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8. The Replacements Stink EP (1982): Though nominally associated with hardcore, the 'Mats never fit comfortably with the likes of contemporaries Black Flag or the Circle Jerks or even the early work of their crosstown frenemies Husker Du. The Replacements were always too droll, too inherently tuneful, and too steeped in rock tradition to want to bulldoze it entirely. Nevertheless, that was the audience the young band mainly played to during the early years, and this second release was an attempt at burnishing their loud fast rules credentials, and they manage that goal with aplomb here. The roaring opener "Kids Don't Follow" is an instant classic, while "Fuck School" and "God Damn Job" are great fun and make their point before the first chord is struck. The inescapable intelligence and smirking humor makes the EP feel closer in kind to the Descendants than some of their angrier cohort, but it shreds with inarguable conviction. Having checked off that box, they'd soon be on to other things.