R.E.M. - In View - The Best Of R.E.M. 1988-2003 Reviews

It's Been A Good Day (Well, 15 years actually)

This DVD, as Tony Blair might put it, is a ‘tidying-up exercise’, inasmuch as it features all the videos they’ve produced since they released “Parallel”, their last promo compilation.

It also features a few videos that have appeared on previous releases, since it’s officially The Best Of everything they’ve ever done since 1988, when they first signed to Warner Bros. after leaving the independent label I.R.S.

So we go as far back as “Stand”, right up to “Bad Day”, stopping off at various points in between. And what a ride it’s been.

Despite originally rejecting the short video format, then toying with it, then subverting it and finally embracing it, R.E.M. have always produced such interesting and striking visuals. Spurred on by Michael Stipe and his art-school background, the band managed to notch up a fair amount of airtime on MTV without resorting to that channel’s usual video clichés.

With this release, the whole range of REM’s visual output is available for easy dissection. From the sombre tone of “Everybody Hurts” (the band on their way to a funeral get stuck in traffic) to the wackiness of “Bad Day” (the guys play at being anchormen on a non-existent TV news show) there’s something for REM fans from all across the spectrum.

Who knows? They may even pick up a few new converts along the way…

man on the mooooooooo!

Awesome DVD to compliment a stunning and innovative band. Every video, like every track, is as diverse as the next, from the powerful 'What's the Frequency Kenneth?' to the soul-searching 'Everbody Hurts' to the originality of 'Bad Day'. Of course, this DVD could have consisted of just 'At Your Most Beautiful', possibly the greatest love song ever written, and I still would have hired it. Hire this, and you'll buy it.. ...you'll buy it twice (you *will* wear one copy out in no time!). Enjoy a masterpiece from possibly the greatest band on the planet. REM: Never dated, continually re-invented.

It does what it says on the 'tin'

Various promo vids from 88 to 2003, with a few live tracks thrown in at the end. Most of REMs videos are more interesting than most because they're not all the same as everyone else's on the MTV bandwagon. This DVD should have been a lot longer in length though so it could include all the videos or this period. You get mini-interviews between songs, but they don't add much really - I preferred the double cd instead. Worth one viewing at least, but I wouldn't buy it.

If you've ever followed the music of REM, then you'll love this - shame some of their earlier material (pre '88) wasn't included, especially the excellent 'One I love'. It's worth checking out the bonus videos - lotus is freaky!

A great best of from a great band. The live and rare videos are a top notch bonus feature and the interiews between tracks give it a personal touch.

A must for fans - 15 greatest hits videos, 6 "rare" videos, and 3 live numbers. Plus a few other odds and sods. If you like REM you'll love this.

Quite simple, like REM, then rent this. Some excellent videos and the interviews about each song give a fascinating insight into how the songs came to be.

Good Mixture - Excellent live footage

A good mixture of stock video clips to accompany R.E.M's fantastic songs. You must watch the concert clips that are within special features. Great live renditions of classic REM tracks - it's electrifying and sounds great on surround sound.

Brillaint videos

I had forgotten just how good these videos were, brilliant! Can watch these over and over but this time all presented in fantastic DTS surround sound, crank it up and enjoy!

Music at its best

All the best videos from one of the most original and influential bands of the past 20 years. If you like REM you'll love this.