- Artist: R.E.M.
- Title: S. Central Rain (I’m Sorry)
- Year: 1984
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 7
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: 1986 – When she worked at Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA.
This R.E.M. 12 inch is an import, made in Holland, but with UK licensing stuff on it. Anyhow, I’ve always liked “S. Central Rain (I’m Sorry)” and I think this is the album version. On the flipside is “Voice of Harold” which is some sort of strange rework of “7 Chinese Brothers”, I think, and their version of Lou Reed’s/Velvet Underground’s “Pale Blue Eyes.” There is an article about it at Wikipedia, but it doesn’t explain what “Voice of Harold” is all about. They’re all good, but I like “Pale Blue Eyes” the best.
- Artist: R.E.M.
- Title: Fables of The Reconstruction
- Year: 1985
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 7
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: Not sure
This is another R.E.M. record that I just can’t get into even though I think it’s decent music. “Fables of The Reconstruction” has at least two hits, “Driver 8″ and “Can’t Get There From Here.” I’ve tried to listen to it a few times over the last couple days, but I always managed to distract myself with other things. Maybe I’m just missing something.
The pictures of the album jacket below may look upside-down, but that’s how it was originally packaged. Trust me, it was oriented correctly. Those guys were just being arty.
- Artist: R.E.M.
- Title: (Don’t Go Back to) Rockville
- Year: 1984
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 8
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: 1984 – Probably when she worked at Tower Records in D.C.
- Keeper: Yes
Just a 12″ of “(Don’t Go Back to) Rockville.” It’s a great song that I can now manage to enjoy. The flipside includes a couple live songs from a show in Paris. Nothing special about this unless you’re a hardcore collecting R.E.M. fan. I gave it a high rating just for “Rockville.”
- Artist: R.E.M.
- Title: Green
- Year: 1988
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 9
- Owner: Mary / Tracy
- Acquired: 1988 – Our store RIP Records in Norfolk, VA.
- Keeper: Yes
I had forgotten what a huge hit this R.E.M. album was. Despite its pop success, or maybe because of it, I found “Green” to be the most enjoyable R.E.M. record I’ve logged so far. “Pop Song 89,” “Stand,” and “Orange Crush” must have been on the radio so much that I’ve been programmed to respond to them as “classics.” My favorite is “Turn You Inside-Out.”
By the way, the movers called and they are going to be a day late. More quality time with Kellie and Grayson!
- Artist: R.E.M.
- Title: Wendell Gee
- Year: 1985
- Format: Vinyl 7 in.
- Rating (1-10): 7
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: ? – She’s outta town. Who knows where and when.
- Keeper: Yes
This is a handsome twin 7 inch gatefold package that includes the songs “Wendell Gee”, “Ages Of You”, “Crazy” and “Burning Down.” I don’t know. Maybe I’m finally mellowing out in my old age. As I lap through these R.E.M. records I’m starting to like them more. I’ll admit, they are good, but I still don’t see myself getting the urge to play these often.
