Post by headlightbeams on Jun 18, 2006 23:41:25 GMT -5
From the Arizona Republic
New CD reviews
Jun. 18, 2006 12:00 AM
'Don't You Know Who I Think I Was? The Best Of'
(Rhino)
There's not much to say about this new collection from Minneapolis' shambolic sons the Replacements. Unlike 1997's All for Nothing/Nothing for All, which ignored the 'Mats' early releases on the tiny Twin-Tone label, Don't You Know provides a near-perfect overview of the band, from its early days as grunge predecessors on Takin' a Ride through the glorious latter-day balladry on the heartbreaking Skyway. Leader/songwriter Paul Westerberg shines throughout, especially on the morose Here Comes a Regular and Merry-Go-Round. The only glaring omission is the wonderfully maudlin If Only You Were Lonely, a 'Mats/Westerberg fave that has yet to be released in the United States. But the real treats are Message to the Boys and Pool & Dive, two new songs featuring the surviving 'Mats, Westerberg, bassist Tommy Stinson and drummer Chris Mars, who only provides back-up vocals (Stinson's guitar-playing brother, Bob, died in 1995). The two songs may not match the 'Mats' greatest hits, Can't Hardly Wait or Left of the Dial, but they both fit neatly into the band's oeuvre. And it's a thrill to hear the three working together again after 15 years.
- Michael Senft
New CD reviews
Jun. 18, 2006 12:00 AM
'Don't You Know Who I Think I Was? The Best Of'
(Rhino)
There's not much to say about this new collection from Minneapolis' shambolic sons the Replacements. Unlike 1997's All for Nothing/Nothing for All, which ignored the 'Mats' early releases on the tiny Twin-Tone label, Don't You Know provides a near-perfect overview of the band, from its early days as grunge predecessors on Takin' a Ride through the glorious latter-day balladry on the heartbreaking Skyway. Leader/songwriter Paul Westerberg shines throughout, especially on the morose Here Comes a Regular and Merry-Go-Round. The only glaring omission is the wonderfully maudlin If Only You Were Lonely, a 'Mats/Westerberg fave that has yet to be released in the United States. But the real treats are Message to the Boys and Pool & Dive, two new songs featuring the surviving 'Mats, Westerberg, bassist Tommy Stinson and drummer Chris Mars, who only provides back-up vocals (Stinson's guitar-playing brother, Bob, died in 1995). The two songs may not match the 'Mats' greatest hits, Can't Hardly Wait or Left of the Dial, but they both fit neatly into the band's oeuvre. And it's a thrill to hear the three working together again after 15 years.
- Michael Senft