Chronic Town - R.E.M.

Released a year before R.E.M.'s first full-length studio album (1983's "Murmur"), "Chronic Town" captures the unique sound of one of the all-time great bands on the brink of something truly special. It's all here: jangling melodies, Stipe's mumbled vocals, Buck's fabulous arpeggiated chords, Mills' smooth harmonies - everything one associates with early R.E.M. Even better, it holds up brilliantly well: it's almost impossible to believe that it's now over 25 years old. This is where "alternative rock" began. If the prospect of jangly pop, folk rock and lo-fi garage music being combined even remotely appeals to you, this is compulsory ...  Read the complete review

This five-track EP introduced REM to the world in great style, showcasing the musical and lyrical idiosyncrasies that have characterised so much of the work ever since. The weird song titles, impenetrable lyrics, fast chord changes, and affected vocals are all in evidence on CHRONIC TOWN. 'Wolves, Lower' is a high-octane yet melodic opener, and is followed by the extremely weird but enchanting 'Gardening At Night', and the only slightly more conventional rocker 'Carnival Of Sorts (Boxed Cars)'. '1,000,000' and 'Stumble' are less brilliantly odd, but still damn good examples of how to fusion garage and folk rock. ...  Read the complete review