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| Berry, Buck, Mills & Stipe sharpen & brighten their sound to break new ground on Fall On Me, Superman, Begin The Begin, I Believe, Cuyahoga, Swan Swan H, etc. |
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| 1 Begin the Begin |
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| 2 These Days |
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| 3 Fall on Me |
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| 4 Cuyahoga |
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| 5 Hyena |
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| 6 Underneath the Bunker |
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| 7 Flowers of Guatemala |
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| 8 I Believe |
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| 9 What If We Give It Away? |
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| 10 Just a Touch |
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| 11 Swan Swan H |
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| 12 Superman |
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Album Review
"Fables of the Reconstruction" was intentionally murky, and "Lifes Rich Pageant" was constructed as its polar opposite. Teaming with producer Don Gehman, who previously worked with John Mellencamp, R.E.M. developed their most forceful record to date. Where previous records kept the rhythm section in the background, "Pageant" emphasizes the beat, and the band turns in its hardest rockers to date, including the anthemic "Begin The Begin" and the punky "Just A Touch." But the cleaner production also benefits the ballads and the mid-tempo janglers, particularly since it helps reveal Michael Stipe's growing political obsessions, especially on the environmental anthems "Fall On Me" and "Cuyahoga." The group hasn't entirely left myths behind -- witness the Civil War ballad "Swan Swan H" -- but the band sound more contemporary both musically and lyrically than they did on either "Fables" or "Murmur", which helps give the record an extra kick. And even with excellent songs like "I Believe," "Flowers Of Guatemala," "These Days," and "What If We Give It Away," it's ironic that the most memorable moment comes from the garage rock obscurity "Superman," which is sung with glee by Mike Mills. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
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• Biography
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Other albums by: R.E.M. |
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