TAS Rated 4/5 Music, 3/5 Sonics in the February 2019 Issue of The Absolute Sound!

180-gram double LP

Cut at Abbey Road Studios

Collection Of In-Studio Sessions, TV Performances & Live Broadcasts From The BBC Archives!

In the U.S., R.E.M. came to attention in the early ‘80’s and developed a fanbase around the band’s relentless touring schedule and college radio airplay — a uniquely American network of local radio stations playing “alternative” music.

The band’s emergence in Europe also stemmed around their live forays in England, France, the Netherlands and Germany starting in ’83. From this time, the BBC embraced the band — not only with airplay, but also with interviews, TV appearances and in-studio sessions. This strong bind between R.E.M. and the BBC throughout the band’s career is celebrated here with Best Of R.E.M. At The BBC 180-gram 2LP set. The audio is delineated first by in-session performances — from 1991’s Into The Night, to John Peel Sessions and through to the Radio 1 Live Lounge in 2008.

The live broadcasts begin with a rough and tumble show in 1984 at Nottingham’s Rock City, the stunning 1995 return from a six-year touring hiatus for the Monster Tour at The National Bowl at Milton Keynes, followed by a blistering headline performance at Glastonbury’s Pyramid Stage in 1999 and rounded out with 2004’s intimate performance for 200 BBC-invited guests at London’s St. James’ Church.

The band’s history with the BBC is documented with a newly written overview of the BBC/R.E.M. connection by rock journalist Tom Doyle.

“The wax edition is packed with well-known and less-familiar singles and should satisfy those R.E.M. fans who don’t require deep cuts or repeat performs of songs that continued to work their way into the set list. And the vinyl still presents a broad spectrum of music, with intimate un-plugged selections balancing electric material that ranges from highly melodic pop to raw and exhilarating rock and roll. Like a good concert, BBC saves some of the biggest hits (including “Losing My Religion” and “Man On the Moon”) for last. And the version of “Everybody Hurts” that launches Side D so clearly sends the audience into a swoon (the single was a Top Ten hit in the UK) that fans in the States may reconsider where to place that song in R.E.M.’s canon.” — Jeff Wilson, The Absolute Sound, February 2019

Features:

• 180g Vinyl

• Double LP

• Cut at Abbey Road Studios

• Gatefold jacket

Format: Vinyl Record

2 Lp