R.E.M.: Inside Out: The Stories Behind Every Song

by Craig Rosen

A complete guide to the band that has set the standard for alternative rock since the early 80s
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Genres: Music, Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

Published August 12, 1997

Reviews

[Kirk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love books about songs rather than bands, so I devoured this in an hour or so. Lots of fun tidbits on the best-known stuff and the rarities. If there's an overall sadness to the book it's that getting to MONSTER and NEW ADVENTURES IN HI-FI (the last CD the book analyzes) we're aware of the preciptious fall off in the quality of R.E.M.'s output. Hopefully, the CD due this spring 08 will reinvigorate interest in this great, great band and make an update of this reference guide necessary---though I don't envy the author who has to write about AROUND THE SUN.

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Rosen is supposedly explaining R.E.M. songs from "Radio Free Europe" to New Adventures in Hi-Fi, or possible interpretations of the songs, but too often it feels like he's stretching to create interpretations, or connections between other songs or events or influences. Yes, I'll read the updated version, which adds Up through Around the Sun, but only to be thorough with my R.E.M. biographies.

Plus, the typos and layout issues were frustrating. And no, they weren't corrected for the update! Ugh!

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wow, this was possibly even worse than the first edition. The "update" is Up, the Man on the Moon soundtrack, Reveal, the first-release tracks on In Time, and Around the Sun. Whereas the earlier songs generally have a few paragraphs to a page of analysis, the tracks from these last five albums usually have only one paragraph of explanation. It feels like this "updated version" was just thrown together. Also, the typos and formatting/layout issues were aggravating.

If you want good details about R.E.M. songs, find a different book. This "The stories behind every song" isn't worth it.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Research! Woooooohoooooo!

[Rochelle]

I'll probably never actually read this cover to cover I just like the band :)