmajones803]

@@edgustafson they were frequently compared to Exile-era Stones back in the mid-80s when their 3 classics were released. Because of their sloppiness and loose feel. They were also consideeed the analogue to the Stones and R.E.M. were the Beatles analogue.

[@RandyforRoyals]

1. Pleased To Meet Me 2. Tim 3. Let It Be 4. Don't Tell A Soul 5. Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash 6. All Shook Down 7. Hootenanny

[@StellasEncounter]

Tim Let it Be Hootenanny Sorry Ma Pleased to Meet Me All Shook Down Don't Tell a Soul Thanks for the video! Love The Replacements!

[@toddhill7483]

8 Stink 7 Sorry Ma..... 6 Hootenanny 5 Don't Tell a Soul 4 All Shook Down 3 Let it Be 2 Tim 1 Pleased to Meet Me Thanks gents.

[@johnwilliams4658]

Great video guys! I haven't listened to the Replacements for years but liked them back in the 90s. Not sure why I stopped buying/listening. I only ever heard two proper albums and a comp - Tim, All Shook Down and All for Nothing / Nothing for All. I probably like All Shook Down way more than it deserves, but it was the one I heard first so what are gonna do? I only bought it initially because John Cale guested on it and am a big fan - I love the cover art reflecting the mood of the album so well. One Canadian two word Amazon review reads "Cute Doggies" and rates it *****. I rest my case. Anyway, I should explore more, especially Let it Be and Pleased to Meet Me. Hats off to Joe for always taking on bands he's not so fond of. Westerberg had a few minutes of attention in Australia around the release of 14 Songs.

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

1. Let It Be (1984) 4.5/5 2. Tim (1985) 4.5/5 3. Pleased To Meet Me (1987) 4/5 4. Hootenanny (1983) 3.5/5 5. Don't Tell A Soul (1989) 3/5 6. All Shook Down (1990) 3/5 7. Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash (1981) 2.5/5 One of the bands that caused the term "alternative rock" to be coined. I fall on the side that says The Replacements were underrated but I can see why they didn't have more popular success. As great as Paul Westerberg's songs were, he just didn't have a knack for writing hits.

[@179rich]

I think many of his songs were certainly good enough to be hits, but perhaps they were just too "alternative."

[@179rich]

So funny that my number one is once again your lowest. I think that happened with King Crimson as well.

[@ThePhysicalillusion]

The “Bastards of Young” video and their sloppy live reputation definitely didn’t help.

[@burmajones803]

They sabotaged themselves countless times with record industry folks, which is probably the biggest reason they never hit it big. They not only refused to play the promotional game, they insulted an awful lot of people whose job it was to help them turn songs into hits. They had a well-deserved reputation for being snotty. I don't really think it had anything to do with whether or not Westerberg could write hit songs

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

@@burmajones803 But there are examples of other artists who had bad reputations within the industry yet still scored a bunch of chart hits. The Kinks come to mind. Hits are just plain hard to come by regardless of how good a songwriter you are.

[@179rich]

I don't think I put as much weight on the production of an album as Jason does. Probably most people don't. For one thing I don't have the ear for it that he does, but also it usually amounts to just coloring for me. The meat of the song - the actual instruments and vocals and the songwriting itself - is what counts in my book. Listening to Tim, it never once occurred to me to dislike the sound of it. It just doesn't influence me the way it does Jason.

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

I'm with you on that. Differing production values generally don't bother me as long as the songs themselves are good.

[@179rich]

Meaning - the production isn't likely to affect my star rating unless it's pretty radical in some way.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Production for me probably carries equal weight as the songs themselves. You can’t get maximum impact out of the songs with the wrong production. I think The Replacements could be infinitely better and their songs could hit so much harder if the records sounded different than they do. Based on the songwriting alone, they should be be in my Top 100 artists, but honestly, I don’t think they even come close. -Jason

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Also, you may think you don’t notice production or that you don’t have an ear for it, but I promise it affects how you respond on some level. -Jason

[@TastesLikeMusic]

Music -> Vocals -> Production -> Attitude - > Lyrics - Joe

[@thereisnoeye3805]

1. All Shook Down 2. Pleased to Meet Me 3. Tim 4. Don't Tell A Soul 5. Let It Be 6. Hootenanny 7. Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out The Trash

[@toddhill7483]

All Shook Down largely under appreciated. Great song writing and solid songs.

[@erikkeller6389]

You guys are awesome. Please rank the Ramones sometime soon.

[@steinofrut]

I feel like you should have included stink since it's basically a full album, considering they were still sorta a punk band at this point .14.24 is basically a double punk album. I kid. that being said: 8. Hootenanny 2.5 stars 7. All Shook Down 3 stars 6. Don't Tell A Soul 3.5 stars 5. Tim 4 stars 4. Stink 4.5 Stars 3. Pleased to Meet Me 4.5 stars 2. Sorry Ma...5 stars 1. Let it Be 5 stars hard list. between the top 3 is so close. pleased to meet me only has 4.5 stars out of five due to the lack of Bob Stinson=, mostly an emotional obligation to not give it 5. Stink is amazing, but it is hard to give an EP 5 stars and preference it above a full length record, These top 4 records have been in constant rotation for years. love it when you guys have radically different lists, keep it up! :)

[@PaulShemmy]

I listened to all seven for the first time when I knew you were doing this band … so my ranking from a replacements novice and now fan is 1- Tim 2- Let it be 3- Pleased to meet you 4- All shook down 5- Sorry ma… 6- Don’t tell a soul 7- Hootenany

[@jeffspicoli763]

Good list! Can you guys do a video on your speaker/stereo setups?

[@t.o.408]

1. Tim 5* (My favorite album of all time) 2. Pleased to Meet Me 5* (I've listened to The Ledge hundreds of times and still get chills) 3. Let It Be 5* (Feels wrong that an album this good is only my third favorite) 4. Hootenany 4.5* (Eclectic, but in a great way) 5. Don't Tell A Soul 4* (Dead Man's Pop version of this album bumps it to #4 and adds an extra star) 6. Sorry Ma 4* (I love it, but just not as much as the top 5) 7. All Shook Down 4* (Took me a while to buy this album after it came out. It's grown on me over the years) My favorite band of all time. Good video. I had a few eye rolls as the first two guys talked about some of the albums, but the third guy would always get things back on track and kept me from getting too worked up.*

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

I'm surprised you're not a fan of "Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out," Joe. I find it to be some really catchy thrash-punk, a-la the White Stripes' "Fell In Love With A Girl."

[@oppothumbs1]

Sure "Tommy" is a great hoot(enanny) . Much better than Coming Out or Favorite Thing.

[@davidnelson6874]

I get such a kick out of Tommy.

[@ttmilbr]

1)"All Shook Down" - 4.5* 2)"Let It Be" - 4* 3)"Pleased to Meet Me" - 4* 4)"Don't Tell a Soul" - 3.5* 5)"Hootenanny" - 3.5* 6)"Tim" - 3* 7)"Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash" - 3* -Tell you what guys, I'll re-listen to Tim if you re-listen to All Shook Down.

[@edgustafson]

I don't think it's number one, but All Shook Down is definitely underrated in their catalog. I really dig the title track and "My Little Problem" with Johnette Nepalitano

[@ttmilbr]

@@edgustafson Thanks, yeah, this one just clicks with me the most.

[@edgustafson]

@@ttmilbr I can see why someone might like it the best -- it's definitely the best sounding of their albums. Tommy Stinson says it's his favorite Replacements album, and he barely plays on it.

[@davidnelson6874]

The first Replacements album I’d heard was Pleased to Meet Me in 1987. I thought it was absolutely perfect. I’d heard Warehouse: Songs And Stories by Husker Du about the same time. It was the first Husker Du album I’d heard as well. I was floored by both of them. Little did I know that, for me, that those albums would stand out as easily my favorite from both bands. Their highs were insanely high, even if some disagree where those highs occurred. Plus, they both were from my home state of Minnesota. I’d heard my first R.E.M. album, Life’s Rich Pageant, half a year earlier. These bands held out real hope for me at the time. Like Joe I thought 1985 had been a very low time in music history as well. Document and Life’s Rich Pageant we’re probably my favorites from R.E.M.. 1987 was an incredible year. But, for The Replacements and Husker Du their time was sadly coming to a close. P.S. Like Jason, I really like Sixteen Blue. To me it was an incredibly insightful and touching look into the mind of a young man trying to make sense of his life. Incredibly underrated. You could hear it a hundred years from now and the effect would be exactly the same. Timeless.

[@curly_wyn]

1. Let it Be (1984) 2. Tim [Let it Bleed Edition] (1985/2023] 3. Pleases to Meet Me (1987) 4. Don’t Tell a Soul (1989) 5. Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash (1981) 6. Hootenanny (1983) 7. All Shook Down (1990)

[@Candlevera]

My list 7) all shook down 6) sorry ma, forgot to take out the trash 5) hootenanny 4) don't tell a soul 3)pleased to meet me 2) Tim 1) let it be

[@burmajones803]

Boys, this is old content but still getting views I see! Bravo. You all are music geeks so are very likely aware that a new mix of Tim was released today. It is a revelation, imo. Well well worth a listen. Would love to hear what y'all think of it too (a remix review?), but mostly just wanted to urge you to give it a listen (and a listen to Dead Man's Pop, the alternate mix of Don't Tell a Soul is also well worth the time, if you haven't already done so).

[@179rich]

07) Don't Tell a Soul (3.5 stars) 06) All Shook Down (3.75 stars) 05) Hootenanny (4.25 stars) 04) Tim (4.25 stars) 03) Let It Be (4.25 stars) 02) Pleased to Meet Me (4.5 stars) 01) Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash (4.5 stars) Notes: *Let It Be would be number one if it wasn't for "Answering Machine" which I can't stand (especially the way it ends). "How do you say goodnight to an answering machine?" Uh, goodnight? *Their debut wins despite the fact that they would go on to become even better songwriters. I just love that riding off the rails, out of control punk energy it has. *I used to dismiss The Replacements as an overrated bar band with a bad singer but my opinion has done a 180 since then thanks to doing this listography. One could criticize the way they occasionally (and boldly) rip off other peoples' songs, or the way they self-mythologize, or how sloppy they sometimes sound, but I love em now despite or even because of those traits. As for the "self mythology" (singing about how cool they are because they get trashed all the time and don't give a fuck, etc.), it doesn't really bother me because they really lived like that and they were singing about what they knew.

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

There are only 2 songs on the debut that I really love ("Johnny's Gonna Die" and "Customer") but I do love the punky energy. Melodically, they just didn't have that much going for them yet, imo.

[@179rich]

@@AbbeyRoadkill1 It's true they went on to offer much more in the melodic department, but on Sorry Ma, I think it serves what they were going for quite well.

[@burmajones803]

Sorry, Ma... at the top of the list? Excellent! It's a fun album. Tons of attitude and energy, and some really funny lyrics by Westerberg. Way more melodic than I had ever realized, even if they aren't hook-laden songs. I thought long and hard about putting it at my #3.

[@RealJeffTidwell]

I’ve cried listening to Answering Machine. LOL

[@edgustafson]

I love "Answering Machine".

[@LoveHateTheInterwebz]

1. Tim 2. Hootnanny 3. Let It Be 4. Sorry Ma... 5. Pleased To Meet Me 6. Stink e.p. 7. All Shook Down 8. Don't Tell A Soul

[@nikkilev78]

A connection to another Listography fave: When I saw Counting Crows the second time, they cranked up Unsatisfied as the final song before the show and came out on stage to it! Awesome. Also, I didn't really get into the Replacements until my roommate bought me the recentish book about them "Trouble Boys" which is a great read. Of course while being transported through their history I had to listen to the albums and ended up liking all of them, but with my number one a bit far ahead of the rest... Definitely a recommended Rockography. 7. All Shook Down 6. Sorry Ma 5. Hootenanny 4. Don't Tell a Soul 3. Tim 2. Let It Be 1. Pleased to Meet Me.

[@tattoofthesun]

Love the list and have been meaning to read the book

[@kevtruth]

I love Please To Meet Me. Got into it a year or so after it dropped in the late 80s. Tim and Let It Be are solid as well. Here Comes A Regular can be a real tearjerker.

[@buckseedamerica2743]

Pleased > Tim all the way.

[@oppothumbs1]

Please to Meet Me, songs Rated - I.O.U on the 1 to 10 - only a 2 ( I guess I just dont like it) Alex Chilton - 10 I Don't Know -3 Nightclub Jitters - 8 The Ledge 6 (it wore out it's welcome) Never Mind 8 Valentine 8 Shooting Dirty Pool 8 Red Red Wine 8 Skyway 9 Can't Hardly Wait - l0

[@texasaggie2063]

Huge "mats fan: #7 - All Shook Down #6 - Sorry Ma #5 - Hootenany #4 - Pleased to Meet Me #3 - Don't Tell a Soul #2 - Tim #1 - Let it Be

[@paulebien-pesa6513]

Great reviews

[@893thewaytobe]

I don't know why they don't count Stink as an album, especially when it's their best.

[@oppothumbs1]

Joe . Sure Paul was aiming for critical acclaim on Dont Tell a Soul but there are some great songs even if the production or slickness might bring it down. Good point too on the diversity of song genres on Please to Meet Me. Jason - they do have many of their songs remastered and I know there was an album with better production but can't recall but it was on KZbin. I like the production myself but I know i couldn't play it for say a girl and wished some songs came cleaner. It's like some people are turned off by the sound and if they did a few clean poppy versions then people would realize what a genius Paul is. One thing for sure, when playing live I usually hated them . Taking good songs and playing them like they don't care as they were drunk with lousy sounds from some lousy stages and hand held videos. Man I can't believe Jason listed "Let it Be" a low as 5th best but I guess purposeful sloopy sound is not for everyone ha. Kramz is right that Dont Tell a Soul is still a lot better than All Shook Down, as some songs are bad on Shook (side 2) which is unusual for a Replacement album. And Sorry Ma is the worst and aimed for punk lovers and is 2 stars (Jason) And cheers to Jason even if he overates a little he knows there are lots of magical song on Dont Tell a Soul. Songs I don't like on Please to meet me : I.O.U (I really tried but I don't like it), "I don't know" is like a weaker "I'm coming out". The Ledge I like at first but now it seems worn out where as Valentine and Never Mind really give me a shot. The Replacements' "Black Diamond" as Kramzer say is way way better and if you didn't hear the lyrics you might not think it was not the same song (ok a little hyperbolic) as Kiss; . I cried or almost cried liked Kramz on Unsatisfied, Androgynous and the guitar at the end of Sixteen Blue is so cry-worthy for babies like me. Also Kramz, the Replacements did a song called GO (Pauls' voice , Bob's guitar as usual. Lyrics are simple but Paul's singing has never been better - Go Go Go while you can Go while you can ) on England's release "Stink" that is great on one version on KZbin. Also, I only like a few Clash songs like Clampdown or the Right Profile and so many are just weakish songs filled with punk or political attitude. Really so overrated. The Clash was kind of cool for a little while until you hear there music. Just potentially (because they have so many mediocre songs) a great live band playing musically mediocre songs but with some punk attitude. They were there for a little while and no hopefully gone. "Tim" sounds are so great and is a top 10 record of all time for sure. Let it Be is better than any Beatle album. Well, I must Go while I can...

[@burmaunderground]

I think you guys should go through the albums in order, then rate them. That way you can talk in depth about them as a conversation.

[@ficheetah3700]

8. All Shook Down 7. Hootenanny 6. Don't Tell A Soul 5. Sorry Ma 4. Stink 3. Please To Meet Me 2. Tim 1. Let it Be

[@dannymoulton4829]

I was actually around at that time and lucky see an epic show in a small venue with Bob, around the time of Tim. I would like to say this IMHO but there is really no doubt that it's Let it be, Tim and then Please to Meet ME in that order. After that pick em.

[@burmajones803]

Bob Stinson's favorite guitarist was...Steve Howe from Yes! Not sure if you can hear that influence anywhere, but there it is.

[@komoleeray687]

Don’t really hear the influence but typical of Replacements wacky , eclectic aesthetic that Yes would be an influence on them

[@roxannewalsh]

It is like Bob Dylan dreaming to be Little Richard...he almost succeeded, right?

[@andrewdyke5561]

Love Steve howe

[@flagemdown66]

They say Bob was a pizza chef master... Having talked with him a few times that suprised me very much.

[@flagemdown66]

I hate to keep puttinf out random blurbs here,but maybe some would like to know this information; Looking at Bob's playing with his post Replacement band's showed me that he still could play a regimented role as lead guitar player. Some footage was sad for me to watch because it looked like he was sticking to the script in order to keep the job... I last saw and talked to Bob in 1986 on what I thought was his last tour with The Replacements... I said something about touring or about how long the tour date list was. He basically said he would rather be home. I was 19 and could not understand why anyone would rather be home than on the road... After reading that book NOW I understand perfectly.

[@marcusjones8016]

I think when you discover this band and what first album you pick up dictates what you’ll like by them. Very diverse discography. Personal favorites 1. Sorry Ma 2. Stink 3. Let it be 4. Tim 5. Hootenanny 6. Pleased to meet me 7. Don’t tell a soul 8. All shook down

[@tattoofthesun]

Ah so you like the punky stuff, the fast

[@marcusjones8016]

@@tattoofthesun oh yes, definitely. I know that the band themselves kinda disregarded their earlier output as subpar, but I think it’s brilliant. Very focused, catchy songs

[@jonrossum8647]

Wow ok - obviously a fan from way back

[@northgeorgiahex6663]

Great video. I saw The ‘Mats in Atlanta 6 years ago and Billie Joe from Green Day played rhythm guitar during the set. It was awesome.

[@steverok67]

Because of this video, you guys are my new heroes, but Joe is way wrong about Hootenanny !

[@jonrossum8647]

1. Tim 2. Pleased 3. Let it be 4. Dont tell 5. Hootenanny 6. All 7. Stink 8. Sorry

[@ChrisNorwood3]

I discovered The Replacements through Green Day's live 'Midwest Medley' which blends Cheap Trick's Surrender and Bastards of Young. So good.

[@pauldevito7476]

Sticking with small discography punk theme....you guys someday should rank The Jam. Great English punk band nobody talks about here in the States.

[@peterlorrequartet6559]

Let it Be (1), Pleased to Meet Me (2), Tim (3) - you sort 'em out....

[@kirkstreckfus8844]

1.) Let it Be - gripped me the first time I heard it. More heart in it than probably any other album ever and certainly in the 80s. The mishmash of prolific songs with the greatest garage band of all time slop - I always thought this sounded like 4 guys in a garage in the Midwest plug in and pump out the next Johnny Thunders and the Heartbreakers. Total masterpiece. 2.) Tim - incredible songwriting but the production makes it sound colder than the albums before. Left of the Dial and Hold My Life make up for that. 3.) Hootenanny - this makes up my trilogy for the band. I love everything about it - real rock and roll played loose with attitude. Songwriting takes a step up from Sorry Ma IMO 4.) Pleased to Meet Me - some of the best songs PW ever wrote but the band starts loosing the edge here without Bob Stinson, wish they still had him and these song were more sloppy with some wrong note solos. 5.) Sorry Ma - awesome but 4 are better for me 6.) Don’t Tell a Soul - the edge is completely lost here. Check out the recently released Matt Wallace mix that sounds far better than original and removes the unneeded polish - completely changes the feel of the album 7.) All Shook Down - love some of the songs but this is a much lighter affair and in last place for me

[@flagemdown66]

Here's my ranking of the Replacements studio albums; 1.Sorry Ma 2.Stink 3.Hootenanny 4.Let It Be 5.Tim 6.Pleased To Meet Me 7.Don't Tell A Soul 8.All Shook Down "Roll in the dirt"-Paul Westerberg 1984 (What he wrote on my pay stub when he signed his autograph before a show at City Gardens in Trenton,N.J. It was really nice to be able to hang out and talk to Paul and Bob before things got really busy. I have a shoebox full of cassette bootlegs that were traded through the mail by fans. It was a pretty cool window of time. Then I got very busy with my band and couldn't see some shows...

[@edgustafson]

Love the Replacements. I was too young for them in their initial run, but my first introduction to any Replacements-related music was Paul Westerberg's solo contributions on the Singles soundtrack. After that, I got a tape of All Shook Down from a friend who'd bought it but didn't like it. After college, when I got a real job and had some disposable income, I started exploring more of their catalog and purchased Let It Be, Tim, and Pleased to Meet Me on CD. I didn't get around to the other three until the digital era, but I think all their albums are at least good with several being all-time classics for me. My ranking is as follows: 1. Let it Be. I'm torn between this and Tim, but I think this 1) is their most complete artistic statement -- all the songs have this theme of teenage frustration -- and 2) it bridges the gap nicely between the punk and more heartland rock eras of the band. 2. Tim. Equally great, but the production kind of sucks. I guess Tommy Ramone (who produced) was losing his hearing and mixed it on a cheap pair of headphones according to Tommy Stinson. 3. Pleased to Meet Me. I think the highs are probably higher than Let it Be or Tim, but there are too many clunkers on it to rank it higher. 4. All Shook Down. This was my first Replacements album and I think I like it more than most people. I think it's on par with Don't Tell a Soul, but I like the production a lot better. Apparently, this is Tommy Stinson's favorite album they did. 5. Don't Tell a Soul. This might be higher if it had the Matt Wallace production on Dead Man's Pop. I think it's too glossy as is. 6. Hootenanny. There's some good stuff on this, but it's a pretty uneven album compared to the others. "Color Me Impressed" and "Within Your Reach" are good glimpses of what's to come. 7. Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash. It's a pretty good punk album, but they haven't really found their sound yet, and it's not really what I want out of the band.

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

We have very similar views of this band. Our rankings are almost exactly the same.

[@edgustafson]

​@@AbbeyRoadkill1 Yeah, just Hootenanny and All Shook Down swapped. All those bottom 4 are in a similar tier for me though. I think Let it Be, Tim, and Pleased to Meet Me are all classics, with the others kind of being good, but not something I listen to unless I'm really on a Replacements kick.

[@Ras137]

That's the perfect list. ;)

[@oppothumbs1]

You nailed it but I would give Dont Tell a Soul a much better rating than Sorry Ma . What was Tommy thinking to think All shook down was their best?

[@edgustafson]

@@oppothumbs1 I think he liked the production and maturity of the songwriting.

[@abrian_e.]

7. Hootenanny DTaS ASD Sorry Ma PtMM Tim 1. Let It Be Dead Man's Pop may overtake ASD if that counts instead of DTaS.

[@burmajones803]

I counted Dead Man's Pop. Rules? Who needs stinkin' rules! 😁

[@keithhanisek2465]

To each their own... However, Let it Be is a perfect album.

[@markferguson3745]

Hootenanny and Let it Be are their two classics, with the classic here and there, like Johnny's Gonna Die, Willpower, Left of the Dial, and Chilton. You have to approach them within a context, and if you grew up more on the many bands that ripped them off, you're likely not to really get it.Maybe that's why the sensibilities of various ages play into the larger perception.Back in the 80's, for example, there was a decade + where the Beatles didn't get any love. Bob Stinson def made them a different band, with a different vibe altogether. If you don't understand the largely incidental genius of Never Mind the Bullocks, we aren't going to have much in common.Next, you're going to try to sell me on Green Day.

[@kevinsbott]

Kudos for giving this legendary band the respect they deserve.

[@Anotherroom]

It is absolutely crazy to me to hear somebody put Let It Be so low. I can never question anybody's ranking of their albums though because they're all so different. My list: 1.) Tim 2.) Let It Be 3.) Pleased to Meet Me 4.) Sorry Ma 5.) All Shook Down 6.)Don't Tell a Soul 7.) Hootenanny

[@jonrossum8647]

Joe nails it on his critical ranking Tough discography to rank admittedly because there’s this amazing songwriter talent to consider Kramzer is in tune with that it seems - I can’t fault any of these rankings from the 3 of you

[@TheDrectorsCut]

Luv this band - they never sold out. Paul Westerberg is an A level songwriter.

[@alleycattle]

DTAS was a huge, yet failed attempt at selling out.

[@tinfoilmagnolia3134]

Actually, they did. When they fired Bob and then thier manager Peter Jespersen. I'm sure it had to be done to further thier careers - and with the exception of Bob it seems everyone had a happy ' ending .' And Hootenanny ROCKS! LOVE THAT LP!

[@michaelmcdonald8452]

@@tinfoilmagnolia3134 “selling out” is a meaningless term and some random KZbin commenter certainly has no place deciding WHEN that took place, you have no idea what you’re talking about

[@tinfoilmagnolia3134]

@@michaelmcdonald8452 I think Soul Asylum sold out too when they changed their name from Loud Fast Rules.

[@ruben7350]

1. Tim 2. Let It Be 3. Pleased To Meet Me 4. Hootenanny 5. Sorry Ma

[@pete3105]

One of my absolute favourite bands in my late teens, and I still love them! 7. All Shook Down (1990) ★★★½ 6. Don't Tell a Soul (1989) ★★★½ 5. Hootenanny (1983) ★★★★ 4. Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash (1981) ★★★★ 3. Let It Be (1984) ★★★★★ 2. Pleased to Meet Me (1987) ★★★★★ 1. Tim (1985) ★★★★★ ★★★★★ - Masterpiece ★★★★½ - Really great ★★★★ - Great ★★★½ - Really good ★★★ - Good ★★½ - OK ★★ - Bad ★½ - Really bad ★ - Awful ½ - The worst

[@mattymac1399]

3. Pleased to Meet Me 2. Tim 1. Let it Be All Shook Down is pretty cool, definitely one of the albums to usher in the so-called "Alt-Country" movement...

[@86cnrs]

I like this band the Big 3 of The Replacements the #1 for me. I always kind of describe their sound of "The big 3 albums" as a 60's rock band playing punk.

[@alexandermcneil5933]

Thank God these kids are listening… good perspective…. To understand how music sucks today … then again there weren’t enough of us then then .

[@Thinkforwardnow]

Damn, he said Lone Justice! Maria sang the sheet out of Workin Man Blues! Her You Gotta Sin to be Save is good too. Long live the Mats.

[@shane.b.]

I did my first solid listen through of everything today so this could change but I’d say: 1) Pleased to Meet Me 4.5 2) Tim 4.5 3) Let it Be 4 4) Sorry Ma 4 5) Don’t Tell a Soul 4 6) All Shook Down 3.5 7) Hootenanny 3.5 Alex Chilton is one of my favorite songs ever & diving into see what else this band had to offer was fun.

[@alexconway4950]

Love The Replacements! Don't get a lot of attention in the UK (which is criminal). My top pick would be Tim.

[@Candlevera]

Amen to that. I live in north east england and I'm constantly having to explain who they are

[@jonrossum8647]

Love the comments here too from the peanut gallery .... my favorite albums ranked channel forever

[@threestringsomg]

Replacements Albums ....interesting proposal Joe...been discussing 1st impressions with people here. And I never trust mine personally....unless it's unlistenable (which is rare)....here's my list.... 1 Let It Be 9/10 A blend of other albums but excellent quality sustained. Ordered cd...had to get box set as fairer price....so now have Sorry ma and all my top 5 too🤠🏆... 2 Sorry Ma, I Forgot To Put Out The Trash 7.5/10. Side A energy yes. Refinement no. But so what. I liked I Hate Music as lyrically it's the obvious song to write if you are any kind of punk influenced band. I love a bit of bloody on the nose lyrical wax. Side B Johnny's Gonna Die pulled me in most first go. Shiftless when Idle goes rockabilly. Fun in places ...good to very good sounding (note the score Joe 🤣)debut. Early Soundgarden vibes so like the energy. 3 Pleased To Meet Me 7/10 first listen was ok til highlight track the lovely Skyway lifted it all and I went back for more. Always good sign. 4 Hootenanny. 6.5/10 Uh, colour me not impressed? Until their Echo and The Cureymen... 🤔.... Willpower. Then it clicked a bit. Mr Whirly was pretty wedding singer standard to me though...they are an up and down band to like I think....even within an album.. 5 Tim, 6.5/10 bit of a mixed bag ... some good moments and some very average ones. But enjoyed and guess REM loved this band ....(Hold My Life is like something off Reckoning or Document) as it clearly influenced them. 6 All Shook Down 6/10 Folk rock pop / hints of Boomtown Rats. Wee bit predictable but fun to fine album. Just no real edge to love for me overall. 7 Don't Tell A Soul 5/10 is a bit Dire Straits meets Bryan Adams like. We'll inherit the earth and rock n roll ghost are ok but not enough to inspire another listen. So glad this is not in the box set I drunkenly purchased last night....🤪🍻 Conclusion....Let It Be saves this band from the grey area I call 'good' (2.5-3 stars or 5-6 or 7 /10). Saying that there is nothing wrong with their discography ....just wish there was more right....if that makes sense. Can hear Boomtown Rats, Waterboys, REM, Prefab Sprout and I'm sure those bands probably liked one or two Replacements records...

[@peterjonas4971]

Best songs they ever wrote and recorded: Can't Hardly Wait (NOT the outtake from TIM) close second, "Swinging Party" , favorite records: Tim, Let it Be, Hootenany, Stink, Sorry Ma, Pleased, Don't Tell a Soul.

[@burmajones803]

8. Stink - 1 star; after this EP Westerberg allegedly realized that if they were going to try to make a living playing thrash, they would starve to death. 7. Hootenanny - 2.5 stars; I agree mostly with Joe's assessment. Extra 1/2 star for turning a personal ad section into a pretty funny song (Lovelines) 6. All Shook Down - 2.5 stars; Westerberg's most sophisticated set of songs, but ugh, how many mid-tempo acoustic guitar songs with lifeless drumming can I endure? Resequence the album, drop 2 songs and then I'd give it an extra .5 star. 5. Don't Tell a Soul - 3.5 stars/Dead Man's Pop - 3.5 stars; I like the shaggy, more playful "remixed" version better than the original. You can hear Slim Dunlap's inventive guitar playing better. 4. Sorry, Ma... 4 stars; one of the revelations of this exercise for me. I had always thought of this as a lesser album, but it is great fun and is the sound of a complete band playing the hell out of their instruments. Love the way Tommy's bass sounds on this album and also Chris' drumming. Bob Odenkirk's favorite album, and closer to #3 than I ever would have suspected. 3. Let It Be - 4.5 stars; insightful reading of the overall album Kramzer, though I probably fall closer to Joe's opinion on this one. The highs on this album are really really high--I Will Dare, Sixteen Blue (nice call there Jason, it's a great song), and Unsatisfied are top shelf, but one too many "throwaway" songs to kick it up that extra half star and bump it to #2. 2. Pleased to Meet Me - 5 stars; agree with Jason on the drum sound here, but I still love this album. A better version of Sorry, Ma... Not a bad song in the bunch and so many great lyrics. Westerberg is a master at twisting a phrase and writing put-downs (including self put-downs) that bite. 1. Tim - 5 stars; a couple of okay songs, but nine outstanding songs. Here Comes a Regular is a gut punch. It could be a short story or a film, it's got that much depth. If Let It Be is the teenage album, Tim is the adult album. Not as lyrically sophisticated as some of his later songs, but they have an emotional resonance that leaves marks on my heart 45 years after first hearing it. Great video guys! Tons of astute observations. It was a joy to watch.

[@179rich]

Just curious, what are the just "okay" songs on Tim?

[@burmajones803]

@@179rich I'm not wild about Dose of Thunder and Lay It Down Clown.

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

@@burmajones803 On top of the 2 songs you mentioned I'm also not that fond of "Hold My Life." If I liked those 3 songs better Tim probably would have gotten 5 stars from me.

[@burmajones803]

@@AbbeyRoadkill1 that's fair. For me Hold My Life packs a lyrical punch and is one of the more profound songs on the album. Plus it's interesting musically. Might be in my top ten. You'll find out tomorrow.

[@179rich]

"Hold My Life" was good from the get-go, but as I read the lyrics and kept listening it became a 5 star song for me. 5 songs on Tim share the lowest rating I gave (3.5 stars) - "I'll Buy," "Dose of Thunder," "Waitress in the Sky," "Bastards of Young" and "Lay it Down Clown." "Hold My Life," "Left of the Dial" and "Little Mascara" get 5 stars. The rest are 4.5 and one 4.

[@soylentgelb2907]

Hey ho! This is the second time (the first was with Sonic Youth) that I bought all albums (= 1 box: The Complete Studio Albums 1981 - 1990, so "your" 7 albums + "Stink") after seeing your video. Difference to Sonic Youth: I really never heard of the band before.

[@scottanthonyweidner8692]

7. All Shook Down - 4 stars, best track is "Sadly Beautiful," without which it would absolutely fall to 3.5. 6. Sorry Ma - 4 stars, best track is "Johnny's Gonna Die" 5. Don't Tell a Soul - 4 stars, has a few gems with "Talent Show," "I'll Be You," "We'll Inherit the Earth," and "Rock and Roll Ghost." I have the Matt Wallace mix in my listening queue. 4. Hootenanny - 4 stars. All over the map, but several key tracks like "Color Me Impressed," "Within Your Reach." 3. Tim - 5 stars. If the band sounds distant, turn it up. My two faves here are "Kiss Me on the Bus" and "Little Mascara," which I think is one of the most catchy and grabby songs they ever did. Many other gems, but not as good as the top two due to "Dose of Thunder" and, to a lesser extent, "Lay It Down Clown." 2. Let It Be - 5 stars. Kramz gets it. No one mentioned what I consider a hidden gem on it, which is "Favorite Thing." Catchy and punky at once. And "Answering Machine" is *not* one of the throwaway tracks - absolute heresy. It's second only to "Unsatisfied" as a pillar, with "Sixteen Blue," "Favorite Thing," and "I Will Dare" right behind it. And "We're Comin' Out" - punky with a piano break! 1. Pleased to Meet Me - 5+ stars. To me, Replacements and other rock fans who consider the album tracks to be weak or filler are simply from another planet. "Never Mind" and "Valentine" are phenomenal pop-rock gems, while "Shooting Dirty Pool" and "Red Red Wine" are great hard rockers. Then there's the Big Star-ish beauty of "Skyway," the smoky sax of "Nightclub Jitters," the wonderful pop "The Letter"/"Cry Like a Baby"/"Soul Deep" tribute "Can't Hardly Wait," the take-no-prisoners charge of "IOU" and "I Don't Know," and finally the power-in-power-pop kill punch of "Alex Chilton." To me, "The Ledge" is by a crushing margin the worst track on the album, and it's *still* excellent for what it is. Absolutely one of the top 50 albums of all time. Let It Be is fantastic, but this is clearly better. They could out-rock-n-roll (metal is rock, not rock-n-roll) any band on the planet in '87, including GnR. In spite of the critical raves, still one of the most underrated albums in history since some wrongfully don't even consider it the best Replacements album, which is nuts. "For me," of course.

[@TastesLikeMusic]

You lost me at the GNR slight, cuz Appetite is still clearly better... and a better rock and roll album.... but I’ll agree that it’s easily their best. Moved all the way up to my number 6 in 1987. Can’t understand why anyone would have Let It Be or Tim ahead of it. - Joe

[@scottanthonyweidner8692]

@@TastesLikeMusic Yeah, I was perhaps a bridge too far with the GNR comment in terms of rockin', but I still think PTMM is a way better album overall. And I say that as someone who is not only open to hard rock and metal but loves it.

[@AbbeyRoadkill1]

@@scottanthonyweidner8692 I want to like the 2nd half of 'Pleased To Meet Me' more than I actually do. It's not that I think tracks 6 thru 9 are filler, they just don't live up to the standard set by the likes of "Alex Chilton" and "Nightclub Jitters."

[@MrUnclesean]

yes to all you say here about pleased to meet me

[@MrUnclesean]

except that I love the ledge esp that part where his voice cracks at the end like he's crying

[@plasteredbastard]

replacements stopped being themselves when bob stinson parted ways. his ramshackle guitar touches was their sound along with westerberg's plaintive lyrics.

[@TimeToGetAlone]

1. Tim 4/5 2. Let It Be 4/5 3. Pleased to Meet Me 4/5 4. Don't Tell a Soul 3/5 5. Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash 3/5 6. Hootenanny 2.5/5 7. All Shook Down 2.5/5

[@mmoses5272]

I completely understand Joe's opinion on Let It Be. There are genius songs mixed with weirdo songs. That's why I respect the album. Their fans would've crucified them if the whole album sounded like 'Unsatisfied'. They were a punk band at heart. Their fellow Minneapolis peer band Husker Du's Zen Arcade album mixed good acoustic songs with hard rockers too.

[@jefferysteen1041]

Alright!This is a great band!Their best are 1.Tim 2.Let it Be 3.Please to meet me*

[@joeschmoe487]

By the time you get to the end of a great Replacements record you've been put through an emotional wringer of dizzying highs and crushing lows and everything in between. I always hated Dont Tell A Soul until the Dead Man's Pop reissue that corrects most of the problems.

[@oppothumbs1]

"All shook down' is watered-down but the BEST SONG IS NOBODY. Did you listen to the weirdness they added (the goop) to Paul's voice on Merry Go Round, otherwise a good song. Sadly beautiful is Sadly Beautiful . The song "All shook Down" is good. I think Dont Tell a Soul is strong record. Yeah we all miss Bob. If you call it weak it is like saying the Beatles made a weak record. AND in my mind the Beatles actually make two bad records that George Martin said were mistakes "abbey road and the white album".

[@oppothumbs1]

These are their best songs : Left of the Dial / Johnny's Gonna Die /Bastard of Young / Answering Machine / Alex Chilton / Androgynous / Here Comes a Regular / I Will Dare / Color Me Impressed / Kiss Me On the Bus / Achin' to Be / Sixteen Blue (great guitar a the end from Bob - if you don't get moist eyes, ya ain't human) / Swingin' Party / Nevermind / Talent Show / Back to Back / Portland / Rock and Roll Ghost / Nobody / Sadly Beautiful . Paul's best solo sings: The some Things / First Glimmer / Love Untold, and many more.