Album of the Day

The Replacements were among the most acclaimed bands of the 1980s for good reason; originally a Minneapolis hardcore outfit, the quartet retained its anarchic spirit even as frontman Paul Westerberg grew into one of the decade's finest songwriters. In their initial incarnation, the quartet released an E.P. and seven full albums for the Twin Tone and Warner Bros. labels, and they're all here in their original form in the new THE COMPLETE STUDIO ALBUMS: 1981-1990 boxed set. There are alt-rock gems scattered throughout each of these sets, three of which – LET IT BE, TIM and PLEASED TO MEET ME – are acknowledged masterpieces. The success of the 'Mats' reunion tour this year is testament to the vitality of the music on THE COMPLETE STUDIO ALBUMS.