R.E.M. — Eponymous

• Artist: R.E.M.
• Title: Eponymous
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 9
• Owner: Tracy? Mary?
• Acquired: 1988 – Mother’s Records in Hampton, VA
• Keeper: Yes

I hope everybody is watching UFC 75 right now. It’s free tonight! Cro Kop and Kongo are between rounds, and it’s the first fight tonight to make it past the first round. The main event between Jackson and Henderson is sure to be exciting.

Anyhow, Eponymous is a compilation of singles from R.E.M.’s first five albums. I like to pick on the band but of course they are great, and any sort of “best of” is especially great. I don’t have any memories or attachments with this one, but I was reminded of something when I was listening to it during dinner. The year Eponymous came out, 1988, is about when Mary’s sister Jolly was running track for the University of Georgia and living in Athens, GA. Somehow Jolly ended up walking Michael Stipe’s dog(s) when he was on the road. I think it was a regular gig for a while there, and I’ve always found it amusing.

Cro Kop just lost by decision to Kongo. Cro Kop looked like didn’t even want to be there. Downer…

More about this album at AllMusic.