E.P.: R.E.M., early years

We’ll there’s not much to say about the impact that R.E.M. had in driving the college rock/ alternative music/ jangle pop situation back in the early-mid 80’s, and their influence on my own musical development is nearly unsurpassed (easily making my foundational top 5). Yeah, mostly the Rickenbacker chime and chop but also the sneaky bass, off-accented but powerful drumming, Mills-Berry harmonies, and overall recording/ production approach. As straight up and crystal clear as they were oblique and muddy, I signed on board with my sister’s cassette tape of “Reckoning” and the rotation on WLIR radio from Long Island, and R.E.M. was the first band for which I awaited every release and really climbed aboard for the ride. We took a stab at some faves over the past year or more, me and Mike and Dillo, among the other songs. Probably could do an R.E.M. set every few months without running out of gas…