R.E.M. - THE BEST OF R.E.M. IN TIME 1988-2003 (SPECIAL EDITION) (2CD SET)

AUSTRALIAN IMPORT

Condition: Brand New Factory Sealed

How do you condense 15 years of music down to 76 minutes? In the case of this survey of the second phase of R.E.M.'s career, the answer is: Exceptionally well. The dangling carrot for diehards is two new songs; the rapid fire "Bad Day" hurtles along like the kissing cousin of "It's the End of the World as We Know It," while "Animal" is anchored by a majestic drone reminiscent of the Beatles' "Tomorrow Never Knows." In a surprising, but gratifying move, the rest of the program shortchanges the band's breakthrough, Out of Time (no "Shiny Happy People"), to better accommodate movie soundtrack contributions, and spotlight gems from the less commercial, post-Bill Berry albums Reveal and Up; with its baroque piano and multi-tracked vocal harmonies, the Beach Boys homage "At My Most Beautiful" is particularly gorgeous, while the burbling keyboards and slightly dazed singing of "All the Way to Reno" will appeal to Flaming Lips fans.

TRACK LISTINGS

DISC 1
1. Man On The Moon (Album Version)
2. The Great Beyond (Album Version)
3. Bad Day (Album Version)
4. What's The Frequency, Kenneth? (Album Version)
5. All The Way To Reno (You're Gonna Be A Star) (Album Version)
6. Losing My Religion (Album Version)
7. E-Bow The Letter (Album Version)
8. Orange Crush (Album Version)
9. Imitation Of Life (Album Version)
10. Daysleeper (Album Version)
11. Animal (Album Version)
12. The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite (Album Version )
13. Stand (Album Version)
14. Electrolite (Album Version)
15. All The Right Friends (Album Version)
16. Everybody Hurts (Album Version)
17. At My Most Beautiful (Album Version)
18. Nightswimming (Album Version)

DISC 2
1. Pop Song 89 [Acoustic Version]
2. Turn You Inside-Out [Live Version]
3. Fretless (Album Version)
4. Chance [Dub]
5. It's A Free World Baby (Album Version)
6. Drive [Live Version] [1994]
7. Star Me Kitten [Featuring W.S. Burroughs]
8. Revolution (Album Version)
9. Leave [Alternate Version]
10. Why Not Smile [Alternate Version]
11. The Lifting [Demo]
12. Beat A Drum [Demo]
13. 2JN (Non-Album Track)
14. The One I Love [Live Version] [MMM Sydney]
15. Country Feedback [Live Version] [1992]