17 replies to this topic

[mrocks7]

Looking for recommendations on a thorough, well-researched (possibly band-commissioned or approved) biography of R.E.M. Any suggestions?

[musicbrain_5]

I know of a couple of books that my friend used for a pop music term paper on REM - Adventures in Hi-Fi: The Complete REM by Tim Abbott and Rob Jovanovic, and It Crawled From the South: An REM Companion by Marcus Gray.  I have only read the latter, but I do know that Peter Buck wrote a forward for the Abbott book.  I'm not sure if both were authorized/commissioned by the band, but both are well-documented as they were approved as academic sources for an essay.  I know there are a few others out there but I don't know the titles or the authors.

[mrocks7]

thanks melanie!

[musicbrain_5]

mrocks7 said:

thanks melanie!

No problem.  It's hard to find accurately documented music books unless it's a textbook or in a journal.  I'm a music major and had to figure that out myself :rolleyes:, so now I try to help others find generic music material. :)

If you want to find out if a book was authorized, it might have a disclaimer or something near the very front or back. :)  You can find them on amazon, but I don't know if that will tell you very much.

[Martine]

There are a small dozen books written about the band, most of them "sort of" approved.
I have them all. After the first few you start thinking "I already know all this".
If you want a full list email me and I'll write them up for you!

[halfaworldaway]

It Crawled From the South was my favourite of all R.E.M. books.

[musicbrain_5]

halfaworldaway said:

It Crawled From the South was my favourite of all R.E.M. books.

I highly recommend It Crawled From the South.  It's written in an objective manner, from an outsider's point of view, and it tells all pretty much.

[mrocks7]

Thanks to all responders. Melanie - I ordered the NEW ADVENTURES titled book and also one with REVEAL in the title from Amazon used. Both, together, with shipping for about ten bucks. Once I get through with them I may venture into IT CRAWLED FROM...

Thanks for all your help.

[musicbrain_5]

mrocks7 said:

Thanks to all responders. Melanie - I ordered the NEW ADVENTURES titled book and also one with REVEAL in the title from Amazon used. Both, together, with shipping for about ten bucks. Once I get through with them I may venture into IT CRAWLED FROM...

Thanks for all your help.

Excellent!  Is that other book Reveal: The Story of REM?  I've also read that one though it slipped my mind earlier!  It's good and has some great pictures :D

[blueshades87]

If you're interested in some of the atmosphere of early Athens that included the B-52s and Pylon along with REM, I'd highly recommend "Party Out of Bounds." A TON of funny stuff in there about the band's earliest days.

[mandolinbryn]

I'd suggest you check out "Reveal."  It's written by a true fan and has nice contributions from the band members and those who have worked closely with them over the years

[Sweden]

I'd also recommend "Adventures in Hi-Fi" by Tim Abbott and Rob Jovanovic for detailed info on recordings, tours etc, and "Fiction" by David Buckley for a more traditional bio. Both are great, and along with ICFTS, it's the trio of books you'd need.

/David

[halfaworldaway]

Sweden said:

I'd also recommend "Adventures in Hi-Fi" by Tim Abbott and Rob Jovanovic for detailed info on recordings, tours etc, and "Fiction" by David Buckley for a more traditional bio. Both are great, and along with ICFTS, it's the trio of books you'd need.

/David

Wasn't there a mention of a update for Hi-fi? some of the setlist data is outdated when compared to Darryls Timeline.

[Sweden]

halfaworldaway said:

Wasn't there a mention of a update for Hi-fi? some of the setlist data is outdated when compared to Darryls Timeline.

Never heard anything about that, but it would be great of course. Could send an email to Tim and check, I guess.

[beatadrum]

Talk About The Passion by Denise Sullivan (first hand accounts of band events and time periods from those who knew them) is my favourite REM book in some ways, pretty much because it provides a 360º view of the band, not always complimentary. The story of one of the REM office staff leaving comp tickets for a journalist friend + AN Other before one of the Green shows still amuses me :D

[wrong child- jr.]

I have two REM books, and want to read more. If anyone has any REM books they want to trade, let me know. Thanks! I have:



An REM reader. Has articles from magazines and newspapers between 1981 and Bill Berry leaving the band.

Murmur - Rolling Stone Classic Album series. Talks about the recording and song writing for Murmur. Also goes in-depth on every song from the early years.


These are crappy desciptions!! I will update when I get home and can physically look at the titles/authors.

Thanks.

[Coppi]

blueshades87 said:

If you're interested in some of the atmosphere of early Athens that included the B-52s and Pylon along with REM, I'd highly recommend "Party Out of Bounds." A TON of funny stuff in there about the band's earliest days.

What he said!
It'sa a brilliant book.

[clicli]

Like David said, "Adventures in Hi-Fi" is an excellent book for it provides quite a bit of interesting data. Personally, my first R.E.M. book was "REMarks - The Story of R.E.M." Excerpts from this book was used in the sleeve notes to the IRS Best of R.E.M. CD/Cassette/Vinyl.