By 1986, REM were veterans of the college rock scene, had recorded in London and gotten songs into the charts. For their 4th album, Life's Rich Pageant, they took a step forward in stretching not only what they could do musically but voicing social, political and environmental concerns through their lyrics. We don't find it to be totally in your face (as opposed to say, U2) but more subliminal as their lyrics can sometimes be nebulous or at least not straight forward and not about rock cliches like hot rods and chicks (not that there's anything wrong with hot rods and chicks if you know what I'm saying out there boys - Ian Astbury, The Cult).
They may sneak in stories about a polluted river in Cuyahoga or regret the rise and fall of a revolutionary in Central America (The Flowers of Guatemala) or even the effects of acid rain damaging our environment (Fall On Me). But they do it with upbeat riffs and guitar runs from Peter Buck with lead singer Michael Stipe delivering the message while bassist Mike Mills provides the counterpoint lyrics to not only tell the story but give REM their signature sound. The driving beat provided by Bill Berry make songs like I Believe an all out rocker you can jump around and shout along to.
And they experiment with things like banjos on Swan Swan H and middle eastern sounds on Underneath The Bunker (not quite an instrumental). This album went gold and is the predecessor to Document which would be their first platinum record thanks to The One I Love & It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine). Superman, a cover by the 60's psychedelic band Clique, helped them get in the charts and draw some interest beyond college campuses and college radio. That interest would build to Document which would lead to a $40 million record contract from Warner Brothers and put them on a steeper trajectory to pop superstardom.
REM fans are often divided between those who knew and loved them in 80s before they hit it big and those who came to know them thanks to the big record company, expensive videos and pop stylings. For me, the IRS records of the 80s will always be the real REM and Life's Rich Pageant is a great moment in time for them. They've learned the ropes, made some good records and are not complacent - they moved forward believing in themselves, each other and their convictions which would eventually bring them all the success in the world.
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