Universal Vinyl

About this product

R.E.M. are a long-standing part of the cultural landscape and this release recalls the first major step in their journey to becoming one of the great bands of our time. Widely considered to be the first indie-rock album it set the template for that genre for the next 25 years and remains as surprising, strange and beautiful as it did on release.

R.E.M. is the legendary rock band formed in 1980 Georgia, USA by Michael Stipe (lead vocals), Peter Buck (guitar), Mike Mills (bass/backing vocals), and Bill Berry (drums/percussion).

R.E.M. was one of the pioneering popular alternative rock bands, and gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style, as well as Stipe's unclear 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. Following the release of the critically acclaimed Murmur, the band continued to build their reputation over the next few years through subsequent releases, constant touring, and the support of college radio.