The Replacements

Boasting good sound quality and a great collection of rare songs, this is the strongest bootleg that has been released featuring the Replacements. Although much of this material is found on the 1998 collection All for Nothing, Nothing for All, it is the tracks that are not found on that album that make this essential. "Ought to Get Love" is a fine pop/rocker in the tradition of Westerberg's idol Alex Chilton, while "Kissing in Action" shows off their hard rock roots with a driving Kiss-style riff. Versions of "Route 66," "Tossin' and Turnin'," and "Twentieth Century Boy" are all solid, if sloppy; but the fine cover of the Western classic "Cool Water" is the best non-Westerberg track. Tommy Stinson handles the vocals on the wonderful "Satellite," while a guest appearance by Tom Waits livens up the bouncy "Date to Church." But what makes this all worth it is "If Only You Were Lonely," the first single released by the band and one of the finest ballads ever penned in the post-punk era. Westerberg strums an acoustic guitar and wails drunkenly about a hidden obsession with both an immature smugness and a sad optimism, hinting to the exact contrast that would make their music so essential only a few years later. Until Twin/Tone formally releases the material that did not make it to All for Nothing, Nothing for All, this is one of the best places to find some wonderful music by one of the greatest rock bands of the 1980s. ~ Bradley Torreano, All Music Guide