Bob "Slim" Dunlap's good-humored grace did much to win over die-hard
Replacements fans embittered by the forced exit of his predecessor, the late
Bob Stinson. These qualities are obvious on
Dunlap's solo debut, which downplays the urge to convert for a relaxed approach: the hooks are obvious, but never hammered into the ground. "Rockin' Here Tonight" opens the album with a fine shower of jangly distortion, delivering just what its title promises. "Just for the Hell of It" is punchy, good-time bar band rock -- with nonsense rhymes to match -- while "Partners in Crime" comes off like late-'70s
Rolling Stones, updated with a darker theme ("We're on a fast cruise headed for the bottom, but we're having one hell of a time"). "Taken on the Chin" is another highlight; a sparse backdrop of acoustic guitar, harmonica, and synthesizer details an unfortunate run-in
Dunlap had with a street person , who hit the guitarist when he wouldn't cough up any money. (According to
Dunlap, the incident happened in front of a cop, who advised, "Son, why don't you take it on the chin? Hence, the title.)