New R.E.M. Anthology: “Unauthorized Duplication is Prohibited”
Another trip down memory lane: I bought the new R.E.M. anthology, “Unauthorized Duplication is Prohibited,” that came out this week. I used to be a big R.E.M. fan back in the day (came in around Document and left after Automatic for the People), but somehow managed to loan/lose most of their entire CD catalog.
Well, actually, it’s called “And I Feel Fine…The Best Of The I.R.S. Years 1982-1987.” But this album wins the award for “Most Number of Anti-Piracy Message On a CD.” The funny thing is the CD and packaging are stamped with six different anti-piracy notices. There’s even an FBI seal on the back of the CD cover. It feels creepy, but I guess it’s better than having a rootkit on the CD.
Anyway, the anthology itself is pretty good. They remastered all of the songs, and it sounds absolutely fantastic - loud and warm, and I’m hearing a lot more detail that I never heard before. The second disc contains a bunch of rarities and outtakes which are pretty cool as well, including both sides of the original Hib-Tone single for “Radio Free Europe” that I was never able to get my hands on.
So good job boys, and thanks for the memory trip.