Replacements: Hootenanny LP

Along with Prince and Hüsker Dü, The Replacements put Minneapolis on the rock map in the 1980s. Among America's greatest alternative acts of all-time, the 'Mats rose from chaotic noise-makers to polished craftsmen, leaving at least three unqualified masterpieces in their wake. In a perfect world, Let It Be, Tim, and Pleased To Meet Me would have all gone platinum - but then again, endearing imperfection was always a hallmark of this band's music.

The 'Mats formed in the wake of the punk explosion of the late 1970s. Their anarchic stage shows had earned them considerable notoriety in local clubs. Indie label Twin/Tone took note and signed the quartet, and their first album, Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash was issued in 1981. That record and the Stink EP that followed the next year were both pretty much standard-issue hardcore thrash. These early efforts careen wildly between competing tendencies toward indelible genius and drunken abandon, yet are essential just the same.

With 1983's Hootenanny, however, audiences began to really take notice of the excellent songwriting and songs beneath all the sound and fury; "Color Me Impressed" had exactly that effect on discerning rock listeners. The dyamic Hootenanny goes on to brilliantly showcase Paul Westerberg's heart-on-sleeve balladeering ("Within Your Reach"), comedic sarcasm ("Lovelines") and punk rock mastery ("Run It").