By 1985, The Replacements had seen and done a few things. They'd recorded a couple of records (see our review of Let It Be at 40) and been out on some tours. They'd made enough noise that they were signed to major label Sire and were ready to take on the world with bigger shows, music videos and tv appearances. But wait, were they?

The boys were still drinking heavily thanks to Bob Stinson and Paul Westerberg's crippling stagefright. They still hated doing any kind of promotion, which they saw as selling out and not punk. And when they finally made it on Saturday Night Live in early 1986 to promote their 1985 classic, Tim, they were banned for life for Westerberg's use of the f word on live tv.

However, Westerberg's poignant songwriting and raspy vocals were at the top of their game and Tim is considered a true masterpiece of the 1980s. It may not have even gone gold, but songs like Hold My LIfe, Kiss Me On The Bus and Dose of Thunder not only showed that they could arrange a quality pop song but could address issues that may be in juxtaposition from their hard rockin punk riffs. Swingin Party talks about how hard it is to be an introvert in forced social situations, Little Mascara is the tale of a girl with bad taste in men who loses nothing when her loser guy finally leaves her and Left Of The Dial captures life on the road between college towns for a band trying to make it.

Originally, the album had a bad mix. However, thanks to a 2023 remix as part of a box set from Ed Stasium, these songs can now be heard clearly and loud the way they were always supposed to be heard. As Tim turns 40, we celebrate what is likely The Replacements greatest achievement and go track by track to show why everyone should be familiar with this 1985 gem.

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