Tag: Peter Buck

(Vinyl Love is a series of posts that quite simply lists, describes, and displays the pieces in my growing vinyl collection. You can bet that each record was given a spin during the drafting of each corresponding post.)

Artist: R.E.M.
Album Title: Out of time
Year released: 1991
Year reissued: 2016
Details: 25th anniversary, 180 gram vinyl

The skinny: Going backwards through R.E.M.’s discography more than 25 years after each album was released, we have the benefit of hindsight. When their 7th studio album was released in 1991, “Out of time” felt like the Athens, Georgia quartet were at their peak. Of course, when set alongside the focus of last week’s ‘Vinyl love’ post, it feels a bit uneven and of its time, rather than out of it. Still, it has some amazing tunes – “Losing my religion”, “Low”, “Near wild heaven”, “Belong”, and yes, even the ultra-technicolor “Shiny happy people” – and it was a huge commercial success for a band that had taken a break from touring to focus on studio recordings. This was the first of the 25th anniversary reissues I picked up on in advance of its release. Much like the others we’ve already seen in this series, it is remastered from the original analog masters and pressed to audiophile, 180 gram vinyl. Another must have for an alt-rock music fan like myself

Standout track: “Losing my religion”

(Vinyl Love is a series of posts that quite simply lists, describes, and displays the pieces in my growing vinyl collection. You can bet that each record was given a spin during the drafting of each corresponding post.)

Artist: R.E.M.
Album Title: Automatic for the people
Year released: 1992
Year reissued: 2017
Details: 25th anniversary, 180 gram vinyl

The skinny: Unlike the focus of last week’s ‘Vinyl love’ post in this mini R.E.M. series, there was no hesitation in pulling the pre-order trigger when the 25th anniversary vinyl reissue of the band’s eighth studio album was announced. Much like the other two we’ve seen thus far, it was pressed to 180 gram vinyl and remastered, this time from the original analog masters, and man, does it sound great. “Automatic for the people” was recorded by the band while its predecessor was still climbing the pop charts and further making the band a household name. This one also did very well critically and commercially but it’s noticeably darker and in my mind, more cohesive. “Automatic” is, without comparison, my favourite R.E.M. album. Each side is perfectly balanced. I love every tune. There are no weak links. I have spun it countless times since I received it in the post almost five years ago and I imagine it will forever remain the record by this band that will hit my turntable the most.

Standout track: “Nightswimming”

(Vinyl Love is a series of posts that quite simply lists, describes, and displays the pieces in my growing vinyl collection. You can bet that each record was given a spin during the drafting of each corresponding post.)

Artist: R.E.M.
Album Title: Monster
Year released: 1994
Year reissued: 2019
Details: 25th anniversary, 180 gram vinyl

The skinny: Working backwards chronologically through my collection of R.E.M.’s records from last week’s post, we arrive with a jarring rip and roar at their 9th studio album. It’s yet another 25th anniversary reissue and it won’t be the last as we make our way in reverse. As I recall, I purchased this record online through Amazon, back when I still trusted them to ship me vinyl in one piece and back when it was still possible to purchase records for under $25. To be honest, I almost didn’t buy this one when the reissue was first announced and can’t remember now what changed my mind. But I am glad I did. It is remastered and pressed to 180 gram vinyl and sounds way better than I remember it sounding when I first played the CD copy I purchased back in university. “Monster” was an obvious shift for the Athens, Georgia quartet to a more harder rock sound and got them dusting off the cobwebs and heading out on the road for their first tour in five years. I personally didn’t see them on that particular tour but listening to these songs yet again, I can only imagine how on fire they must’ve been.
Standout track: “What’s the frequency, Kenneth?”