The Replacements, Sorry Ma, Stink, Hootenanny, Let It Be

We’re not in the camp of those who idolize the Replacements’ earliest work—they’re like tomato soup, and had to cool down before we could stomach them. But it’s remarkable to listen to the increasing sophistication of Paul Westerberg’s writing, culminating in the whisky melancholy of “Within Your Reach” and “Unsatisfied.” The Twin/Tone albums chart the band’s growth from sloppy drunks with potential to perhaps the most important band in American alt-rock. But if you already own these records, there’s no pressing reason to rush out for, erm, replacements, beyond the sonic improvement of a digital remastering. If you want rarities, you’ll have to wait for ex-manager Peter Jesperson to finish his archival project culling a 70-hour stash of unreleased songs.