It has been 10 years since a new R.E.M. album graced us. But perhaps they pulled out in the proper frame of mind. The band has 15 studio classics in their catalog. One of them is New Adventures In Hi-Fi. Released in 1996, the album sold into platinum territory and was well-received throughout the world. The album issued four singles that were largely FM favorites rather than Top 40 hits.
On October 29, Craft Recordings will celebrate the 25th Anniversary of New Adventures In Hi-Fi with new remastering and a collection of 13 rarities and B-side tracks. To make the set more inclusive, a Blu-ray is included in the best edition available with 5.1 Surround and Stereo hi-resolution mixes as well as 5 music videos and a 30-minute EPK. A 60-minute video is included. a 54-page hardbound book is packed in. 4 postcards and a 24″ x 24″ poster is in the box, too!
The 25th Anniversary of New Adventures In Hi-Fi will be issued on 2CD, 2CD/BD Deluxe Edition, and a 2LP vinyl package. A Limited Edition (1000 copies) Clear and Black Marble Vinyl 2LP set was available on the band’s website (here), but has sold out. An offering of bundles can be found at the R.E.M. website store as well.
New Adventures In Hi-Fi (25th Anniversary) – R.E.M.
CD1 (Remastered Original Album)
01 How the West Was Won and Where It Got Us
02 The Wake-Up Bomb
03 New Test Leper
04 Undertow
05 E-Bow the Letter
06 Leave
07 Departure
08 Bittersweet Me
09 Be Mine
10 Binky the Doormat
11 Zither
12 So Fast, So Numb
13 Low Desert
14 Electrolite
CD2 (B-Sides and Rarities)
01 Tricycle
02 Departure
03 Wall of Death
04 Undertow (live)
05 Wichita Lineman
06 New Test Leper (live acoustic)
07 The Wake-Up Bomb (live)
08 Binky the Doormat (live)
09 King of Comedy (808 State Remix)
10 Be Mine (Mike on Bus version)
11 Love Is All Around
12 Sponge
13 Leave (Alternate Version)
Blu-ray BD
01. R.E.M. Outdoor Projections – Saturday Sept 7, 1996 – 5 cities (64:56)
02. New Adventures In Hi-Fi EPK – previously unreleased 30 min version (29:13)
03. New Adventures In Hi-Fi 5.1 Surround Audio
04. New Adventures In Hi-Fi – Hi-Resolution Stereo Audio
Music Videos
05. E-Bow The Letter
06. Bittersweet Me
07. Electrolite
08. How The West Was Won And Where It Got Us
09. New Test Leper