Ryan Schreiber reports:
And so, like mothers left behind in a Lifetime primetime drama, R.E.M. fans continue to hope against hope that their intimate relationship with the group might renew itself and begin to grow again, if only they can express the full scope of their love and dedication. Sadly, this is one journey of the heart that writes itself-- and in the end, it's bitter tears of rage, a woman scorned, and echoes in the darkness as the well-intentioned lover learns to live apart. At least, that's where things seem to stand for many REMophiles almost a month after the release of their latest critical failure Around the Sun, an album that lots of very wise people are calling the band's worst outing since 1994's disastrous Monster LP.
Fortunately, those desperate to replant the seeds of their withered love will have a chance to experience much of R.E.M.'s back catalog anew in February, as Warner Bros prepares to (presumably) recoup the losses of the group's estimated $80 million contract with a series of expanded reissues. Rolling Stone reports that the label is planning to issue each album from the band's Warner years (that's everything from 1988 onward) in expanded double-disc editions that will include remastered versions of the original albums along with bonus DVDs of the same music remixed in 5.1 Dolby surround. Previously unreleased documentary and video footage will be included as well. No tracklists have yet been made available, but all of the eight albums, listed below, are due in stores February 15th.
Green (1988)
Out of Time (1991)
Automatic for the People (1992)
Monster (1994)
New Adventures in Hi-Fi (1996)
Up (1998)
Reveal (2001)
Around the Sun (2004)
