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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
After a harrowing experience recording their previous album (1985's magnificent Fables Of The Reconstruction), R.E.M. reconvened the following year muttering something about a "poppier" sound. However, old fans were given little to complain about when Life's Rich Pageant was unveiled. Admittedly new producer Don Gehman had cleaned things up; you can even hear what Michael Stipe was singing on a couple of songs. And, yes, there's even a novelty cover ("Superman"). All these factors though, point to a band really enjoying themselves in the studio, from the euphoric clatter of "Begin The Begin" to the poignant waltz-time strum of "Swan Swan H". Highlights? Too many to mention--but it's hard to disagree with Stipe when he cites "Cuyahoga" and the hymnal "Fall On Me" as two of his very best. And, of the extra tracks, an exquisitely bare "(All I Have To Do Is) Dream" runs them damn close. --Peter Paphides
Product Description
CD With Extra & Never Rel.Tracks
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By TheMoistener
Format:Audio CD
Good album - but the reason i'm writing is to give the PROPER order of the tracks. As far as i'm aware, all formats have always infamously had the above listing which also omits a couple of tracks - this still confuses me. Below is the correct one (including bonus tracks on the IRS Years special edition)
1. Begin the begin
2. These Days
3. Fall on me
4. Cuyahoga
5. Hyena
6. Underneath the bunker
7. Flowers of Guatemala
8. I believe
9. What if we give it away
10.Just a touch
11.Swan swan H
12.Superman
13.Tired of singing trouble
14.Rotary ten
15.Toys in the attic
16.Just a touch (live)
17.Dream (all I have to do)
18.Swan swan H (acoustic)
Anal retentive? Me?
1. Begin the begin
2. These Days
3. Fall on me
4. Cuyahoga
5. Hyena
6. Underneath the bunker
7. Flowers of Guatemala
8. I believe
9. What if we give it away
10.Just a touch
11.Swan swan H
12.Superman
13.Tired of singing trouble
14.Rotary ten
15.Toys in the attic
16.Just a touch (live)
17.Dream (all I have to do)
18.Swan swan H (acoustic)
Anal retentive? Me?
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Andy Barnard
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Among their finest moments, this album doesn't really need more praise for the songs. I would still recommend buying it for a couple of reasons:
The mastering is superb- the sound is clean and bright but not unnecessarily tinkered with. I'd say better than the IRS Years CD. Although i haven't actually measured, it doesn't seem to be obviously a victim of the 'loudness wars' (check wiki) style of mastering either.
The demo's disc is definitely worth it. Better than the one on Fables (which was good), the production is of surprisingly high quality and full of interesting curiosities and alternate versions.
The only fly in the ointment is the box packaging- just as big and clumsy as Fables was. What the hell am I supposed to do with a poster? What about a tin badge or maybe a snippet of the drummer's underwear? Use a little imagination next time.
The mastering is superb- the sound is clean and bright but not unnecessarily tinkered with. I'd say better than the IRS Years CD. Although i haven't actually measured, it doesn't seem to be obviously a victim of the 'loudness wars' (check wiki) style of mastering either.
The demo's disc is definitely worth it. Better than the one on Fables (which was good), the production is of surprisingly high quality and full of interesting curiosities and alternate versions.
The only fly in the ointment is the box packaging- just as big and clumsy as Fables was. What the hell am I supposed to do with a poster? What about a tin badge or maybe a snippet of the drummer's underwear? Use a little imagination next time.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Having previously only owned Out Of Time, Automatic For The People, and Best Of, I was thinking "REM don't do rock". But I was wrong! People who like Monster or New Adventures will probably also like this. Ranging from medium-pace ("Begin the Begin") to frantic ("Just a touch"), the rock tracks have a vibrancy and freshness somehow lacking in the later works. But there is so much more to this album. "Cuyahoga" is arguably REM's best ever track. Simple, understandable lyrics, which make a political statement (like John Lennon) but are at the same time poetic (like Bob Dylan or early Paul Simon). Wonderful! Other highlights include the dreamy "Flowers of Guatemala", upbeat "I believe" and more political anthems - "Fall on me", "What if we give it away?" and the acoustic "Swan Swan H". All the tracks gel together really well, and there is not a duff track on here, with the possible exception of the strange instrumental. But even that fits onto this album better than the funny lumpy ones they put on Automatic and New Adventures. This is a much more musically diverse and interesting album to listen to than Document, which followed; and if, after having listened to Out of Time and Automatic, you're feeling depressed, this album is the perfect antidote. Oh, I also forgot to mention, the distinctive Stipe/Mills vocal harmonies are superb too. It's a must-have album, and 16 years after its release, I think it is still one of the best, if not the best, REM album.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
By robotfish
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Well, here we have my favourite of the "indie" REM albums, beefed up with a sparkling new remaster and an excellent additional CD of outtakes.
Great to hear some of the great REM songs reduced to a guide vocal line (see "I Believe"), and a really nice alternate take on Fall On Me.
For obsessives only I would have thought. That's me then.
Great to hear some of the great REM songs reduced to a guide vocal line (see "I Believe"), and a really nice alternate take on Fall On Me.
For obsessives only I would have thought. That's me then.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By c j lewis
Format:Audio CD
Lifes Rich Pageant is a true work of musical art. Encompassing all that was great in REM during their early years and highlighting the great things that were to come. Each track gets better and better with none being below par, country melodies blend with both the acoustic sets of "swan swan humming" bird and the "thrash of just a touch". Now re released with the IRS vintage version the album offers great value with previosly unheard live and cover tracks. No REM fan would be complete without this vintage album, which in my opinion track for track is their best ever work, and although some recent tracks are true works of art the band has to replicate the magic of this album which was recorded over 18 years ago.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Mr Ticko
Format:Audio CD
'Lifes Rich Pageant' for me is remarkable for two reasons. Firstly it sounds completely timeless, a classic American record which showcases the connection of the bands four personalities together to make intelligent, exciting rock music. Secondly it's a rare example of a hugely commercial, ambitious record that never even hints of selling out (think about how many have tried this and failed in the past). Respect must go to producer Don Gehman who gives the band a big stadium rock sound without ever losing their cutting edge. This was to be the start of a new era for the band who would use it as a springboard to becoming one of the biggest bands in the world and in turn open the door for future stadium alt.rock bands such as Coldplay, Radiohead, Muse etc. Five Stars.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Iva
Format:Audio CD
Anyone interested in R.E.M. should own this album: it is both the creative peak of their early period and the manifesto of their evolution from indie darlings to the biggest band in the world. While R.E.M.'s previous albums were, to various degrees, hampered by deliberately low-key and obscure production, here the producer Don Gehrman finally captures the band's fantastic energy and makes an album that actually sounds like their live shows. The spacious and boisterous sound gives full justice to a succession of perfectly crafted anthems; and for the first time on an R.E.M. record, the vocals really stand out. Superb singing from Michael Stipe and Mike Mills gives boost to magnificent songs such as These Days, Hyena, Fall On Me, and the quirky Superman. Five stars well deserved.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Superb
I am a huge REM fan and was hesitant to buy the album again but the thoughts of paying the remaster on my Bose sound link persuaded me, it really rings me back to hearing this... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Declan Cummins
5.0 out of 5 stars
Their Finest Hour
Bought this re-issue when it was hot off the presses, sad fanboy that I am.
My favourite REM album, sitting on the cusp of their earlier garage band sound and the later... Read more
My favourite REM album, sitting on the cusp of their earlier garage band sound and the later... Read more
Published 8 months ago by Basket Press
4.0 out of 5 stars
1986 revisited.
REM'S fourth studio album and another worthy reissue. With excellant remastering values and supurb repackaging. My second favourite REM album after 'Murmur'. Read more
Published 21 months ago by Anthony,Perth WA
4.0 out of 5 stars
Over compressed - stop this madness
Amazing re-packaging of a great REM album. Worth it for the Athens demos alone. The Remastered CD suffers from the 'loudness wars' phenomenon of just making everything louder. Read more
Published 22 months ago by D. Lalla
4.0 out of 5 stars
one of, if not THE BEST!!
my personal favourite of the early irs years clearer production and classic songs showing all sides of rem. Read more
Published on 16 Dec 2010 by P. Storey
5.0 out of 5 stars
this is the album that got me hooked
While doing a stock take at night nearly 20 years ago and with the radio not being any good at that time in the morning, we would bring in tapes Remember them and play them to help... Read more
Published on 18 April 2010 by Stephen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Grabs you by the collar and gives you a good shake
Aside from the wholly revelatory Murmur, I would say Lifes Rich Pageant is the most consistently excellent of R.E.M.'s I.R.S. Read more
Published on 24 Sep 2009 by J. Jenkins
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Swallow the rapture"
When REM returned to the studio in April 1986 to record their fourth album - the follow up to the tepidly received "Fables Of The Reconstruction (The I.R.S. Read more
Published on 2 Sep 2008 by russell clarke
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