Dead Letter Office (album)

Dead Letter Office
Compilation album by
ReleasedApril 27, 1987 (1987-04-27)
Recorded1981–1986
GenreAlternative rock
Length43:22
LabelI.R.S.
Producer
R.E.M. chronology
Lifes Rich Pageant
(1986)
Dead Letter Office
(1987)
Document
(1987)
R.E.M. compilations chronology
Dead Letter Office
(1987)
Eponymous
(1988)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Robert ChristgauC+[2]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music[3]
Kerrang!3.75/5[6]
Record Mirror[7]
Rolling StoneFavorable[4]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[5]

Dead Letter Office is a rarities and B-sides collection by R.E.M., released in April 1987. The album is essentially a collection of many additional recordings R.E.M. made from before Murmur to Lifes Rich Pageant that were outtakes or released as B-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 Aerosmith ("Toys in the Attic"), Roger Miller ("King of the Road"), and fellow Athenians Pylon ("Crazy").

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 four months.[8]

The album was initially issued as a 15-song collection on vinyl and cassette, but when its CD edition appeared the five tracks from the band's 1982 Chronic Town EP were added. This was the only CD availability of Chronic Town until the release of The Originals box set.

  1. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "R.E.M. Dead Letter Office review". AllMusic. Retrieved September 20, 2011.
  2. ^ Christgau, Robert. "Consumer Guide Reviews: Dead Letter Office". Robert Christgau. Retrieved September 20, 2011.
  3. ^ Larkin, Colin (2007). The Encyclopedia of Popular Music (4th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0195313734.
  4. ^ Guterman, Jimmy (July 2, 1987). "Album Reviews - R.E.M. - Dead Letter Office". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 15, 2007. Retrieved September 20, 2011.
  5. ^ "R.E.M.: Album Guide". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
  6. ^ Johnson, Howard (May 28, 1987). "REM 'Dead Letter Office'". Kerrang!. Vol. 147. London, UK: Spotlight Publications ltd. p. 17.
  7. ^ Levy, Eleanor (May 30, 1987). "Albums". Record Mirror. p. 15. ISSN 0144-5804.
  8. ^ Reveal: The Story of R.E.M., Johnny Black, 2004