I found about this via Pitchfork and shrugged at their review of it, but holy shit. This lives up to the hype. I’ve never bought a collectors edition on vinyl yet but I would get this one just for the mix.
Could not agree more - this is the mix we've been waiting for, everything fits. There's harmonies and backing vocals I never heard before & the way that Tommy & Chris chug along. I could go on and on but I'll simply say I don't miss the cheezy, way too hot, clap from Kiss Me On The Bus at all!
I'm going to do what some call a "zag" here with a medium spicy take. I was enthusiastic when I heard the remixed version of "left of the dial", I still like that a lot. The mix sound good. No doubt it sounds "better" in that it sounds like more of a modern mix with modern production tools that make everything clearer. But does that make this a improved record. Absolutely not. It's interesting and nice to hear this beloved record sound better, but I'll take the original. To my ear (and it is subjective) this sounds too pristine for the ' Mats. I feel like we are headed to a monoculture of perfect sound because the tools are too good. Same thing with the new Sparklehorse. It sounds similar to this album and too clear in all the parts like a "perfect mix" should be. I'm sure there are some audio engineers or producers here with a lot more experience and better opinions than me, but this is my take.
To me this is similar to the Don't Tell a Soul Chris Lord-Alge Mix. I think the Chris Lord-Alge mix sux and Chris Lord-Alge sux. In that case the Matt Wallace mix is a huge improvement. To me, that mix is the difference between a good and bad record.
Spicy takes are always welcome! And while I do agree with you that a anodyne monoculture is a bad thing, I don't think that's the case here. If anything, it feels a more human/lifelike to me.
Thanks, I would just like to apologize to Chris Lord-Alge and his family- I was out of line and that was uncalled for behavior, even for the internet! haha.
Oddly enough, “Lay It Down Clown” is one of those that, for me, sticks out in a good way along with the other obvious tracks. I can’t put my finger on it, though. And I understand why it was one of your least faves.
Great stuff, Kevin. Agree with Tommy and Chris's talent being the biggest benefactors to this remix. I usually skip reissues, but this thing has been playing nonstop around here. What a feeling to hear a familiar record with new life.
Just a heads up: small typo in subhead [it's/its] ... and while I'm here, there's a extra space between "and" and "Bob Stinson battled it out on guitar." (sorry, it's my job)
Won’t lie. Never listened to the replacements but this review sealed it for me that I need to start tomorrow. Any recos on where to start? Is it terrible to start with this new Tim remix?
Agreed, the original sound of Tim being "tinny, nasally," is too kind... it always sounded like it was recorded in a Mickey's Malt Liquor bottle - IYKYK. For songs SO good, Tim was a tragic recording. B+ for effort, but a solid C for the result (don't forget 'mats mainstay Steve Fjelsted was in the control room too).
I've only listened a couple of times, but I completely agree about Tommy and Chris.... Bob on the other hand? I dunno, he doesn't fit it anywhere on this record. I think the high point for that era of the 'mats was Let It Be - I hear Bob there most, in addition to Paul's songwriting quality skyrocketing. It's what makes that record so great. But not so much here.
I was always under the impression "Dose of Thunder" was a shout-out to Johnny Thunders, which resulted in a six-month dive into The New York Dolls and The Heartbreakers spiral. Not necessarily wasted, but neither had the same impact on me as they did the 'mats. That said, I completely agree! Both "Lay it Down Clown" and "Dose of Thunder" were never fav's of mine, but they sound 1000% times better here (or hear).
I'd kiss Ed Stassium if I knew where to find him. He created the album that Tim SHOULD'VE been. Every damn song sounds SO SO f'ing much better. I said this to you privately, but:
ED STASSIUM FOR PRESIDENT in 2024!!
(or at least a Grammy Award - which is a lock as far as I'm concerned.)
I could go on and on and on, but you know which side I'm on. Agree with your take 100%. I'm also enjoying the outtakes and remain dumbfounded that "Nowhere" never made the original cut. The live show is (my semi hot take) ... fine, but "Live at Maxwells" is the real go-to.
Love this take. The online discourse about this remix/box set among diehard fans has been kinda intense, but I agree with what you've said here. If nothing else, it's great to get a different perspective on an album we all love so much.
Kevin, I love your reads (although I’m a chintzy free subscriber for now). There’s been a lot of ink about the Replacements lately. I definitely missed the The Replacements boat. I never had entry into a portal of an entire 80’s (par 90’s?) realm. It’s a nebulous club in the middle of a nebulous landscape that I don’t know the location of. I witness people coming out of this sweaty dim and intimately lit club filled with fervor and satisfaction and a certain knowledge. I feel it is too late for me to try to access this. I’m Derek Smalls finally getting out of his cocoon with the others slide back into theirs. It’s a sad feeling. It’s not FOMO. It’s KOMO or AOMO (knowledge or awareness of missing out) or RFHMO (regret for having missed out. There were plenty of opportunities to spend my summer job money on Replacements albums, but I never did.
Hmmmm...maybe a reaction piece. Pretending I’ve discovered something that I honestly believe nobody has ever heard of! Kind of like that weird Beatles movie “Yesterday!”
If I were to see them live, you better believe I would be yelling “Fu&@ yeah!” at the top of my lungs with the opening riff of Bastards of Young. That was my introductory song to The Replacements (by my friend Tim!)
I found about this via Pitchfork and shrugged at their review of it, but holy shit. This lives up to the hype. I’ve never bought a collectors edition on vinyl yet but I would get this one just for the mix.
It's worth it, IMO!
Could not agree more - this is the mix we've been waiting for, everything fits. There's harmonies and backing vocals I never heard before & the way that Tommy & Chris chug along. I could go on and on but I'll simply say I don't miss the cheezy, way too hot, clap from Kiss Me On The Bus at all!
Lol. Same!
I am currently listening to "Sorry Ma." Solid!
This reissue has made me learn that everyone hates dose of thunder. Fun song.
I didn't realize that either until just recently. 'Til then, I kinda thought I was alone in not liking it a whole lot.
I'm going to do what some call a "zag" here with a medium spicy take. I was enthusiastic when I heard the remixed version of "left of the dial", I still like that a lot. The mix sound good. No doubt it sounds "better" in that it sounds like more of a modern mix with modern production tools that make everything clearer. But does that make this a improved record. Absolutely not. It's interesting and nice to hear this beloved record sound better, but I'll take the original. To my ear (and it is subjective) this sounds too pristine for the ' Mats. I feel like we are headed to a monoculture of perfect sound because the tools are too good. Same thing with the new Sparklehorse. It sounds similar to this album and too clear in all the parts like a "perfect mix" should be. I'm sure there are some audio engineers or producers here with a lot more experience and better opinions than me, but this is my take.
To me this is similar to the Don't Tell a Soul Chris Lord-Alge Mix. I think the Chris Lord-Alge mix sux and Chris Lord-Alge sux. In that case the Matt Wallace mix is a huge improvement. To me, that mix is the difference between a good and bad record.
Spicy takes are always welcome! And while I do agree with you that a anodyne monoculture is a bad thing, I don't think that's the case here. If anything, it feels a more human/lifelike to me.
Thanks, I would just like to apologize to Chris Lord-Alge and his family- I was out of line and that was uncalled for behavior, even for the internet! haha.
Oddly enough, “Lay It Down Clown” is one of those that, for me, sticks out in a good way along with the other obvious tracks. I can’t put my finger on it, though. And I understand why it was one of your least faves.
Great stuff, Kevin. Agree with Tommy and Chris's talent being the biggest benefactors to this remix. I usually skip reissues, but this thing has been playing nonstop around here. What a feeling to hear a familiar record with new life.
Thank you! And it's definitely wild hearing an old favorite for the first time.
Just a heads up: small typo in subhead [it's/its] ... and while I'm here, there's a extra space between "and" and "Bob Stinson battled it out on guitar." (sorry, it's my job)
Fixed & thank you! You can send your invoice to me later. :)
My favorite Replacements album...look forward to listening to the Let It Bleed Edition.
Let me know what you think!
Also: It's great to see you over here!
Still figuring this whole thing out :)
Their musicalness is not lost in this mix. It makes a lot more sense and it's clear that this is the 'let it be' guys.
Won’t lie. Never listened to the replacements but this review sealed it for me that I need to start tomorrow. Any recos on where to start? Is it terrible to start with this new Tim remix?
My opinion (which I'm sure a lot of people will disagree with):
Start here, then check out "Don't Tell A Soul," followed by "Pleased to Meet Me."
Thanks for this Kevin! Great piece.
Agreed, the original sound of Tim being "tinny, nasally," is too kind... it always sounded like it was recorded in a Mickey's Malt Liquor bottle - IYKYK. For songs SO good, Tim was a tragic recording. B+ for effort, but a solid C for the result (don't forget 'mats mainstay Steve Fjelsted was in the control room too).
I've only listened a couple of times, but I completely agree about Tommy and Chris.... Bob on the other hand? I dunno, he doesn't fit it anywhere on this record. I think the high point for that era of the 'mats was Let It Be - I hear Bob there most, in addition to Paul's songwriting quality skyrocketing. It's what makes that record so great. But not so much here.
I was always under the impression "Dose of Thunder" was a shout-out to Johnny Thunders, which resulted in a six-month dive into The New York Dolls and The Heartbreakers spiral. Not necessarily wasted, but neither had the same impact on me as they did the 'mats. That said, I completely agree! Both "Lay it Down Clown" and "Dose of Thunder" were never fav's of mine, but they sound 1000% times better here (or hear).
I'd kiss Ed Stassium if I knew where to find him. He created the album that Tim SHOULD'VE been. Every damn song sounds SO SO f'ing much better. I said this to you privately, but:
ED STASSIUM FOR PRESIDENT in 2024!!
(or at least a Grammy Award - which is a lock as far as I'm concerned.)
Thanks for this Kevin!! Great, great write-up!!!
Thank you, Keith! That means a lot coming from you.
I could go on and on and on, but you know which side I'm on. Agree with your take 100%. I'm also enjoying the outtakes and remain dumbfounded that "Nowhere" never made the original cut. The live show is (my semi hot take) ... fine, but "Live at Maxwells" is the real go-to.
I /still/ haven't made it to the CDs yet. lol.
Love this take. The online discourse about this remix/box set among diehard fans has been kinda intense, but I agree with what you've said here. If nothing else, it's great to get a different perspective on an album we all love so much.
100%. 'Mats fans like to defend their corner, but it's been nice to see people enjoying the different perspective(s).
Kevin, I love your reads (although I’m a chintzy free subscriber for now). There’s been a lot of ink about the Replacements lately. I definitely missed the The Replacements boat. I never had entry into a portal of an entire 80’s (par 90’s?) realm. It’s a nebulous club in the middle of a nebulous landscape that I don’t know the location of. I witness people coming out of this sweaty dim and intimately lit club filled with fervor and satisfaction and a certain knowledge. I feel it is too late for me to try to access this. I’m Derek Smalls finally getting out of his cocoon with the others slide back into theirs. It’s a sad feeling. It’s not FOMO. It’s KOMO or AOMO (knowledge or awareness of missing out) or RFHMO (regret for having missed out. There were plenty of opportunities to spend my summer job money on Replacements albums, but I never did.
Ill try to make it a listening priority, but I have 51 year old ears. There must be an entry strategy for old ears. Maybe the fall will help.
It's never too late!! In fact, as someone that's new to the band/record, I'd be genuinely curious to hear your take.
P.S. Love the Derek Smalss reference! lol.
Hmmmm...maybe a reaction piece. Pretending I’ve discovered something that I honestly believe nobody has ever heard of! Kind of like that weird Beatles movie “Yesterday!”
If I were to see them live, you better believe I would be yelling “Fu&@ yeah!” at the top of my lungs with the opening riff of Bastards of Young. That was my introductory song to The Replacements (by my friend Tim!)