R.E.M. - Lifes Rich Pageant LP Record Vinyl - BRAND NEW - 180 GRAM Re-issue

$

34

Brand new record.

R.E.M. - Lifes Rich Pageant [LP]

(180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl, Limited, Numbered, in gatefold)   

Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab    MFSL 1-361    821797136112    LP    Alternative Rock, New Wave   

1986 Landmark Finds R.E.M. Blossoming Into Iconic Artists: Arguably the Quartet's Finest-Ever Outing

First R.E.M. Record to Feature Vocals on an Equal Plane With Rhythms: Subtle Details and Concerted Purposes Unite Under Banner of Ageless Art

Half-Speed Mastered From the Original Master Tapes: Mobile Fidelity's LP Exposes Benefits of Cleaner, More Forceful Production

Includes Hit Singles ''Fall on Me,'' ''Superman,'' and ''Begin the Begin''

Very few albums are regularly credited with changing people's lives. R.E.M.'s Lifes Rich Pageant is one of them. For a generation that came of age in the 80s, as well almost everyone that came within earshot of its contents, the Georgia band's 1986 landmark effort remains an utterly distinctive sonic blend of elegance and whimsy, seriousness and humor, artfulness and accessibility. It's here that R.E.M. evolves beyond its college-rock identity albeit retains its youthful innocence, here where Michael Stipe's enigmatic vocals finally attain the same level of prominence as the group's potent rhythm section.

Half-speed mastered from the original master tapes and meticulously pressed at RTI, Mobile Fidelity's 180g LP version of this masterwork allows the record's expressive punchiness, dynamic extension, treble-driven jangle, and more forceful playing to be experienced as originally intended. Indeed, Lifes Rich Pageant is notable for its production: Board operator Don Gehman lends the group a harder edge and cleaner sound than it had in the past. On this audiophile-grade reissue, the results come to the fore in the form of contemporary-sounding arrangements, cohesive structures, and cleaner tonalities. If anything, this LP helps make the case for the many that Lifes Rich Pageant - not Murmur or Reckoning - stands as the band's finest hour.

Lyrically, R.E.M. hits upon more concrete themes, and while Stipe's occasionally mumbled singing still lacks clear enunciation - a trait that adds to the songs' mystique and surrounding textures - there's no mistaking the overt political and environmental sentiments in tunes such as the hit ''Fall on Me'' and gorgeous ''Cuyahoga.'' Similarly, ''Flowers of Guatemala'' epitomizes R.E.M.'s hallmark ability to turn allegory into dreamy poetry, the counterpoint melodies, atmospheric guitar fills, and majestic bridges all enchanting devices of a band that manages to get its point across via spiritual performances and indirect suggestiveness.

Such qualities lie at the heart of Lifes Rich Pageant, on which subtle details and concerted purposes unite to make transcendent, lasting art. Bolder, more pronounced, refined, and immediate than that on previous efforts, Mike Mills' bass lines and Peter Buck's swelling guitar passages augment the hard-driving beats as well as Stipe's increasingly upfront vocals. Disposing with the intentional murkiness and subconscious approach of earlier records, R.E.M. goes in attack mode here, with even mellow numbers resonating with an attention-getting kick. It doesn't hurt that the band covers the field with expertly executed songs that comprise garage rock, jangle pop, rustic country, and more. What a record.

We don't need to tell you about R.E.M.'s importance to modern music. And this record plays a large role in establishing the group's reputation.

R.E.M. Lifes Rich Pageant Track Listing:

Side One - ''Dinner Side''
1. ''Begin the Begin'' - 3:28
2. ''These Days'' - 3:24
3. ''Fall on Me'' - 2:50
4. ''Cuyahoga'' - 4:19
5. ''Hyena'' - 2:50
6. ''Underneath the Bunker'' - 1:25

Side Two - ''Supper Side''
1. ''The Flowers of Guatemala'' - 3:55
2. ''I Believe'' - 3:49
3. ''What If We Give It Away?'' - 3:33
4. ''Just a Touch'' - 3:00
5. ''Swan Swan H'' - 2:42
6. ''Superman'' (Mike Bottler and Gary Zekley) - 2:52

RECORD: M
COVER: M

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Record Grading

Mint (M): New condition.

Near Mint (NM): Nearly perfect, a record with no obvious signs of wear, a perfect sleeve with no more than the most minor defects and signs of slight handling.

Very Good Plus (VG+): A very good plus record will show signs that it was played, but was taken good care of by the previous owner. Record surface may show slight signs of wear or minor scuffs that do not affect play. Picture sleeves may have slight wear, lightly turned up corners.

Very Good (VG): A very good record will show groove wear and may have a few vinyl imperfections which will affect the sound. Picture sleeves will show slightly more wear with perhaps a frayed top edge, ring wear or seam breakdown.

Good (G) / Good Plus (G+): A good record will show significant wear and /or scratches, but will play through without skipping. It will have considerable surface noise. Picture sleeves may have seam splits @ bottom & spines, tape, writing, ring wear, stickers and other defects that will start to overwhelm the item. A good or good plus item is usually acquired to fill a hole in a collection until a better copy comes along.

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