Album Review: R.E.M. - Unpugged: The Complete 1991 and 2001 Sessions

Some interesting compare-and-contrast across a double-disc set highlighting the band's songcraft and musicianship, rather than their later works' lusher atmospheres. Even though they were becoming the world's biggest alternative band, the 1991 variant was still a bit wiry, with Michael Stipe occasionally detached and obtuse. The obvious touchstones are the decade-apart versions of Losing My Religion – the second minus original drummer Billy Berry, but with sidemen filling out and stretching the sound. Adding a dozen unreleased tracks, there are songs ranging from imperative to forgettable, but the good reminds of their greatness.