Tim (The Replacements album)

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Tim is the fourth studio album by The Replacements, released September 18, 1985 on Sire Records. It was their first major-label release and the last to feature the original lineup, as guitarist Bob Stinson left the band in 1986. The album was recorded in June–July 1985 at Nicollet Studios in Minneapolis and runs 36 minutes and 26 seconds, blending alternative rock, punk, and power pop. It reached number 183 on the Billboard Top 200 and was produced by Tommy Erdelyi.

Tim received strong critical praise and appears on many best-of lists. Rolling Stone ranked it 136th on its 2003 list of the 500 greatest albums (137th in the 2012 update). Alternative Press placed it fourth on its Top 99 Albums of 1985–1995, and AllMusic gave it five stars. The album showcases Westerberg’s wide range of influences, from Alex Chilton of Big Star on Hold My Life to Roy Orbison and Duane Eddy on Swingin’ Party, and Nick Lowe on Kiss Me on the Bus. The track Can’t Hardly Wait was recorded for Tim but released later on Pleased to Meet Me with a guitar part replaced by a horn line.

Bastards of Young is famous for its stark black-and-white video, and Left of the Dial nods to college radio. The band performed Bastards of Young and Kiss Me on the Bus on Saturday Night Live in January 1986, which led to a lifetime ban from SNL for on-air swearing; Westerberg later performed on the show solo. Here Comes a Regular references the CC Club in south Minneapolis.

The cover image prominently features Bob Stinson, a choice Westerberg later described as not ideal. The album title Tim was chosen by Westerberg on a whim.

Remaster history: Rhino reissued Tim in 2008 with six extra tracks, and again in 2023 as Tim: Let It Bleed Edition, a four-disc box with a new mix by Ed Stasium, demos, and a 1986 Cabaret Metro live show; the set includes 65 tracks, about 50 of which were previously unreleased.

Tim is widely regarded as a landmark release for the band and a touchstone of 1980s alternative rock, influencing later grunge, alt-country, and emo. It remains highly regarded in music lists and retrospectives, with praise for the new remix on the 2023 re-release.