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

~ Rosen (Author), Lynn Rosen (Author) "it sounded murky..." (more)
Key Phrases: chronic town, central rain, rich pageant, Free Europe, Rolling Stone, Michael Stipe (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A complete guide to the band that has set the standard for alternative rock since the early 80s .

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (September 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560251778
• ISBN-13: 978-1560251774
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,043,260 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Put that, put that, put that on your wall, February 22, 2001

By	tcbnyc "tcbnyc" (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

As a dedicated, longtime fan of the fabled Athens quartet, and a reader/owner of half a dozen other R.E.M. tomes, I thought I knew everything worth knowing. So when I saw it in a bargain bin at my local bookstore, I picked it up more on a whim than anything else. But I was pleasantly surprised at the wealth of information contained therein. Many factoids abound. The author clearly read virtually all of the worldwide press on the band. And his enthuusiasm for the subject shines through on every page. Anyone who has ever read interviews with R.E.M. knows that they are a good read. J.M. Stipe is often the source of many a memorable non-sequitir, such as the description of Fables of the Reconstruction sounding like "two oranges being nailed to a board." Peter Buck on the other hand, is what Rhino Records would call a music "geekus maximus," (albeit an extrememly cool one) who liberally sprinkles descriptions of his songs with references to cult heroes like Nick Drake, the Velvet Underground, Strawberry Alarm Clock and the 13th Floor Elevators. Occassionally we get a glimmer into their legendarily mysterious songwriting process as well. And the songs are divided by album with a nice overview of the sessions for said record, placed nicely in the context of their stunning evolution. To quote the Voice of Harold, a must.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars all u need to know..., January 25, 2000

By	abdul (singapore) - See all my reviews

this book can be the bible of REM. it is THE book review of all the songs written by rem up till NAIHF. every song has a story behind it; why it was written, where it was created and for whom it was meant to be. the coverage is extensive and satisfying.buy it ..and u'll know who Maria Calais is.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I think the book says what R.E.M. songs are really about., May 14, 1999

By A Customer

I think Inside/Out showed people the real stories and views behind songs, that they're not just words that someone sings.