The top half is R.E.M. at the top of their game, and the bottom half is, appropriately, some bullshit.

After the misery of recording Fables of the Reconstruction, R.E.M. wanted a win. So they headed to Indiana to record with John Cougar Mellencamp's producer, with the express goal of making a big dumb rocker. The result is one half of a very good album. Political, clear, resonant. And one half of a shambling mess.

Links:

• R.E.M. - Fall On Me - YouTube

• REM - Swan Swan H - YouTube

• Tired of Singing Trouble - R.E.M. - YouTube

• R.E.M. - Rotary Ten - YouTube

• Toys in the Attic (REM) - YouTube

• Just A Touch (Athens Demo) - YouTube

• R.E.M. - Dream (All I Have To Do) - YouTube

• R.E.M. - Femme Fatale - YouTube

• R.E.M - White tornado - YouTube

• R.E.M - Theme from Two Steps Onward [Demo] - YouTube

• Mystery To Me (2006 Digital Remaster) - YouTube

• R.E.M. Wait. - YouTube

• Get On Their Way (What If We Give It Away?) (Athens Demo) - YouTube

• These Days (Athens Demo) - YouTube

• I Believe (Athens Demo) - YouTube

• R.E.M. (PSA) Bad Day, I Believe, (demos) 1986 - YouTube

• REM - Begin The Begin live 10/21/86 Dekalb IL - YouTube

• R.E.M. - 10/02/85 Germany 10. Have You Ever Seen The Rain? - YouTube

• R.E.M. Average Setlists of year: 1986 | setlist.fm