The Replacements: Let It Be

The Replacements never were popular, because of the variety of musical styles it brought together. Although the band was difficult to categorize by genre, the quality of music it made was easily perceptible. Ironically, elements that made this band so original were what prevented the general public from knowing of its existence. Let It Be displays all the elements that made a great band, from the sense of humor to the sense of melody, and organizes them into a well-ordered album. After all, presentation counts for a lot in modern music.\nThis album kicks off with four solid rockers. Frontman Paul Westerberg's attitude and vocal style lend a noticeable punk influence to each of the songs. Each song is distinguishable and avoids the typical cliche of riff recycling and the strict 160 beats/minute rut that too many wannabe-Sex Pistols bands overindulged in. "Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out" even changes tempos within the song to enhance transitions from verse to chorus. An adrenaline-pumped cover of KISS's "Black Diamond" shows the contrasts between the Replacements heavier style and standard hard rock or metal.\nA combination of humorous, serious and reflective songwriting maintains Let It Be's freshness. There are even attempts to make the album sound raw and unprofessional, which shows how serious the band views itself. The Replacements refuse to take themselves too seriously with songs like "Androgynous" and "Gary's Got a Boner." The serious songs that follow contain the same sarcasm as the humorous songs, creating a consistency and flow to the album. "Unsatisfied" and "Sixteen Blue" deal with anxiety and pressure but without forcing any views on the listener.\nThe most impressive part of the album is "Answering Machine," one of the best closers I've ever heard. It fits in a class with Springsteen & the E Street Band's epic "New York City Serenade." The song perfectly conveys an incomparable sense of helplessness and urgency with lines like Try and free a slave of ignorance/Try and teach a whore about romance. A loop of the operator's recorded voice plays along mechanically in the back ground for an added dehumanizing effect. \nThe Replacements never got the public response it deserved, but Let It Be is a timeless album with plenty of energy, depth and power.