Eponymous was released in 1988 as a brief summary of R.E.M.'s early days with I.R.S. Records, just as the band moved to Warner Brothers. It became immediately essential for the inclusion of the original Hib-Tone single version of "Radio Free Europe," which most fans hadn't heard (the song had been rerecorded for R.E.M.’s first album, Murmur). The other three unusual tracks are "Gardening at Night" with a different vocal mix than on the Chronic Town EP (which boosts Michael Stipe’s voice to the point where one can nearly hear his every word); "Finest Worksong," which appears in its Mutual Drum Horn Mix that differs greatly from the mix on Document; and "Romance," which had only appeared on the 1987 soundtrack to the film Made in Heaven. The remaining tracks are highlights from the band’s career to date, including the hits "Can’t Get There from Here," "Fall on Me," "The One I Love," and "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)." Side 1 Radio Free Europe Gardening At Night Talk About The Passion So. Central Rain (Don't Go Back To) Rockville Can't Get There From Here Side 2 Driver 8 Romance Fall On Me The One I Love Finest Worksong It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
