[2019-11-01] REM "Monster (25th Anniversary Edition)" 5CD/1BD set (Craft)

Linda · **Posted:** Tue Sep 03, 2019 12:16 pm

Description
R.E.M.’s ninth album, Monster, was released at a time when the band were coming off the peak of their mainstream success, following Out of Time (1991) and Automatic For The People (1992). Coming from a long break in touring (the band famously didn’t tour with the two previous records), Monster represented an intentional shift in R.E.M.’s sound, a “return to rock” with guitar laden, simple arrangements. It was released to strong reviews and significant global success - reaching #1 on Billboard, and least 7 other countries. In 1995 the band promoted that album with their first concert tour since 1989 (although several band members suffered health problems). The album includes the singles; “What’s The Frequency, Kenneth?,” “Crush with Eyeliner,” “Bang and Blame,” and “Strange Currencies.”

Commemorating the album’s 25th anniversary, original Producer Scott Litt re-approached R.E.M.’s “Monster” by remixing the entire album. The original 1995 version was dense in guitars and feedback with the vocals mixed within the sonic wall, but on this alternative version the guitars are pulled back and the vocals pushed forward to create a more open sound and showcase often-revealing lyrics.

The deluxe edition package also includes previously unreleased demos, a complete live performance, recorded from the Monster tour in Chicago on June 3, 1995, plus a Blu-ray disc which features the band’s tour documentary “Road Movie,” five original music videos, as well as the complete remastered Monster album in 5.1 surround sound and hi-resolution audio.

• Featuring the hits: "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?," "Bang and Blame," "Crush With Eyeliner" and more
• Remastered Album; from the original analog master
• 2019 Completely Remixed Album, by original producer, Scott Litt
• Plus new liner notes, featuring interviews from members of the band
• Reimagined artwork by the original cover artist, Chris Bilheimer

[tracklisting][CD1: Monster Remaster]
1. What’s The Frequency, Kenneth?
2. Crush With Eyeliner
3. King Of Comedy
4. I Don’t Sleep, I Dream
5. Star 69
6. Strange Currencies
7. Tongue
8. Bang And Blame
9. I Took Your Name
10. Let Me In
11. Circus Envy
12. You

[CD2: Monster Demos]
1. Pete’s Hit
2. Uptempo Mo Distortion
3. Uptempo Ricky
4. Harlan County with Whistling
5. Lost Song
6. AM Boo
7. Mike’s Gtr
8. Sputnik 1 Remix
9. Black Sky 4-14
10. Revolution 4-21
11. Rocker with vocal
12. Time Is On Mike’s Side
13. Experiment 4-28 no vocal
14. Highland Fling 4-29
15. Cranky 4-29

[CD3: Monster Remix]
1. What’s The Frequency, Kenneth? (2019 Remix)
2. Crush With Eyeliner (2019 Remix)
3. King Of Comedy (2019 Remix)
4. I Don’t Sleep, I Dream (2019 Remix)
5. Star 69 (2019 Remix)
6. Strange Currencies (2019 Remix)
7. Tongue (2019 Remix)
8. Bang And Blame (2019 Remix)
9. I Took Your Name (2019 Remix)
10. Let Me In (2019 Remix)
11. Circus Envy (2019 Remix)
12. You (2019 Remix)

[CD4: Live In Chicago 6/3/95 – Monster 1995 Tour (Part One)]
1. What’s The Frequency, Kenneth?
2. Circus Envy
3. Crush With Eyeliner
4. Near Wild Heaven
5. Welcome To The Occupation
6. Undertow
7. I Took Your Name
8. Strange Currencies
9. Me In Honey
10. Revolution
11. Tongue
12. Man On The Moon
13. Country Feedback
14. Monty Got A Raw Deal

[CD5: Live In Chicago 6/3/95 – Monster 1995 Tour (Part Two)]
1. Losing My Religion
2. You
3. Departure
4. Orange Crush
5. Get Up
6. Star 69
7. Let Me In
8. Everybody Hurts
9. So. Central Rain (I’m Sorry)
10. Pop Song 89
11. It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

[Blu-ray]
1. Monster – 5.1 Surround Sound
2. Monster – Hi-Resolution Audio
3. Road Movie (concert film)
4. What’s The Frequency, Kenneth? (music video)
5. Crush With Eyeliner (music video)
6. Star 69 (music video)
7. Strange Currencies (music video)
8. Tongue (music video)
9. Bang And Blame (music video)[/tracklisting]

5CD/1BD Set (shown above)
US - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VTYDX88/?tag=imwan-20
CA - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07VTYDX88/?tag=imwanca-20
UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07VTYDX88/?tag=imwan-21

2CD Set (contains CD1 and CD3 only)
US - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VQ9QFNG/?tag=imwan-20
CA - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07VQ9QFNG/?tag=imwanca-20
UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07VQ9QFNG/?tag=imwan-21

2LP Set (contains same tracks as 2CD set)
US - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VQ9S26Q/?tag=imwan-20
CA - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07VQ9S26Q/?tag=imwanca-20
UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07VQ9S26Q/?tag=imwan-21

Linda · **Posted:** Tue Sep 03, 2019 8:04 pm

Here's how the 2CD set will be packaged:

And the 2LP set:

Rick A · 23 Jul 2006

Fantastic! This is a great set; a lot of content, with new remixes and demos and a Blu-ray disc which features the band’s tour documentary “Road Movie' as well. Pre-ordered!

cjr67 · **Joined:** 07 May 2010 **Posts:** 19

Quote:

Producer Scott Litt re-approached R.E.M.’s “Monster” by remixing the entire album. The original 1995 version was dense in guitars and feedback with the vocals mixed within the sonic wall, but on this alternative version the guitars are pulled back and the vocals pushed forward to create a more open sound and showcase often-revealing lyrics.

That sounds like a terrible idea.

From R.E.M.HQ:

Quote:

In addition to having the chance to reflect on Monster, R.E.M. also had the opportunity to revisit the album creatively with their longtime producer, Scott Litt. Litt, who struggled with the original mix, recalls, “I had told the band through the years that if there was ever a chance to take another shot at mixing the album, I wanted to do it.” Now, 25 years later, he’s had the chance, and the results are striking. On some songs, according to Perpetua, Litt’s work features “Entirely different vocal takes and instrumental parts that were either buried or excised from the original album mix.” Mills adds, “I think as he listened to it over the years, he began to hear a different way to realize those songs.” Ultimately, with this reissue, fans will not only have the opportunity to re-discover Monster but also, perhaps, see the album in a completely new light.

Ok, this description from the band's website makes the remix sound a bit more interesting!

Linda · **Posted:** Wed Sep 04, 2019 12:14 pm

A sample:

Ocean Doot · 25 Oct 2007

They got rid of one of the coolest parts of the song, that guitar effect on the chorus!

That said, I'd be interested to hear remixes of some of the back half of the album, which I always thought was much weaker than the front.

Jason Michael · 30 May 2012

I prefer that over the original mix by a wide margin. For me, Monster was the first chink in R.E.M.'s streak of great albums, but I really like this version. I'm really interested in hearing if Litt can do similar magic to the rest of the album.

Linda · **Posted:** Wed Sep 04, 2019 9:26 pm

The USA pre-order price for the 5CD/1BD set has dropped by $10, down to $50.80:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VTYDX88/?tag=imwan-20

(This opened at $60 yesterday, then rose to $79 earlier today, so perhaps a good idea to lock in the above price.)

Steve · 21 Oct 2004

Ocean Doot wrote:

They got rid of one of the coolest parts of the song, that guitar effect on the chorus!

That said, I'd be interested to hear remixes of some of the back half of the album, which I always thought was much weaker than the front.

Yeah that distortion effect being missing sounds really odd. Agreed about side 2 needing the most work.

JohnG · 03 Aug 2006

We had a discussion about Monster back in January and many felt it was liked by the casual REM fan. I called it their “noisy” album where they sounded more like a raw garage band kinda like the Velvet Undergound.

Here is that photo of a planning meeting from their Facebook page:

I also listened to it today while at the beach and really like the opener (Kenneth), Crush With Eyeliner, Star 69,Strange Currencies, Bang And Blame and I Took Your Name.

Then I put on Reveal (which I really like) and just love All The Way To Reno and Imitation Of Life. Almost the opposite of Monster (more like a sunny breezy Cali album).

eelkiller · **Joined:** 10 Dec 2006 **Posts:** 1681

I love dealing with Amazon but now they jacked the price back up to $79.98. How about leaving the nice price for a couple days giving everybody a chance?

I will be ordering this eventually, this is great news.

ARK · **Joined:** 23 Mar 2013 **Posts:** 1323

I missed the $50 price point and I'm annoyed. Will definitely be keeping an eye on this one. I'll be purchasing it for sure, just not sure if it will be day 1

Linda · **Posted:** Sun Sep 08, 2019 11:01 pm

The USA price is still in flux -- now it's gone down to $68.39:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VTYDX88/?tag=imwan-20

Linda · **Posted:** Tue Sep 10, 2019 11:31 pm

Linda wrote:

The USA price is still in flux -- now it's gone down to $68.39:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VTYDX88/?tag=imwan-20

$61.21.

GodsComic · 03 Aug 2006

Really enjoying the 5CD set and like a lot about the packaging. All except for getting the CDs in and out of the sleeves. Requires a bit of elbow grease to get them back in and I'm afraid it will damage the discs.

Tricky Kid · **Joined:** 23 Sep 2007 **Posts:** 8297

GodsComic wrote:

Really enjoying the 5CD set and like a lot about the packaging.

What's your take on the remix? I haven't heard it yet, but most people I know who have are down on it...

Rick A · 23 Jul 2006

I only played the 5.1 mix so far, it's different than the DVD-A which is great because their is no redundancy here. First take is the DVD-A has more of a wallop where the Scot Litt mix is more on the atmospheric side.

GodsComic · 03 Aug 2006

Tricky Kid wrote:

GodsComic wrote:

Really enjoying the 5CD set and like a lot about the packaging.

What's your take on the remix? I haven't heard it yet, but most people I know who have are down on it...

I'm a fan of the original album, but really appreciate a different take on it. Honestly, I like a few better than the original, and a few really don't work. But I don't think someone who hated the original version will really have a big reassessment on material.

[2019-11-01] REM "Monster (25th Anniversary Edition)" 5CD/1BD set (Craft)

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