R.E.M. - R.E.M. Live

Recorded in 2005 over two nights in Dublin, this 2CD/1DVD collection finds R.E.M. playing it safe on their first official concert release. The post-Bill-Berry-era comes alive as they draw heavily from 2004's Around the Sun, but one wonders why they chose this particular set with nearly 30 years worth of gems in the vault. Other than nailing the obvious hits and a few choice classics—"Cuyahoga," "Orange Crush" and "The Great Beyond"—it's a showcase for newer tunes like "So Fast, So Numb" and the "Masters of War"-esque "Final Straw," which thrive on stage. The DVD is a mere re-hash of the CD, with no bonus footage beyond Michael Stipe painting his Ninja Turtle bandana across his eyes and witnessing his bizarrely captivating stage persona. It seems Live is an invitation for fans scared off since Berry's departure to come back and hear the best of what they've been missing. [www.remhq.com]