The Replacements were one of those American '80s underground bands that had little commercial success and never broke into the mainstream. But they did make a lasting impression on those who heard the band and influenced a generation of musicians.
So perhaps itäs not surprising that 23 Australians bands paid tribute to the great American band by covering their songs on the compilation "I'm In Love... With that Song."
And it's a great compilation; the song selection is excellentReplacement staples like "Alex Chilton," "I Will Dare," and ÜKiss Me On the Bus make their dutiful appearance. Also, one gets the sense that these artists are real Replacement fans because they know the material well and perform each song with enthusiasm. Musically most of the songs donät stray that far from the original version. Ben Shepherd's version of "Alex Chilton" is basically a copy without the big studio production; it even has the hand claps. But he performs the song with so much enthusiasm that it doesnät matter; itäs as if he has to get it right because itäs a Replacements song.
Although many of the songs are very close to the original Replacements' version, there are truly some great performances on the disc. Pyramidiacs does an excellent version of "Kiss Me On the Bus" that gives the original version a run for its money. Celibate Rifles' cover of "I Will Dare" would make Paul Westerberg proud. And Michael Tuckeräs and Nick Barkeräs version of ÜSkyway actually surpasses the original version.
"I'm In Love... With that Song" is an album for Replacement fans by Replacement fans, and was made the way it should have been made. And itäs a fine tribute to a band that had little recognition when they deserved more.
Berkley Pritchett is a quiet man, but he loves to rock.
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