Editorial Reviews Music Review:
Music Review
Elgar: Sea Pictures; The Music Makers
Extendo: Works for Bassoon & Other Instruments
Destinations du Monde: Manchester
Erotic Lounge: Sensual Passion, Vol. 2 [Import] [Limited Edition]
Choice Selections For Solo Guitar
Deadly Needles [Explicit Lyrics]
Amazon.com essential recording
While some continue to champion the Replacements' Don't Tell a Soul and All Shook Down exit albums, Pleased to Meet Me truly represents the last vital effort of a great band beginning its descent. The first album released after founding lead guitarist Bob Stinson's official departure, Pleased nevertheless retains plenty of the Mats' innate punky drive, albeit here more focused and tempered. Group avatar Paul Westerberg feuded with Memphis producer Jim Dickinson (brought in because of his production of Big Star's melancholy classic Third/Sister Lovers) over what he considered Dickinson's civilizing touches. In retrospect, however, the brass-and-string flourishes on the catchy coda "Can't Hardly Wait" and the more disciplined drumming of Chris Mars make Pleased a more comfortable reconciliation of the group's raw roots and musical maturity. --Steven Stolder