Lifes Rich Pageant is the fourth studio album by the American alternative rock band R.E.M., released in 1986. R.E.M. chose Don Gehman to produce the album, which was recorded at John Mellencamp's Belmont Mall Studios in Belmont, Indiana. Read more on Last.fm.
R.E.M. was an American rock band from Athens, Georgia, formed in 1980 by drummer Bill Berry, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist/backing vocalist Mike Mills, and lead vocalist Michael Stipe. One of the first alternative rock bands, R.E.M. was noted for Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style, Stipe's distinctive vocal quality and obscure lyrics, Mills's melodic basslines and backing vocals, and Berry's tight, economical style of drumming.
R.E.M. released its first single—"Radio Free Europe"—in 1981 on the independent record label Hib-Tone. Read more on Last.fm
I’ve heard people refer to R.E.M as a one track wonder band (basing this on the karaoke favourite Everybody Hurts). Not only is the remarkably inaccurate, but it’s bloody offensive. I’m not a huge fan of post ’95 R.E.M, but some of the IRS years stuff is as good as you are ever likely to hear. In my opinion, Life’s Rich Pagegant is the best thing they’ve ever done by some distance. The 25th anniversary edition has made me rediscover my love for it, and it is extremely truly wonderful.