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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
In 1988, REM were a cult on the cusp of major success. In 1992 they were somewhere close to being the biggest band in the world. In 2003, they're marginalised again, a middle-aged institution purportedly on the wane. Still, uninformed listeners to In Time might find it tricky to work out which songs come from which era. The 18 singles collected here in non-chronological order show a band that's operated at a terrifyingly high standard throughout the period, so that less lauded songs like "The Great Beyond" stand proud alongside the familiar anthems from the early 1990s. Of course, these compilations are sent to irritate loyalists, whose relief at the inclusion of "E-Bow the Letter" (a mesmerising duet with Patti Smith from 1996) will be undermined by the bewildering absence of 1992's tearjerking epiphany "Find the River". For a more comprehensive survey of REM's excellence, you'll also need The Best of REM, the highlights of their elliptical early years. One suspects a box set which tells the full story of this enduring band can't be that far away. For now, though, In Time will do well enough. --John Mulvey
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Cd > Popular Music > RockCD > POPULAR MUSIC > ROCK
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
23 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
REM's long-awaited 'Best of' album is a must for anyone new to the band. It combines universally acclaimed tracks like 'losing my religion' and 'everybody hurts' with some of the lesser known but equally impressive numbers such as 'e-bow the letter' and 'orange crush'.
For die hard REM fans however, most of the songs here will feel slighlty overplayed and stale...unless you happen upon the magnificent special edition with the enhanced 'rarities and b-sides' supplement as I did. Most of the tracks on the main LP are understandably from the post 1990 era but disc 2 offers some fantastic reworked songs dating back to the early 80's, culminating in a painstakingly beautiful live version of 'Country Feedback' (in my opinion one of the best songs ever written).
Unsurprisingly after 20 years of unrivalled and unparralled rock songs, REM's 'In Time' sparked much debate as to which songs would actually appear on the album. With the exception of the new track 'Animal' I wouldn't argue with the choices made by the band, but this band has produced so many quality tracks you could almost release a 4CD collection - now that would be a driving album!!!
Fans of some of the early work should try to pick up any albums missing from your collection (Life's Rich Paegeant is not to be missed) - most stores are selling them off for a fiver - criminal! I would've like to have seen 'Find the River', 'So fast so numb' and 'starnge currencies' make an appearance on 'In Time' but I can't complain, I can listen to them whenever I like.
If this album serves to achieve anything new it is to answer the much fought question of greatness: U2 or REM? Sorry Bono, but'In time' blows the Irish band's 'Best Of' right out of the water.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Demob Happy
Format:Audio CD
There may never be agreement on the best tracks of such an important, much-loved band. Universally successful groups like REM reach a great variety of people with diverse tastes, connecting with different sides of their musical personality. This, their second best-of, covers REM's albums with Warner, incorporating their most commerically successful period and taking us up to their more recent slip from the limelight. Still a great band, there is no disputing the fading of their relevance lately, but their time will come again. This collection concentrates mostly on their singles output, but somehow largley avoids the sunnier side. I think - and I think the diehards would agree - that this Best Of is at least a close representation of the Spirit of the band, something that can't always be said about such compilations. That said, there is also the irritating commercial imperative to include some new tracks which don't make the grade, but this is standard practise now.
I think there are some jarring exclusions - conspicuous in their absence - such as 'Drive', 'Country Feedback', 'World Leader Pretend', 'Crush With Eyeliner'. The albums Monster and Out of Time are only represented by one track each, criminal really, the most obvious omission being the latter's Shiny Happy People (but this is understandable). If the intention of this collection is to bolster the songs post-Automatic, then it succeeds to place them on a non-chronological platform with greats such as 'Losing My Religion', 'Man on the Moon', 'Nightswimming' etc. The overall effect is one of amazing consistency, but feels strangely downbeat, despite the inclusion of poppier moments such as 'Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite' and 'What's the Frequency Kenneth?'. Anyone for whom REM fell off the radar during the 90s will be blown away by E-Bow the Letter with Patti Smith, among their best ever songs. Quibbles aside, you can't beat the value of this CD for content. I don't normally mention the price of a CD when discussing its merits, but this really is a bargain!!
I think there are some jarring exclusions - conspicuous in their absence - such as 'Drive', 'Country Feedback', 'World Leader Pretend', 'Crush With Eyeliner'. The albums Monster and Out of Time are only represented by one track each, criminal really, the most obvious omission being the latter's Shiny Happy People (but this is understandable). If the intention of this collection is to bolster the songs post-Automatic, then it succeeds to place them on a non-chronological platform with greats such as 'Losing My Religion', 'Man on the Moon', 'Nightswimming' etc. The overall effect is one of amazing consistency, but feels strangely downbeat, despite the inclusion of poppier moments such as 'Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite' and 'What's the Frequency Kenneth?'. Anyone for whom REM fell off the radar during the 90s will be blown away by E-Bow the Letter with Patti Smith, among their best ever songs. Quibbles aside, you can't beat the value of this CD for content. I don't normally mention the price of a CD when discussing its merits, but this really is a bargain!!
54 of 59 people found the following review helpful
By Joe
Format:Audio CD
Although this isn't quite all of REM's Warner Brother singles (no Shiny Happy People, Lotus or Find the River, for example) there is still plenty here to remind the listener just how good a band they are at their best. It's impossible not to sing along to nearly all these songs, and it's wonderful to hear the lesser-known later singles like Reno and Daysleeper more than holding their own with classics like Losing My Religion and Everybody Hurts. With three solid new songs (especially Bad Day), this isn't only a must-have for anyone who doesn't own any of the band's albums since 'Automatic For The People', it's pretty much essential for anyone who loves feelgood, guitar driven pop rock, with the occasional twist. Pretty much peerless stuff.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Large crack
Had this CD before so know what it's like. But when it arrived there was a very large crack right across the box, unusual for Amazon
Published 1 day ago by Lynn O'Brien
5.0 out of 5 stars
Does exactly what it says on the tin.
Ordered it, pressed the button couple of days latter it's here, brilliant.
Could not ask for a better service, great
Could not ask for a better service, great
Published 17 days ago by Robert Simkins
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant!
Consigned my cassette tape to the bin at last, it must have been worn through. Timeless tunes to listen to, particularly in the car.
Published 24 days ago by Bob
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good quality
Exactly what it said on the tin...and I love R.E.M! Came quickly, unbashed, great quality. Great C.D. Can't fault it,
Published 1 month ago by Bethany Rose
5.0 out of 5 stars
A new fan!
I confess, I was only familiar with a couple of tracks by R.E.M before I bought this album. When I saw this compilation of their greatest hits in a second hand music store, I... Read more
Published 1 month ago by ReviewBlog51
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's Michael Stipe - of course it's fab
If you are looking at this you are probably already an REM convert, if not - buy it - I promise you wont be disppointed.
Published 1 month ago by Mrs. Helen Penniston
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great CD
Needed to replace the same one I already had, which has been mislaid (by my teenage son, who borrowed it because he loves it too!). Read more
Published 3 months ago by Jan Guscott
5.0 out of 5 stars
REM Enough Said
It may not contain totally all the best as it's onl one CD but one of their best albums as far as I am concerned.
Published 3 months ago by R Marg
3.0 out of 5 stars
New!
I placed order thinking I was to get a new CD in sealed cover etc as it is a stocking filler, bit fed up when it was opened & sow it was already used & no seals on case
Published 6 months ago by Mr D
5.0 out of 5 stars
Terrific music, I just realised how great they really are!
I just recently bought this album, and it has helped me realise just how great R.E.M. are. I knew they were good, but not this good. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Smurf
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