After R.E.M.‘s departure from indie-adored IRS Records for the larger filed of Warner Brothers Records, the fear was that the band would be manipulated into producing more radio friendly hits. And while R.E.M. managed to do that, it was not at the cost of their fine lyrical and musical frontier. By the arrival of Monster, R.E.M. had further established themselves as a powerhouse of a band with multi-Platinum successes like Green (1988), Out of Time (1991), and the legendary Automatic for The People (1992).
Monster, released in 1994, delivered the hit single “What’s The Frequency, Kenneth?”, as well as other more minor hits. Monster would also become the album that started an alienation from the more casual fans. All R.E.M. albums after Monster (there would be six more) were much less popular (although I never understood why).
On November 1, Craft Recordings will celebrate the album’s 25th Anniversary with a definitive 5CD/1BD Box that provides not only a newly remastered version of Monster but also a new Scott Litt-remixed version that sonically brings Stipe’s vocals to the front. The box will also include a collection of 15 previously unreleased demos, and the full 25-song performance from their June 3, 1995 show at the Rosemont Horizon in Chicago that was opened by Luscious Jackson, spread over 2CDs. (My daughter would treat me to the October 30 show at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, CA. I LOVE her! Thank-you, Shari!!) The Litt-remixed album will be on a CD of its own. The Blu-ray will supply a high resolution Stereo version mix as well as a 5.1 Surround mix. The Road Movie film is included as are six music videos (“What’s The Frequency, Kenneth?”, “Crush With Eyeliner”, “Star 69”, “Strange Currencies”, “Tongue”, “Bang and Blame”). A stuffed book of notes, photos, interviews, and more is included. The cover is also “remixed”. Listen to the new Scott Litt remix of “What’s The Frequency, Kenneth?” below.
A 2LP vinyl edition will be offered with Monster remastered and remixed, each on separate LPs. A single LP, and a 2CD set will be offered as well.
Monster (25th Anniversary) – R.E.M.
CD1 (Original Album Remastered)
01 What’s The Frequency, Kenneth?
02 Crush With Eyeliner
03 King of Comedy
04 I Don’t Sleep, I Dream
05 Star 69
06 Strange Currencies
07 Tongue
08 Bang and Blame
09 I Took Your Name
10 Let Me In
11 Circus Envy
12 You
CD2 (Demos – Previously Unreleased)
01 Pete’s Hit
02 Uptempo Mo Distortion
03 Uptempo Ricky
04 Harlan County with Whistling
05 Lost Song
06 AM Boo
07 Mike’s Gtr
08 Sputnik 1 Remix
09 Black Sky 4-14
10 Revolution 4-21
11 Rocker (with vocal)
12 Time Is On Mike’s Side
13 1Experiment 4-28 (no vocal)
14 Highland Fling 4-29
15 Cranky 4-29
CD3 (Original Album Remixed – 2019 – Scott Litt)
01 What’s The Frequency, Kenneth?
02 Crush With Eyeliner
03 King Of Comedy
04 I Don’t Sleep, I Dream
05 Star 69
06 Strange Currencies
07 Tongue
08 Bang And Blame
09 I Took Your Name
10 Let Me In
11 Circus Envy
12 You
CD4 [Live in Chicago – June 3, 1995 – Rosemont Horizon (Part 1)]
01 What’s The Frequency, Kenneth?
02 Circus Envy
03 Crush With Eyeliner
04 Near Wild Heaven
05 Welcome To The Occupation
06 Undertow
07 I Took Your Name
08 Strange Currencies
09 Me In Honey
10 Revolution
11 Tongue
12 Man On The Moon
13 Country Feedback
14 Monty Got A Raw Deal
CD5 [Live in Chicago – June 3, 1995 – Rosemont Horizon (Part 2)]
01 Losing My Religion
02 You
03 Departure
04 Orange Crush
05 Get Up
06 Star 69
Encore
07 Let Me In
08 Everybody Hurts
09 So. Central Rain (I’m Sorry)
10 Pop Song 89
11 Its The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
BD (High Resolution Stereo, 5.1 Surround, Concert Film, Music Videos)
Mixes
01 5.1 Surround Mix of Monster
02 High Resolution Stereo Mix of Monster
Film
03 Road Movie
Music Videos
04 What’s The Frequency, Kenneth?
05 Crush With Eyeliner
06 Star 69
07 Strange Currencies
08 Tongue
09 Bang and Blame