REM developed into one of America's most successful alternative rock bands thanks to albums like Out Of Time, Automatic For The People and Monster.

REM—an abbreviation for Rapid Eye Movement, a dream phase during sleep—was formed in 1980 in Athens, Georgia. The band consisted of drummer Bill Berry, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and vocalist Michael Stipe. On their first albums, Murmur (1983), Reckoning (1984), Fables Of The Reconstruction (1985), Life's Rich Pageant (1986), and Document (1987), the band primarily produced sharp guitar songs. They quickly made a name for themselves with their alternative rock. The band also won many fans with their driven, energetic performances.

Over the years, the sound broadened, thanks to influences from pop, country rock, and folk rock. It was already evident on Green (1988), but with Out Of Time (1991), REM proved they had perfected their formula for success. The album made the band a global act, thanks in part to the hit "Losing My Religion." The band maintained their success with Automatic For The People (1992), which included hits like "Drive," "Man On The Moon," and "Everybody Hurts." Monster (1994) was also a resounding success.

After a much-discussed switch to a new record label, New Adventures in Hi-Fi (1996) was released, which was less commercially successful. The classic lineup of REM suffered a year later with the departure of drummer Bill Berry. New albums followed: Up (1998), Reveal (2001), Around the Sun (2004), Accelerate (2008), and Collapse Into Now (2011). While they didn't sell as well as their chart-topping albums Out Of Time and Automatic For The People, the reviews were overwhelmingly positive. During those years, REM also remained a successful and exciting live act. In 2011, however, the band decided to call it quits and disbanded with a simple announcement on their homepage. A move widely considered an honorable move. As a musical farewell, the compilation Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage 1982–2011 was released. A REM reunion is still pending.

At Platenzaak.nl we have CDs and LPs from REM, including exclusive versions.