R.E.M. - Dead Letter Office

While purists will insist on an undiluted copy of the band's 1982 Chronic Town EP, R.E.M. completists (and those who just like a lot of tracks for their money) will be grateful for the inclusion of 15 additional B-sides and curios on this 1987 compilation. Not surprisingly, the non-Chronic material is a mixed blessing: while R.E.M. were much beloved for being notorious cover-whores during those early Athens live shows, their reverent takes on Velvet Underground classics stand the test of time far better than their odes to Roger Miller and Aerosmith. But all that will be forgotten by the time Chronic Town's "Wolves, Lower" kicks in, signaling the official arrival of a band that forever changed the face of Southern rock. --Bill Forman Amazon.com

Humble beginnings and the choice leftovers

I had nearly forgotten about this record when I started re-perusing R.E.M.'s catalog the other day, but this was one of my favorites by the band from Athens. Not only does it collect a large number of covers and b-sides that wound up on the cutting room floor of IRS, it also contains the hard to find Chronic Town, the band's debut Ep that never enjoyed formal release on Cd.

Chronologically speaking, that EP was a glorious beginning for a group whose vocalist was otherwise incomprehensible to his listeners. We wondered at length what Stipe was actually saying (even coining the term "Michael Stipe diisease" for any singer who mumbles too much), but in the end we had to content ourselves with great music, even if the vocals were little more than a melody of their own.

As for the rest of the disc... well, you're in for a pleasant surprise. Unlike other catch-all compilations that seem to cash in on the loyalty of fans while delivering little in the process, the b-sides and covers are infinitely listenable. When taking in these tracks it becomes quickly evident the affection REM has for such bands as the Velvet Underground and Aerosmtih. Other homages such as Roger Miller's 'King of the Road' communicate a deep connection to the south (and country music in general) and leave one wondering what other influences REM might be hiding.

Dead Letter Office may be the kind of Cd you would prefer to cut, paste, and burn onto a couple blank discs, but it stands on its own as a document of REM's early development and the bands they owe so much to. Well worth your time. February 23, 2007

A Must for longtime R.E.M. fans

I admit that I was an REM fan from the release of Murmer. And yes, I am quite partial to the early stuff. I believe there are two REMs. the one before Green and the one after. I like them both, but I prefer the earlier more. This CD is especially great because of the covers, not just because of the Chronic Town re-release. "Crazy" is one of the best songs I have ever heard REM sing. Moreover, they do some fantastic covers of a few Velvet Underground songs. This is not a record company "cash in" complilation, the songs are very strong and worthy of a big release. December 20, 2006

I.R.S. leftovers and the band's first EP

I can't honestly rank this among their finest works and I'm sure the band would say as much: this was never meant to be an "album". Their first record label gathered up the CHRONIC TOWN E.P. and 15 other assorted B-sides and other rare tracks and outtakes to compile this. For this reason, definitely do NOT start here as a novice to the band.(Automatic for the People is that album)

But if you've already found yourself enjoying several of their early days albums, this is a nice one to have for the standout tracks.

HIGHLIGHTS:
The Velvet Underground covers for me are the highlights of this collection ("Femme Fatale","There She Goes Again") particularly a twanged-up "Pale Blue Eyes". 50s surf rock throwback "White Tornado" sounds like a long-lost Ventures track. CHRONIC TOWN track "1,000,000" is also nice.

LOWS:
Several of the instrumentals ("Walter's Theme") don't really do anything for me. I also found "Burning Hell" to be an annoyance. A phony drawl from Michael Stipe on "King of the Road" (yes, he's southern but this sounds deliberately cornpone to my ears..) cheapens the tune. Despite what rock snobs may believe, Miller is a GREAT lyricist and deserves better.

BOTTOM LINE:
Don't pay a fortune for it but if you can get it for a 5 spot or less it's probably worth it. October 7, 2006

Delivered from the Recycle Bin

In the liner notes, Peter Buck says that this collection is like entering a junk shop. True, except there are some real finds to be made here. R.E.M. always had a disdain for labeling "sides" to their music. Sometimes the Beatles had double-A sides for singles. During their early years, R.E.M. called their albums' sides different names. On 'Fables of the Reconstruction' it was "A Side" and "Another Side". For 'Green' it was "Air" and "Metal" sides. For 'Automatic for the People' it was "Drive" and "Ride" sides to accentuate their theme of our control on life and life's control on us, especially developed on their single "Drive".

Anyway, 'Dead Letter Office' accentuates the arbitrariness of labels while keeping in mind Peter Buck's commentary. To sort through this collection is mostly a fun-filled adventure. Despite other's commentaries, I believe their renditions of Velvet Underground sounds aren't extraneous, but good interpretations that show their musical finesse. Other able moments abound, like their version of "Toys in the Attic," "Ages of You," and the heartwarming "Bandwagon". The best song of the group is, in my humble estimation, one of their ten best. "Windout" is a progressive number with expert guitar work by Peter Buck and a spirited performance all around. "Voice of Herald" is a remake of "Seven Chinese Brothers" done identically to the 'Reckoning' musically, but with different words. Here Michael Stipe leads a diatribe at someone of pompous self-importance, probably in the gospel music industry. "Crazy," which starts the album, gives us able folk-rock with both an urgent and caressing delivery by Stipe. Some instrumentals are also present. The compilation flows well, and the only stinker is their rendition of Mitch Miller's "King of the Road". But, even this song is interesting. It gives us the impression that, as perfectionistic as the band is, they probably arrived in the studio after a few beers and recorded this song off-the-cuff. Their debut 'Chronic Town' follows the original album. It is a dark piece of folk-rock, New Wave music and a fine debut. Since it was only an E.P. originally with only five songs, 'Dead Letter Office' makes a nice C.D. home for a brilliant debut. Even R.E.M's trashcan brings us treasure. September 17, 2006

A REALLY mixed bag

I am pretty much going to echo what most people here have already said - this album is necessary solely for the last 5 tracks (i.e. The Chronic EP), which are just as good as anything off "Murmur" and "Reckoning". The wonderfully catchy jangly guitar-pop we all know and love is in full force on these 5 songs. The remaining 15 tracks are purely for completists and re-confirm the fact that R.E.M. are definitely an album band, and they truly put the best songs on their albums. The first 4 songs and "Ages of You" are the onky non-Chronic tracks that are any good. "Burning Hell" may be the worst thing these guys ever recorded, and the Velvet Underground and Aerosmith and Roger Miller covers are mostly bland and lifeless. I usually have to skip through too many tracks to get to the good stuff, so I cannot give this a high review, but definitely get the songs from The Chronic EP however you can if you are an R.E.M. fan. June 6, 2005

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