Track Listing

1. Begin the begin
2. Hyena
3. Just a touch
4. I believe
5. These days
6. Flowers of Guatemala
7. Cuyahoga
8. What if we give it away
9. Fall on me
10. Swan swan H
11. Tired of singing trouble
12. Rotary ten
13. Toys in the attic
14. Just a touch (2)
15. Dream (All I have to do)
16. Swan swan H (2)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #21769 in Music
• Released on: 1997-09-01
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks

Amazon.co.uk Review
After a harrowing experience recording their previous album (1985's magnificent Fables Of The Reconstruction), R.E.M. reconvened the following year muttering something about a "poppier" sound. However, old fans were given little to complain about when Life's Rich Pageant was unveiled. Admittedly new producer Don Gehman had cleaned things up; you can even hear what Michael Stipe was singing on a couple of songs. And, yes, there's even a novelty cover ("Superman"). All these factors though, point to a band really enjoying themselves in the studio, from the euphoric clatter of "Begin The Begin" to the poignant waltz-time strum of "Swan Swan H". Highlights? Too many to mention--but it's hard to disagree with Stipe when he cites "Cuyahoga" and the hymnal "Fall On Me" as two of his very best. And, of the extra tracks, an exquisitely bare "(All I Have To Do Is) Dream" runs them damn close. --Peter Paphides

Customer Reviews

Just a touch
Good album - but the reason i'm writing is to give the PROPER order of the tracks. As far as i'm aware, all formats have always infamously had the above listing which also omits a couple of tracks - this still confuses me. Below is the correct one (including bonus tracks on the IRS Years special edition)

1. Begin the begin
2. These Days
3. Fall on me
4. Cuyahoga
5. Hyena
6. Underneath the bunker
7. Flowers of Guatemala
8. I believe
9. What if we give it away
10.Just a touch
11.Swan swan H
12.Superman
13.Tired of singing trouble
14.Rotary ten
15.Toys in the attic
16.Just a touch (live)
17.Dream (all I have to do)
18.Swan swan H (acoustic)

Anal retentive? Me?

The jewel in their early crown
Probably the best early REM album, this does feature a couple of turkeys in Superman and the awful Under neath the bunker. But then again, Fall on Me, Hyena and the absolutely sublime I believe more than make up for it. When i make my own best of REM compilations for the car etc, some LP's get left out completely but this always yields at least 3 tracks, comparable with Automatic for the People and Out of Time. If you want to hear what REM sounded lke in the 80's, your money is best shed on this delight.

Essential REM
Although it's not their hardest rock album (see New Adventures In Hi-Fi) or their best album (see New Adventures In Hi-Fi), Lifes Rich Pageant is their most fun to listen to. It's full of brilliant songs most of which are upbeat rockers. Flowers Of Guatemala, Swan Swan H and What If We Give It Away are quieter, brooding songs that are equally excellant. The only exception to the high quality of this album are Hyena and Underneath The Bunker.

The extra tracks are brilliant, also.

Absolutley essential.

If you haven't heard any of their first five albums, start with their debut Murmur (but get all of them in due time). Also recommended is the Tourfilm DVD which shows them on top form during the Green tour.