Now Available: The Replacements, The Complete Studio Albums 1981-1990

We hyped this when its impending release was first announced, but now that it’s actually here, we would be remiss if we didn’t hype it a little bit more: just in time for the Replacements’ first full-fledged U.S. tour in many moons, we’ve put together a complete package of the Mats’ studio albums from 1981 through 1990.

If you’re a big-time, old-school fan, then you’re already well aware of what this set includes, but we’ll go ahead and clarify the collection for you, just to be sure everyone’s in the know: you’ll get Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash (1981), the Stink EP (1982), Hootenanny (1983), Let It Be (1984), Tim (1985), Pleased to Meet Me (1987), Don’t Tell a Soul (1989), and All Shook Down (1990).

Are these the remastered versions of the albums that were released in 2008? Yes, they are, which means that they sound great. Do you get the bonus tracks that were included on those reissues? No, you do not. Should you be upset by this omission if you’re a new fan? No, you should not. You should, however, be happy that you have the opportunity to obtain all of this awesome music in one reasonably-priced package, because when you get right down to it, those bonus tracks are really just gravy. The stuff in this box set, though? This is the meat. And it’s damned tasty.

Now we’ve made you hungry from some Replacements, haven’t we? Well, dig in, then. And be sure you don’t miss the Mats if they come through your town: they may have aged well, like a fine wine, but they’re still just as raucous as ever.