New Adventures in Hi-Fi

New Adventures in Hi-Fi is a 1996 album by R.E.M.. It is notable for being the last album with original drummer Bill Berry, who would amicably leave the band the following year. This is also their last record with in-house producer Scott Litt. For their next album, the band parted ways with him as well and hired Pat McCarthy.

Related Topics:
1996 - R.E.M. - Bill Berry - Scott Litt - Pat McCarthy

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New Adventures in Hi-Fi was recorded during and after touring engagements for the preceeding Monster album in 1995 and up until a few months before its release. The critical reaction of the album was very strong, despite the fact that there were hardly any obvious hit singles to be heard, leaving listeners with the impression that the album was meant to be experienced as one long piece. It has grown considerably in critical praise years after it release and R.E.M. themselves have gone on record as naming New Adventures in Hi-Fi as their finest album, a view echoed by many in their fan base.

Related Topics:
Monster - 1995

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"E-Bow the Letter", featuring an appearence by Patti Smith ? a major hero of Michael Stipe's ? became the band's biggest UK hit yet (reaching #4), yet surprised many by not scaling the US charts (stopping at #49), where they often had their biggest hits with their lead singles. "Bittersweet Me" and "Electrolite" were the follow-ups.

Related Topics:
Patti Smith - Michael Stipe

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Although it reached #2 in the US and #1 in the UK, New Adventures in Hi-Fi marked the beginning of R.E.M.'s gradual commercial decline, especially in the US, where the alternative/grunge movement, popularized by the likes of Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and R.E.M. themselves, had begun to lose appeal with their aging fans. The unconventional choice of lead single in "E-Bow the Letter" has also been cited as the reason radio began to give R.E.M.'s contemporary releases limited airplay time, adding to the curbing of their US sales.

Related Topics:
Nirvana - Pearl Jam

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Nonetheless a decade after its release, New Adventures in Hi-Fi is a highly praised and respected R.E.M. record, and in 1998 Q magazine readers voted it the 59th greatest album of all time.

Related Topics:
1998 - Q magazine

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In 2005, Warner Bros. Records issued an expanded two-disc edition of New Adventures in Hi-Fi which includes a CD and a DVD, as well as the original CD booklet with expanded liner notes.

Related Topics:
2005 - Warner Bros. Records

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