R.E.M. Issue Huge Glut Of Rarities

Spanning their entire career...

Now, sadly, defunct, the varied members of R.E.M. seem to have hit a nostalgic streak.

Recently issuing their two 'MTV Unplugged' sessions as a twin pack, the band have now made a huge number of rarities available on iTunes.

It's a genuine feast for fans. The first volume is taken from their IRS years, and stretches from 'Murmur' to the final days of 'Document'.

Largely a re-issue of 'Dead Letter Office' there are still a number of alternate takes in here which may well be unfamiliar.

The second instalment covers the band's years on Warner, and features such offcuts as their barnstorming version of Leonard Cohen's 'First We Take Manhattan' – initially recorded for a tribute album.

There's also a fair few fan club releases, B-sides and the odd Glastonbury live recording to whet your whistle.

Here's R.E.M.'s first ever television performance – blazing through 'Radio Free Europe' on Letterman.

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