R.E.M. - The Black Sessions Revealed

In the spring of 2001, R.E.M. were promoting Reveal, the lush, sun-drenched record that followed their first years as a trio. On May 7 of that year they played Paris for a performance recorded for Radio France, and The Black Sessions Revealed finally brings that night to vinyl to celebrate the album's 25th anniversary.

The set leans into Reveal highlights like "Imitation of Life," "I've Been High," "All the Way to Reno" and "I'll Take the Rain," and the band sounds relaxed and generous, letting the new songs sit comfortably next to the hits. Michael Stipe is in strong voice throughout, and the arrangements give Peter Buck and Mike Mills plenty of room.

The back half becomes a career celebration, with "Daysleeper," "Electrolite," "The One I Love," "So. Central Rain," "Losing My Religion" and "Man on the Moon" before a closing "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)." It is an intimate document of a band at ease with its legacy.

This limited edition collects all seventeen songs across two LPs in a gatefold jacket.