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REM

The Best: The IRS Years 82-87

EMI | 2006 | DVD

Biography

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The greatest thing about being an REM fan is admitting how ridiculous and pretentious they really are. Having a DVD chronicling their progression? Priceless. Obviously this chronicle is necessary—half of these videos and gathered live performances were ones I'd never even thought to look up on the internet. The quality is fantastic throughout, and they are in a relative order. Having them in order is fantastic for three reasons:
  · Stipe's hairstyles and clothing choices and their progression throughout the DVD
  · Seeing their ideas come to fruition as they gathered more steam
  · Seeing how many times they look at each other awkwardly during their live performances
Aside from the unintentional humor, the spectacle of REM takes on a new meaning during the early years. It was obvious, even back in the eighties, that these men were destined to be larger than the sum of their parts. Therefore, the spark and hunger to be desired is a formidable stench early on—"Wolves, Lower," "Driver 8," and "Talk about the Passion" are three fantastic songs that deserved more than humble beginning status. Songs throughout remind the listener of what it was like with less press (and pressure), and more genuine songwriting.

This isn't to say that these are the absolute necessities for the REM catalog. Their popularity rose through their larger hit singles well after these songs were forgotten or unheard by mainstream America. Still, some of the hits—"It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)," "The One I Love," and "Radio Free Europe" were hits before and after the great transformation of REM into rock stars. This companion DVD to the IRS years showcases the best case scenario for a band destined for more than their humble beginnings, yet less than their desired world domination.

Jeff Laughlin