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{{Infobox Album <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
{{Infobox Album
| Name = New Adventures in Hi-Fi
| Name = New Adventures in Hi-Fi
| Type = studio
| Type = Studio
| Artist = [[R.E.M.]]
| Artist = [[R.E.M.]]
| Cover = REMNewAdventuresInHiFi.jpg
| Cover = REMNewAdventuresInHiFi.jpg
Line 8: Line 8:
| Genre = [[Alternative rock]]
| Genre = [[Alternative rock]]
| Length = 65:33
| Length = 65:33
| Label = [[Warner Bros. records|Warner Bros.]]
| Label = [[Warner Bros. Records|Warner Bros.]]
| Producer = [[Scott Litt]] & R.E.M.
| Producer = [[Scott Litt]] & R.E.M.
| Reviews =
| Reviews =
*[[Allmusic]] {{rating|3.5|5}} [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=fxfpxq9hldke link]
*[[Allmusic]] {{rating|3.5|5}} [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fxfpxq9hldke link]
*[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]] {{rating|3|5}} [http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=4940 link]
*[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]] {{rating|3|5}} [http://www.blender.com/guide/reviews.aspx?id=4940 link]
*[[Robert Christgau]] (A-) [http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?id=1140&name=R.E.M. link]
*[[Robert Christgau]] (A-) [http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?id=1140&name=R.E.M. link]
*[[Pitchfork Media]] (9.5/10) [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/21316/R_E_M_New_Adventures_in_HiFi link]
*[[Pitchfork Media]] {{rating|9.5|10}} [http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/21316/R_E_M_New_Adventures_in_HiFi link]
*''[[Q Magazine]]'' {{rating|5|5}}
*''[[Q Magazine]]'' {{rating|5|5}}
*''[[Rolling Stone]]'' {{rating|4.5|5}} [http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/92047/review/5943994/newadventuresinhifi link]
*''[[Rolling Stone]]'' {{rating|4.5|5}} [http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/92047/review/5943994/newadventuresinhifi link]
Line 28: Line 28:
| Single 1 date = {{start date|1996|8|27}}
| Single 1 date = {{start date|1996|8|27}}
| Single 2 = [[Bittersweet Me]]
| Single 2 = [[Bittersweet Me]]
| Single 2 date = {{start date|1996|11|5}}
| Single 2 date = {{start date|1996|11|5}}
| Single 3 = [[Electrolite]]
| Single 3 = [[Electrolite]]
| Single 3 date = {{start date|1997|2|4}}
| Single 3 date = {{start date|1997|2|4}}
| Single 4 = [[How the West Was Won and Where It Got Us]]
| Single 4 = [[How the West Was Won and Where It Got Us]]
| Single 4 date = {{start date|1997|4}}
| Single 4 date = {{start date|1997|4}}
| Single 5 = The Wake-Up Bomb (promo only)
| Single 5 date = {{start date|1997}}
| Single 6 = [[New Test Leper]] (promo only)
| Single 6 date = {{start date|1997}}
}}
}}
}}
}}
'''''New Adventures in Hi-Fi''''' is the tenth full-length studio album by the [[United States|American]] band [[R.E.M.]] It was their fifth major label release for [[Warner Bros. Records]], released 1996-[[09]]-[[09]]. ''New Adventures in Hi-Fi'' was the last album recorded with founding member, drummer [[Bill Berry]] - who left the band amicably the following year - original manager [[Jefferson Holt]] and long-time producer [[Scott Litt]].


==Recording==
'''''New Adventures in Hi-Fi''''' is the tenth full-length studio album by the [[United States|American]] band [[R.E.M.]] It was their fifth major label release for [[Warner Bros.]], released in 1996. ''New Adventures in Hi-Fi'' was the last album recorded with founding member, drummer [[Bill Berry]], who left the band amicably the following year. It was also their last record with long-time producer [[Scott Litt]].
The album was recorded during and after the tour in support of ''Monster'' in 1995. The material on the album mixed the acoustic, [[country rock]], feel of much of ''[[Out of Time (album)|Out of Time]]'' and ''[[Automatic for the People]]'' with the rock sound of ''Monster'' and ''[[Lifes Rich Pageant]]''. Guitarist Peter Buck said that the band tried so hard to be a rock band again with ''Monster'', but it just didn't quite work out.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} They stopped trying, and they ended up putting together their most rock and roll record to date. They have cited [[Neil Young]]'s 1973 album ''[[Time Fades Away]]'' as a source of inspiration.{{Fact|date=June 2008}}


The band noted that they borrowed the recording process for the album from [[Radiohead]], who recorded some of the basic tracks for ''[[The Bends]]'' while on tour and who were supporting the band in 1994 and 1995. R.E.M. brought along [[Eight track recording|eight-track recorders]] to capture their live performances, and used the recordings as the base elements for the album. As such, the band's touring musicians [[Nathan December]] and [[Scott McCaughey]] ended up appearing on throughout the album with [[Andy Carlson]] contributing violin to "Electrolite." After the tour was over, the band went into the [[Bad Animals Studio]] and recorded four additional tracks, "How the West Was Won and Where It Got Us," "E-Bow the Letter," "Be Mine," and "New Test Leper." [[Patti Smith]] came to the sessions and contributed vocals on "E-Bow the Letter."
==Details==
The album was recorded during and after the tour in support of ''Monster'' in 1995. The material on the album mixed the acoustic, country rock, feel of much of ''[[Out of Time (album)|Out of Time]]'' and ''[[Automatic for the People]]'' with the rock sound of ''Monster'' and ''[[Lifes Rich Pageant]]''. Guitarist Peter Buck said that the band tried so hard to be a rock band again with ''Monster'', but it just didn't quite work out. They stopped trying, and they ended up putting together their most rock and roll record to date. They have cited [[Neil Young]]'s 1973 album ''[[Time Fades Away]]'' as a source of inspiration.


Although it reached #2 in the [[United States|U.S.]]<ref name=allmusicalbumcharts>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fxfpxq9hldke |title=allmusic (((New Adventures in Hi-Fi > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums))) |accessdate=2005-08-07 }}</ref>, spending 22 weeks on the charts, and topped the [[UK Album Charts]] <ref name=UKT40>{{cite web |url=http://www.everyhit.com |title=UK Top 40 Hit Database |accessdate=2005-08-07 }}</ref> (20 weeks on chart) as well as #1 on the Australian Charts, ''New Adventures in Hi-Fi'' began the band's sales decline in the United States. The first single "E-Bow the Letter" was cited as an unusual choice for radio.{{Fact|date=June 2008}} It subsequently received only modest radio airplay in the U.S. and peaked at #49 on the U.S. charts.<ref name=allmusicsinglescharts>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fxfpxq9hldke |title=allmusic (((New Adventures in Hi-Fi > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles))) |accessdate=2005-08-07 }}</ref> In the UK, however, the single became the band's biggest hit at that point, reaching #4.<ref name=UKT40 /> As of March 2007, ''New Adventures in Hi-Fi'' has sold 994,000 units in the U.S.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2007-03-07-REM-rock-hall_N.htm |title=R.E.M.: A 25-year rockin' role. |last=Gunderson |first=Edna |accessdate=2007-03-10 |work=USA Today |date=2007-03-07 }}</ref>
The band noted that they borrowed the recording process for the album from [[Radiohead]], who recorded some of the basic tracks for ''[[The Bends]]'' while on tour and who were supporting the band in 1994 and 1995. The band brought along eight-track recorders to capture their shows, and used the recordings as the base elements for the album. As such, the band's touring musicians [[Nathan December]] and [[Scott McCaughey]] ended up appearing on the album with [[Andy Carlson]] only contributing violin to "Electrolite." After the tour was over, the band went into the [[Bad Animals Studio]] and recorded four additional tracks, "How the West Was Won and Where It Got Us," "E-Bow the Letter," "Be Mine," and "New Test Leper." [[Patti Smith]] came to the sessions and contributed vocals on "E-Bow the Letter." It is notable, that the last track to be recorded, "How the West Was Won..." served as the album's opener.


In 2005, Warner Brothers Records issued an expanded two-disc edition of ''New Adventures in Hi-Fi'' which includes a CD, a [[DVD-Audio]] disc containing a [[5.1]]-channel [[surround sound]] mix of the album done by [[Elliot Scheiner]], and the original CD booklet with expanded liner notes.
Although it reached #2 in the [[United States|U.S.]], <ref name=allmusicalbumcharts>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fxfpxq9hldke |title=allmusic (((New Adventures in Hi-Fi > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums))) |accessdate=2005-08-07 }}</ref> spending 22 weeks on the charts, and topped the [[UK Album Charts]] <ref name=UKT40>{{cite web |url=http://www.everyhit.com |title=UK Top 40 Hit Database |accessdate=2005-08-07 }}</ref> (20 weeks on chart) as well as #1 on the Australian Charts, ''New Adventures in Hi-Fi'' began the band's sales decline in the United States. The first single "E-Bow the Letter," which featured an appearance by Patti Smith, was cited as an unusual choice for radio. It subsequently received only modest radio airplay in the U.S. and peaked at #49 on the U.S. charts. <ref name=allmusicsinglescharts>{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fxfpxq9hldke |title=allmusic (((New Adventures in Hi-Fi > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles))) |accessdate=2005-08-07 }}</ref> In the UK, however, the single became the band's biggest hit at that point, reaching #4. <ref name=UKT40 /> As of March 2007, ''New Adventures in Hi-Fi'' has sold 994,000 units in the U.S. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2007-03-07-REM-rock-hall_N.htm |title=R.E.M.: A 25-year rockin' role. |last=Gunderson |first=Edna |accessdate=2007-03-10 |work=USA Today |date=2007-03-07 }}</ref>


==Critical reception==
In 2005, Warner Brothers Records issued an expanded two-disc edition of ''New Adventures in Hi-Fi'' which includes a CD, a [[DVD-Audio]] disc containing a [[5.1]]-channel [[surround sound]] mix of the album done by [[Elliot Scheiner]], and the original CD booklet with expanded liner notes. The CD (as with all of the 2005 DVD-A releases in this series) was not remastered.
[[Michael Stipe]] says that ''New Adventures in Hi-Fi'' is his favorite of their albums.{{Fact|date=April 2008}} According to Peter Buck, when Warner Bros. heard the album that was to take them to the top - ''Out Of Time'' - they were dumbfounded: "You think the one with the lead mandolin should be the first single?!" On hearing New Adventures…, he says, the same people proclaimed, "Hey, there's three Top 10 records on here!"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/on_second_thought/rem-new-adventures-in-hi-fi.htm |title=On Second Thought: R.E.M. - New Adventures in Hi-Fi |last=Cooper |first=Colin |accessdate=2007-09-17 |work=Stylus Magazine |date=2004-06-01 }}</ref>


Critical reaction to the album was mostly positive. Several publications lauded the album for its rich diversity, including ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'', and ''[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]'' and [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] from [[All Music]] says "in its multifaceted sprawl, they wound up with one of their best records of the '90s." At the same time, however some publications including ''[[Melody Maker]]'', criticized the album's empty and flat sound caused by recording in arenas and soundchecks.
==Critical acclaim==
[[Michael Stipe]] says that ''New Adventures in Hi-Fi'' is his favorite of their albums.{{Fact|date=April 2008}} According to Peter Buck, when Warner Bros. heard the album that was to take them to the top - ''Out Of Time'' - they were dumbfounded: "You think the one with the lead mandolin should be the first single?!" On hearing New Adventures…, he says, the same people proclaimed, "Hey, there’s three Top 10 records on here!" <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/on_second_thought/rem-new-adventures-in-hi-fi.htm |title=On Second Thought: R.E.M. - New Adventures in Hi-Fi |last=Cooper |first=Colin |accessdate=2007-09-17 |work=Stylus Magazine |date=2004-06-01 }}</ref>


==Track listing==
Despite the album's popularity, it began a phase of commercial decline of the band's popularity. The band would continue the same pattern in the ensuing years - lackluster sales in the U.S., but continuing success in the UK and Europe.{{Fact|date=February 2008}}
All songs written by [[Bill Berry]], [[Peter Buck]], [[Mike Mills]] and [[Michael Stipe]].<ref name=album>R.E.M. ''New Adventures in Hi-Fi'' (Warner Bros. Records, 1996).</ref>
#"[[How the West Was Won and Where It Got Us]]" – 4:31 <small>''[[Seattle]] [[recording studio|Studio]]''</small>
#"The Wake-Up Bomb" – 5:08 <small>''[[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]]''</small>
#"[[New Test Leper]]" – 5:26 <small>''Seattle Studio''</small>
#"Undertow" – 5:09 <small>''[[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]]''</small>
#"[[E-Bow the Letter]]" – 5:23 <small>''Seattle Studio''</small>
#"[[Leave (song)|Leave]]" – 7:18 <small>''[[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta]] [[Soundcheck]]''</small>
#"Departure" – 3:28 <small>''[[Detroit, Michigan|Detroit]]''</small>
#"[[Bittersweet Me]]" – 4:06 <small>''[[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]] Soundcheck''</small>
#"Be Mine" – 5:32 <small>''Seattle Studio''</small>
#"Binky the Doormat" – 5:01 <small>''[[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]]''</small>
#"Zither" – 2:33 <small>''[[Dressing room|Dressing Room]] [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]]''</small>
#"So Fast, So Numb" – 4:12 <small>''[[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]] Soundcheck''</small>
#"Low Desert" – 3:30 <small>''Atlanta Soundcheck''</small>
#"[[Electrolite]]" – 4:05 <small>''Phoenix Soundcheck''</small>


Like most R.E.M. albums, the vinyl release has custom side names. Side one (tracks 1-6) is called the "Hi side" and side two (tracks 7-14) the "Fi side."
Critical reaction to the album was mostly positive. Several publications lauded the album for its rich diversity, including ''[[Rolling Stone]]'', ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'', and ''[[Mojo (magazine)|Mojo]]'' and [[Stephen Thomas Erlewine]] from [[allmusic]] says that "[with ''New Adventures in Hi-Fi''] in its multifaceted sprawl, they wound up with one of their best records of the '90s." At the same time, however some publications including ''[[Melody Maker]]'', criticized the album's empty and flat sound caused by recording in arenas and soundchecks.


==Track listing==
==Singles and b-sides==
''New Adventures'' consisted of material written during the same sessions and tour as ''Monster''; consequently, there were few outtakes or left-over tracks for inclusion as b-sides.
All songs written by [[Bill Berry]], [[Peter Buck]], [[Mike Mills]] and [[Michael Stipe]]. <ref name=album>R.E.M. ''New Adventures in Hi-Fi'' (Warner Bros. Records, 1996).</ref>
# "[[How the West Was Won and Where It Got Us]]" – 4:31 <small>''[[Seattle]] [[recording studio|Studio]]''</small>
# "The Wake-Up Bomb" – 5:08 <small>''[[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]]''</small>
# "[[New Test Leper]]" – 5:26 <small>''Seattle Studio''</small>
# "Undertow" – 5:09 <small>''[[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]]''</small>
# "[[E-Bow the Letter]]" – 5:23 <small>''Seattle Studio''</small>
# "[[Leave (song)|Leave]]" – 7:18 <small>''[[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta]] [[Soundcheck]]''</small>
# "Departure" – 3:28 <small>''[[Detroit, Michigan|Detroit]]''</small>
# "[[Bittersweet Me]]" – 4:06 <small>''[[Memphis, Tennessee|Memphis]] Soundcheck''</small>
# "Be Mine" – 5:32 <small>''Seattle Studio''</small>
# "Binky the Doormat" – 5:01 <small>''[[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]]''</small>
# "Zither" – 2:33 <small>''[[Dressing room|Dressing Room]] [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]]''</small>
# "So Fast, So Numb" – 4:12 <small>''[[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]] Soundcheck''</small>
# "Low Desert" – 3:30 <small>''Atlanta Soundcheck''</small>
# "[[Electrolite]]" – 4:05 <small>''Phoenix Soundcheck''</small>


==="E-Bow the Letter"===
''Track listing note:'' Like most R.E.M. albums, the vinyl release has custom side names. Side one (tracks 1-6) is called the "Hi side" and side two (tracks 7-14) the "Fi side."
*"Tricycle" – 1:59 Recorded during soundcheck at the Riverport Amphitheater, St. Louis, Missouri on [[September 22]], [[1995]].
*"Departure" (Rome soundcheck version) – 3:35 Recorded during soundcheck at the Paleur, Rome, Italy on [[February 22]], [[1995]].
*"Wall of Death" ([[Richard Thompson (musician)|Richard Thompson]]) – 3:07 Taken from the Richard Thompson tribute album, ''[[Beat the Retreat]]''.


===Studio b-sides===
==="Bittersweet Me"===
*"Undertow" (Live) – 5:05 Recorded at the [[Omni Theater]], Atlanta, Georgia on [[November 18]], [[1995]]. Taken from the live performance video, [[Road Movie (video)|Road Movie]].
The following non-album tracks were issued as B-sides on ''New Adventures in Hi-Fi'''s singles.
*"Wichita Lineman" ([[Jimmy Webb]]) – 3:18 Recorded at The Woodlands, Houston, Texas on [[September 15]], [[1995]].
*"New Test Leper" (Live acoustic) – 5:29 Recorded at Bad Animals Studio, Seattle, Washington; [[April 19]], [[1996]].


==="Electrolite"===
*"Tricycle" – 1:59
*"The Wake-Up Bomb" (Live) – 5:07 Recorded at the Omni Theater, Atlanta, Georgia on [[November 18]], [[1995]]. Taken from the live performance video, Road Movie.
*"Departure" – 3:35 (Rome soundcheck version)
*"Binky the Doormat" (Live) – 5:01 Recorded at the Omni Theater, Atlanta, Georgia on [[November 18]], [[1995]]. Taken from the live performance video, Road Movie.
*"Wall of Death" ([[Richard Thompson (musician)|Richard Thompson]]) – 3:07
*"Love Is All Around" ([[Reg Presley]]) – 3:04
*"King of Comedy" (808 State remix) – 5:36
*"Sponge" ([[Vic Chesnutt]]) – 4:08


==="How the West Was Won and Where It Got Us"===
The Song "Revolution" was also released from these sessions – one version on the ''[[Batman & Robin (film)|Batman & Robin]]'' soundtrack, another on the collection ''[[In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003|In Time]]'' (disc 2).
*"Love Is All Around" ([[Reg Presley]]) – 3:04 Previously released on the 1996 soundtrack for ''[[I Shot Andy Warhol]]''.
*"Sponge" ([[Vic Chesnutt]]) – 4:08 Previously released on the Chesnutt benefit album ''[[Sweet Relief II]]'' in 1996.
*"Be Mine" (Mike on the Bus Version) - 4:54

"Revolution" was also released from these sessions - initially on the ''[[Batman & Robin (film)|Batman & Robin]]'' and later on disc two of ''[[In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003]]''.

===Other singles===
"New Test Leper" and "The Wake-Up Bomb" were released as promotional singles for the album; the former had a music video directed by [[Lance Bangs]] and [[Dominic DeJoseph]]. All five videos from the album would later be collected on ''[[In View: The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003]]''.

The R.E.M. fan club releases a single every Christmastime, with two singles recorded during these sessions: 1996's "Only in America" (originally by [[Jay & The Americans]])/"[[I Will Survive]]" (a [[Gloria Gaynor]] cover) and 1997's R.E.M. original "Live for Today" was backed with [[Pearl Jam]]'s "Happy When I'm Crying".


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
;"How the West Was Won and Where It Got Us"
===R.E.M.===
*[[Bill Berry]] – [[drum kit|drums]] and [[percussion instrument|percussion]], backing vocals on 10, acoustic guitar on 6, bass on 11, [[synthesizer]] on 6, ennio whistle <ref>The "Ennio Whistle" is the two-note main theme melody of [[Ennio Morricone|Ennio Morricone's]] score for [[Sergio Leone]]'s 1966 [[spaghetti Western]] ''[[The Good, the Bad and the Ugly]]''</ref> on 1
*[[Bill Berry]] – [[drum kit|Drums]], [[percussion instrument|percussion]], "[[Ennio Morricone|ennio whistle]]"<ref>The "Ennio Whistle" is the two-note main theme melody of [[Ennio Morricone]]'s score for [[Sergio Leone]]'s 1966 [[spaghetti Western]] ''[[The Good, the Bad and the Ugly]]''</ref>
*[[Peter Buck]] – [[acoustic guitar]] and [[electric guitar]], bass on 1 & 9, [[banjo]] on 14, [[electric sitar]] on 5, [[mandolin]] on 1, [[bouzouki]] on 1
*[[Peter Buck]] – [[Guitar]], [[bass guitar]], [[bouzouki]], [[mandolin]]
*[[Mike Mills]] – [[bass guitar|bass]], [[backing vocalist|backing vocals]] on 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10 & 12, guitar on 9, fuzz bass on 7 & 10, piano on 1 & 14, [[organ (music)|organ]] on 2, 3, 5, 8, 11, 12 & 13, [[Mellotron]] on 5 & 8, [[Farfisa]] organ on 7, keyboards on 6, 9 & 10, synthesizer on 1, [[Moog synthesizer]] on 5
*[[Mike Mills]] - [[backing vocalist|Backing vocals]], [[piano]], [[synthesizer]]
*[[Michael Stipe]] – [[singing|vocals]], synthesizer on 1
*[[Michael Stipe]] – [[singing|Vocals]], synthesizer


;"The Wake-Up Bomb"
===Additional personnel===
*[[Patti Smith]] – vocals on 5
*Bill Berry – Drums and percussion
*Peter Buck – Guitar
*[[Scott McCaughey]] – [[autoharp]] on 11, piano on 8, 12, 13, Farfisa on 10, [[ARP Odyssey]] on 6
*[[Nathan December]] – guitar on 2, 4, 6, 7, 10, [[slide guitar]] on 13, [[tambourine]] on 11, [[guiro]] on 14
*[[Nathan December]] – Guitar
*Mike Mills – Bass guitar, backing vocals, [[organ (music)|organ]]
*[[Andy Carlson]] – [[violin]] on 14
*Michael Stipe – Vocals


;"New Test Leper"
===Technical personnel===
*Bill Berry – Drums and percussion
*Peter Buck – Guitar
*Mike Mills – Bass guitar, backing vocals, organ
*Michael Stipe – Vocals

;"Undertow"
*Bill Berry – Drums and percussion
*Peter Buck – Guitar
*Nathan December – Guitar
*Mike Mills – Bass guitar, backing vocals
*Michael Stipe – Vocals

;"E-Bow the Letter"
*Bill Berry – Drums and percussion
*Peter Buck – [[E-Bow]] guitar, [[electric sitar]]
*Mike Mills – Bass guitar, backing vocals, organ, [[Moog synthesizer]], [[Mellotron]]
*[[Patti Smith]] – Vocals
*Michael Stipe – Vocals

;"Leave"
*Bill Berry – Drums and percussion, [[acoustic guitar]], synthesizer
*Peter Buck – Guitar
*Nathan December – Guitar
*[[Scott McCaughey]] – [[ARP Odyssey]]
*Mike Mills – Bass guitar, [[Keyboard instrument|keyboards]]
*Michael Stipe – Vocals

;"Departure"
*Bill Berry – Drums and percussion
*Peter Buck – Guitar
*Nathan December – Guitar
*Mike Mills – [[Fuzz bass]], backing vocals, [[Farfisa]] organ
*Michael Stipe – Vocals

;"Bittersweet Me"
*Bill Berry – Drums and percussion
*Peter Buck – Guitar
*Scott McCaughey – Piano
*Mike Mills – Bass guitar, organ, Mellotron
*Michael Stipe – Vocals

;"Be Mine"
*Bill Berry – Drums and percussion
*Peter Buck – Bass guitar
*Mike Mills – Guitar, backing vocals, keyboards
*Michael Stipe – Vocals

;"Binky the Doormat"
*Bill Berry – Drums and percussion, backing vocals
*Peter Buck – Guitar
*Nathan December – Guitar
*Scott McCaughey – Farfisa organ
*Mike Mills – Fuzz bass, backing vocals, keyboards
*Michael Stipe – Vocals

;"Zither"
*Bill Berry – Bass guitar
*Peter Buck – Guitar
*Nathan December – [[Tambourine]]
*Scott McCaughey – [[Autoharp]]
*Mike Mills – Bass guitar, organ
*Michael Stipe – Count in

;"So Fast, So Numb"
*Bill Berry – Drums and percussion
*Peter Buck – Guitar
*Scott McCaughey – Piano
*Mike Mills – Bass guitar, backing vocals, organ
*Michael Stipe – Vocals

;"Low Desert"
*Bill Berry – Drums and percussion
*Peter Buck – Guitar
*Nathan December – [[Slide guitar]]
*Scott McCaughey – Piano
*Mike Mills – Bass guitar, organ
*Michael Stipe – Vocals

;"Electrolite"
*Bill Berry – Drum kit, percussion
*Peter Buck – [[Banjo]]
*[[Andy Carlson]] – [[Violin]]
*Nathan December – [[Guiro]]
*Mike Mills – Piano
*Michael Stipe – Vocals

===Technical crew===
*[[William Field (record producer)|William Field]] – assistant engineer, Athens
*[[Sam Hofstedt]] – assistant engineer, Seattle
*[[Victor Janacua]] – assistant engineer, Los Angeles
*[[Adam Kasper]] – recording engineer, Seattle
*[[Adam Kasper]] – recording engineer, Seattle
*[[John Keane (record producer)|John Keane]] – recording and mixing engineer
*Sam Hofstedt – assistant engineer, Seattle
*[[John Keane (record producer)|John Keane]] – recording engineer
*[[Scott Litt]] – mixing engineer
*William Field – assistant engineer, Athens
*[[Patrick McCarthy (record producer)|Pat McCarthy]] – recording engineer, Los Angeles
*Victor Janacua – assistant engineer, Los Angeles
*Scott Litt – mixing engineer
*John Keane – mixing engineer
*Joe O'Herlihy – tour recording engineer
*Jo Ravitch – tour recording engineer
*Jeff Wooding – tour recording engineer
*Mark "Microwave" Mytrowitz – technical assistance
*Eric Stolz – digital editing
*[[Bob Ludwig]]/Gateway Mastering – mastering
*[[Bob Ludwig]]/Gateway Mastering – mastering
*[[Patrick McCarthy (record producer)|Pat McCarthy]] – recording engineer, Los Angeles
*[[Mark Mytrowitz|Mark "Microwave" Mytrowitz]] – technical assistance
*[[Joe O'Herlihy]] – tour recording engineer
*[[Jo Ravitch]] – tour recording engineer
*[[Eric Stolz]] – digital editing
*[[Jeff Wooding]] – tour recording engineer


==Charts==
==Charts==
Line 215: Line 322:
==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.retroweb.com/rem/publicity/rem27.html ''New Adventures in Hi-Fi'' press release]


{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
{{succession box
{{succession box
| before = ''[[No Code]]'' by [[Pearl Jam]]
| before = ''[[No Code]]'' by [[Pearl Jam]]
| title = Australian [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Albums Chart]] [[List of number-one albums in Australia during the 1990s#1996|number-one album]]
| title = Australian [[ARIA Charts|ARIA Albums Chart]] [[Number-one albums of 1996 (Australia)|number-one album]]
| years = [[September 22]] - [[September 28]] [[1996]]
| years = [[September 22]] - [[September 28]], [[1996]]
| after = ''The Very Best of Toni Childs'' by [[Toni Childs]]
| after = ''[[The Very Best of Toni Childs]]'' by [[Toni Childs]]
}}
}}
{{end}}
{{end}}
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[[Category:1996 albums]]
[[Category:1996 albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Scott Litt]]
[[Category:Albums released on DVD-Audio]]
[[Category:English-language albums]]
[[Category:R.E.M. albums]]
[[Category:R.E.M. albums]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. Records albums]]
[[Category:Warner Bros. Records albums]]
[[Category:Albums produced by Scott Litt]]


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Revision as of 05:26, 29 August 2008

Untitled

New Adventures in Hi-Fi is the tenth full-length studio album by the American band R.E.M. It was their fifth major label release for Warner Bros. Records, released 1996-09-09. New Adventures in Hi-Fi was the last album recorded with founding member, drummer Bill Berry - who left the band amicably the following year - original manager Jefferson Holt and long-time producer Scott Litt.

Recording

The album was recorded during and after the tour in support of Monster in 1995. The material on the album mixed the acoustic, country rock, feel of much of Out of Time and Automatic for the People with the rock sound of Monster and Lifes Rich Pageant. Guitarist Peter Buck said that the band tried so hard to be a rock band again with Monster, but it just didn't quite work out.[citation needed] They stopped trying, and they ended up putting together their most rock and roll record to date. They have cited Neil Young's 1973 album Time Fades Away as a source of inspiration.[citation needed]

The band noted that they borrowed the recording process for the album from Radiohead, who recorded some of the basic tracks for The Bends while on tour and who were supporting the band in 1994 and 1995. R.E.M. brought along eight-track recorders to capture their live performances, and used the recordings as the base elements for the album. As such, the band's touring musicians Nathan December and Scott McCaughey ended up appearing on throughout the album with Andy Carlson contributing violin to "Electrolite." After the tour was over, the band went into the Bad Animals Studio and recorded four additional tracks, "How the West Was Won and Where It Got Us," "E-Bow the Letter," "Be Mine," and "New Test Leper." Patti Smith came to the sessions and contributed vocals on "E-Bow the Letter."

Although it reached #2 in the U.S.[1], spending 22 weeks on the charts, and topped the UK Album Charts [2] (20 weeks on chart) as well as #1 on the Australian Charts, New Adventures in Hi-Fi began the band's sales decline in the United States. The first single "E-Bow the Letter" was cited as an unusual choice for radio.[citation needed] It subsequently received only modest radio airplay in the U.S. and peaked at #49 on the U.S. charts.[3] In the UK, however, the single became the band's biggest hit at that point, reaching #4.[2] As of March 2007, New Adventures in Hi-Fi has sold 994,000 units in the U.S.[4]

In 2005, Warner Brothers Records issued an expanded two-disc edition of New Adventures in Hi-Fi which includes a CD, a DVD-Audio disc containing a 5.1-channel surround sound mix of the album done by Elliot Scheiner, and the original CD booklet with expanded liner notes.

Critical reception

Michael Stipe says that New Adventures in Hi-Fi is his favorite of their albums.[citation needed] According to Peter Buck, when Warner Bros. heard the album that was to take them to the top - Out Of Time - they were dumbfounded: "You think the one with the lead mandolin should be the first single?!" On hearing New Adventures…, he says, the same people proclaimed, "Hey, there's three Top 10 records on here!"[5]

Critical reaction to the album was mostly positive. Several publications lauded the album for its rich diversity, including Rolling Stone, Q, and Mojo and Stephen Thomas Erlewine from All Music says "in its multifaceted sprawl, they wound up with one of their best records of the '90s." At the same time, however some publications including Melody Maker, criticized the album's empty and flat sound caused by recording in arenas and soundchecks.

Track listing

All songs written by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Michael Stipe.[6]

  1. "How the West Was Won and Where It Got Us" – 4:31 Seattle Studio
  2. "The Wake-Up Bomb" – 5:08 Charleston
  3. "New Test Leper" – 5:26 Seattle Studio
  4. "Undertow" – 5:09 Boston
  5. "E-Bow the Letter" – 5:23 Seattle Studio
  6. "Leave" – 7:18 Atlanta Soundcheck
  7. "Departure" – 3:28 Detroit
  8. "Bittersweet Me" – 4:06 Memphis Soundcheck
  9. "Be Mine" – 5:32 Seattle Studio
  10. "Binky the Doormat" – 5:01 Phoenix
  11. "Zither" – 2:33 Dressing Room Philadelphia
  12. "So Fast, So Numb" – 4:12 Orlando Soundcheck
  13. "Low Desert" – 3:30 Atlanta Soundcheck
  14. "Electrolite" – 4:05 Phoenix Soundcheck

Like most R.E.M. albums, the vinyl release has custom side names. Side one (tracks 1-6) is called the "Hi side" and side two (tracks 7-14) the "Fi side."

Singles and b-sides

New Adventures consisted of material written during the same sessions and tour as Monster; consequently, there were few outtakes or left-over tracks for inclusion as b-sides.

"E-Bow the Letter"

  • "Tricycle" – 1:59 Recorded during soundcheck at the Riverport Amphitheater, St. Louis, Missouri on September 22, 1995.
  • "Departure" (Rome soundcheck version) – 3:35 Recorded during soundcheck at the Paleur, Rome, Italy on February 22, 1995.
  • "Wall of Death" (Richard Thompson) – 3:07 Taken from the Richard Thompson tribute album, Beat the Retreat.

"Bittersweet Me"

"Electrolite"

  • "The Wake-Up Bomb" (Live) – 5:07 Recorded at the Omni Theater, Atlanta, Georgia on November 18, 1995. Taken from the live performance video, Road Movie.
  • "Binky the Doormat" (Live) – 5:01 Recorded at the Omni Theater, Atlanta, Georgia on November 18, 1995. Taken from the live performance video, Road Movie.
  • "King of Comedy" (808 State remix) – 5:36

"How the West Was Won and Where It Got Us"

"Revolution" was also released from these sessions - initially on the Batman & Robin and later on disc two of In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003.

Other singles

"New Test Leper" and "The Wake-Up Bomb" were released as promotional singles for the album; the former had a music video directed by Lance Bangs and Dominic DeJoseph. All five videos from the album would later be collected on In View: The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003.

The R.E.M. fan club releases a single every Christmastime, with two singles recorded during these sessions: 1996's "Only in America" (originally by Jay & The Americans)/"I Will Survive" (a Gloria Gaynor cover) and 1997's R.E.M. original "Live for Today" was backed with Pearl Jam's "Happy When I'm Crying".

Personnel

"How the West Was Won and Where It Got Us"
"The Wake-Up Bomb"
  • Bill Berry – Drums and percussion
  • Peter Buck – Guitar
  • Nathan December – Guitar
  • Mike Mills – Bass guitar, backing vocals, organ
  • Michael Stipe – Vocals
"New Test Leper"
  • Bill Berry – Drums and percussion
  • Peter Buck – Guitar
  • Mike Mills – Bass guitar, backing vocals, organ
  • Michael Stipe – Vocals
"Undertow"
  • Bill Berry – Drums and percussion
  • Peter Buck – Guitar
  • Nathan December – Guitar
  • Mike Mills – Bass guitar, backing vocals
  • Michael Stipe – Vocals
"E-Bow the Letter"
"Leave"
"Departure"
  • Bill Berry – Drums and percussion
  • Peter Buck – Guitar
  • Nathan December – Guitar
  • Mike Mills – Fuzz bass, backing vocals, Farfisa organ
  • Michael Stipe – Vocals
"Bittersweet Me"
  • Bill Berry – Drums and percussion
  • Peter Buck – Guitar
  • Scott McCaughey – Piano
  • Mike Mills – Bass guitar, organ, Mellotron
  • Michael Stipe – Vocals
"Be Mine"
  • Bill Berry – Drums and percussion
  • Peter Buck – Bass guitar
  • Mike Mills – Guitar, backing vocals, keyboards
  • Michael Stipe – Vocals
"Binky the Doormat"
  • Bill Berry – Drums and percussion, backing vocals
  • Peter Buck – Guitar
  • Nathan December – Guitar
  • Scott McCaughey – Farfisa organ
  • Mike Mills – Fuzz bass, backing vocals, keyboards
  • Michael Stipe – Vocals
"Zither"
  • Bill Berry – Bass guitar
  • Peter Buck – Guitar
  • Nathan December – Tambourine
  • Scott McCaughey – Autoharp
  • Mike Mills – Bass guitar, organ
  • Michael Stipe – Count in
"So Fast, So Numb"
  • Bill Berry – Drums and percussion
  • Peter Buck – Guitar
  • Scott McCaughey – Piano
  • Mike Mills – Bass guitar, backing vocals, organ
  • Michael Stipe – Vocals
"Low Desert"
  • Bill Berry – Drums and percussion
  • Peter Buck – Guitar
  • Nathan December – Slide guitar
  • Scott McCaughey – Piano
  • Mike Mills – Bass guitar, organ
  • Michael Stipe – Vocals
"Electrolite"
  • Bill Berry – Drum kit, percussion
  • Peter Buck – Banjo
  • Andy Carlson – Violin
  • Nathan December – Guiro
  • Mike Mills – Piano
  • Michael Stipe – Vocals

Technical crew

Charts

Album

Year Chart Position
1996 Billboard 200 2
1996 UK Albums Chart 1
1996 ARIA Albums Chart 1

Singles

Year Single Chart Position
1996 "E-Bow the Letter" Billboard Modern Rock Tracks 2
1996 "E-Bow the Letter" Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks 15
1996 "E-Bow the Letter" Billboard Hot 100 49
1996 "E-Bow the Letter" ARIA Singles Chart 23
1996 "Bittersweet Me" Billboard Modern Rock Tracks 6
1996 "Bittersweet Me" Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks 7
1996 "Bittersweet Me" Billboard Top 40 Mainstream 28
1996 "Bittersweet Me" Billboard Hot 100 46
1997 "Electrolite" Billboard Hot 100 96
1997 "The Wake-Up Bomb" Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks 30

Certifications

Organization Level Date
RIAA – U.S. Gold November 18, 1996
RIAA – U.S. Platinum November 18, 1996
BPI – U.K. Platinum September 1, 1996

References

  1. ^ "allmusic (((New Adventures in Hi-Fi > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums)))". Retrieved 2005-08-07.
  2. ^ a b "UK Top 40 Hit Database". Retrieved 2005-08-07.
  3. ^ "allmusic (((New Adventures in Hi-Fi > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles)))". Retrieved 2005-08-07.
  4. ^ Gunderson, Edna (2007-03-07). "R.E.M.: A 25-year rockin' role". USA Today. Retrieved 2007-03-10.
  5. ^ Cooper, Colin (2004-06-01). "On Second Thought: R.E.M. - New Adventures in Hi-Fi". Stylus Magazine. Retrieved 2007-09-17.
  6. ^ R.E.M. New Adventures in Hi-Fi (Warner Bros. Records, 1996).
  7. ^ The "Ennio Whistle" is the two-note main theme melody of Ennio Morricone's score for Sergio Leone's 1966 spaghetti Western The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

External links

Preceded by Australian ARIA Albums Chart number-one album
September 22 - September 28, 1996 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=New_Adventures_in_Hi-Fi&oldid=234932258"