This is the first and possibly last R.E.M. greatest-hits compilation that combines both songs from the I.R.S. and Warner years. This is the perfect entry album for anyone who's looking to get into the band's music; every one of their albums are fairly represented here (maybe except Monster). But it'll leave new listeners wanting more, cause for every song here, there at least two equally good or better ones not included --Harborcoat, Pretty Persuasion, Letter Never Sent, Maps And Legends, These Days, Cuyahoga, I Believe, Welcome To The Occupation, World Leader Pretend, Hairshirt, Near Wild Heaven, Texarkana, Drive, Try Not To Breathe, Find The River, Star 69, Strange Currencies, Tongue, E-Bow The Letter, Bittersweet Me, Daysleeper, All The Way To Reno, I'll Take The Rain, Until The Day Is Done, Discoverer, It Happened Today, and the list goes on and on...
That's the incredible legacy R.E.M. left us with. As for the three new songs: A Month Of Saturdays is one of the 'weirdest' things they've done, very short with a post-punk, new wave vibe happening. Hallelujah is slow-burn mediocrity. The best is We All Go Back To Where Belong, a sad but fitting tune to sum up the band's three-decade career. The title says it all, and strings and horns accompany Michael Stipe as he sings "Is this really what you want?". We all know the answer to that. Thanks for the memories, guys.
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