I think it’s time we had a chat about The Replacements, prompted by the recent release of the Tim remix.
It’s a genuine revelation. Gone are the horrible eighties production touches and weedy drums and bass, replaced by what sounds like an actual live band racing through the tracks. Ed Stasium has done an incredible job, going back to each song and adding back in elements that were left off the original mix by Tommy Ramone. Bob Stinson features a lot more, most of his parts were left off originally.
Would genuinely put this up there with Let It Be now, it’s that good. Have listened to it every day since it’s been out. Stunned that songs I’ve disregarded for fifteen years or so in my case can sound this good.
Other Replacements records can be discussed here too obvs.
Said in the new releases thread how Rhino haven’t thrown out a standard copy of this mix is baffling. Deleted my old copy of the album within about 3 bars of Hold My Life.
Have read a few interviews with Bob Mehr, who was behind the reissue, and he’s adamant they’re not putting out a single LP version. They’d be mad not to I think, I would have bought it already!
I think it was when it hit the pre-chorus of ‘Hold My Life’ that I went “Holy shit, this is incredible.” I was just floored.
Uproxx had an interview with Tommy Stinson who was pretty clear he didn’t think it replaced the original mix so possibly that’s why.
It’s amazing however, just a total game changer. It’s still not quite up there with Let it Be for me but it elevates it to clearly their second best above Pleased to Meet Me. Little Mascara in particular comes out as clearly one of their best songs
The Don’t Tell a Soul remix is excellent. It basically removes the production florishes and brings that album in line with the sound of Pleased to Meet Me. There’s some excellent song writing that just shines through that way.
Super-interested in this. A very brief listen already surprised me by sounding like Constantines, which is a mark of how different the mix is. In the Husker Du vs Replacements war, I always backed Du, but it’s definately time to try again.
There was chat about them getting the rights back years and years ago but Bob Mould wanted all the rights transferred to him in the event on winning the case against SST. It was after that they got together to sort out the box set with Numero Group so I think it would eventually have happened if Grant hadn’t passed.
This was probably my favourite replacements lp even before the remix. Great stuff but c100 for an lp and 4cds is too steep. I know there’s a book but surely Bob Mehr has already covered everything there is to cover!
I wouldn’t be surprised if sadly the remix single lp is a RSD release at some point - they’ve released something on nearly every RSD day for years and years (all of which end up in the bargain bin eventually…)
Between this and the upcoming remix of the Chills ‘Brave Words’ it’s a great year for 80s classic (albeit marred by production) albums. Hopefully one day Husker Du’s catalogue will get the same treatment.
I’m the same for Hüsker Dü, Zen Arcade sounds perfect to my ears tbh. I think all of the Dü records are of a piece though, the shitty production of Tim stands out like a sore thumb compared to the album on either side of it.
Just found out there that Grant Hart did the artwork for Hootenany! Never knew that.
I can’t believe I missed the reunion. ‘Had’ tickets for the Roundhouse dates only to find out a day before that my card had bounced and I actually didn’t (I was a student so finances weren’t my strongest point). It’s annoyed me ever since.
I genuinely entered myself in a months long medical trial in the run up to Primavera that year so I could afford it. Was deeply unemployed, no idea how I managed it.
