Description
The Replacements – For Sale: Live At Maxwell’s 1986 – Double Compact Disc
The Replacements’ For Sale: Live at Maxwell’s 1986 is a live album recorded at Maxwell’s, a legendary venue in Hoboken, New Jersey, on February 4, 1986. Released in 2017, this recording captures the band at a pivotal moment in their career, just after the release of their critically acclaimed album Tim (1985). The album offers fans an unfiltered look at one of the most chaotic, energetic, and unpredictable live acts of the 1980s indie rock scene, showcasing The Replacements in all their raw, ragged glory.
Paul Westerberg (vocals/guitar), Bob Stinson (guitar), Tommy Stinson (bass), and Chris Mars (drums) deliver a set that blends tight, emotionally charged performances with moments of sloppiness and humor—a signature of their notoriously erratic live shows.
The Replacements are known for their blend of punk rock, power pop, and heartland rock, with deeply personal lyrics that often reflect alienation, heartbreak, and self-doubt. For Sale: Live at Maxwell’s 1986 captures this eclectic sound, from the high-energy punk of their earlier work to the more mature songwriting and rock ballads from their Tim era.
The recording is raw but surprisingly well-mixed for a live performance, showcasing the band’s ability to balance sloppy punk energy with emotional depth. Paul Westerberg’s vocals are at times strained but always passionate, adding a layer of vulnerability to the performance. Bob Stinson’s lead guitar playing, wild and reckless, contrasts with the more structured rhythm section of Tommy and Chris, who keep the set moving with tight, driving rhythms.
Key Tracks
“Bastards of Young”: A defining track from Tim, this live version retains the raw, anthemic energy of the studio recording. Westerberg’s vocal delivery is as ragged and defiant as ever, with the band playing loose but with conviction.
“Can’t Hardly Wait”: This early live version of the song that would later appear on Pleased to Meet Me (1987) in a more polished form captures it in its raw, embryonic state. The live version lacks the horns and strings that would later define it, but its emotional core is fully present.
“Left of the Dial”: A fan favorite and one of Westerberg’s most heartfelt songs, this performance is particularly emotional, with the lyrics about longing and distance resonating deeply with the audience.
“Hold My Life”: This track encapsulates the band’s mix of self-deprecating humor and angst, with Westerberg pleading, “Hold my life, until I’m ready to use it.” The live version brings out the vulnerability in the lyrics, balancing a driving beat with a sense of desperation.
“Unsatisfied”: One of the band’s most iconic songs, “Unsatisfied” is given a raw, emotional performance. Westerberg’s vocals are rough but deeply felt, capturing the restless spirit of the song’s themes of existential dissatisfaction.
“Answering Machine”: Played as a solo acoustic number, this track highlights Westerberg’s songwriting abilities. The sparse arrangement allows his voice and lyrics to shine, offering a quiet, intimate moment amidst the chaos of the set.
The Replacements were known for their unpredictable live performances, which ranged from brilliant to disastrous, often in the same show. On For Sale: Live at Maxwell’s 1986, they find a balance between their reckless energy and musical precision. There are moments where the band seems on the verge of falling apart, but that tension adds to the excitement of the performance. The live album captures the band’s ability to switch between punk rock intensity and more melodic, emotionally driven songs, reflecting the diversity of their catalog. The Replacements are loose and occasionally sloppy, but this unrefined quality is part of their charm. There’s a sense of spontaneity in the performance, with the band feeding off the crowd’s energy.
The setlist is a strong mix of tracks from their earlier albums, including Let It Be (1984) and Tim (1985), as well as some surprises like covers and unreleased songs. This captures the full range of The Replacements’ sound, from punk-infused songs like “I Will Dare” and “Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out” to heartfelt ballads like “Answering Machine.”
The inclusion of covers, such as T. Rex’s “Baby Strange” and The Beatles’ “Nowhere Man,” reflects The Replacements’ irreverent attitude toward their setlists. Known for throwing in random covers during live shows, these tracks show the band’s playful side, even if they’re not always played perfectly.
For Sale: Live at Maxwell’s 1986 is a significant release for fans of The Replacements because it captures a band at the peak of their powers, just before Bob Stinson’s departure and their shift toward a more polished sound. This album serves as a snapshot of the band in their most unfiltered, untamed form.
The Replacements have influenced countless alternative rock and indie bands, from Nirvana and The Goo Goo Dolls to The Hold Steady and Ryan Adams. This live album gives fans and newcomers a chance to experience the raw energy and emotional intensity that made the band such a cult favorite during the 1980s. The album’s release in 2017 helped renew interest in the band’s legacy, particularly for younger audiences who may have missed out on their live shows. It offers an authentic look at a band known as much for their unpredictability and charisma as for their deeply relatable songs.
For Sale: Live at Maxwell’s 1986 is a powerful live document that captures The Replacements at the height of their messy, chaotic glory. The album serves as a reminder of what made the band so beloved: their ability to blend raw, reckless energy with deeply emotional songwriting. With its mix of punk anthems, ballads, and covers, the album showcases the band’s unpredictability and charm, making it a must-listen for fans of 1980s alternative rock and anyone curious about the unique magic of The Replacements’ live performances.
Rhino Records 2017
‘The Replacements first official live album (Recorded in front of more than 30 people) features Paul, Tommy, Chris and Bob!’
Recorded live at Maxwell’s, Hoboken, NJ, February 4, 1986.
Comes in tri-fold cardboard sleeve.
Brand new, never played and still sealed in the factory plastic
Song List
Hayday
Color Me Impressed
Dose Of Thunder
Fox On The Run
Hold My Life
I Will Dare
Favorite Thing
Unsatisfied
Can’t Hardly Way
Tommy Gets His Tonsils Out
Takin’ A Ride
Bastards Of Young
Kiss Me On The Bus
Black Diamond
Johnny’s Gonna Die
Otto
I’m In Trouble
Left Of The Dial
God Damn Job
Answering Machine
Waitress In The Sky
Take Me Down To The Hospital
Gary’s Got A Boner
If Only You Were Lonely
Baby Strange
Hitchin’ A Ride
Nowhere Man
Go
Fuck School
