R.E.M. – Lifes Rich Pageant (1986, US)
Our next spotlight is on number 126 on The List, submitted by rothko.
Released on this day 40 years ago, this was R.E.M.’s fourth studio album. Recorded at John (fka Cougar) Mellencamp’s studio and with Mellencamp’s producer, Don Gehman, in order to give the album a different, more accessible sound than the previous ones, Lifes Rich Pageant was the band’s first album to go gold. Though written in the days of Ronald Reagan’s second term, with lyrics touching on political activism, environmentalism, and the evils of colonialism, genocide, and political oppression, these songs have barely aged a day. Imho, anything Michael Stipe has ever touched is gold, and the only flaw I can find in this album is the missing apostrophe in the album title.
We are concerned, we are hope despite the times.
– “These Days”
Btw, if you’re like me and didn’t know the closing track “Superman” was a cover, make sure to check out the original on the lone s/t album of Texan sunshine pop band The Clique, released in 1969.
#1980s #altRock #heartlandRock #janglePop #music #REM