During their five-year tenure with the independent I.R.S. Records, R.E.M. recorded an EP and five studio albums and released a collection of oddities. The jump to the major label Warner Brothers didn’t change the band; they continued to evolve at their own pace. But the switch in labels did create a distinct chapter in their story. This nonchronological collection of R.E.M.'s early history includes the single versions of their hits and includes key early songs such as “Radio Free Europe” (the version on Murmur and not the Hib-Tone single), “Gardening at Night” from their debut Chronic Town EP, “Talk About the Passion,” “(Don’t Go Back To) Rockville,” “Pretty Persuasion,” “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).” R.E.M. wrote the unofficial rules for ‘80s alternative rock with their literate, mystical lyrics, jangling guitars, and modest rhythm section that recalled the values of ‘60s and ‘70s rock more than the big dance-friendly sounds heard on mainstream radio in the ‘80s. The collector’s edition features 21 bonus tracks, including demos, live tracks, and personal favorites from each band member.