The Replacements ‎– The Early Mats (LP Turquoise Vinyl)

For fans of The Replacements, the joy has always been rooted in the mess. Before they became the godfathers of alternative rock, they were four loud, drunk, and wildly talented kids from Minneapolis trying to outrun their own shadows. The Early Mats—a legendary, ultra-limited Italian bootleg—captures that exact era with terrifying, beautiful clarity.

This record is not an audiophile’s dream, nor was it ever meant to be. It is a document of a band transition. It bridges the gap between the snot-nosed, lightning-fast punk of Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash and the devastating, mature songwriting of Let It Be.

The Legendary "Sixteen Blue" (Piano Version) justifies digging through record crates. Dubbed the "Piano-Springsteen" version, it strips away the familiar guitar layers for a swaggering, keys-driven anthem. It proves that Paul Westerberg’s genius was there from the start.

Rare outtakes like "Street Girl" and "Who's Gonna Take Us Alive" showcase the late Bob Stinson at his absolute peak—blazing, chaotic, and always on the edge of falling apart.

Label: Dogbreath – DB - 012 3109 ST

Country: Italy

Media Condition: Mint (M)
Sleeve Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)

Left top sleeve slightly dinked. Limited to 400.