The IRS years represent the foundational blueprint of American indie rock. Characterized by Peter Buck's ringing Rickenbacker guitar, Mike Mills' melodic basslines, Bill Berry's precise drumming, and Michael Stipe's famously cryptic, mumbled vocals, this era is highly revered by vinyl purists and blogspot archivists.
The Ultimate Guide to R.E.M.’s Discography: A Blogspot Retro Review
A beautiful, melancholic electronic-folk hybrid. Heavily influenced by Radiohead and Brian Eno, it features the ambient electronic pulse of "Daysleeper" and "Lotus." r.e.m. discography blogspot
No R.E.M. discography dive is complete without acknowledging their crucial archival releases and compilation albums:
"So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)," "Don't Go Back to Rockville," "Harborcoat" Fables of the Reconstruction [1985] The IRS years represent the foundational blueprint of
Cult favorites like "Leave," "Fretless," and their iconic cover of Leonard Cohen's "First We Take Manhattan" that were often left off mainline records.
Notable for containing the rare, original Hib-Tone single version of "Radio Free Europe" and the alternate mix of "Gardening at Night." Heavily influenced by Radiohead and Brian Eno, it
The album that made them global superstars. The band largely sidelined traditional rock guitars in favor of mandolins, organs, strings, and guest rappers.
Because the end of the world as we know it? It feels fine—especially when you have the complete Chronic Town sessions on a hard drive, courtesy of a blog that hasn't been updated since 2013.
Which you prefer (jangly college rock, 90s acoustic, or heavy distortion)? If you want to focus on deep cuts or the radio hits ? If you are looking for a guide to their live bootlegs ? Share public link
R.E.M. is often cited as the architect of American alternative rock, moving from underground darlings in the early 1980s to the biggest rock band on the planet