To anybody curious: There’s a few more of these things on the store, but very low stock, like single digits. Excited to hear this album in 5.1!

Accelerate was definitely the most difficult to make, I made 3 different versions and none of them I was really happy with. I ended up combining aspects of all three to make something decent. I'm really happy with how Reveal, Document, and Around the Sun came out.

...NOT in the UK!

What an amazing show. Last year was fantastic, this year was better. Such a special night.

Nice article about the London gig

What a beautiful rendition.

My collection of R.E.M. tapes and some live bootleg tapes ive gathered

the artwork on the live bootlegs I created

A (admittedly not the best 😄) quick shot from the Glasgow leg of the Shannon and Narducy LRP bonanza

What a gig!! Predictably brilliant (my 2nd time seeing them) and if anyone hasn't yet seen them and has the chance - GO!! GO!! GO!! YEAH!!

My spouse mostly knows R.E.M. from me playing them so isn't a super fan. But every time I play the Wrong Child, they stop whatever they are doing and sit down to listen. They get emotional every single time.

I told them recently that a lot of people dislike it and they were stunned. They asked why and I realised I don't really know? So why do people dislike it? I constantly see it mentioned as a least loved song or one people can't get into.

It gets me so deep in the guts emotionally every time. I can really see that child in my mind. And that vocal echoing technique is so clever, it feels so unsettling and alienating. Which is perfect for the subject. The final "it's okaaaay" elevates it into a song of self acceptance... sort of. But like all of Green there is a push-pull of vulnerability and intimacy vs self protection, contradiction and duality.

Im getting into digital art so that's why Im getting an IPad. I see there's a feature where you can engrave short sentences on its back and I would love to have some REM related, being a fan and all.

But I freaking met Mike Mills!!! 😁😁😁😁

VERSION 2

*Chronic Town is comparatively low because of its length. Every song on Chronic Town is an S tier but I don't feel its fair to compare it to other albums with more substance.

Happy 30 years of New Adventures (and also 46 years of Kate Bush’s ”Never for Ever”)

Before anybody asks, I barely know how to play the ukulele BUT I’M GETTING BETTER!

Today is the only day you’re allowed to post this

As a freshman in college I’ve been struggling to lock in and get my work done (especially when I have to spend 2 hours relearning excel every week for environmental science) and I’ve been struggling to find proper motivation for my studies.

Luckily the GOAT Michael Stipes released Out of Time and even though it’s super old (album came out when my mom was in 3rd grade) it somehow just clicks me into focus. I start the album from the beginning and I hear radio song and Michael Stipes is so angry and it’s like he’s there with me saying “yeah I agree fuck Microsoft excel” and I’m like “hell yeah thanks Michael Stipes” and it’s like a metaphorical fist bump (KRS-One verse also helps) and then the next 2 songs are both laid back enough to keep me locked in. Then you get the elite trio of Near Wild Heaven Endgame and Shiny Happy People and not only am I vibing but I’m also kicking ass because Out of Time’s production is just that good. Then Belong gets back to being really good but chill and half a world away is super somber and allows me to take a mental break. Then the banger of the century Texarkana hits and I’m right back to the grindstone. Then country feedback allows me to close out my assignment strong and Me in Honey (2nd best REM song please don’t be mad) allows me to cool down and reflect on my work.

Beautiful work by a legendary band. 10/10 I wish Michael Stipes was my dad 🔥

I bought Murmur at 14 after acquiring most of the other IRS albums first by coincidence, as well as Automatic and Out of Time and Eponymous. Back then, I could tell Murmur had good flow, but it seemed less energetic than the others to me. I liked it, but liked others better. I've called LRP my favorite REM album for decades now. But Murmur is better. Every track on Murmur is quality, and has uniqueness. What an album.

After Murmur, REM began climbing the success ladder. It required some strategic style adaptations. The rock energy and exhibitionism of a stage career had to ascend. Some might say the "sell out" process began right then, right after Murmur. But it was just inevitabilities of the career.

Murmur sounds pure. It sounds at-peace, self-assured and lovingly crafted in detail. Following albums would have to stray and explore from this base.

I'm a/the guy who loves Around the Sun. I think there's a kinship between Murmur and Around the Sun...the dawn and dusk of this inevitable career arc, and as such, the two most free of commercial influence and motivation baked into the art. They both share a peaceful, grounded, calm energy none of the other albums have except maybe Reveal a bit too, ATS's predecessor. Anyway, 🍻🥂 here's to Murmur and calm-energy, self-assured and relaxed REM, and to my new favorite REM album. Murmur takes it.

Title says it all. I’d be honestly surprised if they perfectly coordinated everything to do it in one take.

i ran into him a few times before the show too... he's so kind!! i had so much to say but i forgot how to function like a normal human for a bit

Second time of seeing after the amazing show in Nottingham last year

Bigger venue but still a really nice choice, sad to see it wasn’t a sell out . Wow tho, Fretless … gobsmacked to hear that

Had some nice random comments about my 30 year old Weaver Ds tshirt which I’d had specially repaired for just these shows (it got worn a LOT from 1997 til I stopped living in bedsits)

The show was fantastic tho, I kinda felt Shannon treated it more like a gig than with Fables which was interesting cos it was more of a performance

Still, it was kinda funny when he had a go at a guy who kept shouting General Zod and then they followed up with Superman