Review: R.E.M.'s Fables of the Reconstruction, receiving deluxe reissue treatment, marks a transitional period for the band. Amidst relentless writing and touring, the album reflects a slight strain but maintains R.E.M.'s distinct character. With a Southern-infused sound evoking small-town imagery, it showcases Michael Stipe's emerging lyrical themes and the band's evolving musical ambitions. From the jangle-pop of 'Driver 8' to the cinematic 'Feeling Gravity's Pull,' the album navigates a range of styles. Fables has aged well, appreciated for its eccentric style and offbeat subjects. Overall, it's a very fine addition to R.E.M.'s catalogue, offering a glimpse into a pivotal moment in the band's journey.
All The Way To Reno (You're Gonna Be A Star) (4:36)
She Just Wants To Be (5:19)
Disappear (4:05)
Saturn Return (4:48)
Beat A Drum
Imitation Of Life
Summer Turns To High
Chorus & The Ring
I'll Take The Rain
Beachball
Review: Following the muted reception to 1998's predominantly electronic based Up, alt rock giants REM opted to return to a more traditional style of songcraft with their 2001 follow up Reveal. While still relying on a bevvy of glistening synths, the material exuded a retrofitted approach to their dynamic songwriting, with primary songwriter Michael Stipe rediscovering his creative purpose and voice, even as recently as 2021, referring to the work as his personal favourite of the band's output. Best known for the latter day essential contribution to their back catalogue; 'Imitation Of Life', the project also boasts lush opener 'The Lifting', which served as a prequel to 'Daysleeper' from their preceding LP, as well as standout cut 'Disappear', which came from Stipe's motivating Thom Yorke of Radiohead to overcome his stage fright. This in turn led to the Kid A track 'How To Disappear Completely', which reverted back to Stipe penning his own musical articulation of his communing with Yorke. More than two decades on, this often overlooked gem couldn't be more deserving of a reissue and refreshed ears.
Review: Craft Recordings celebrates the 25th anniversary of R.E.M.'s bestselling 11th studio album, Up, with a series of expanded and remastered reissues. Created in partnership with the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, the deluxe 2-CD/singular Blu-Ray edition offers a wealth of material for fans, including the band's previously unreleased set from their guest appearance on the hit TV series, Party of Five. Captured in 1999, the performance includes an 11-song setlist (including enduring hits like 'Man on the Moon', 'Losing My Religion,' and 'It's the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine)', plus a spoken-word introduction.
Review: National Album Day celebrates some of the best full-lengths ever and you'd be hard-pushed to argue that REM's Automatic For the People is not one of those. This edition of it is a special limited edition 180 g yellow vinyl that will remind you of some of the maudlin American rocker's best bits. The album itself is now well over 30 years old but is still thought to be one of the best albums of the 90s. It came after their breakout album Out of Time and did not disappoint, going on to be certified four times platinum in the US thanks to featuring some of the band's biggest hit singles 'Nightswimming,' 'Man on the Moon' and 'Everybody Hurts.'
Review: If only we knew then what we do now. Few times does the phrase feel more appropriate than when discussing R.E.M.'s debut EP - you didn't buy it in 1982, and now original pressings are likely to fetch a sum. Still, we can't all be winners, although any astute ears should have quickly picked up on the potential of these then-unknowns.
Following first single Radio Free Europe, Chronic Town, which comprises five tracks of ever-so-slightly-weird, jangling, up-tempo alternative indie rock 'n' roll packing post punk sentiments, set the stage for the band's most glorious days that ensued. Landing in 1982 on I.R.S. Records, the troupe would stay with the label for some of their most critically acclaimed landmark albums, and for many it's this era and sound that best explain the greatness of a crew known for reinvention and listlessness.
Review: This special 25th Anniversary edition of REM's New Adventures in HIFi album comes on limited heavyweight vinyl in a replica of the original gatefold LP. The Grammy wining and Rock And Roll Hall of fame inductees are one of the most revered American bands of their era thanks to their singular mix of brash tunes, poetic lyrics and very singable choruses and never was that more obvious than on this album. First released in 1996 when the band were on a near-constant tour of the world, it experiments with various sonic textures, haunting effects and dissonant notes with singles like 'E-Bow' and 'Electrolite' all featuring.
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