Well, the holiday season is officially upon us, folks! Now that Thanksgiving is out of the way, you can look forward to even longer lines at the store, circling various parking lots for hours on end, and greeting those oh-too friendly, overworked and underpaid retail workers at the checkout. It is the “most wonderful time of the year,” after all!
So, while you’re out picking up those gifts for the kiddies, you might as well grab a little something for yourself to keep your spirits up—and we’ve got the perfect thing! We’re giving away a copy of the new R.E.M. box set, 7IN-83-88 featuring vinyl 7” singles released with I.R.S Records between 1983 and 1988.
Do you remember “Its The End Of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)”? How fantastic would it be to have that (again!) on vinyl? Released in 1987, this song is a “tongue-twisting pop culture rally cry, beckoning to the tuned-out masses, listless casualties of 1980s economics, politics, and general ‘Me Generation’ malaise.”
It is just one of the many exceptional songs R.E.M. released during their time with I.R.S. Records. Their “early storytelling was both epic and familiar, with themes of loss and alienation expressed in several songs, including “So. Central Rain (I’m Sorry),” “(Don’t Go Back To) Rockville,” and in their 1987 Top 10, “The One I Love.” This new, transformative music emitted from the sleepy/sharp college town of Athens, Georgia, where R.E.M. and other bands forged a scene, which spawned a movement, and ultimately led to a cultural sea change in music.”
“In December 1987, Rolling Stone’s year-end issue celebrated R.E.M. on its cover as “America’s Best Rock & Roll Band.” By the end of R.E.M.’s run with I.R.S. Records, the band’s success had paved the way for a new generation of alt-rock and grunge acts, as Athens’ finest continued to lead the charge.”
The 7IN-83-88 box set captures this monumental period in R.E.M.’s history beautifully. Each single features “replicated original picture sleeve art and the set includes two U.K. releases making their U.S. vinyl seven-inch debuts: “Finest Worksong” / “Time After Time” (live) and the double-pack single for “Wendell Gee” with “Crazy,” “Ages of You,” and “Burning Down.””
“Popular music’s modern-day evolution can be traced in step with R.E.M.’s ascent and reign as one of music’s most creative and influential bands. Explore the history that leads back to Athens. These are the documents.”
R.E.M., 7IN– 83-88 contains:
“Radio Free Europe” / “There She Goes Again”
“So. Central Rain (I’m Sorry)” / “King of the Road”
“(Don’t Go Back To) Rockville” / “Catapult” (Live)
“Can’t Get There From Here” / “Bandwagon”
“Driver 8” / “Crazy”
“Wendell G” / “Crazy” + “Ages of You” / “Burning Down” (U.K. double-pack, previously unreleased on vinyl in U.S.)
“Fall On Me” / “Rotary Ten”
“Superman” / “White Tornado”
“The One I Love” / “Maps and Legends” (Live)
“Its The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” / “Last Date”
“Finest Worksong” / “Time After Time” (Live, U.K. single, previously unreleased on vinyl in U.S.)
Treat yourself this holiday season—enter to win a copy of R.E.M.’s 7IN-83-88 by leaving us a comment below with your favorite R.E.M. single from this collection—and briefly why. One enthusiastic winner with a North American mailing address will be chosen on Tuesday, December 9 and notified directly via email.
