Bit underwhelmed by the content of the deluxe editions, but at least they continue their reissue campaign (not like other bands I know). And I managed to get a marble vinyl, so I won’t complain.
Preorders are up on remhq.com with a bunch of different bundle options
Craft Recordings proudly celebrates the 25th anniversary of R.E.M.’s tenth studio album, New Adventures in Hi-Fi, with a special reissue, available for pre-order today and set for release on October 29. The bonus-filled 2-CD/1-Blu-ray Deluxe Edition offers a trove of audio-visual content, including the newly remastered album, 13 B-sides and rarities, a never-before-released 64-minute outdoor projection film (shown on buildings across five cities in 1996 to promote the album’s original release), and a previously unreleased 30-minute EPK. Additionally, the Blu-ray features New Adventures in Hi-Fi in stunning Hi-Res and 5.1 Surround Sound audio, plus five HD-restored music videos including “Bittersweet Me,” “Electrolite,” and “E-Bow the Letter.” Housed in a 52-page hardcover book, the collection includes archival photographs—many of which have never been published—plus new liner notes from journalist Mark Blackwell and reflections from all four original band members, as well as from Patti Smith, Thom Yorke, and producer Scott Litt.
An Expanded Edition is also available as a 2-CD or digital collection, including the remastered album along with B-sides and rarities. The 2-CD offers an exclusive 24” x 24” poster and four collectible postcards, as well as a booklet featuring new liner notes and archival photos. Additionally, the newly remastered album will be available as a 2-LP set, pressed on 180-gram vinyl, with lacquers cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio. Fans can preview all physical formats via the official unboxing trailer here. A limited-edition pressing on clear and black marbled vinyl is also available exclusively at R.E.M.’s official store(limited to 1,000 worldwide), along with special New Adventures in Hi-Fi merchandise.
Available via digital platforms today, ahead of the album, is the advance single “Leave – Alternate Version.”Originally recorded for the A Life Less Ordinarysoundtrack, the single offers a haunting, sparse, siren-less version of New Adventures album track “Leave,” for which Michael Stipe re-recorded the vocals. Reflects Stipe, “I actually might prefer this version to the one that’s on the record… Well, I wouldn’t say I prefer it, it just tells a different story with the lyric.” Fans can stream or download the single now, and pre-save the album.
First released in September 1996, New Adventures in Hi-Fiendures as one of R.E.M.’s most acclaimed albums and stands as a favorite among band members and fans alike. The album was a global success, achieving platinum certification in the US and peaking at No.2 on the Billboard 200. Elsewhere, the album went to No.1 in more than a dozen countries, including Australia, the UK, and Canada. Critically, New Adventures in Hi-Fi received wide praise and was named as one of the best albums of the year by such outlets as Rolling Stone, Spin, Mojo, Entertainment Weekly, and the NME. Over the decades, the title has achieved cult status, with several press retrospectives ranking it among the top albums in R.E.M.’s rich catalog of releases.
Recorded at the height of their fame, New Adventures in Hi-Fi also marks R.E.M.’s final album with drummer and founding member Bill Berry, who left the group amicably the following year. Perhaps most remarkable, however, is that the album found the band taking a unique creative approach: writing and recording much of the LP on the road, during their 1995 Monster tour.
While writing new material on the road wasn’t an unusual feat for R.E.M., New Adventures was unlike anything they had done before. As they embarked on tour, the band sought to create an abstract travelogue documenting every emotion and experience as it happened. “We wanted to make a record about being on the road without singing about being on the road,” bassist Mike Mills explains in the liner notes. “The idea was that the feeling of being on the road would come through in the sound and feel of the record itself.”
The band traveled with a mobile recording truck, capturing new songs on an 8-track during soundchecks (as well as in various backstage areas and on the tour bus). “The idea was, ‘Let’s challenge ourselves,’” guitarist Peter Buck tells Blackwell. “My feeling was, it’ll show exactly where we’re at right now in a way that maybe some of the records don’t at all. This record was just an attempt to be who we were at that minute.”
The year-long outing, which began in January 1995, marked R.E.M.’s first tour in six years. As one of the biggest bands in the world, the quartet played to packed arenas across North America, Europe, Australia, and Japan, with support from acts like Sonic Youth and Radiohead. But along the way, the tour was marred by medical emergencies. In March, Berry collapsed on stage from an aneurism and spent the next month recuperating. Mills, meanwhile, underwent intestinal surgery in June. A month later, Stipe had emergency surgery for a hernia (which, he asserts, occurred while performing the song, “Undertow”).
After the band returned from the eventful—yet highly successful—run of dates, they entered the studio with their longtime producer, Scott Litt, to record a few final tracks and put finishing touches on others. Among them was the epic, seven-minute-long “Leave;” “E-Bow the Letter,” featuring backing vocals from the legendary singer-songwriter Patti Smith; “New Test Leper,” which Buck proclaims is his favorite R.E.M. song; and “How the West Was Won and Where It Got Us,” one of several songs on the album inspired by Stipe’s experiences living in Los Angeles.
Upon its release, New Adventures in Hi-Fi marked R.E.M.’s longest studio album, with a total run-time of 65 minutes. Filled with cinematic storytelling, haunting effects, and dissonant notes, New Adventures in Hi-Fi found R.E.M. exploring diverse sonic territories—particularly in songs like “Low Desert,” which, Berry describes, is “just dusty and kind of slow and it’s swampy…I feel isolated when I listen to that song, but it’s a good thing.” Stipe adds that the song offers such questions as, “‘What are we doing in the desert? What are we doing in the American West? What are we doing in this unlivable, uninhabitable place?’” Other tracks, like “Departure” and “The Wake-Up Bomb” deliver classic R.E.M. rock vibes.
The band looks back on New Adventures in Hi-Fi with great pride. Buck, perhaps, sums it up best. “Most records, you go in the studio and you just do ’em. And years later all you really remember is vaguely where you stayed, and the songs and the recording process. But this one I remember every bit of it. It was an experience. It was f**king tough, but we made a record. And it was as challenging as anything I’ve ever done.”
Click here to pre-order New Adventures in Hi-Fi on 2-CD/1-Blu-Ray, 2-CD or 2-LP, or to stream the single and pre-save the deluxe digital album.
New Adventures in Hi-Fi 25th anniversarytracklists:
Deluxe Edition (2-CD/1-Blu-Ray):
Disc 1 – New Adventures in Hi-Fi (remastered audio)
I will always love "New Adventures" because I got to hear several of the songs in a live setting before the album came out. I always seem to like songs better if I hear the in a live setting first.
It amazes me that there is so much hate in the world for this song. Love for it too, of course, but I mean, man, you should read some of the stuff that's been said about it! Sad!
I've always thought it was great and that video is a kick!
The song gets played in my grocery store once in awhile. If you see a guy doing a funny little dance down the pasta isle when it's playing, I'm that guy.
“The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
Missed out on the marbled vinyl. Hopefully the black drops in price and I can get this for £20 one day, seems over priced for a 2lp. I love the album but wont spend too much on this.
It amazes me that there is so much hate in the world for this song. Love for it too, of course, but I mean, man, you should read some of the stuff that's been said about it! Sad!
I've always thought it was great and that video is a kick!
The song gets played in my grocery store once in awhile. If you see a guy doing a funny little dance down the pasta isle when it's playing, I'm that guy.
The only bad song on that album is Radio Song, and only because of the stupid rapping on it from KRS-1. The song itself is pretty good. I have a copy of the Bingo Hand Job acoustic record where they perform it live and I really like that version.
Anyone that successfully ordered the limited edition marbled New Adventures to later receive a cancellation message received the message above today. I wonder what the ‘something special’ they’re sending out is to make up for it.
Anyone that successfully ordered the limited edition marbled New Adventures to later receive a cancellation message received the message above today. I wonder what the ‘something special’ they’re sending out is to make up for it.
I ordered the marble vinyl and haven’t gotten a cancellation notice. I hope I don’t get one. But I wonder what the “something special” is. Let us know when you find out.
.I ordered the marble vinyl and haven’t gotten a cancellation notice. I hope I don’t get one. But I wonder what the “something special” is. Let us know when you find out.
Don’t think I’ll get the something special. I ordered the marbled mega bundle, then ordered the marbled vinyl with a t-shirt. Only the 2nd one was cancelled and I figured it was because it was one per customer which I didn’t realize until after I ordered the 2nd one.
As we think back on September 21, 2011, here’s a reprise of Peter, Mike, and Michael’s comments on REMHQ from 10 years ago when the band “called it a day”:
“To our Fans and Friends: As R.E.M., and as lifelong friends and co-conspirators, we have decided to call it a day as a band. We walk away with a great sense of gratitude, of finality, and of astonishment at all we have accomplished. To anyone who ever felt touched by our music, our deepest thanks for listening.”
-R.E.M.
In their own words: The guys share their thoughts on why now.
MIKE
“During our last tour, and while making Collapse Into Now and putting together this greatest hits retrospective, we started asking ourselves, ‘what next’? Working through our music and memories from over three decades was a hell of a journey. We realized that these songs seemed to draw a natural line under the last 31 years of our working together.
“We have always been a band in the truest sense of the word. Brothers who truly love, and respect, each other. We feel kind of like pioneers in this–there’s no disharmony here, no falling-outs, no lawyers squaring-off. We’ve made this decision together, amicably and with each other’s best interests at heart. The time just feels right.”
MICHAEL
“A wise man once said–‘the skill in attending a party is knowing when it’s time to leave.’ We built something extraordinary together. We did this thing. And now we’re going to walk away from it.
“I hope our fans realize this wasn’t an easy decision; but all things must end, and we wanted to do it right, to do it our way.
“We have to thank all the people who helped us be R.E.M. for these 31 years; our deepest gratitude to those who allowed us to do this. It’s been amazing.”
PETER
“One of the things that was always so great about being in R.E.M. was the fact that the records and the songs we wrote meant as much to our fans as they did to us. It was, and still is, important to us to do right by you. Being a part of your lives has been an unbelievable gift. Thank you.
“Mike, Michael, Bill, Bertis, and I walk away as great friends. I know I will be seeing them in the future, just as I know I will be seeing everyone who has followed us and supported us through the years. Even if it’s only in the vinyl aisle of your local record store, or standing at the back of the club: watching a group of 19 year olds trying to change the world.”
love the commitment, but if they did one more tour of just the 4 of them (maybe like 40 world wide tour dates. Even if they just did festivals), I wouldn't hold it against them and actually be incredibly happy.
He said something to the effect of "I hate nostalgia" and “That’s wishful thinking. We will never reunite. We decided when we split up that that would just be really tacky and probably money-grabbing, which might be the impetus for a lot of bands to get back together. We don’t really need that. And I’m really happy we just have the legacy of 32 years of work that we have.”
He said something to the effect of "I hate nostalgia" and “That’s wishful thinking. We will never reunite. We decided when we split up that that would just be really tacky and probably money-grabbing, which might be the impetus for a lot of bands to get back together. We don’t really need that. And I’m really happy we just have the legacy of 32 years of work that we have.”
I appreciate his integrity, but if they were to do a reunion tour, I would be throwing my money at them to grab for sure. Especially if Bill was back on drums.
it seems less of an integrity issue and more he just doesn't want to do it thing. at least that's how I read it.
Probably so. The other three don't seem too interested either. Other than a couple of one off shows sitting in with other people, Bill hasn't performed for a very long time.
My totally "armchair analysis" guess is that 2 of them are firmly against reuniting or touring again, and 2 of them could go either way but absolutely respect the firm stances of their other 2 members. Just from all observed when they were a band and doing interviews about their work & longevity.
I saw this on one of the FB fan pages, it’s a pretty cool piece of REM history:
“‘Fantastic Friday Flashback’
It’s not often at the Timeline we have our minds blown over R.E.M. artifacts, but this photo sent to us by the amazing Nelson Ross, who saw the band when they were starting out, is certainly in that category.
After R.E.M.’s 1st ever show at the 40 Watt Club (East) on 30 May 1980 (their 7th ever show), Nelson obtained Peters handwritten setlist, which is shown here.
This is the earliest written setlist we know of. (recently from a photo we were able to transcribe a written 15 May 1980 setlist - for the next update)
There is an incomplete recording of this show circulating, & which had 2 songs with fan-made names ‘Mediocrity’ which is ‘Safety In Numbers’ & also ‘I’ve Got A Charm’ which is ‘Mood Maker’.
The band diverged from the written setlist, playing ‘Shakin’ All Over’ in between the 2 songs mentioned above, & also ‘All The Right Friends’ as 1st song in the encore. The setlist from 15 May 1980 is very similar to this one.”
“Do not postpone happiness”
(Jeff Tweedy, Sydney 2007)
Whoa, Just A Touch was around THAT LONG?? Right from the beginning?? Insane, one of my top favorite songs of theirs as it turned out on Life's Rich Pageant...
Anyone that successfully ordered the limited edition marbled New Adventures to later receive a cancellation message received the message above today. I wonder what the ‘something special’ they’re sending out is to make up for it.
I ordered the marble vinyl and haven’t gotten a cancellation notice. I hope I don’t get one. But I wonder what the “something special” is. Let us know when you find out.
Got the something special delivered last week:
Not sure who the artist is, but a really neat “sympathy” gift. Bonus part is the marbled New Adventures in Hi-Fi arrived today.
Anyone that successfully ordered the limited edition marbled New Adventures to later receive a cancellation message received the message above today. I wonder what the ‘something special’ they’re sending out is to make up for it.
I ordered the marble vinyl and haven’t gotten a cancellation notice. I hope I don’t get one. But I wonder what the “something special” is. Let us know when you find out.
Got the something special delivered last week:
Not sure who the artist is, but a really neat “sympathy” gift. Bonus part is the marbled New Adventures in Hi-Fi arrived today.
Wow. So you got both. Nice. My marbled vinyl came a few days ago.
Comments
Vinyl already sold out!
Guessing/hoping there'll be a black edition...?
Thanks for the heads up. I ordered the limited edition vinyl 2-LP vinyl version that came with a long sleeved tee.
(Jeff Tweedy, Sydney 2007)
“Put yer good money on the sunrise”
(Tim Rogers)
www.headstonesband.com
10 yrs has indeed gone by very quickly, yet it also feels like ages since they were together. Missing them more than usual right about now....
www.headstonesband.com
www.headstonesband.com
www.headstonesband.com
(Jeff Tweedy, Sydney 2007)
“Put yer good money on the sunrise”
(Tim Rogers)
Not sure who the artist is, but a really neat “sympathy” gift. Bonus part is the marbled New Adventures in Hi-Fi arrived today.