R.E.M. The Best of R.E.M. at the BBC 180g 2LP (Vinyl)

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

180g Vinyl Double LP! Cut At Abbey Road Studios!
Collection Of In-Studio Sessions, TV Performances & Live Broadcasts From The BBC Archives!

R.E.M. grew up with the BBC, and this historic relationship is lovingly celebrated across an incredible collection that beautifully illustrates the career trajectory of one of modern music's greatest bands.

In the U.S., R.E.M. came to attention in the early '80s 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 bond 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 6 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

Selections:
LP 1 - Best Of BBC Sessions
Side A:
Recorded for Nicky Campbell Session Into The Night on BBC Radio 1, First broadcast on 13 March 1991:
1. World Leader Pretend
2. Radio Song
3. Losing My Religion
Recorded for John Peel Session on BBC Radio 1, First broadcast on 25 October 1998:
4. Lotus
5. At My Most Beautiful
Side B:
Recorded for Mark and Lard on BBC Radio 1, First broadcast on 15 October 2003:
1. Bad Day
2. Orange Crush
Recorded for Drivetime on BBC Radio 2, First broadcast 15 October 2003:
3. Man On The Moon
4. Imitation Of Life
Recorded for Radio 1 Live Lounge on BBC Radio 1, First broadcast 26 March 2008:
5. Supernatural Superserious
LP 2 - Best Of BBC Live Broadcasts
Side C:
Recorded for In Concert on BBC Radio 1, Presented by Pete Drummond, First broadcast on 21 November 1984 from Rock City, Nottingham:
1. Driver 8
2. Radio Free Europe
Recorded for BBC Radio 1, First broadcast on 30 July 1995 from Milton Keynes:
3. What’s The Frequency, Kenneth?
4. Drive
5. Half A World Away
6. Pop Song 89
Side D:
Recorded for BBC Radio 1, First broadcast on 25 June 1999 from Pyramid Stage Glastonbury Festival:
1. Everybody Hurts
2. Its The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
Recorded for BBC Radio 2, First broadcast on 15 September 2004 from St. James’s Church, London:
3. Losing My Religion
4. Man On The Moon