R.E.M. Dead Letter Office LP Vinyl

Limited vinyl LP repressing. Dead Letter Office is a collection of rarities and b-sides by R.E.M. Released in 1987, the album is essentially a collection of many additional recordings R.E.M. made pre-Murmur to Lifes Rich Pageant that were outtakes or released as flip sides to their singles internationally. Many of the tracks are favorite cover versions indicating the band's disparate influences and musical tastes, including three Velvet Underground covers, and songs by Pylon, Aerosmith and Roger Miller. Guitarist Peter Buck composed wry, self-deprecating (and, in one instance, apologetic) liner notes to the songs on the album. Buck initially had doubts about releasing it, saying he felt as though people would perceive the album as the band "trying to cash in, maybe to sell some records," as the ultimate release date predated that of the band's final studio album with I.R.S., Document, by a mere five months.

1. Crazy 2. There She Goes Again 3. Burning Down 4. Voice of Harold 5. Burning Hell 6. White Tornado 7. Toys in the Attic 8. Wind Out 9. Ages of You 10. Pale Blue Eyes 11. Rotary Ten 12. Bandwagon 13. Femme Fatale 14. Walter's Theme 15. King of the Road