The Replacements announce new box set Dead Man’s Pop

Michael Roffman

The Replacements will release a new box set titled Dead Man’s Pop. Due out September 27th, the four-disc collection compiles all the rough mixes and alternate takes that comprise their cruelly underrated sixth studio album, 1989’s Don’t Tell a Soul.

Produced by Matt Wallace and mixed by Chris Lod-Alge, the first disc features Wallace’s mixes as it was originally intended (Don’t Tell a Soul Redux), while the second disc features all the rare recordings, from sessions with producer Tony Berg to their storied time with Tom Waits (We Know the Night: Rare and Unreleased). The last two discs, however, include a live recording of the band’s June 2nd, 1989 show at University of Wisconsin (The Complete Inconcerated). In all, the set includes 60 tracks, 58 of which have never been heard before.

The collection is presented in a 12 x 12 hardcover book that comes loaded with dozens of rarely seen photos. Also included is a detailed history of the Don’t Tell A Soul era written by Trouble Boys author Bob Mehr, who helped produce the box with Rhino’s Jason Jones.

“While it’s impossible to unhear a record that’s been around for three decades, this version, Don’t Tell A Soul Redux, is the album the band made and intended to release,” wrote Mehr. “In addition to Matt Wallace’s mix, Redux also restores several crucial elements from the sessions, including original drums tracks, vocal takes, and tempos that were altered in post-production…[and] the band’s original sequence of the album.”

News of the release follows a series of teases by the band. On Wednesday, they shared a photo of Ampex reels, and today, they dropped Don’t Tell a Soul-era portraits of Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson, all pointing to a July 23rd announcement. However, said announcement was ultimately botched by an Amazon UK listing that BrooklynVegan discovered. Whether or not there’s more behind the release — perhaps some shows? (eh, probably not) — we’ll have to see come July 23rd.

Pre-orders are currently ongoing. The first 500 fans that purchase the box set through Rhino will receive a 14-track cassette featuring highlights from the box along with two additional unreleased tracks: the outtake “Asking Me Lies” and an instrumental of “I Won’t” (Bearsville Version). The cassette also features the original, unused cover art for Don’t Tell A Soul. Very cool.

In the meantime, consult the artwork and tracklist below, then revisit Don’t Tell a Soul after.

Dead Man's Pop
Dead Man's Pop

Dead Man’s Pop Tracklist:
Disc 1: Don’t Tell A Soul Redux
01. Talent Show (Matt Wallace Mix)
02. I’ll Be You (Matt Wallace Mix)
03. We’ll Inherit the Earth (Matt Wallace Mix)
04. Achin’ to Be (Matt Wallace Mix)
05. Darlin’ One (Matt Wallace Mix)
06. Back to Back (Matt Wallace Mix)
07. I Won’t (Matt Wallace Mix)
08. Asking Me Lies (Matt Wallace Mix)
09. They’re Blind (Matt Wallace Mix)
10. Anywhere’s Better Than Here (Matt Wallace Mix)
11. Rock ‘n’ Roll Ghost (Matt Wallace Mix)

Disc 2: We Know The Night: Rare and Unreleased
01. Portland (Alternate Mix) [Bearsville Version]
02. Achin’ To Be (Bearsville Version)
03. I’ll Be You (Bearsville Version)
04. Wake Up (Alternate Mix) [Bearsville Version]
05. We’ll Inherit The Earth (Bearsville Version)
06. Last Thing In The World
07. They’re Blind (Bearsville Version)
08. Rock ‘N’ Roll Ghost (Bearsville Version)
09. Darlin’ One (Bearsville Version)
10. Talent Show (Demo Version)
11. Dance On My Planet
12. We Know The Night (Alternate Outtake)
13. Ought To Get Love (Alternate Mix)
14. Gudbuy t’Jane (Outtake)
15. Lowdown Monkey Blues (feat. Tom Waits)
16. If Only You Were Lonely (feat. Tom Waits)
17. We Know The Night (feat. Tom Waits) [Rehearsal]
18. We Know The Night (feat. Tom Waits) [Full Band Version]
19. I Can Help (feat. Tom Waits)
20. Date To Church (Matt Wallace Remix)

Disc 3: The Complete Inconcerated Live, Part One
01. Alex Chilton (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
02. Talent Show (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
03. Back To Back (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
04. I Don’t Know (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
05. The Ledge (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
06. Waitress In The Sky (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
07. Anywhere’s Better Than Here (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
08. Nightclub Jitters (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
09. Cruella De Ville (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
10. Achin’ To Be (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
11. Asking Me Lies (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
12. Bastards Of Young (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
13. Answering Machine (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
14. Little Mascara (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
15. I’ll Be You (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)

Disc 4: The Complete Inconcerated Live, Part Two
01. Darlin’ One (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
02. I Will Dare (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
03. Another Girl, Another Planet (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
04. I Won’t (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
05. Unsatisfied (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
06. We’ll Inherit The Earth (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
07. Can’t Hardly Wait (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
08. Color Me Impressed (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
09. Born To Lose (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
10. Never Mind (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
11. Here Comes A Regular (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
12. Valentine (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
13. Left Of The Dial (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)
14. Black Diamond (Live at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, WI, 6/2/1989)

The Replacements announce new box set Dead Man’s Pop
Michael Roffman