R.E.M - Unauthorised: Losing My Religion Vol.2 (1993) Bootleg

(U.S 1980 - 2011)

R.E.M. was an American rock band from Athens, Georgia, formed in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's unclear vocals. R.E.M. released its first single, "Radio Free Europe", in 1981 on the independent record label Hib-Tone. The single was followed by the Chronic Town EP in 1982, the band's first release on I.R.S. Records. In 1983, the group released its critically acclaimed debut album, Murmur, and built its reputation over the next few years through subsequent releases, constant touring, and the support of college radio. Following years of underground success, R.E.M. achieved a mainstream hit in 1987 with the single "The One I Love". The group signed to Warner Bros. Records in 1988, and began to espouse political and environmental concerns while playing large arenas worldwide.

By the early 1990s, when alternative rock began to experience broad mainstream success, R.E.M. was viewed by subsequent acts such as Nirvana and Pavement as a pioneer of the genre and released its two most commercially successful albums, Out of Time (1991) and Automatic for the People (1992), which veered from the band's established sound. R.E.M.'s 1994 release, Monster, was a return to a more rock-oriented sound. The band began its first tour in six years to support the album; the tour was marred by medical emergencies suffered by three band members. In 1996, R.E.M. re-signed with Warner Bros. for a reported US $80 million, at the time the most expensive recording contract in history. 

The following year, Bill Berry left the band, while Buck, Mills, and Stipe continued the group as a trio. Through some changes in musical style, the band continued its career into the next decade with mixed critical and commercial success. In 2007, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. R.E.M. disbanded in September 2011, announcing the split on its website.

Recording Details

This concert was recorded in Utrecht in the Netherlands on September 14, 1987 during their 'Work Tour', about two weeks after the Document studio album had been released (Support act: The Railway Children).

With eight songs off Document and five from Lifes Rich Pageant, this live recording gives us a very clear indication of how the REM sound was progressing in the late 80's.

By this stage, the band were very experienced and confident playing live but the venue is still relatively small (maximum capacity 5,000 people).

After years of being starved of official live recordings, R.E.M. have included live recording bonuses with other studio albums – a 1983 show with Murmur, a 1984 show with Reckoning and a 1989 show with Green.

So what are the essential years of REM's career?

Well I had ignored REM in their early days but the singles from Document had gained my attention and Green was the first of their albums that I bought. My bias therefore is for this middle period from 1987 to 1992 when they took on the world and won. [extract from bestlivealbums.com]

The Muziekcentrum

The Venue

"Muziekcentrum Vredenburg, Utrecht"

Former music venue in Utrecht, The Netherlands with a capacity of 1700 and 300 people. It opened its' doors on January 26, 1979.

In the period 2007-2014, the venue was thoroughly rebuilt, only the original construction of the main hall was maintained, with the new venue being built around this.

Two temporary locations were used in this period. During this time the venue also merged with Tivoli, Utrecht and the new venue TivoliVredenburg opened in July, 2014.

Also sometimes listed on releases as The Music Centrum, Utrecht or Music Centre, Utrecht.

Inside the Muziekcentrum

This post consists of FLACS ripped from my fruity 'Banana Bootleg' and includes the distinct 'red artwork' typical of these Australian Unauthorised Bootlegs.  A Soundboard recording, it is rated as excellent and is the second half of the concert. Regrettably, I have yet to come across Vol.1 but when I do (and I will), I'll post it quick smart.  

I have taken the liberty of adding a live 'unplugged' rendition of "Losing My Religion" as a bonus track, giving the title of this bootleg more credibility.

This bootleg has also been released under the title of Red Rain (see cover right)

Tracks

01  Oddfellows Local 151 (Firehouse) 5:26

02  Little America 2:49

03  It's The End Of The World As We Know It (& I Feel Fine) 4:03

04  Begin The Begin 4:30

05  Strange 2:59

06  Disturbance At The Heron House 3:25

07  Funtime / Harpers 7:21

08  Moral Kiosk 4:41

09  Life And How To Live It 4:36

10 Time After Time / Red Rain 3:05

11 So Central Rain (I'm Sorry) 5:31

12 Losing My Religion (Bonus MTV track)   4:38

REM Unauthorised FLACs (332Mb)