This is used to be the only CD availability of Chronic Town until the release of The Originals box set.Īll songs written by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Michael Stipe, except where noted. The album was initially issued as a 15-song collection on vinyl and cassette, but when its CD edition appeared the five tracks from the band's 1982 Chronic Town EP were added. Buck initially had doubts about releasing it, saying he felt as though people would perceive the album as the band 'trying to cash in, maybe to sell some records', as the ultimate release date predated that of the band's final studio album with I.R.S., Document, by a mere four months. Guitarist Peter Buck composed wry, self-deprecating (and, in one instance, apologetic) liner notes to the songs on the album. Many of the tracks are favorite cover versions indicating the band's disparate influences and musical tastes, including three Velvet Underground covers, and songs by Aerosmith (' Toys in the Attic'), Roger Miller (' King of the Road'), and fellow Athenians Pylon ('Crazy'). made from before Murmur to Lifes Rich Pageant that were outtakes or released as B-sides to their singles internationally. The album is essentially a collection of many additional recordings R.E.M.
Dead Letter Office is a rarities and B-sides collection by R.E.M., released in April 1987.
