Explanation: The band R.E.M. was indeed formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by its four principal members: Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Michael Stipe.

Explanation: The source indicates that Peter Buck and Michael Stipe first met in January 1980 at Wuxtry Records, a record store in Athens where Buck was employed, rather than while attending the University of Georgia together.

Explanation: R.E.M.'s inaugural concert occurred on April 5, 1980, not at a community center, but at a birthday party held in a deconsecrated church on Oconee Street in Athens, Georgia.

Explanation: Contrary to the assertion, Michael Stipe selected the band name R.E.M. by randomly choosing it from a dictionary. While the term signifies rapid eye movement sleep, this was not the direct inspiration for the band's name.

Explanation: Jefferson Holt became R.E.M.'s manager after being highly impressed by their live performance, not their early recordings, leading him to move to Athens to manage them.

Explanation: R.E.M.'s debut single, "Radio Free Europe," was released in July 1981 on the independent label Hib-Tone, not a major label.

Explanation: Despite its limited release, "Radio Free Europe" garnered critical acclaim and was recognized by The New York Times as one of the ten best singles of the year, indicating it was not ignored by critics.

Explanation: R.E.M.'s first EP, *Chronic Town*, was indeed released in August 1982 on the I.R.S. Records label.

Explanation: The initial pressing of R.E.M.'s debut single "Radio Free Europe" was limited, but its popularity necessitated a larger second pressing.

Explanation: Scott McCaughey was not one of the original four founding members of R.E.M.; the founding members were Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Michael Stipe.

Explanation: R.E.M.'s debut studio album, *Murmur*, was released in 1983 and received significant critical acclaim, including being named Album of the Year by Rolling Stone.

Explanation: The band intentionally avoided prominent guitar solos and synthesizer parts on their debut album, *Murmur*, to achieve a distinctive and timeless sound, rather than including them as stated.

Explanation: Although *Murmur* received considerable critical acclaim, its worldwide sales were approximately 200,000 copies, falling short of the one million mark mentioned.

Explanation: R.E.M.'s initial national television appearance occurred on *Late Night with David Letterman* in October 1983, not on *The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson*.

Explanation: The recording sessions for *Fables of the Reconstruction* in London were marked by challenging environmental conditions, including cold weather and inadequate food, which created significant strain on the band members and brought them close to dissolution.

Explanation: On *Fables of the Reconstruction*, Michael Stipe initiated an exploration of Southern Gothic themes, drawing inspiration from traditional storytelling and legends, which signaled a move toward more narrative and evocative lyrical expression.

Explanation: While *Lifes Rich Pageant* represented a significant commercial step forward, it was R.E.M.'s first album to be certified gold, not platinum.

Explanation: Critically, *Reckoning* was well-received, and commercially, it charted higher in the US than their debut, reaching number 27, although its international distribution remained constrained.

Explanation: On *Fables of the Reconstruction*, Michael Stipe's lyrical themes primarily focused on Southern Gothic folklore and legends, not urban decay and social unrest.

Explanation: On *Fables of the Reconstruction*, Michael Stipe began exploring lyrical themes rooted in Southern Gothic traditions.

Explanation: R.E.M.'s 1987 album, *Document*, is widely recognized as their breakthrough into mainstream popularity. This success was largely propelled by the single "The One I Love," which achieved Top 20 status in the US, UK, and Canada, thereby substantially enhancing the band's visibility and commercial reach.

Explanation: In 1988, R.E.M. signed with Warner Bros. Records, not Columbia Records, seeking enhanced international distribution and greater creative autonomy.

Explanation: The mainstream success of *Document* (1987) was primarily driven by the popularity of singles like "The One I Love," not by an experimental jazz fusion sound.

Explanation: In 1988, R.E.M. signed with Warner Bros. Records, seeking better international distribution and assurances of creative freedom.

Explanation: *Document* (1987) is widely regarded as R.E.M.'s breakthrough album into mainstream popularity.

Explanation: The album *Out of Time* incorporated non-traditional rock instrumentation, such as mandolin and organ, and was not their first album to chart outside the US; it achieved significant success internationally, topping charts in both the US and UK.

Explanation: "Losing My Religion" achieved unprecedented success for R.E.M. in the United States, reaching number four on the Billboard charts and becoming their highest-charting and best-selling single.

Explanation: Although R.E.M. initially envisioned *Automatic for the People* as a more hard-rocking album, it ultimately delved into somber themes of loss and mourning, enhanced by string arrangements orchestrated by John Paul Jones.

Explanation: The album *Monster* represented a deliberate shift towards a more distorted, glam rock-influenced sound, contrasting sharply with the softer styles of its preceding albums, rather than a move towards acoustic sounds.

Explanation: The 1991 album *Out of Time* incorporated non-traditional rock instruments such as mandolin and organ, contributing to its distinctive sound and commercial success.

Explanation: The *Monster* World Tour in 1995 was significantly disrupted by serious health issues affecting multiple band members, including Bill Berry's brain aneurysm and Michael Stipe's emergency surgery, contrary to the assertion of an uninterrupted tour.

Explanation: Bill Berry departed R.E.M. in 1997 primarily because he felt less enthusiastic about the demands of being a pop star and desired to step back, not specifically to focus on producing other artists.

Explanation: Contrary to the statement, R.E.M. did not disband immediately after Bill Berry's departure; the remaining three members continued as a trio.

Explanation: The 1998 album *Up*, which explored electronic and experimental sounds, was not a commercial success and did not continue the band's chart dominance; it sold significantly fewer copies than their previous major label releases.

Explanation: Jacknife Lee served as the producer for R.E.M.'s final two studio albums: *Accelerate* (2008) and *Collapse into Now* (2011).

Explanation: The band announced their breakup in 2011, citing the decision that "All things must end, and we wanted to do it right, to do it our way," rather than stating a desire to continue making music indefinitely.

Explanation: The album *Monster* was a commercial success, topping charts in the US and UK and selling approximately nine million copies worldwide, contrary to the assertion of limited sales.

Explanation: Bill Berry's departure in 1997 did not mark the end of R.E.M.'s recording career; the band continued as a trio, releasing subsequent albums.

Explanation: During the *Monster* World Tour in 1995, several band members experienced serious health issues, including Bill Berry's brain aneurysm and Michael Stipe's emergency surgery.

Explanation: Following Bill Berry's departure, R.E.M. continued as a trio and released the album *Up* (1998).

Explanation: R.E.M. was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, the earliest year of their eligibility. The induction ceremony saw the reunion of all four original members.

Explanation: The compilation album *Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage 1982–2011*, released in November 2011, was notable as the first collection to encompass material from both R.E.M.'s I.R.S. and Warner Bros. periods.

Explanation: R.E.M. is recognized for their role in pioneering alternative rock and influencing its transition from post-punk, but they are not credited with pioneering the grunge movement.

Explanation: R.E.M. has achieved worldwide album sales exceeding 90 million units, positioning them among the best-selling musical artists globally.

Explanation: R.E.M. members consistently utilized their public platform to advocate for liberal and progressive causes, such as environmental protection and human rights, rather than conservative political stances.

Explanation: The original four members of R.E.M. reunited for a performance in June 2024 at the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Explanation: Band members have indicated that a permanent reunion is unlikely, viewing it as potentially "tacky" and "money-grabbing," and suggesting it would not match the quality of their original work.

Explanation: The 1992 album *Automatic for the People* is frequently cited by both music critics and band members, including Peter Buck and Mike Mills, as R.E.M.'s most accomplished work.

Explanation: R.E.M.'s early success, exemplified by *Murmur*, demonstrated that artistic integrity could lead to mainstream success, inspiring bands to balance artistry with industry engagement, rather than encouraging a purely commercial sound.

Explanation: The 2025 remix of "Radio Free Europe" was released to support the organization of the same name due to budget cuts, not to raise funds for a political campaign.

Explanation: R.E.M.'s musical style is typically associated with genres such as college rock, jangle pop, and post-punk. Grunge is not a descriptor commonly applied to their sound.

Explanation: R.E.M.'s influence on alternative rock stems significantly from their demonstration that artistic integrity could be successfully combined with mainstream success, providing a model for subsequent bands.

Explanation: R.E.M. has achieved estimated worldwide album sales exceeding 90 million units.

Explanation: R.E.M. members consistently utilized their public platform to advocate for liberal and progressive causes, such as environmental protection and human rights.

Explanation: The original four members of R.E.M. reunited for a performance in June 2024 at the Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Explanation: Band members have expressed reservations about a permanent reunion, viewing it as potentially "tacky" and "money-grabbing," and questioning whether it could match the quality of their original work.

Explanation: The 1992 album *Automatic for the People* is frequently cited by both critics and band members as R.E.M.'s finest work.

Explanation: The "R.E.M. model" refers to their success in demonstrating that artistic integrity could be successfully combined with mainstream recognition and commercial viability.

Explanation: In 2025, R.E.M. issued a remix of their song "Radio Free Europe" with the explicit purpose of supporting the organization bearing the same name, which was experiencing substantial budget reductions.

Explanation: Jacknife Lee produced R.E.M.'s album *Accelerate* (2008), as well as their final studio album, *Collapse into Now* (2011).

Explanation: Songwriting in R.E.M. was credited to the entire band, with each member holding an equal vote, reflecting a collaborative process.

Explanation: Peter Buck's guitar playing is notably characterized by an arpeggiated 'jangle' sound, often eschewing traditional solos in favor of melodic textures.

Explanation: Peter Buck described R.E.M.'s typical songs as minor key, mid-tempo, enigmatic, and semi-folk-rock-balladish pieces.