[.ca] Stink

Kinda like hardcore, if hardcore was really good.:
The genre police may not find this genuine 'hardcore'. But I remember my reaction when I first started to hear 'hardcore' in the early 80s -- the Replacements had already been there and done that, but way better, on the 'Stink' EP. One slow song, and a fistfull of loud fast funny anthems - how can you not own an album that contains a song called F--- School? My fave is "Gimme Noise" an attack on another Mpls band that jumped on the post-punk bandwagon. (The Suburbs) I give you my jacket You give me your glamor Gimme that racket Gimme that hammer And then Bob Stinson rips into an undefinable self-destructing guitar break. You could say Stink is as much Bob's record as Paul's. Of all the Mats discs this one probably shows off Bob's gonzo playing the best. Which is a nice reminder that even though the songs are funny, this record isn't a joke.

Westerberg says he can't listen to this?:
I hate to point out the obvious, but has the guy HEARD his solo albums?

Quite the little album...:
They were young, brash, and full of \o...\c and vinegar - they were the Replacements. What band in the 80's better manifested in song the frustration and angst that plagues every teenager that never gets a date? What songwriter other than Paul Westerberg could so perfectly convey just how much it \o...\c to deal with nagging parents, school, and girls? Freakin' no one. "Stink", their second release, saw the band acting out their far-off fantasy of being a hardcore punk band. For those who are familiar with the band's later releases, it is obvious that at heart, they were just a rock band with one of the greatest pop-songwriters of the 80's as frontman. "Stink" is a much overlooked development for the 'Mats, and much more varied than it is given credit. Sure, the hardcore style they try to pull off is a bit of a pose for them, but here, we see them reveling in their youthful energy, delivering great pop songs at breakneck speed. 'Kids Don't Follow' is a great opener with a silly intro, courtesy of the Minneapolis PD, and musically, has the brash, energetic feel heard in the louder moments on "Let It Be" and "Hootenanny". "Fuck School" is easily the most enjoyable moment on the EP, as Paul and the gang rail against boring... high school. 'God Damn Job' is a song any lazy teen can relate to, and always made me think of The Velvet Undeground on steroids, instead of heroin (then again, thats just me). 'White And Lazy' kicks off the second side of the EP with high-energy trash-blues, complete with a particularly nasty harmonica and distorted vocals. The most interesting moment on "Stink" is 'Go'. For the first time as a songwriter, Westerberg opens up a bit and writes a pretty decent, close-to-heartfelt power ballad. The rest of the album is pretty standard hardcore, but the 'Mats distinctive smirk and energy makes it more enjoyable and lighthearted than most hardcore bands ever got. This album is often dismissed as immature, un-refined musically, and unrepresentative of the genious of band's later efforts. Well, you're \o...\c right it is\o...\c

Pre Pop days:
This album comes at you full force and doesnt relent. The early days of the greatest band. They're like an uncut diamond on this album. Not polished up for the masses but you see a little of whats beneath the grime on the surface.

Failed Attempt At Hardcore:
We all know they made some great stuff, or we wouldn't be looking at this page at all, would we ? They also did some extremely overrated stuff like Stink. The Replacements improved with age, and while stuff like this was rife in the early 80's,these guys really weren't very good at being Black Flag or Husker Du. I love the intro with the police breaking up a show, and musically "Go" is a great tune, up there with their best, and it redeems this one somewhat. I agree with Paul when he says he can't listen to this anymore, as a mature musician myself, I now understand.

• Kids Don't Follow
• Fuck School
• Stuck In The Middle
• God Damn Job
• White And Lazy
• Dope Smokin Moron
• Go
• Gimme Noise