Replacements “Let It Be” [1984]

Any time "genuine" rockers careen off course toward Bullshitville, the end result is never good. "Let It Be" -- the name of the worst album by The Beatles bested by this, the worst album in the history of pre-Pavement indie rock -- is a perfect example of a lead singer thinking he’s grown beyond the limitations of his own band without realizing he actually sucks without them. “Let It Be” re-hashes Paul Westerberg's trite, common riffage, then drapes everything in a pseudo-meaningful maudlin sentimentality and slows it all down to a Top 40 tempo. Ironic Kiss covers clash with solo Westerberg demo-quality sketches about as pleasing as a case of athlete's foot. OK, Paul, so you’re “Unsatisfied”? Think of how the rest of us feel after listening to your crappy album!