Album of the Day

Maybe it wasn’t the Fab Four’s best, but for The Replacements to name their fourth long-player after a Beatles album – and thoroughly surpass it – was no mean feat. The 1984 collection (their last for Twin/Tone) is where the Minneapolis quartet ascended into the alternative rock pantheon; you can practically hear it happening on “Unsatisfied.” Featuring such highlights as “I Will Dare,” “Sixteen Blue” and an ace cover of Kiss’ “Black Diamond,” the set pulses with energy, compassion and a sense of humor, and it has been acclaimed as one of the greatest of the 1980s by such outlets as Rolling Stone, VH1 and Pitchfork. While all the ‘Mats bring their customary roar to the music, Paul Westerberg’s growth as a songwriter on LET IT BE deserves special mention, and we’ll fire up the album now to wish him a happy 65th birthday.