If you don’t own any of R.E.M.’s recent albums, well first, shame on you. But second, now is the time to start up your collection. If you’re like me, and I know you all are, then you love R.E.M. And if you’re also like me, and I know some of you are, you have a home theater setup with 5.1 Dolby Digital surround sound. Either way, I highly recommend getting into R.E.M. and/or getting a 5.1 system.
But more to the exciting news! Warner Bros. just re-released all of their R.E.M. albums (R.E.M. used to be produced by a company called IRS). So these new albums include the original CD and a newly remixed, 5.1 surround sound DVD- Audio disc. I purchased my first 5.1 album not long ago and gave it a listen this past weekend (Around the Sun is the album).
Amazing. That’s all I can say. Simply amazing. It sounds like you’re sitting in the middle of a room with different instruments all around you. Every sound is distinct and comes from a distinct location. It’s a very unique experience. Perhaps it’s not for everyone, especially if you already have their albums or do not have a home theater setup. But for the crazy fans like myself, it’s pure magic.
So, after the first one, I ordered 2 other albums from the least expensive place I’ve found, Overstock.com (Automatic for the People & Up). I just received them yesterday and though I haven’t had a chance to listen, I know I will be very satisfied.