Alternative music is alive and well here in 2023. It never truly disappeared, but it definitely wasn’t at the forefront of the music world like it is right now.

In the mainstream we have bands like boygenius and Paramore, who have had massive years, respectively (isn’t it great to see Paramore back?) But the underground has also been pumping out fantastic music. Whether it be Black Country, New Road’s creative spin on post-punk, or even an artist like Brakence, who isn’t a personal favourite, but has certainly garnered a lot of attention over the last year or so.

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What I think is especially neat is seeing how Gen-Z has garnered a newfound love and appreciation for a plethora of older bands and artists (thanks, TikTok!)

From Jeff Buckley, Deftones, The Smashing Pumpkins, to Kate Bush, I think it’s incredibly cool to see bands and artists that I grew up listening to back in the limelight.

I’m so proud of my generation.

Another cool wrinkle in all of this is the serious amount of love that post-punk and new wave seems to be garnering. As a kid who grew up with two parents who indulged in those genres in the 80’s, I was exposed to that part of music history from a young age, and I’ve loved it ever since.

Whether it be Squeeze, Elvis Costello, or The Cure, or even a more obscure band like Mission Of Burma, that era of music is, potentially, my favourite in music history.

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There’s one band who, although they still have a massive cult following, have never reached the status of the likes of Elvis Costello. It’s a band that, no matter who I show them to, I always get a “oh yeah, I like this” at the very least (except for one of my co-workers, you know who you are.)

The greatest band that you’ve never heard: The Replacements.

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The band formed in 1979 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with the original lineup consisting of guitarist/vocalist Paul Westerberg, guitarist Bob Stinson, bassist Tommy Stinson, and drummer Chris Mars. They garnered quite the reputation, as their spontaneous and reckless tendencies made them the most hit or miss live act of their time.

If you were seeing the band live, they were either the drunkest, worst band in the world, or they were the biggest, loudest, best… and drunkest band the world has ever seen. Heck, they were even banned on Saturday Night Live in 1986, even though their performance was absolutely electric (we’re not going to talk about their second song of the night.)

They were just four, rather ordinary looking dudes making some of the best music on the planet, and that’s why they’ve been able to stay relevant for the past 40+ years.

Without question, The Replacements are my favourite band ever, and I want to share them with you.

So, you’re Takin’ A Ride with me as I give you the starter’s guide to my favourite band in rock music.

My Approach

How this is going to work is I’m going to group all of their albums in tiers, leading up to what I think is their best.

For the record, I’m a fan of every single ‘Mats record, and am of the belief that there is no “bad” album that they ever put out. With that said, I’ll try to stay as objective as possible and analyze each album as is.

I Can’t Hardly Wait. Let’s begin with…

The “You sure this isn’t a Westerberg solo album?” Tier

• Don’t Tell A Soul (1989)
• All Shook Down (1990)

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Yeah, the band’s final two records round out this tier.

Both records have their highlights, no question about it, but they just don’t feel like The Replacements. Paul Westerberg admitted in an interview years after the band broke up that they were really trying to make a hit record with these last two, and you can definitely here it.

Is that a bad thing? Of course not. It’s just not my personal favourite era for the band.

With that said, these records provided some great music.

Talent Show, the opening track on Don’t Tell A Soul, is one of my personal favourite ‘Mats songs ever. It’s a laid back, jangle pop-rock tune that’s easy to sing along with.

There is a little bit of bias for this song on my end, as this was one of the first songs I had ever heard from the band, thanks to a DVD my dad had that featured some old Replacements live performances.

Other tracks like I’ll Be You and Achin’ to Be are classics, and also have a sort of easy-going, jangle pop feel that is consistent throughout the album.

That’s my main issue with these two albums. It’s pretty much the exact same sound throughout the duration of both.

I would recommend listening to these two once you’ve listened to everything else, because I definitely think they are the two weakest albums in their discography.

The “Wait, isn’t this technically an EP?” Tier

• STINK (1982)

STINK isn’t a full-length record, but I still want to give it a fair shake. It’s a quality punk-rock EP with that bombastic style that The Replacements were known for when they first broke onto the scene.

It features one of the outfit’s greatest tracks, Kids Don’t Follow, a classic punk rager about questioning authority. Go and White and Lazy also highlight an impressive, yet concise track list.

There’s not much else to say about this one. It’s just a stellar punk EP with some quality tunes throughout.

The “I’m a REAL ‘Mats fan” Tier

• Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take out the Trash (1981)
• Hootenanny (1983) 

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The midwestern punks’ first two full-length albums round out this tier.

Sorry Ma is a punk classic. It’s blistering pace is matched with it’s hooky choruses and Bob Stinson’s melodic guitar leads. Tracks like Customer and Takin’ A Ride showcase the blistering speed and tenacity that the band had, while a track like Kick Your Door Down, while still punk, has melodic guitar leads throughout the song.

Although Westerberg’s songwriting was still raw, he showed glimpses of his storytelling ability. Especially on Johnny’s Gonna Die, a tragic song about New York Dolls guitarist, Johnny Thunders.

Hootenanny continues where the band left off, with better songwriting and clearer production.

The fast-paced, bombastic style that fans had become accustomed to are on full display here, with songs like Hayday and Run It.

Color Me Impressed is another beloved ‘Mats classic, and is a personal favourite of mine, as well.

The highlight of the record shows the band trying something new. Within Your Reach is a love song that delves into some influences of electronic/new wave with it’s use of synthesizers and drum machines. It’s a song that can only be described as “hauntingly beautiful.”

Both records are brilliant, and act as stepping stones for what the band would eventually achieve.

The “Did they just rip-off The Beatles?” Tier

• Let It Be (1984)
• Pleased To Meet Me (1987)

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If you asked the average ‘Mats fan what their favourite record was, it would probably be one of these two.

Let It Be was the band’s first truly great album, and thanks to college radio, really helped the band make a name for themselves.

Tracks like Favorite Thing and Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out are more of what fans had come to expect from the band, just with better recording and performances.

I Will Dare is a swingin’ pop-rock tune that is easy to love, as it remains an all-time favourite among the fanbase, and Sixteen Blue is an emotional powerhouse which delves into topics of questioning sexuality, gender, and identity as a whole.

It can’t be overstated just how big it was for a band in the midwestern part of the United States to have a song like that.

The king of the album, however, is Unsatisfied, a raw, emotional piece about never feeling like anything’s enough. Westerberg’s vocals shine on this one, as he sounds fed up with everything around him. A potent track that stays with you once it concludes.

Pleased to Meet Me was the first record without lead guitarist, Bob Stinson, following his departure in 1986, leaving Westerberg on sole guitar duty.

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I think this is, debatably, The Replacements’ most consistent record.

I.O.U. and Alex Chilton make sure to let you know that you’re in for a fun time, as they kick the album off with great energy and have hooks for days.

Westerberg’s songwriting is incredible throughout the duration of the record, with maybe his greatest lyrical achievement being, The Ledge. The song is a tragic tale, detailing a chilling depiction of a boy’s final thoughts as he is about to take his own life. Like Unsatisfied, it’s one that stays with you once it’s over.

Can’t Hardly Wait closes the record with a shot of optimism and hope, as its features of strings and horns make this one unique from any other ‘Mats track. It just feels like a big, warm hug.

For many, that song is the band’s magnum opus, but it’s the song that precedes it, Skyway, an acoustic ballad about Westerberg seeing someone that he wants to get to know (while on the aforementioned skyway,) that is my personal favourite on the album.

I can’t fault you for thinking that either one of these records are the band’s best. Seriously. They are masterpieces. There’s just one more, for me, that feels a little more special.

The “BEST ALT-ROCK RECORD EVER!!!!” Tier

• Tim (1985)

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“Tim.” They named one of the greatest rock albums ever… “Tim.”

These guys are one of a kind, man.

I lied when I said Pleased to Meet Me was their most consistent record. It’s this one. Tim is a 10/10 record. Full stop.

Whether it’s Bastards of Young, an anthem for anyone who never felt like they fit in, or the heartfelt Swingin’ Party, where Westerbeg acknowledges his likely fate as a struggling alcoholic, this album makes you want to dance, while simultaneously tugging at your heartstrings.

Left of the Dial is my favourite song by the band. It’s a song that just puts you in a good mood. It’s infectious.

Tim is an absolute monster of a record, one that few have topped, including The Replacements themselves. A special record by a special band.

I think what makes The Replacements special is that, in a weird way, nothing makes them special. They were just four guys from Minnesota writing one incredible song after another.

I hope that you’re able to see just how amazing this band is, and for you to feel the urge to share them with everyone you know, just like how I feel.

No matter what, this is a band that is timeless, and I think their impact will last for generations to come.