Shoddy is shredded scrap material. usually rags, old clothing, jute, carpet, etc. Companies shred scrap material into bales. Then other companies purchase the shredded material and "needle punch" it into what's called "non woven" fabrics.
This is the stuff that found glued to the underside of the cowl/dash, behind the rear seat and under the package tray of our old Mopars and just about all 60's and 70's cars. Back in the day it was used as a cheap sound deadening insulation.
Now a days the same kinda materials are still used by some auto manufactuers but most use more modern, consistant density materials that look like disposable diapers. At my day job we build industrial machines that ultrasonically weld "shoddy pads" to the back sides of automotive interior panels.
The question I'm asking here SPECIFICALLY is I've seen a LOT of shoddy in my day but have never seen a rubber backed shoddy pad used on a 70-74 E body.
I have seen something like this on 75 and later A and F bodies as firewall insulation. It's more of a smooth faced rubber with a shoddy backing. Not the black cardboard and yellow insulation like we're familiar with on our pre 74 cars.
I just think R E M screwed up on this but just checking. They JUST started doing this to the E body shoddy. Not sure why. they WERE spray painting it black on one side which confused me. Sure they just got some bad info. They are NOT car guys thats for sure cause nothing they make is accurate. I have to laugh and then scratch my head how they can make such inaccurate products and be a $5M+ company?!?!
Check out this company.
http://www.bondedlogic.com/They use scrap from blue jean manufacturers to make appliance shoddy and home wall insulation.