Credited as the original purveyors of archetypal, college-oriented Jangle Pop, R.E.M. have released more than a dozen albums of genuine quality over the course of their ongoing career. Having arguably penned some of the most memorable songs in '80s and '90s Alternative Pop, gems like "Radio Free Europe," "These Days," and "It's The End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" are, to many, legendary mantras rather than mere pop songs. Still, Michael Stipe's warm, tattered mumbling, Peter Buck's Byrds-inspired, jangling hooks, Bill Berry's ham-fisted timekeeping, and Mike Mills' perfect harmonies in fact created a crisp, melodic pop sound that remains timelessly in contrast to the stylish flavors of the month ushered in and out of the spotlight since they bowed their debut single in 1981.