Because yourmusic.com recently had a $1 off "sale", I ordered the first 3 REM CDs, Document, Life's Rich Pagent and Reconstruction of the Fables. Yourmusic's site claimed all 3 were remastered versions (I already had the CDs from when they were first issued). They arrived today. However, nothing on the CDs themselves indicates they are remasters. They have copyright dates of 1985, 86, and 87, with the copyright in the name of International Record Syndicate, Inc. and the shaded IRS guy is on the spines. UPC codes are 2434-93478, 79 and 80, which at least suggests to me all were issued at the same time. All are sealed so I don't know if something inside will enlighten me further. Are these indeed the remasters, or did yourmusic screw me by sending me non-remastered versions?

I know I could compare them to what I have at home but I'm at work now, and need an answer now, dammit!

104 views and no one had the answer, eh? Well, I'm home now so can answer myself. The original versions (non-remasters) all have IRS as part of the numbers in the spines, so these must be the remasters (even if they're not exactly advertised as such anywhere on the CDs themselves).

Now, a related question: I didn't realize or had forgotten that Document was also released as a dual disc. Are there any hi-rez fans out there who can comment on the sound quality of the DVD side of the dual disc and whether it is worth seeking out?

I'm one of those viewers, but I couldn't quickly find definitive evidence online that all of these titles had been remastered. Any remastering credits in the liner notes?

I've still not cracked open the cellophane on any of them. I wanted to make sure they were different CDs than the ones I had before I opened them. Maybe tomorrow...

The only R.E.M. disc in my collection is "Document" (IRS #7243493480-2-8). I bought it used perhaps ten years ago and it was old then. Hope this helps.

Reissues would be 92/93, and have 5-6 bonus tracks each, and UK/Euro/Australian, otherwise return them

There was a series of reissues of the early albums with bonus tracks...those were NOT remastered. In fact, I think the only remasters of the IRS catalog are being put out as "Deluxe Editions" like the ones so far with Murmur and Reckoning, each with a an additional CD of a concert. The other remasters are on the "When the Light Is Mine" collection. I think eventually all the albums are being put out but that's all I know of. Document got a remaster for the DVD-A (and I assume any other higher-resolution releases) but I don't know that the original CD has been remastered to benefit as of yet. I purchases the DVD-A and ripped the audio from it instead.

The WB releases (Green and beyond) were re-issued as well with a DVD-A of the album. I don't know if the CD itself was remastered. Most of the info I have read says no, but I used the DVD-A for the audio when I listen so the CD wasn't as big a deal to me at that point.

Let us know if you find out more or otherwise.

Oh, and there were MFSL releases of Murmur and Reckoning as well, although they are probably pretty difficult to find by now.

Yeah, I got all the MFSLs, and all the DVD-As of the later albums, which is what caused me to pick up these last 3 (competionist disorder, y'know). I wouldn't have even ordered these if yourmusic.com hadn't claimed they were remastered. For an example, see:

http://www.yourmusic.com/browse/album/R ... 753_ALBUMS

I suppose I'll have to give at least one a spin to see how it compares to the earlier IRS version before I rule out whether or not they are indeed remasters...

The discs with the bonus tracks have been listed as remastered all over the place since they were released. They were NOT, however, remastered discs.

According to what I read, there was also a standalone mini-LP of Document remastered by Bob Ludwig... I have no idea when it came out or how difficult it would be to find today.

I'm going to venture that you have original issues and not remasters. I have the Murmur deluxe edition form 2008. It's a two cd set with a show recored in 1983 comprising the second disc. The credits do inidcate Analog to Analog transfers by Pete Doell at Universal Mastering Studios West and Bill Levesnson is mentioned in "Project Assitance."

Also, the copyright is 2008 Universal Muisc Enterprises. The IRS logo is on the package but the name is not mentioned anywhere readily visible (neither " IRS" or "International Record Syndicate"). I got this from Yourmusic earlier this year and since they've just begun to offer the DE of Reckoning, I just ordered that a few days ago.

This might be helpful: the Reckoning I have right now (not the DE) is copyright 1984 and was on IRS as part of A&M's Audio Master Plus series with the AM+ logo design.
In addition the catalog number ic CD70044, then in less bold print is the inidcator DIDX 161 all visible on the back cover.

My copy of Dead Letter Office, copyright 1987, CD70054, also indicates manufactured and distributed by A&M but my Eponymous, copyright 1988, was manufactured and distributed by MCA -- again both notes visible on the back covers.

If your CDs are 1985 through 1987, look for the A&M or MCA or Universal names and that might be your biggest clue. Hope this helps. I find this stuff fascinating and irritating as hell all at the same time.

Sometime in the 90s, all the IRS albums were reissued as imports, each title with a bunch of bonus tracks. The series bore extra text on the covers identifying them as "The IRS Years Vintage..." I think I bought them all, dunno for sure if they were remastered.

SAMPLE:

Any word on the deluxe editions?

"Fables" should be in the 1st Q of '10 I would hope?

I cracked the wrap on Fables of the Reconstruction. The disc itself says on the inner ring "MASTERED BY EMI MFG.", which probably means nothing. The booklet says "MASTERED BY JACK SKINNER AT STERLING SOUND." I don't know off the top of my head if that particular credit was also on the original IRS booklet- if not, then we may have a new mastering...

I believe you are correct, the album tracks are not remastered but the bonus tracks have a credit to Doug Schwarz indicating they may have been remastered. The discs were a quick attempt to cash in on the popularity of the band after they went to Warner Brothers.

Document did get remastered by Bob Ludwig for that cruddy looking mini LP version in the late 90's. That was followed by the DVD Audio and Dualdisc (same mastering on those 2)

For USA discs of Fables and Pageant, if you have heard one you heard them all. Japan discs do sound a bit different, they may be simply level shifted versions of the same master.

Murmur on the other hand does have different masterings for the IRS CD's. The Japan for USA is much different sounding than the USA manufactured CD (both have same catalogue number). The Japan is somewhere between the USA and Mofi for sound. The Japan has more bass but not as much as the UD II.

My ancient Fables CD from Europe has that same credit. Perhaps that is the person who did the vinyl originally.

My ancient IRS "Document" disc also says "MASTERED BY EMI MFG" on the inner ring of the disc (along with a bunch of other numbers and letters too tiny to make out). However, the credit for "Mastering" reads: "Bob Ludwig, Masterdisk, Mew York City".

Same here, my Document and Pageant both list Bob Ludwig at masterdisk for mastering credit. Dead Letter office lists Greg Calbi. I wonder if these names are also on the vinyl?

Yep, I've just about decided to contact yourmusic.com and return these. Based on the Deluxe versions of Reckoning and the other IRS title, I suspect these will all get Deluxe treatment at some point in the next year or so anyway.

To my knowledge, the first two albums are the only ones that have been properly remasters through the new Deluxe Editions. Sit tight, they are going to complete the IRS catalog with these kinds of releases. BTW, they sound fantastic. Get them to take back the one you opened, too. They basically lied to you.