R.E.M. - The Best Of REM (CD 1991)

I'm a bit of an REM fan having four or five of their CDs in my collection back then so when I saw this one in 'Woolies' almost 15 years ago I was rather surprised to find I didn't know most of the tracks!

Sadly the time had long since passed when I could afford to buy a CD on the strength of a single track so I put it back in the rack but looked at it again several times over the next few weeks. To be honest I finally bought it simply because it had been reduced to £8.99 from £14.99. Possibly not the best reason for buying a CD but, there you are, that was mine.

Many hardened REM fans may hate me for this but I didn't particularly like 'Radio Free Europe' when I first heard it and it hasn't really grown on me like some songs do.
'Perfect Circle', on the other hand, was one of the new [to me] tracks which really held my attention. Stipe's lyrics and his peculiar phrasing make 'Perfect Circle' a pleasure to listen to. I quite like 'Talk About The Passion' too, but for completely different reasons.

Listening to '(Don't Go Back To) Rockville' reminds me of David Byrne, Talking Heads and their 'Naked' album. Not quite sure why, but there's just something about it and, as I really do like Talking Heads, I guess I must like this one too...

There's something annoyingly catchy about 'Driver 8'. So much so that I just can't decide if I like it or not. Did I mention it is catchy? And annoyingly so at that...

'I believe' and 'The One I Love' have become firm favourites. To me they epitomise the REM I know and love. Stipe's superb lyrics are enthusiastically sung in his inimitable style to produce a truly memorable musical experience which stands the test of time.

'Finest Worksong' while a bit rough round the edges is an excellent song.Not one of my favourites but certainly worthy of a second or third play.

So, what are my favourite tracks?
They would have to be 'The End Of The Word As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)' and 'The One I Love' even though I knew both these tracks before I bought the CD. I am pleased to say a number of the new [to me] tracks have joined the ranks of favourites including 'Perfect Circle' and 'I Believe'.

And certainly kept the very best of this selection for the last track of the CD.
The appropriately named, 'The End Of The World as we know it...' features some of Stipe's most cryptic lyrics presented in an unbelievably slick, stream of conciousness fashion that Little Britain's Vicky Pollard would be extremely hard pressed to match. No matter how many times I hear it I still can't help but be impressed by the perfect delivery. This truly is REM at their very best and one of my favourite tracks of all time. A place has already been reserved on the Desert Island...

Would I buy this CD again? To be honest, Probably not. I much prefer their later stuff.
Would I be happy to receive it as a gift? Yes, but not ecstatic.

In short this is a good CD but not a great one and calling it 'The Best Of' is, in my opinion, stretching the truth a little too far.
Maybe I just prefer the albums they released after the ones these tracks debuted on but I would hate for someone to buy this CD and think this really WAS the very best that REM could manage because I, for one, know they are far better than this 'Best Of' would suggest.

You can pick this up on eBay for two or three quid (including P&P) and I would say it is worth that much but no more. And by the way they're not selling it looks like others share my opinion.

Regards
tbo

Love REM, and they started before I was even born, can't get enough of them. I mainly got it for 'The one I love' and 'It's the end of the world...' But the are still great, and I generally love thei style of music.