Continuing a countdown of my favorite albums of 1986…
#4 – Lifes Rich Pageant – R.E.M.
Few bands had as a good a run in the 80s as R.E.M. Lifes Rich Pageant was the band’s fourth album in as many years and every one was a masterpiece.
Following up the murky folk rock of Fables of the Reconstruction, Pageant found the band in full rock mode, putting the muscular sound of their live shows on record for the first time.
R.E.M. went from college rock indie pioneers to one of the most popular rock bands in the world, eventually selling more than 90 million albums globally. But they never managed to place a single atop the Billboard Hot 100.
The band did score a #1 in Canada with ‘Bang and Blame’ and another in Norway with ‘Supernatural Superserious.’ And in the Netherlands, ‘Losing My Religion’ made it to #1. But in the good old U.S. of A., four hits between 1987-1991 stalled out in the top ten.
Concluduing a countdown of my favorite albums of 1985…
#1 – Fables of the Reconstruction – R.E.M.
After making this list, I looked back to see my lineups for 1983 and 1984. To my surprise, the same band was on top of all three. R.E.M.’s debut Murmur claimed the #1 spot in ’83, and their sophomore effort Reckoning pulled off the feat for ’84.
So I guess it’s both no surprise and a testament to the greatness of R.E.M. that they pull off the trifecta and hit #1 yet again with 1985’s Fables of the Reconstruction.
Once in awhile I spin the dial and land on a Random Weekend song that I’m (wrongly) certain has been on the blog before.
Such is the case with today’s selection, R.E.M.’s cover of The Velvet Underground’s ‘Pale Blue Eyes.’ This recording was released on the 1987 album Dead Letter Office, a collection of rare cuts and B-sides, and it has always been a favorite of mine. But while I have featured the Velvet Underground original, I’ve never gotten around to posting R.E.M.’s version.
The Random iTunes Fairy has been eavesdropping again, serving up a song related to my recent listening habits.
I’ve been working my way through the entire R.E.M. discography in order, as I suggested I would back in September. And I just recently finished the band’s 2001 album Reveal, on which today’s random selection appears.
Meet Me In Montauk 