Always Tastes So Good

When The Replacements released "Pleased To Meet Me" in 1987, it was their most mainstream album to date.

The Replacements' discography began with raucous and noisy punk rock on "Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash" and "Stink." Much of this original energy remained intact throughout "Hootenany," "Let It Be" and "Tim," even as the songwriting became more polished.

"Pleased To Meet Me" can also be seen as the milestone at which Paul Westerberg took control of The Replacements in his personal quest for stardom.

Original lead guitarist "Smokin' and Drinkin'" Bob Stinson was ousted in favor of Slim Dunlap. Some cite his namesake vices as reason for his dismissal, others his unwillingness to cooperate in the musical transformation that was rapidly taking hold of The Replacements.

The following two and final albums, "Don't Tell A Soul" and "All Shook Down" truly reveal "Pleased To Meet Me" as the last bastion of what The Replacements once were.

Paul Westerberg has since experienced moderate success as a solo artist. Two songs from the soundtrack for the movie "Singles," a song from the "Melrose Place" soundtrack, a duet with Joan Jett for the "Tank Girl" movie and two songs from the "Friends" soundtrack.

Bob Stinson died of a drug overdose in 1995. They say that on a quiet Minneapolis night, you can hear him rolling over in his grave.