Tag: Twin/Tone

  • Safety Last, Struck By Love, 1983 on Twin/Tone

    Safety Last, Struck By Love, 1983 on Twin/Tone

    This was the first and only full length by Twin/Tone’s Safety Last, following their self-titled EP. On this LP they include Rusty Jones, Gary Louris, Lianne Smith, and Jim Tollefsrud (as “Jimmy T”). Founding members Tim Mauseth and Sprague Hollander left for other projects. Produced by Paul Stark and the band; recorded by Paul Stark…

  • The Replacements, Let It Be, 1984 on Twin/Tone

    The Replacements, Let It Be, 1984 on Twin/Tone

    Third full length album for The Replacements, following Hootenanny. Recorded at Blackberry Way after using a warehouse in Brooklyn Center for that record. Produced by Steve Fjelstad, Peter Jesperson, and Paul Westerberg. Definitely one of my favorites – with the sublime (“Androgynous,” “Unsatisfied”) and the ridiculous (“Gary’s Got a Boner”) and a cover of Kiss’…

  • Figures, In a Chalk Circle, 1985 on Twin/Tone

    Figures, In a Chalk Circle, 1985 on Twin/Tone

    On this release, Figures was Jeff Waryan, Jay Peck, Steve Brantseg, and Steve Fjelstad. (There’s an earlier LP credited to Jeff Waryan solo that is titled Figures). Waryan was also in Fingerprints and supported many other area bands at the time. An underappreciated Twin/Tone band from the 80s. My copy—via Cheapo Records in Minneapolis MN—includes…

  • The Replacements, Hootenanny, 1983 on Twin/Tone

    The Replacements, Hootenanny, 1983 on Twin/Tone

    Sophomore album from Minneapolis favorite sons The Replacements. A wonderfully messy record that’s sort of all over the place (rockabilly, blues, country and punk) but still works. The transition from the wistful “Within Your Reach” ( “I can’t live without your touch / die within your reach”) to the surf-punk of “Buck Hill” sort of…

  • The Replacements, “Stink”, 1982 on Twin/Tone

    The Replacements, “Stink”, 1982 on Twin/Tone

    This EP aka The Replacements – Stink (“Kids Don’t Follow” Plus Seven) came out in 1982, following the release of Sorry Ma. I always thought it was their first release. Opens with the infamous “This is the Minneapolis Police, the party’s over . . . if you all just grab your stuff and leave there…

  • The Replacements; Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash; 1981 on Twin/Tone

    The Replacements; Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash; 1981 on Twin/Tone

    This was the debut album of Minneapolis’ own The Replacements, in all its ragged glory. Somehow – likely because of how I acquired them – I’d always thought that Stink! (the EP) came out before Sorry, Ma – but it was the other way ’round. I don’t usually by CDs these days, but this reissue…

  • Safety Last, Safety Last, 1982 on Twin/Tone

    Safety Last, Safety Last, 1982 on Twin/Tone

    Safety Last only put out two records – this self-titled “mini-album” and Struck By Love, both on Twin/Tone and produced by Paul Stark. On this EP, recorded at Blackberry Way (in Minneapolis) the personnel (many of whom went on to other MNPLS bands) are: Rusty Jones on bass & vocals, Jim Tollefsrud on drums, Sprague…

  • Various Artists, Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three, 1980 on Twin/Tone

    Various Artists, Big Hits of Mid-America Volume Three, 1980 on Twin/Tone

    Technically the first version of this 2xLP set came out in 1979, but my pressing is from 1980. Twin/Tone was concerned about the Yipes’ track “The Ballad Of Roy Orbison” for legal reasons (copyright clearance) and replaced it with “Specialization” by the New Psychenauts. “SPECIALIZATION” (side four, track two) was recorded at Blackberry Way in…

  • The Suburbs, In Combo, 1980 on Twin/Tone

    The Suburbs, In Combo, 1980 on Twin/Tone

    The debut album from Minneapolis band The Suburbs. Twin/Tone’s catalog (in 1984) described it thusly: Inspired, frenetic, sometimes absurb, the Suburbs’ debut LP is a rocker. Considerably more raw and flippant than their latter efforts. In Combo documents phase one. New York Rocker said that the Suburbs “alternate btween clenched teeth acid boogie and cartoon…

  • The Replacements, Unsuitable for Airplay: The Lost KFAI Concert, 2022 on Twin/Tone.

    The Replacements, Unsuitable for Airplay: The Lost KFAI Concert, 2022 on Twin/Tone.

    Recorded live at the 7th St Entry on January 23rd, 1981 and released on vinyl as part of Record Store Day in April of 2022, this was also included (on CD) as part of the Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash box set. Paul Westerberg, Chris Mars, Bob Stinson and Tommy Stinson in…

  • The Suburbs, Credit In Heaven, 1981 on Twin/Tone.

    The Suburbs, Credit In Heaven, 1981 on Twin/Tone.

    The Suburbs, Credit In Heaven, 1981 on Twin/Tone. The Suburbs’ second studio LP, with Music For Boys, Girl Ache, Tape Your Wife To The Ceiling. Produced by Paul Stark, one of the co-founders of Twin/Tone. Solid early 80s MNPLS rock – was issued on CD in 2001 but has not been reissued on vinyl

  • Slim Dunlap, The Old Me / Times Like This, 2015 on New West / Twin Tone.

    Slim Dunlap, The Old Me / Times Like This, 2015 on New West / Twin Tone.

    Bob “Slim” Dunlap replaced Bob Stinson as lead guitarist in The Replacements in 1987 – his 1993 (The Old New Me) and 1996 (Times Like This) albums released on New West Records / Twin Tone in 2015 as a RSD release, proceeds to benefit the Slim Dunlap Foundation (Slim suffered a stroke in 2012). My…

  • The Wallets, Take It, 1986 on Twin Tone.

    The Wallets, Take It, 1986 on Twin Tone.

    The Wallets, Take It, 1986 on Twin Tone. Found at Record Exchange in St. Louis When the Talking Heads’ Naked came out in ’88, the liner notes included an apology to The Wallets for the title “totally nude.” Made me proud to see the Mnpls scene represented.