R.E.M. ‎– Lifes Rich Pageant

This pressing sounds exquisite. Head and shoulders better than the original pressing.

Slight variant on my pressing:

Matrix / Runout (Side A runout etched): IRS-5705-MD3 ɑ Δ13329 MASTERDISK 1-1
Matrix / Runout (Side B runout etched): IRS-5706-MD-1 MASTERDISK 1-1 ɑ Δ13329-X

Twelve beautiful songs and a great album. REM’s fourth and fundamental: the one that allowed Michael Stipe & Co. to get out of a "niche" dimension and establish themselves in the international limelight, soon to become the pop-rock superstar that we have known since then and during at least fifteen years. Indeed so many beautiful songs that it becomes difficult to pick up a favorite one. I could list the initial «Begin The Begin» for my visceral emotion on first listening; or perhaps the gritty following one «These Days» for its punk-rock catching; or the folk-rock hymn of «Fall On Me»; and why not the poignant tune of «Cuyahoga»? Every time for a different reason, I would name a different song at the top of my list. Isn’t it maybe that the long-lasting charm of this record rests in its variety of musical inspiration, which allows even a kind of crazy rumba like «Underneath The Bunker» to fit well into the picture, just like a recycled minor hit like The Clique’s «Superman» from the lysergic seventies. I like this record no matter if I can hardly catch a bit of the meaning of the lyrics despite all my English-speaking efforts: so why that strange title which could well have meant "the rich spectacle of life" but when it is written as "lifes" without the apostrophe, what does it mean? Well, it doesn't really matter after all. Indeed if a record takes you so much even when you only understand a few fragmented sentences ... then it's really a great record. Also, I should not forget to mention the contribution of producer Don Gehman and remember with a smile the bushy eyebrows on the cover picture of Bill Berry, the drummer who will leave a few years later. Last but not least there is a curious kind of “life in parallel” between REM and U2, who also reached world stardom in those years - on the opposite side of the ocean - and after their fourth album (The Unforgettable Fire) while the respective frontmen and leaders – Michael Stipe and Bono – have both celebrated just now their 60th anniversary. Tempus fugit, obviously, but good records remain.

My jacket has "for promotion only ownership is reserved sala is unlawful" stamped over the barcode in silver lettering. Runouts are identical, as is the label.

Amazing copy of LRP. Loving it! A must for early REM fans.

This is one of my favorite releases ever. Great album and quite frankly one the best of what MoFi has to offer. LRP has never sounded better imo!

This is the proper Ludwig press. All others are imposters