Back around when REM's first record came out there was quite a scene going on in the Athens, Georgia area and that whole part of the country. REM, Don Dixon, Mitch Easter, Let's Active, Pylon, the DB's, the X-Teens, the B-52's, Barbeque Killers, Kilkenny Cats, Squall, the Windbreakers, Dumptruck, and lots of other bands were putting out records. Most of these alternative guitar-based bands were labelled as "jangle pop". Love Tractor (from Athens) was one of those bands, but they were different because they didn't sing. Or just sometimes a little bit. So their first 3 records were mainly instrumental. I like those records a lot. Their first record with mainly vocal songs was This Ain't No Outer Space Ship, and that is one of my most favorite records. Lots of catchy songs. And a really cool cover of The Gap Band's "Party Train". (and the CD includes a bonus track - Marvin Gaye's "You Got To Give It Up"). They broke up in 1989, later got back together and released The Sky At Night in 2001, then broke up again. A reformed band (with only Michael Richmond from the old lineups) put out a few records in 2005/2006. Checking out Reverb Nation, I see that they are playing shows in Athens in 2010.

Check out the film Athens, GA Inside Out, featuring Love Tractor, REM, Pylon, etc.

Some Links:

Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Tractor

Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/Love-Tractor/55205383239

Reverb Nation: www.reverbnation.com/lovetractor

AllMusic: www.allmusic.com/artist/love-tractor-p13550/

The Records:

Love Tractor - (1982) DB Recs (LP and CD are both DB 60)
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000000N23

Around the Bend - (1983) DB Recs (LP and CD are both DB 67)
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B0000017EE

Till the Cows Come Home (EP) - (1984) DB Recs (LP is DB 71, reissued on same CD w 1st record)
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000000N23

Wheel of Pleasure (EP) - (1985) DB Recs (LP is DB 74)
Amazon: (LP) www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B001UB2P7Y
This was a compilation of songs, all from from the previous 2 LPs and EP. As far as I know was not issued on CD.

This Ain't no Outer Space Ship - (1986) Big Time Records - Produced by Pat Irwin
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00000DPVY
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00004ZBAL
Andrew Carter (drums), Mark Cline (guitar, synthesizer, vocal, lead vocal on "Got To Give It Up), Michael Richmond (lead vocal, lead guitar), Armistead Wellford (bass,vocal, guitar, piano, clarinet), additional musicians - Pat Irwin (guitar, synthesizer), Larry Turner (guitar).
The Songs: Cartoon Kiddies, Small Town, Chilli Part Two, Night Club Scene, Outside With Ma, Rudolph Nureyev (instrumental), Beatle Boots, Amusement Park, Party Train, We All Loved Each Other So Much (instrumental), Got To Give It Up (bonus CD track).

Themes From Venus - (1989) DB Recs - produced by Mitch Easter
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000008HXC

The Sky at night - (2001) Razor and Tie - produced by Love Tractor< br> Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000059RVG
Mainly Mark Cline (guitar, keyboards), Tom King (drums), Mike Richmond (guitar vocals), Doug Stanley (guitar, keyboards), Armistad Wellford (bass). Some other odd instruments and a few guests. CD booklet includes full credits and lyrics for each song. Most of the songs on this are vocal. Has a warm, mature and interesting sound.

Black Hole - (2005) Fundamental Records
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B0007TFHZC

Green Winter - (2006) Fundamental Records
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000F1HGGA

Before and After Christmas - (2006) Fundamental Records
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000K7UFEO

White Mountain
Have seen mentioned, not sure if it was released.

Big Time Syndrome (1987) (CD-2002) Big Time Records
Amazon: www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B00000DPW3
This is a compilation of various artists. Love Tractor does a cover of Marvin Gaye's "Give It Up". This song is also included as a bonus track on the CD This Ain't No Outer Space Ship.