No. 239: Let It Be

Band: The Replacements
Album: Let It Be
Why Rolling Stone gets it right: On the band's third album, the 'Mats went more in a songwriting direction, focusing more on Westerberg's contributions. The results is a lush, genre-stealing work that features mandolins, shuffle beats and, of course, the band's signature garage sound.
Why Rolling Stone gets it wrong: I think this is fitting, as the 'Mats are a great band. This record isn't necessarily their top album, (That'd be "Tim,") but it's good.
Best song: "I Will Dare" is great and the single had the band covering "Hey Good Lookin'" and "20th Century Boy" as the B-sides. How great is that?
Worst song: "Androgynous" isn't great.
Is it awesome?: It's good, but I'm not in love.

Not as good as "Tim" and mostly just more garage rock ("Gary's Got a Boner?" Seriously? . Next.

(For what it's worth, Robert Christgau loves it. Also, said Paul Westerberg, "This was the first time I had songs that we arranged, rather than just banging out riffs.")