Album Information:

About R.E.M.:

R.E.M. (short for 'Rapid Eye Movement') was a rock band from Athens, Georgia that formed in 1980. The original lineup included Michael Stipe (vocals), Peter Buck (guitar), Mike Mills (bass), and Bill Berry (drums). They blended elements of punk, folk, and jangle pop to create a sound that was uniquely their own.

Over the course of their career, R.E.M. released 15 studio albums and became one of the most influential bands of the 1980s and 1990s. They were known for Stipe's poetic lyrics, Buck's intricate guitar work, Mills' melodic bass lines, and Berry's propulsive drumming.

Their early albums, such as 'Murmur' (1983) and 'Reckoning' (1984), were critically acclaimed and helped establish the band as underground favorites. Their breakthrough came with their fourth album, 'Document' (1987), which featured the hit songs 'The One I Love' and 'It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine).'

R.E.M. continued to evolve and experiment with their sound throughout the 1990s, releasing such seminal albums as 'Automatic for the People' (1992) and 'Monster' (1994). They also became known for their activism, working with organizations like Greenpeace and Amnesty International to raise awareness for issues like the environment and human rights.

In 1997, Berry left the band after suffering a brain aneurysm, but R.E.M. continued on as a three-piece. They released five more albums over the course of the next decade, including 'Reveal' (2001) and 'Accelerate' (2008).

In 2011, R.E.M. announced that they were disbanding after 31 years together. Their final album, 'Collapse into Now,' was released that same year.

Despite their breakup, R.E.M. remains a beloved and highly influential band, with a legacy that has inspired countless musicians in the years since their formation.

About the album Lifes Rich Pageant:

Lifes Rich Pageant is the fourth studio album by the American rock band R.E.M. It was released in 1986 and is considered a landmark album in the band's career. The album combines political commentary, personal introspection, and infectious melodies to create a cohesive and memorable collection of songs.

The opening track, 'Begin the Begin,' sets the tone for the album with its urgent guitar riff and Michael Stipe's impassioned vocals. From there, the album moves through a wide range of emotions and sounds. 'These Days' is a melancholic ballad with delicate acoustic guitar and Stipe's earnest vocals. 'Fall on Me' is a jangly, upbeat rocker with harmonies that will stick in your head for days.

One of the standout tracks is 'Cuyahoga,' an ode to the river in Ohio that was once so polluted it caught fire. The song is a powerful indictment of environmental destruction and features some of Stipe's most evocative lyrics. Other notable tracks include 'Swan Swan H,' a hauntingly beautiful folk ballad, and 'I Believe,' a joyful anthem about the power of optimism and belief.

Throughout the album, Peter Buck's guitars are front and center, with his jangly, arpeggiated riffs providing a distinctive sound that would go on to inspire countless bands. The rhythm section of Mike Mills on bass and Bill Berry on drums keep things tight and propulsive, and Stipe's vocals are a perfect match for the band's music.

Lifes Rich Pageant is an album that rewards repeated listens, with its clever lyrics and catchy melodies revealing new depths each time. It's a classic album from a band at their peak, and it remains a touchstone for fans of intelligent, emotionally resonant rock music.

Members:

R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia in 1980. The band consisted of four key members throughout their entire career:

1. Michael Stipe - lead vocalist and lyricist: Michael Stipe was born on January 4, 1960 in Decatur, Georgia. He attended the University of Georgia in Athens where he met the other founding members of R.E.M. Stipe's distinctive voice and introspective lyrics became a defining characteristic of the band's sound. He also became known for his unique fashion sense and social activism.

2. Peter Buck - lead guitarist: Peter Buck was born on December 6, 1956 in Berkeley, California. He attended Emory University in Atlanta before moving to Athens to form R.E.M. with Stipe, Mike Mills, and Bill Berry. Buck became known for his jangly guitar sound and eclectic musical influences.

3. Mike Mills - bassist and keyboardist: Michael Mills was born on December 17, 1958 in Orange County, California. He met Stipe and Buck while studying at the University of Georgia and became one of the founding members of R.E.M. Mills was a multi-instrumentalist who played bass, keyboards, and sang backing vocals.

4. Bill Berry - drummer: William Thomas Berry was born on July 31, 1958 in Duluth, Minnesota. He met Stipe, Buck, and Mills while studying at the University of Georgia and became the drummer for R.E.M. Berry was known for his straightforward drumming style and contributed to the band's songwriting.

Throughout their career, R.E.M. released numerous critically acclaimed albums and became one of the biggest and most influential bands of the alternative rock era. They disbanded in 2011 after 31 years together.

Track List for Lifes Rich Pageant:

Sure, here are all of the tracks in the album 'Lifes Rich Pageant' by R.E.M. in order with their play time and a brief description:

1. 'Begin the Begin' - 3:28: This is an upbeat rock track with jangly guitars and Michael Stipe's distinctive vocals. The lyrics are somewhat cryptic but seem to touch on themes of starting anew and taking control of one's life.

2. 'These Days' - 3:22: This song has a slower tempo and a more contemplative mood. The verses describe a series of snapshots from life, while the chorus offers reassurance that 'these days are ours.'

3. 'Fall on Me' - 2:50: One of R.E.M.'s most enduring hits, 'Fall on Me' is a gorgeous mid-tempo ballad with cascading mandolin and piano lines. The lyrics deal with environmental concerns and the weight of responsibility.

4. 'Cuyahoga' - 4:19: Named after the river in Ohio, this song has a driving rhythm and chiming guitars that sound almost like bells. The lyrics describe the natural beauty of the river and bemoan the human destruction of it.

5. 'Hyena' - 2:50: One of the more aggressive tracks on the album, 'Hyena' features crunchy guitar riffs and urgent vocals from Stipe. The lyrics are cryptic but hint at themes of injustice and oppression.

6. 'Underneath the Bunker' - 1:25: This short track is a sort of interlude between 'Hyena' and 'The Flowers of Guatemala.' It consists mainly of percussion and spoken-word snippets.

7. 'The Flowers of Guatemala' - 3:55: A haunting melody and Stipe's mournful vocals make this song a standout. The lyrics describe the aftermath of a war and the sense of loss and confusion that follows.

8. 'I Believe' - 3:31: This is another of R.E.M.'s most famous songs, with its cascading guitar riff and anthemic chorus. The lyrics offer a litany of beliefs and affirmations, from 'I believe in coyotes' to 'I believe in you.'

9. 'What If We Give It Away?' - 3:33: The title of this song is also the opening line, and it sets the tone for a reflective track about the value of generosity and selflessness. The music is spare and mostly acoustic.

10. 'Just a Touch' - 2:56: This track has a jangly, almost country-rock feel to it. The lyrics are cryptic but suggest themes of isolation and detachment.

11. 'Swan Swan H' - 2:43: Another haunting ballad, 'Swan Swan H' features acoustic guitar and lyrics that seem to be about lost love and the fleeting nature of beauty.

12. 'Superman' - 2:53: The album closes with a cover of the classic song 'Superman,' originally by the band The Clique. R.E.M. gives it their own distinctive spin with chiming guitars and a playful vocal from Stipe. The lyrics offer a simple message of hope and strength.

Discography for R.E.M.:

Here is a complete discography for R.E.M. in chronological order:

Albums:

1. Murmur - April 12, 1983
2. Reckoning - April 9, 1984
3. Fables of the Reconstruction - June 10, 1985
4. Lifes Rich Pageant - July 28, 1986
5. Document - August 31, 1987
6. Green - November 7, 1988
7. Out of Time - March 8, 1991
8. Automatic for the People - October 5, 1992
9. Monster - September 27, 1994
10. New Adventures in Hi-Fi - September 9, 1996
11. Up - October 26, 1998
12. Reveal - May 14, 2001
13. Around the Sun - October 4, 2004
14. Accelerate - April 1, 2008
15. Collapse into Now - March 7, 2011

Singles:

1. 'Radio Free Europe' - July 8, 1981
2. 'Sitting Still' - June 21, 1982
3. 'So. Central Rain' - June 22, 1983
4. 'Cant Get There from Here' - September 10, 1985
5. 'Fall on Me' - October 5, 1986
6. 'The One I Love' - August 1, 1987
7. 'Stand' - January 24, 1989
8. 'Orange Crush' - October 16, 1989
9. 'Losing My Religion' - February 19, 1991
10. 'Shiny Happy People' - May 12, 1991
11. 'Near Wild Heaven' - August 1991
12. 'Drive' - September 28, 1992
13. 'Man on the Moon' - November 21, 1992
14. 'Everybody Hurts' - April 15, 1993
15. 'What's the Frequency, Kenneth?' - September 5, 1994
16. 'Bang and Blame' - October 31, 1994
17. 'Strange Currencies' - March 27, 1995
18. 'E-Bow the Letter' - September 30, 1996
19. 'Bittersweet Me' - October 21, 1996
20. 'Electrolite' - February 24, 1997
21. 'Daysleeper' - October 12, 1998
22. 'Lotus' - February 22, 1999
23. 'Suspicion' - July 10, 2000
24. 'Imitation of Life' - April 30, 2001
25. 'All the Way to Reno (You're Gonna Be a Star)' - October 8, 2001
26. 'Animal' - February 10, 2003
27. 'Bad Day' - October 21, 2003

Other releases:

1. Chronic Town EP - August 24, 1982
2. Dead Letter Office - April 27, 1987
3. Eponymous - October 26, 1988
4. In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988–2003 - October 28, 2003
5. Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage: 1982–2011 - November 15, 2011