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R.E.M.
Part Lies Part Heart Part Truth Part Garbage 1982-2011
Warner Bros.
By David Chiu
Sadly, one of the greatest bands of the last 30 years has recently folded. But unlike other groups, R.E.M. did it on their own terms and on top. View full article »
R.E.M.
Lifes Rich Pageant
Capitol/IRS
By David Chiu
With each album they released since 1983 during the early part of their history, R.E.M. got closer and closer to mainstream popularity. One can detect that ascendancy with 1986’s Lifes Rich’s Pageant, which certainly ranks as one of their best. View full article »
R.E.M.
Fables of the Reconstruction
IRS/Capitol
By David Chiu
Following the recent expanded editions of Murmur and Reckoning, R.E.M.’s third album, 1985’s Fables of the Reconstruction, is given the deluxe treatment as a lavishly, packaged two-disc set. While it may not be a stylistic departure from the band’s first two albums, Fables (produced by Joe Boyd) maintains the early R.E.M. sound of jangly pop that echoes Big Star and the Byrds. The album is best known for the classic pair “Driver 8” and the funky “Can’t Get There From Here,” but the rest of the album’s songs should not be overlooked, especially “Feeling Gravity’s Pull” (with its ominous yet irresistible opening guitar line) “Old Man Kensey,” the elegant ballad “Wendell Gee,” and “Kohoutek.” The second disc contains demos of the album’s songs and a previously unreleased track, “Throw Those Trolls Away.”
(photo by David Chiu)
Record Store Day has now come and passed. This year’s event on Apr. 17 seemed more memorable compared to last year’s as far as special items and rarities were concerned, from a numbered 45 single of the Rolling Stones’ “Plundered My Soul” to the Flaming Lips’ tribute to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon.
So taking a page from my Microphone Memory Emotion coverage of the event from last year, I returned back to the two places participating on Record Store Day. First I waited on line at City Hall’s J&R Music World a half-hour before the store’s open behind 10 other people who were already there. I was glad to arrive early since the Village’s Other Music wasn’t going to open until 11 a.m. View full article »
