Pleased to Meet Me
While some continue to champion the Replacements'Don't Tell a SoulandAll Shook Downexit albums,Pleased to Meet Metruly 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,Pleasednevertheless retains plenty of the Mats' innate punky drive, albeit here more focused and tempered. Group avatarPaul Westerbergfeuded with Memphis producerJim Dickinson(brought in because of his production of Big Star's melancholy classicThird/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 ofChris MarsmakePleaseda more comfortable reconciliation of the group's raw roots and musical maturity.--Steven Stolder