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R.E.M. - Monster anniversary reissue (BD)

[color=blue] Dit is, van de six-disc 25th anniversary release, de Blu-ray [/color]

Craft Recordings will reissue R.E.M.‘s 1994 album Monster as a six-disc 25th anniversary issue in November. The 5CD+blu-ray set will include a brand new Scott Litt stereo mix, unreleased demos and a 5.1 surround sound mix.

Although the album was not particularly well received critically, it still delivered twice the number of UK top ten hits than its much loved predecessor Automatic For The People (‘What’s The Frequency Kenneth?’ and ‘Strange Currencies’ both got to number nine, whereas number seven hit ‘Everybody Hurts’ was the only one of six singles to penetrate the top ten). In fact of Monster’s five UK singles, only ‘Crush With Eyeliner’ failed to reach the top 20.


Six disc super deluxe of Monster comes in a CD-sized hardcover book
The 25th anniversary edition features the remastered original mix on CD 1, followed by a disc of 15 previously unreleased demos, with names like ‘Rocker With Vocal’ or ‘Mike’s Gtr’. The third CD is Scott Litt’s new 2019 stereo remix and this is followed by two further CDs that offer an unreleased live set from the 1995 Monster Tour. In terms of the new stereo mix, the idea was to pull the guitars back and push the vocals forward to create a more open sound and showcase the lyrics. You can get a taster by listening to ‘What’s The Frequency Kenneth?’, below.

The blu-ray is the sixth and final disc and it includes hi-res stereo (presumably the remastered original mix) and a 5.1 surround mix of Monster. No Dolby Atmos this time around, then. This disc also features the blu-ray debut of the 1996 Road Movie concert film as well as six music videos.



Packaging-wise, for the super deluxe, Craft Recordings are delivering a third different presentational approach in as many R.E.M. album reissues, which suggests a make-it-up-as-you-go-along approach (you could say ‘pragmatic’, if you were feeling generous). 2016’s Out Of Time super deluxe was a DVD-sized hardcover book, while Automatic For The People was a large format 12-inch box with a big book, which discs housed underneath. As can be seen from the image above, the label are cramming six discs into a CD-sized hardcover book for Monster. Doesn’t feel very ‘top of the range’. The three super deluxe reissues for consecutive albums are going to look rather higgledy-piggledy if you place them side-by-side on your shelf.

In terms of the actual audio (and video), the content is reasonably similar to previous super deluxe reissues. There’s nothing from any of the singles though, which admittedly mainly featured live cuts. Even so, there is no radio mix of ‘What’s The Frequency Kenneth?’, no ‘K Version’ of ‘Bang and Blame’, and no ‘Tongue’ or ‘Crush With Eyeliner’ instrumentals.


2CD edition of Monster is consistent with both Out of Time and Automatic For The People
The Monster reissue also boasts ‘reimagined’ artwork by the original cover artist Chris Bilheimer and features new sleeve notes by Mathew Perpetua, which include new interviews that explain a lot of process and include fresh takes on the lyrics from Michael.

There will also be a two-CD edition and a 2LP vinyl version of Monster both of which feature the album remaster on the first disc and the 2019 remix on the second. I’m not sure repeating the album in this way, on these formats, is what most fans would want. A selection of live tracks and/or some demos would surely be preferable. The two-CD of Monster comes in a small lift-off lid box with booklet and poster (as per Out Of Time and Automatic For The People).

Finally, a single vinyl LP of Monster will also be available. This features the remastered version of the original mix and comes in the original artwork.


Disc: 6 (Blu-ray) Monster in 5.1 plus videos and Road Movie
1. Monster – 5.1 Surround Sound
2. Monster – Hi-Resolution Audio
3. Road Movie (concert film)
4. What’s The Frequency, Kenneth? (music video)
5. Crush With Eyeliner (music video)
6. Star 69 (music video)
7. Strange Currencies (music video)
8. Tongue (music video)
9. Bang and Blame (music video)

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