Review Summary: The Replacements deliver a solid great album to follow their classic "Tim" album in a memorable way.
The Replacement's 1984 release Let It Be was an album made to be sharp and ended up being an ultimate classic and the band's opus. Their next album, simply titled Tim, was released two years later and was an incredible ride and another classic album, critically acclaimed by many critics. Now, how can you top that? It was tough at the time. The Mats had just fired their guitarist Bob Stinson and manager Peter Jesperson and began to start recording in the studio as a trio. What they recorded and released in 1987 didn't match up to their last two albums, but came out as one heck of a great album.
Pleased to meet me's first track “I.O.U.” is a great start to the album, pulling you in with a superb and memorable chorus featuring solid guitar skills. The song though, is not recorded to the Replacements standard which shows throughout the rest of the album. Another noticable let down is Chris Mars sloppy drumming which almost seems rushed. Their next song “Alex Chilton”, and ode to Big Star singer and guitarist Alex Chilton is by far one of The Mats best songs, using the lyrics “Children by the million sing for Alex Chilton when he comes 'round, they sing 'I'm in love, what's that song? I'm in love with that song.” The first four tracks on the album begin to make you believe that this could be The Replacements next classic, but the fifth song “The Ledge” seems to push those thoughts away. The song overall is good but it differs from other Replacements songs, using a different and unusual (for the replacements to use) sound to create a dark feel which critics and fans might not dig. The next four songs are all the same. “Never Mind's” chorus is great and catchy, and so is the verses, but the song needs more... say 'oomph' to it. This goes with the other three tracks, “Shooting Dirty Pool”, “Valentine” and “Red Red Wine”. “Can't Hardly Wait” is one of the few songs on the album that was recorded perfectly, using an ensemble of horns that were probably something the Mats wouldn't have even thought of using in their early albums. The guitar riff is also a present to hear, and funny enough, Alex Chilton played guest guitar on the track.
The Replacements can't go wrong with Pleased To Meet Me and enough said. The album shows their new sound, at their finest, with their punk roots and new explored genres combined, enriching the album creating an attractive and creditable follow up to Tim and an album worth listening to.
