Don't You Know Who I Think I Was? - The Best of the Replacements

Replacements | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 13, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rhino
• ASIN: B000ESSTNS
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,106 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #31 in Music > Alternative Rock > Indie & Lo-Fi > Jangle Pop
  • #70 in Music > Alternative Rock > American Alternative > General

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Chronicling The Replacements' gloriously tempestuous decade on a single disc ostensibly seems akin to reading Cliff's Notes for the New Testament: No sooner do you grow fond of the protagonist than they've nailed him up. And if that comparison sounds a tad sacrilegious, perhaps you underestimate the Mats' hallowed place in modern rock history--and the hearts of their ardent fans. Yet somehow even this condensed format focuses the songs of Paul Westerberg and playing of bandmates Bob and Tommy Stinson and drummer Chris Mars into a dramatic arc that can't be denied. The initial tracks of this 20-track collection display a band joyously besotted by nascent punk thrash, yet one not so different from the scores of similar bands tearing up local clubs in the '80s.

But by the time of Hootenanny's "Color Me Impressed" and "Within Your Reach," something magical was clearly happening within Westerberg's songwriting and the band at large, even if it was largely inspired by terminal boredom, perpetual discontent, no small amount of alcohol--and an indifference to success that was one of their greatest charms. Within two years they'd produce one of the decade's--and perhaps rock history's--most compelling albums with Let It Be and the indie movement's first grassroots anthem in "Unsatisfied." They followed it up with Tim, a collection where Westerberg seemed able to conjure similar generational marching orders ("Here Comes a Regular," "Bastards of Young," "Left of the Dial") with preternatural ease; enraptured rock critics probably thought harder about his music than he ever did. Though highlighted by such gems as "Alex Chilton," "Skyway" and such pop-smart swan songs as "I'll Be You" and "Merry Go Round," the Mats' third act dissolved into the expected, if equally star-crossed solo career for Westerberg and the tragic death of Bob Stinson, events which can't help but cast a melancholy shadow over the unexpectedly gritty new old stock recordings "Message to the Boys" and "Pool & Dive." --Jerry McCulley

Product Description

The ragged and glorious alt-rock of The Replacements made them one of the greatest and most iconic American bands of the 1980s, and inspired countless groups to come. Fronted by lead singer, pianist/guitarist, and principal songwriter Paul Westerberg, these heroes of post-punk/pre-grunge rock ‘n’ roll fused garage band greatness with powerful pop beauty. Fueled by both thrashing energy and a lyrical and emotive sonic flow, The Replacements’ kamikaze live shows and richly textured albums made them music legends.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good overview, if too short, June 17, 2006

By 

Daniel Maltzman (Arlington, MA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Don't You Know Who I Think I Was? - The Best of the Replacements (Audio CD)

4.5 Stars

The Replacements (or the `Mats) were simply one of the greatest American rock bands of all-time. Formed in Minneapolis in 1979 and lasting until 1991, the `Mats, Paul Westerberg, (guitar/vocals) Tommy Stinson, (bass) Bob Stinson, (guitar) Chris Mars (drums) and later Slim Dunlap (guitar) and Steve Foley (drums) released seven albums and one EP. While the band matured over time, general themes of alienation, unrequited love, job dissatisfaction, and bewilderment were always prevalent in Westerberg's lyrics.

The band's new career spanning disc "Don't you Know who I Think I was?-The Best of the Replacements," (2006) does an excellent job at highlighting the 'Mats best work and includes tracks from the band's entire entire catalogue. This new compilation is an improvement over the band's first best of "All For Nothing, Nothing For All," (1997) which only included tracks from the band's Reprise albums, as the compilers couldn't gain access to the Twin Tone years.

The band's early work was more rough-around-the-edges and didn't sound unlike fellow Minneapolis icons Husker Du. These formative years yielded strong albums, with "Sorry Ma, Forgot to take out the Trash", (1981) "Stink" (EP), (1982) and "Hootenanny," (1983) which were for the most part fast and furious unadulterated punk.

While the early albums were strong, it was the band's next three albums, "Let it Be" (1984) "Tim," (1985) and "Pleased to Meet Me," (1987) which saw the band's finest offerings.

While "Let it Be" and "Tim" built on the punk-foundations of their predecessors, the songs were more refined, tightly written, with better hooks, a greater sense of melody, and with the occasional ballad, i.e., "Here Comes a Regular." While these songs were more radio-friendly/commercial, it was never overtly so. It was at this point that Westerberg really blossomed as a songwriter.

Substance abuse problems, however, saw guitarist Bob Stinson leave the band after "Tim," which carried on a trio for "Pleased to Meet Me." It's been speculated that Stinson also left over artistic differences, with him wanting to continue on in a more punk direction and unhappy with the ballads and experimentation (source Wikedpedia). "Pleased to Meet Me" saw the band go for a smoother sound, incorporating sax, organ, and keyboards into the mix, eschewing the punk of the band's earlier work.

"Don't Tell a Soul," (1989) guitarist Slim Dunlap's first album with the band, was an even more polished/mainstream album, which alienated some of the groups long-time fans. While not as strong as the band's previous three albums, it contained several gems.

The group's final album, the more stripped-down, refined, critically acclaimed "All Shook Down" (1990)was really a Replacement's album in name only (members of the `Mats as well as session musicians' play on this album). Originally intended as a Paul Westerberg solo album, Westerberg was forced to use the name "Replacements" at the insistence of Reprise Records.

While a massive following eluded the group throughout their career, and the `Mat's maintained a mostly underground (but large) following, "left of the dial," the band's legend has grown over time. Via a loyal following, critical praise, and word-of-mouth, the Replacements are one of the most hailed and beloved groups to emerge from the 1980s. While old fans have remained fiercely loyal, over time a whole new audience has discovered the band as well. For teens and twenty-something of today, who were too young to have followed the band in the 1980s, the Replacement's music is a breath of fresh air and sounds as fresh and vibrant today as it did twenty-some years ago.

"Don't you Know who I Think I was?-The Best of the Replacements" collects many of the band's best material from their entire career, with a greater emphasis on the "holy trinity" ("Let it Be," "Tim," Pleased to Meet Me"). For people unfamiliar with the band, this collection offers a great sampling of some of the band's finest moments and is a great introduction. That said; the Replacements aren't the type of band that produced albums with half-filler, in which all you really need is the greatest hits. Any great collection really requires, at the minimum, "Let it Be," "Tim," and "Pleased to Meet Me." Still, "Don't you Know who I Think I was?" is a good place to start.

My only complaint is that more songs could have been included (which is why I rate this CD 4.5 stars). Although twenty tracks are included, the CD holds only 65 minutes of music, nearly fifteen minutes short of the time allowed for a CD. "Sixteen Blue" at least, should have been included.

The new songs "Message to the Boys" and "Pool & Dive" are quite strong, sounding much like Westerberg's more polished solo material, and should please long-time fans.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Career Compilation, June 29, 2006

By 

IJEFF (Milwaukee, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Don't You Know Who I Think I Was? - The Best of the Replacements (Audio CD)

For a single disc collection this is a nice overview of the Replacements and it does cover both their independent and major label releases. With overall good song selection it's hard to find much to complain about. But, I will. The problem with this type of career wide compilation is it places a priority on trying to get representation from all of their releases. Unfortunately, this short changes their best works, Let It Be, Tim and Please To Meet Me which all contain betters songs that were left out in favor of songs from all of their earlier CD's when Westerberg was still developing his immense song writing skills.

Accepting that approach it's hard to argue with the song selections except there are certainly better songs on Let It Be than Answering Machine. Other than that I would not dispute the song selections from each CD. And of course we also have 2 new songs! The story here is they are both excellent. After listening to this CD many times over, even hard core Replacements fans will admit they enjoy the new songs more than a couple of the earlier songs. They stand up very well with the major label version of the band. So, ultimately this CD is a success for both new fans and old fans who will certainly want to purchase it for the inclusion of the 2 new songs.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An almost pretty-okay starting point..., November 15, 2008

By 

Bill Wikstrom (Long Island, NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Don't You Know Who I Think I Was? - The Best of the Replacements (Audio CD)

The Replacements are one of those bands where their legend almost over shades their actual recorded output. Some of what made the band what it was were their live performances (great, good, bad & ugly) so a 'best of' for The Replacements hardly makes for a by-the-numbers textbook greatest hits collection. So it can't accurately and fully represent the band that they were on one single disc. Having said this, this collection is pretty okay. The track selection seems is a tad off. "Shiftless When Idle" and "Takin' A Ride" could have been left off. Additions of "If Only You Were The Lonely", "Raised In The City", and "Little Mascara" and the great singles "I'm In Trouble", "When It Began", and "The Ledge" would have absolutely made this a definitive greatest hits collection.

For fans of the band there are two good, newly recorded (!) songs ("Message To The Boys" & "Pool And Dive"). And considering they haven't actively done anything as a band in fifteen years - they're great.
Paul sings and plays guitar, Tommy plays bass, Chris sings prominent backing-vocals (esp. on "Pool And Dive") and seeing as Chris hasn't played drums in a few years and his own preference of just wanting to sing and not play they used Josh Freese on drums (who backed Paul on his 14 Songs Tour). The songs themselves sound like superior Westerberg solo material although they are definitely 'Mats songs.

For the uninitiated this, again a pretty okay compilation but only begins to scratch the surface. I'd personally recommend 'Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash', 'Tim', 'Let It Be' and 'Pleased To Meet Me' and that's just for for starters.