R.E.M.
Alt.Vault
Reviewed by Raoul Hernandez, Fri., July 29, 2011
R.E.M.
Lifes Rich Pageant (I.R.S./Capitol)Producer Don Gehman brought a commercial hammer to the indie anvil on these Georgians' breakthrough fourth LP. Brawny ("Begin the Begin"), elated ("These Days"), messianic ("Fall on Me"), picaresque ("Cuyahoga"), and yes, howling ("Hyena") – and that's just the first side! A 25th anniversary minibox stuffs poster and postcards in with a mother lode second disc of 19 "Athens Demos," from punky ("Bad Day") to finished ("All the Right Friends"). 
