It's kind of startling how little this book is about the Replacements or their album Let It Be. Although there are a couple anecdotes tagged on at the end, it's primarily Colin Meloy's autobiography. Spoiler: he had a pretty average childhood and he liked Let It Be in middle school. This book almost could be about Depeche Mode or the Smiths by just changing a few passages. Fans of the Replacements who aren't fans of the Decemberists will probably hate this book. As a casual fan of the Decemberists I enjoyed reading it, but will admit that I probably would've put it down if a) it wasn't so short and b) I wasn't curious to find out when Meloy would actually address the album in a meaningful way. What a curious addition to the 33 1/3 series.
July 22, 2009
Let It Be (2004)
It's kind of startling how little this book is about the Replacements or their album Let It Be. Although there are a couple anecdotes tagged on at the end, it's primarily Colin Meloy's autobiography. Spoiler: he had a pretty average childhood and he liked Let It Be in middle school. This book almost could be about Depeche Mode or the Smiths by just changing a few passages. Fans of the Replacements who aren't fans of the Decemberists will probably hate this book. As a casual fan of the Decemberists I enjoyed reading it, but will admit that I probably would've put it down if a) it wasn't so short and b) I wasn't curious to find out when Meloy would actually address the album in a meaningful way. What a curious addition to the 33 1/3 series.
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And this, apparently, is just another episode in the Colin Meloy self-love show.
I'm not done with the book yet, but I can say that if Brian Kenney Fresno took a few bong hits and attempted to write his own 33 1/3 book on Let It Be, even he probably would've mentioned The Replacements more than Meloy :)
I remember reading this right when it came out and not really being bothered by the fact that the book wasn't so much about the album as it was about a falling in love with music.
My infatuation with The Replacements (I believe I own 3 copies of "Pleased To Meet Me") got really amped up once I graduated college. At this confusing juncture I seemed to take a lot of comfort in this ramshackle mess of a band who created brilliant songs.
To me The Replacements epitomize what it is to be young, confused and attempting to find some direction. Perhaps this is why to me this book seemed like a very fitting tribute to the album.
Well-put AIW. Your insight has shed some light on the issue. I hadn't thought of this angle.
While he may be a gifted lyricist, maybe Mr. Meloy could use a lesson in the Brasilliant school of "learn to state your thesis". This is especially important if the content of your book differs greatly from what is indicated in the title.
P.S. Maybe you should be approached for the next 33 1/3 series.
AIW: Those are some good points and a thoughtful perspective. I failed to see that connection before. As a book about falling in love with music it probably succeeds.
I liked the sections about his relationship with his uncle, and early musical influence. I especially liked how he would turn up the stereo when his uncle called so that he would hear it over the phone and his mom's conversation.
"Replacements fans will retch at that thought, Decemberistas will salivate, and fans of both should try Valproate."
The last paragraph in this review is hysterical: http://www.villagevoice.com/2005-01-04/books/books/
http://www.tinymixtapes.com/The-Decemberists-Announce-Fall
See, I knew I wasn't all that far off the mark. Heh. Wank-off opera. Sorry AIW. This made me chuckle this morning.
Finally finished this book... (well, I started it on the plane ride home from PDX months ago and never finished it, so I re-read it from scratch, hah) While it's a good read, I'm annoyed 'cuz I too wanted more Replacements-esque tidbits. And kept wondering why the fuck Ryan Adams wasn't approached to write it? It would have been killer and infinitely more of a love-letter to all things Paul Westerberg.
Brasilliant, I'm starting to understand your slight beef with Colin Meloy.
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