Sometimes it's not always the best thing to be so amazing so early in your career. R.E.M. is a perfect case in point. Coming out of the gates with Chronic Town, Murmur, and Reckoning set such a high water mark that everything else, no matter how good, will always pale by comparison. Even releases such as Out of Time and Monster that made them superstars are regarded as relatively lesser pieces of work compared to their early 80's output.
To commemorate their move into the Del Webb Sun City community for retired post-punk/early alt bands, they have just released a super size compilation called Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage 1982 - 2011. While this collection is a solid cross sections of the hits, there are a some gaps in this hearty collection. For those wanting to delve deeper in to the work of Athens' finest, here are few nuggets to help expand your R.E.M. horizons:
1. "Wolves Lower" - The song that started it all - side one, song one from Chronic Town. A snappy, pop punk tune that served as the introduction of the R.E.M. trademark sound.
2. "Toys In The Attic" - Yes, I went there. R.E.M. covers the legendary Aerosmith song on Dead Letter Office. It's a total B-side but to hear Peter Buck play Joe Perry's part on a 12 string is worth the price of admission. I'd have loved to hear Michael Stipe sing "Walk This Way" myself
3. "Pilgrimage" - While everyone knows "Radio Free Europe", the song that follows it on Murmur is probably the best on their legendary debut. A slowish, pop song that features a xylophone and just some great harmonies from Stipe and Mike Mills
4. " 7 Chinese Bros" - A little slower paced than the songs on Murmur, this song from Reckoning has a great combination of a soft melody with some sharp guitar and drum parts.
5. "Can't Get There From Here" - While generally regarded as the lower point of the bands early years, Fables Of The Reconstruction had some classic songs. This mid-tempo rocker breaks from the mold of their first couple of albums with a great horn part near the end.
6. "I Believe" - Life's Rich Pageant was the album that saw the band change the more subtle sounds of their first few albums to a full blown rock band. But they did within the context of their core talents. Buck's jangly 12 string guitar has never sounded more powerful and the harmonies of Mills and Stipe absolutely soar on this barn burner.
7. "Disturbance At The Heron House" - Packing now alternative rock classics "The One That I Love" and "It's the End of the World", Document was the album that made R.E.M. into rock stars. However, this album also had some quirkier songs and this was one of them.
8. "World Leader Pretend" - The great thing about REM is that, after two big sounding albums, what do they do when they sign to a major label - go back to basics. Mind you Green did have some mega hits but there were a number of lower key songs like this one driven by Bill Berry's off-beat drums and the pedal steel guitar present throughout the song. Think of this as the prequel to "Country Feedback" on Out of Time.
9. "Radio Song" - R.E.M. starts their biggest album ever with their funkiest song ever. Driven by Mike Mills organ, Buck's guitar bursts, and a great driving rhythm from Bill Berry, it's a funky new world for the band. And KRS-One guests too.
10. "Find The River" - Hands down R.E.M's finest moment. After the international success of Out of Time came Automatic for the People - a very subdued, somber record that, in many ways, rivals their first classic early releases. "Find The River" is a gorgeous song driven by Stipe's very reflective vocals and, not shockingly, some simply stunning background harmonies from Mills and Stipe.
As I could write forever on this, here are a few more from the later days that are highly recommended:
"Let Me In"
"How The West Was Won and Where It Got Us"
"Diminished"
"Parakeet"
If there are some that I've missed that you think should be part of my "best of the rest" list, share away!!
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