R.E.M.’s pre-Warners albums remain among my favorite records of all time. There were some great songs during the Warner years, but those I.R.S. records are part of my DNA.

In fact, they’re so much a part of my DNA that when Diffuser asked me to write an 30th anniversary piece on the band’s third album, Fables of the Reconstruction, I couldn’t do it without interjecting my own southern fables.

So here’s my question to you: Would you rather read a music piece like this, or do you prefer straight music journalism? You can leave me a comment, email me, or send a carrier pigeon, but I’d really like to know your thoughts.

Enjoy: http://diffuser.fm/r-e-m-release-fables-of-the-reconstruction-anniversary/