Chronic Town [SEP] record label
Chronic Town
Chronic Town is the debut EP by American alternative rock band R.E.M., released on August 24, 1982 on I.R.S. Records. "Chronic Town" is the first illustration of R.E.M.'s signature musical style: jangling guitars, chords played in arpeggio, murmured vocals, and obscure lyrics.
Background and recording.
After the minor success of the group's debut single "Radio Free Europe" in 1981, R.E.M. manager Jefferson Holt felt the band was ready to record a longer release. While he felt they were
months. The band turned down the advances of major label RCA Records in favor of I.R.S., with whom it signed a contract in May 1982. I.R.S. released "Chronic Town" that August as its first American release. A positive review of the EP by "NME" praised the songs' auras of mystery, and concluded, "R.E.M. ring true, and it's great to hear something as unforced and cunning as this."
I.R.S. first paired R.E.M. with producer Stephen Hague to record its debut album. Hague's