Music, Open Threads

The Day Thread Ranks R.E.M.’s Albums: Miscellaneous

This is part of a series of mini-reviews of R.E.M.’s studio albums, ranked worst to best. (Don’t worry; I’ll keep them short.)

Pausing the countdown to give space to songs and records which didn’t quite fit this ranking.

In The Attic: Essential R.E.M. A fine collection of uncollected B-sides, live cuts, and alternate takes. Sadly, it’s out of print now; but I think all the songs from it are available on streaming, plus many more. There are two compilations entitled Complete Rarities which I took one look at and hit my R.E.M. completist wall.

Live at the Olympia in Dublin, 39 Songs. This was recorded when the band was rehearsing for the Accelerate tour. It pulls great songs from almost all of their albums, and they perform them with fire and conviction, which was more than they did for the R.E.M. Live album. Absolutely essential.

The Great Beyond: The single from the Man on the Moon soundtrack. I love it. Great film, too.

Draggin’ The Line: From the Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me soundtrack. With all respect to Tommy James and the Shondells, this is even better than the original. You should hear the rest of the soundtrack, too.

We All Go Back To Where We Belong: Thanks to Glinda for pointing this song out to me. Their very last recording, and they go out on a high note.

And then there’s this…I don’t think it’s anywhere as good as the original, but Stipe’s vocal is excellent. The last R.E.M. recording with all four members (Bill Berry rejoined them for this).