R.E.M. – Green

I snagged this one for $15 at a record store somewhat near me in a rare journey to North Carolina whilst stopping in Mckaysville.

I think the club version is the version I have. If so I’m very excited, Oasis is one of my favorite bands and I’d like to have the best sounding version personally from the first year of each studio album.

This is my first to add to my collection of their discography, and contains their masterpiece in my opinion “Orange Crush” though probably a lot of people will disagree because they are wrong and Orange Crush slaps harder than a bit too much of whatever delicious alcoholic fruit concoction I’ve crafted for enjoying adding this to my collection. I’ve recently been shifting around my collection quite a bit after changing what I want from what are necessarily “worthy” records of adding to the collection, but that I will actually play.

While off topic, Today we got a haul of both! Original 1963 Mono Surfin’ USA, 1988 Club pressing of Green (which I was most excited about), and 1965 Stereo Summer Days (And Nights). Surprisingly, these are the only original beach boys LP’s I’ve not seen for eye watering sums lately, so I grabbed them while I could. The Beach Boys are my favorite band.

Back onto the actual album, it interestingly has a very acoustic sound to it, which is unlike most of the albums in my collection. I’m happy to have something so warm and comfortable in my collection finally. Great for everyone at all times. R.E.M is probably the greatest rock band of all time, except The Beach Boys. Fight me. The pressing is warm, lovely with lilting guitar and piano melodies and snapping drum breaks that give the album a really purposeful affair. The vocals are my favorite part, and what I wish more rock vocals were like. Simply stunning. This gives all the life to the album it really needs, and in a really neat and nice feeling sleeve. The label has a little swirly, but what really makes my head spin is the quality of lyrical content here. I’d recommend either paying attention fully to the words or wearing headphones to assist in blocking sound out so the message is totally understandable. Really the entirety of R.E.M’s studio discography to me touches exactly on what should be delivered through music, and as great rock and roll. Not too preachy, not just grooves, and masterfully designed in lyric, sound, and intent. Music is not just there to fill the void of silence. It’s powerful. This album is powerful.

10/10

Favorite Track: Orange Crush

🟩🍊🟧

Simply stunning pressing of this album. This is a club press that actually sounds outstanding. I had no idea there was so much fine detail and soft layered elements in these songs. The acoustic guitar just sounds so realistic and the piano notes shimmer with a delicate tone. A full, abundant sound can be heard on this disc. Really masterfully done. Sweet, harmonious and sublime. Stipe's voice is gripping. Flawless pressing, plays dead quiet. One hell of a good press here.

I don’t see many reviews of REM club versions. This one, I think, sounds fantastic. Mine is NM and I’ve never compared it against another version but I’m an avid listener and familiar with the CD. The mix has great warmth and depth with the kinds of tones you expect from the band (ie the bass won’t knock you over). If you see a deal on this one, I say take it.