REM R.E.M. Chronic Town - Original 1982 Debut Vinyl LP

$

25

R.E.M. : Chronic Town EP
12" Vinyl Album : I.R.S. Records 1982 #SP-70502

R.E.M. formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by Michael Stipe (lead vocals), Peter Buck (guitar), Mike Mills (bass guitar), and Bill Berry (drums and percussion). R.E.M. was one of the first popular alternative rock bands, and gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's unique vocals. R.E.M. released its first single, "Radio Free Europe", in 1981 on the independent record label Hib-Tone. The single was followed by the Chronic Town EP in 1982, the band's first release on I.R.S. Records. In 1983, the band released its critically acclaimed debut album Murmur, and built its reputation over the next few years through subsequent releases, constant touring, and the support of college radio. Following years of underground success, R.E.M. achieved a mainstream hit in 1987 with the single "The One I Love". The group signed to Warner Bros. Records in 1988. By the early 1990s, when alternative rock began to experience broad mainstream success, R.E.M. was viewed as a pioneer of the genre and released its two most commercially successful albums, Out of Time and Automatic for the People. In 2007, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (web bio)

Chronic Town established R.E.M.'s signature sound immediately, expanding the jangling riffs of their debut single, "Radio Free Europe," into a full-fledged modus operandi. Recorded at Mitch Easter's Drive-In Studios, the EP has an endearingly ragged sound. It's a garage band playing jangling pop songs, and while the music is melodic and memorable, it has an underground mentality that keeps it from sounding conventional. Not only does the lo-fi production keep the music underground, but so do Peter Buck's ringing arpeggios, Michael Stipe's incomprehensible mumbled vocals, and the band's enthusiasm. The songwriting is distinctive, with "Gardening at Night," "Wolves, Lower," and "Carnival of Sorts (Box Cars)" ranking as early classics. Chronic Town absolutely turned the world upside-down for a generation of rock fans, and nothing was the same afterward. Michael Stipe's almost unintelligible poetry, married with Peter Buck's frenetic jangle, Rickenbacker sales were certainly not adversely affected, created a swirling, insistent enigma. Further bolstered by the infallible, melodic rhythm section of Mike Mills, whose vocals are an integral element here, and Bill Berry, R.E.M. created a miracle with this EP, as near to a manifesto as college rock has gotten. "Gardening At Night" expands on the soft charm of "Radio Free Europe," while "1,000,000" foreshadows the driving, earnest delivery that would become their trademark. "Carnival Of Sorts (Box Cars)" trades off between hyperactive verse and wide open refrain. Though R.E.M. was to undergo a long, fruitful maturing process, Chronic Town shows the history-making pieces firmly in place. (web reviews)

Album description: This is a five track EP album. On the back cover is a cool photo of the band, recording credits and the tracklist. The vinyl record is in glossy clean very good+++ condition. Released 28 years ago. Check out my current and store listings for more albums by this artist and additional punk, new wave, indie & alternative rock albums, along with a wide variety of LP's, 45's, cassettes, CD's, magazines and more, everything reasonably priced. I ship worldwide in very secure packaging and shipping costs will be combined on multiple purchases. Any questions, please email.

Tracklist:
  Side One:
1. Wolves, Lower - 4:08
2. Gardening At Night - 4:33
3. Carnival Of Sorts (Box Cars) - 3:51
 Side Two:
4. 1,000,000 - 3:04
5. Stumble - 5:39

Condition:
Vinyl: Very Good+++
Cover: Very Good+
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