Various - Left Of The Dial : A Tribute To The Replacements
by Geraint Jones
published: 17 / 12 / 2001
Label:
Facedown
Format: CD
intro
Love them or loathe them, tribute albums are here to stay. Whilst their proliferation has been a relatively recent occurrence, artists have often chosen to turn their talents to the interpretation of
Love them or loathe them, tribute albums are here to stay. Whilst their proliferation has been a relatively recent occurrence, artists have often chosen to turn their talents to the interpretation of other artists material, both live and on record. ‘Left Of The Dial’ is the third tribute to The Replacements in the last four years and although they’ve puzzlingly failed to sell particularly large quantities of records this latest tribute clearly demonstrates the high regard with which the band and their material are still held, almost ten years since they split up. The previous tributes, ‘So What?’ and ‘I’m In Love…With That Song’ featured contributions from alternative country and Australian alternative artists respectively whereas those paying homage on ‘Left Of The Dial’; are drawn from an array of predominantly American (power) pop performers. Paul Westerberg, the Replacements enigmatic frontman and songwriter always had the ability to marry his memorable lyrics to a catchy tune and combined with his well publicised reverence for Big Star’s Alex Chilton, one of power pop’s most influential progenitors, it was surely only a matter of time before contemporary (power) pop in turn acknowledged it’s debt to The Replacements. Many of the artists featured have opted for a straight cover version, most of which work successfully, but some have the confidence to imprint their own identities on these great songs. The contributions by Evelyn Forever, The Andersons, The Dipsomaniacs, Crash Into June, Jeremy, Garage Sale, Static Halo, Florapop, Horndog, Glowfriends, 1929 and the splendidly named Squid Vicious are all particularly good and get my vote, variously for energetic, innovative or irreverent versions – you’ll have to check out the album yourselves to work out which is which! Admittedly a few of the contributions may lack a little spark in terms of execution and inspiration, which is only to be expected on an album featuring 24 different artists, but overall this is an excellent tribute and comes strongly recommended.
Track Listing:-
1 Happy Regrets - Kiss Me On The Bus2 Cockeyed Ghost - IOU
3 Evelyn Forever - Little Mascara
4 The Andersons - Nobody
5 Dipsomaniacs - Can't Hardly Wait
6 Crash Into June - Achin'To Be
7 Masticators - Bastard Of Young
8 The Marlowes - Alex Chilton
9 Jeremy - Here Comes A Regular
10 Lolas - Color Me Impressed
11 Bender - Don't Ask Why
12 The Put Outs - Nowhere Is My Home
13 Adam Leland - Skyway
14 Garage Sale - Buck Hill
15 Blank Pages - Nevermind
16 Popland - Swingin' Party
17 Static Halo - I Will Dare
18 Day Of Reckoning - Left Of The Dial
19 Florapop - Sixteen Blue
20 Horndog - Waitress In The Sky
21 The Cables - Valentine
22 Squid Vicious - Seen Your Video
23 Glowfriends - Sadly Beautiful
24 1929 - Treatment Bound
most viewed articles
current edition
Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies - Sala Apolo, Barcelona, 29/11/2023 and La Paqui, Madrid, 30/11/2023Anthony Phillips - Interview
Difford and Tilbrook - Difford and Tilbrook
Rain Parade - Interview
Oldfield Youth Club - Interview
Autumn 1904 - Interview
Shaw's Trailer Park - Interview
Cafe No. 9, Sheffield and Grass Roots Venues - Comment
Chris Hludzik - Vinyl Stories
Pete Berwick - ‘Too Wild to Tame’: The story of the Boyzz:
most viewed reviews
current edition
Serious Sam Barrett - A Drop of the Morning DewMarika Hackman - Big Sigh
Rod Stewart and Jools Holland - Swing Fever
Loves - True Love: The Most of The Loves
Ian M Bailey - We Live in Strange Times
Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run
Autumn 1904 - Tales of Innocence
Roberta Flack - Lost Takes
Banter - Heroes
Posey Hill - No Clear Place to Fall
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart