35 years ago today REM released their debut EP, "Chronic Town". I was working at WPGU radio at that time and immediately loved this record. When I went to Spring Break in 1982 (Daytona Beach), my buddies and I saw them playing on the beach. I made everyone stay and listen--and they fell in love with REM too. Their first two full length albums were also great.
Unfortunately, I loved REM less and less with each successive release, and by the time they broke up, I only casually listened to them. I never disliked them, but the thrill was gone.
But that doesn't diminish the brilliance of that first one. I have an autographed copy of it in my office.
