Episode Twelve

The University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia has produced some pretty impressive things. And while I'd love to get into Bill Mallonee, Herschel Walker, Ryan Seacrest, Mystery Girl, Debra Norville, or Zell Miller; I'll focus on one of the biggest bands of all time. Between 1983 and 1988, R.E.M. released an album a year (and that's not counting Eponymous a greatest hits album released in 1988). In 1988, they released Green. Previous to Green, R.E.M. had released their albums through IRS Records. In 1988 they went big time and signed with Warner Brothers. The album was their ticket from obscure college indie band to major music contributor. Green contained the hits "Stand," "Pop Song 89," and "Orange Crush." The cover, contrary to the title isn't green. One theory is that if you stare at the cover long enough, you will see the color green when you look away. Another theory is that they sold out with Green and green is the color of money. Even another theory is the idea that the album focused on more environmental and political topics. All good theories.


Incidentally, Athens also produced the B-52's, Drive-By Truckers, Vic Chesnutt, Neutral Milk Hotel, Chickasaw Mud Puppies, and the previously mentioned Bill Mallonee and his Vigilantes of Love. And that, Mad Fishicist, is how you get traffic from Google searches on your blog...because you asked.