R.E.M. is giving fans a 25th anniversary reissue of their “New Adventures in Hi-Fi” in October, but you can hear an alternate version of “Leave” now.
R.E.M. remains one of our alternative rock staples and with their decades of albums, they have earned our admiration with songs “Man on the Moon,” “Everybody Hurts,” “Drive,” “Stand,” “Radio Free Europe,” “Fall On Me,” “Losing My Religion,” “The One I Love,” “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine),” and more.
R.E.M. | Photo by Chris Bilheimer
“New Adventures in Hi-Fi” was written and recorded while the band was on their 1995 Monster Tour and remains one of R.E.M.’s most acclaimed albums. In fact, R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck said, “Most records, you go in the studio and you just do ’em. And years later all you really remember is vaguely where you stayed, and the songs and the recording process. But this one I remember every bit of it. It was an experience. It was f**king tough, but we made a record. And it was as challenging as anything I’ve ever done.”
The 1996 album gave us the singles “E-Bow the Letter,” “Bittersweet Me,” “Electrolite,” and “How the West Was Won and Where It Got Us,” and the new edition will include B-sides, rarities, previously unreleased photos and video footage, and much more.
The “Leave” alternate version was originally recorded for the “A Life Less Ordinary” movie soundtrack, but includes re-recorded vocals. According to front-man Michael Stipe, “I actually might prefer this version to the one that’s on the record… Well, I wouldn’t say I prefer it, it just tells a different story with the lyric.”
The band is known for their music, but also for being outspoken in their views about political, social, and environmental issues. After being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, they amicably disbanded in 2011.
The reissue of “New Adventures in Hi-Fi” is out October 29th! It isn’t the end of the world, but it’s recommended you pick it up and you’ll feel fine!
