1,000,000

To roughly paraphrase Forest Gump, Chronic Town is like a small box of chocolates, and there's not a bad one in the box. "1,000,000" (pronounced "a million") is sheer fun poppy punk with a slightly macabre lyric about death - or at least cheating death. And not only is the guy in the song outliving you by about 999,915 years, but he's smarter too.

I know this is cheating, but I looked at a REM fan site message board to see what the kids were saying about this song. My favorite comment was:

I wanted this to be about aliens…so much.

Smarter too.

Carnival of Sorts (Box Cars)

An early reviewer called Chronic Town "unforced and cunning", which certainly is true of "Carnival". It is at the same time a product of it's day - sprightly early 80s New Wave - and a glimpse into what REM would become - singular and individual. From the calliope opener, to the crisp percussion, the jangly guitar, and the distinct Stipe sound, all the hallmarks are there. Is it a favorite? Not really, but I'd be willing to bet had there been a little promotional and distribution muscle at IRS at the time, it could have done well as a single.

By the way, is anybody else irked that CT is slapped onto the end of Dead Letter Office these days, and doesn't get its own packaging? Bring back the gargoyle sticking out his tongue!