R.E.M. : The Rolling Stone Files : The Ultimate Compendium of Interviews, Articles, Facts, and Opinions from the Files of Rolling Stone [Paperback]

Calif.) Rolling Stone (San Francisco (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1995

This Georgia-based alternative rock band has developed legions of fans since 1981 and has been propelled to the top of the charts with albums such as 1991's Out of Time and hit songs like "Losing My Religion" and "Stand". Here Rolling Stone pays tribute to this hard-working group--America's preeminent college-radio band.

Editorial Reviews

Review

DeCurtis and the editors of Rolling Stone chart the band's rise to fame and the personalities and influences which have led to their success. Enjoy a fine blend of in-depth interviews and associates' opinions, blending band history with a compendium of music and album facts. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Books (Adult Trd Pap); 1st edition (July 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786880546
• ISBN-13: 978-0786880546
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,520,520 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful archival tribute to R.E.M., April 4, 2000

By 

"karen-girlsrock" - See all my reviews

This review is from: R.E.M. : The Rolling Stone Files : The Ultimate Compendium of Interviews, Articles, Facts, and Opinions from the Files of Rolling Stone (Paperback)

A nice collection of articles, factoids, interviews with bandmembers, interesting quotes and opinions on R.E.M. from music biz insiders. It was a pleasure to read and very informative. Nice pictures. This book is a great start for those just learning about R.E.M., the folks who have fallen in love with their music and want to learn how these 4 guys from Athens could possibly be saying exactly what is in your head. This is also a good companion piece for the longterm R.E.M. fan, those who cannot live without their music, there are lots of interesting tidbits to savor. You WILL enjoy this book!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate Sourcebook on R.E.M., April 30, 2000

By 

Gail Willis "music maven" (Baltimore, MD USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: R.E.M. : The Rolling Stone Files : The Ultimate Compendium of Interviews, Articles, Facts, and Opinions from the Files of Rolling Stone (Paperback)

This book should be on the bookshelf of every R.E.M. fan. It is jam packed with all kinds of information about the band. I only wish that the book included glossy photo's of the band. I think that you should be forewarned that the book covers the band from the time period of 1982's "Chronic Town" to 1994's "Monster". Overall, if you are an R.E.M. fan buy the book you will not be disappointed!

4.0 out of 5 stars A valuable collection for REM fans, May 30, 2005

By 

A. Abruzzese (St Paul, Minnesota USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: R.E.M. : The Rolling Stone Files : The Ultimate Compendium of Interviews, Articles, Facts, and Opinions from the Files of Rolling Stone (Paperback)

There's something that I really love about collections like this. It's a time capsule! I think it's just great to have the opportunity to read things that are not reflections of years of consideration and debate, but are actually the attitudes of the day. It can be eye-opening.

At the same time, there are ways in which it can be disappointing. One of the things you get from this book is that Rolling Stone had more or less the same 10-12 things to say about REM over 14 years and a dozen albums. (eg. Stipe's lyrics are ambiguous and often hard to understand, the band is known for its political and social conscience, etc etc).

Nevertheless, when just given the opportunity to talk, REM never fails to say interesting things. (It's priceless to read Stipe's reference to two oranges being nailed together, resurfacing, years later). You may put up with some repetition, and some real rock critic posturing, but it will be worth it.