Hey I’ll probably get derided by the Twin Tone era Replacements purists out there but I’ll put a strong argument in to say that All Shook Down
This album was originally conceived as Westerberg’s first solo album but eventually morphed into the final Replacements offering. As a result, the full band actually only played together on one track together. Those doubting the classic ranking would be well served to check out stand out tracks like Attitude, Torture (perfect pop in about 3 minutes time) and Sadly Beautiful for proof.
But, the album still has the band’s name on it and it’s a worthy final line in the sand. Westerberg was in the middle of quitting drinking so many of the songs were acoustic based and introspective leaning. Released in 1990, the band would stagger through a final tour before imploding on stage in Chicago during the summer of ’91.
In what has been posthumously espoused to be a staged exit, the various band members handed off their respective instruments to roadies in the wings to conclude the final concert.
Unfortunately there is nothing resembling ‘Bastards of Young’ on this album but one should cut Westerberg some slack for give him credit for articulating the trials and tribulations of a troubled songwriter looking to put pills and alcohol behind him. And…..if we forward into the present we can say he’s successfully kicked all old demons and continues to produce compelling music today.
As for the other original ‘Mats, Bob Stinson has passed, Chris Mars is now an artist and Tommy Stinson continues to play bass for the current monstrosity erroneously billed as Guns and Roses.
If you don’t have this one (or haven’t listened to the Replacements in awhile), every album is highly recommended and they’ve all been newly remastered with bonus tracks and alternative takes. Check ’em out.
Here’s Paul Westerberg with some excellent insight into the recording of All Shook Down