R.E.M. – Around The Sun

So I finally have this gorgeous recording on vinyl and even better the white pressing which I just love the look of.
Such an underrated LP.
I am a happy man.

File this one under the listen to it yourself before making a judgment. Most R.E.M. rankings put ATS dead last among their 15 studio efforts. After hearing it for the first time I don't feel that way at all. It's not in the top half of their catalog but it's certainly better than some of their other post Monster albums. Definitely better than UP that curiously alot of folks like which to me doesn't even sound like an R.E.M. album. Around the Sun has an easy unplugged vibe throughout which is recorded rather well. These songs could have easily played on the Live at the Olympia lp which I love. My vinyl was clean sounding and flat and no side 4 issues which others have stated. Probably just stick with the black over the white vinyl.

I was always a big fan of R.E.M., from the first time I heard the Chronic Town EP, I fell in love with them, and saw them 8 times throughout their career. But when I heard Around the Sun, I was so disappointed, to me, the album was a tedious listen, it just seemed to drag on too long. After 12 near perfect studio albums, this one let me down. Then in 2007, they released R.E.M. Live, it included several of the songs from ATS, and I was surprised at how great the live versions of these songs sounded. So, I went back and listened to the CD again and began to appreciate the studio versions more. For me, the best way to listen to this album is on a vinyl pressing with the LP divided into 4 sides, then I can take it in small doses. I know a lot of people really like this album, and that's great that they can enjoy it as a whole, but for others who feel the way I do, I think the vinyl is the way to go.

OMG! this is horrible 2004’s Around the sun took it on the chin: Fans didn’t buy it, radio didn’t play it and critics didn’t like it the band were smart enough to recognize that the album had been too slow-paced and meandering and they they set out to correct their course but why?

I have some non-fill in the right channel on the last song or two of side 3, but other than that my copy is good. At some points between tracks the background actually approaches dead silent. Just a few pops/clicks total across all 4 sides. This isn't perfect, but I don't see a reason to avoid it.

To me it sounds good but not amazing, with a big crackle at the beginning of side 4 and some rare crackles also on the same side. Worth buying though. Musically, it's very different from "Green" which was pop or "Monster" which was more "rock". I would say it's more peaceful and the melodies are really fine. It's a matter of personal taste.

Bought a CD from Mediamops (used CD-Seller in ) - On CD front side there are only the titles on top and the name of the CD down, but no Warner Bros logo or something else at the right side. Only information on the Back of the CD is the Matrix ZZ04GP00015, no IFPI or other things. Someone could help to classifie this CD?

Unfortunately mine has a bit of noise, mostly on Side C. Bit of a bummer. Dynamics are really nice when it's quiet though. Songs like 'The Ascent of Man' really sing.

Music-wise, this album gets a really bad rap as their worst, but removed from the disappointment at release and the long wait afterwards, it has a lot of great songs and flows nicely. Leaving New York and Electron Blue are stone cold classics, and others like Outsiders, Wanderlust and Boy in the Well are great.

I took a chance on this US pressing vs the EU one knowing GZ Media were involved in the EU and it worked out well. In fact a major ebay player sold this for less with free US to UK shipping than buying from UK Amazon direct. I got lucky... my pressing is good. A little dish warp of disc 2 but no groove defects. Ok, they look typically American made what with the visible inconsistencies and scruffyness of the compound but the GZ Media can look perfect yet play like a dying fireplace so i personally preffy scruffy lookin and quiet which my copy is. I have no sound reference bar an old digipack CD. Say what you like about the music which weirdly mostly just gets critiqued for not beingthe 2nd coming of Automatic For The People but this was always well recorded and produced and so it shines through with this pressing.

Im happy!

Can’t fault it. Sounds amazing. Thrilled as could never stretch to the silly prices being demanded for the original.