Can’t Hardly Wait: Review of Please to Meet Me (1987)

I’ve always been aware of The Replacements and their sort-of cult following of fans that they have. Though the band is fawned over by critics, they are often overlooked in the general conversation about 80s rock music within the mainstream. Diving in headfirst into their music catalog has been something of an obsession for me, not having a hunger for a band like this since I first listened to Nirvana years ago. Starting as a punk-like band in the underground scene in the twin cities, The Replacements slowly evolved into a band that encompassed many different genres. They always have done this but “Pleased to Meet Me” cements this concoction of styles very well. The opening track “I.O.U” is a speedy, rock n’ roll opening which aligns closely with the band’s sound from the start. “Alex Chilton” offers an earlier 70s pop sound which is pulled from Westerberg’s love for early 70s FM music. Tracks like “I Don’t Know” and “Shooting Dirty Pool” remind the listener of the bands punks roots while “Nightclub Jitters” and “Skyway” are slower, more singer/songwriter songs that cement Westerberg’s genius for songwriting while presenting a different approach with the jazz-induced “Nightclub Jitters”. The Replacements also offer their take on post-punk with “The Ledge”, a moody tune that reminded me of something The Cure might have put out. The closing song is one of their most known, “Can’t Hardly Wait”, a catchy and emotional bittersweet pill as the record comes to a close. Tommy Stinson and Chris Mars do a solid job at drumming and bass; Westerberg holds his own with the guitar solos like in “Red Red Wine”. This was the first record without Bob Stinson, the skilled and sporadic lead guitarist of the band who was fired before this album was fully made. And his absence can be felt as the unpredictable playing of Bob Stinson is an obvious miss. However other than the song “Nevermind”, which feels like an out of place Springsteen-like tune, the album is an impressive addition to The Replacement’s catalog.

Rating: 4.6 out of 5