Undoubtedly the saddest thing about discovering a truly exceptional musician (or group of musicians) is the inevitable breakthrough to mainstream commercial success that sprites the artist away from the cozy, personal venues and deposits them into the barren wasteland of stadium gigs. I never had the pleasure of seeing R.E.M. in a small venue show, which I regret to this day. Especially as I listen to Essential.

In The Attic presents us with 15 previously unreleased tracks from the boys who've come so far since their days playing the 40 Watt Club in Athens, Georgia. And, merciful delight, EMI-Capitol has graciously provided us with 12 tracks well worth release. The highlight of these tracks are the intimacy of them. Many of them were recorded live in-studio or on location, Stipe shining through uncharacteristically, most songs presenting an up-close, personal energy that transcends most of their newer material. "The One I Love," their breakthrough track, though not nearly as angry as the studio release, is a poignant acoustic strum, no drums, with Stipe's vocals front and center, a rarity for their earlier work.

The acoustic, decidedly Unplugged tone continues throughout, even affording us the opportunity to see R.E.M. covering Aerosmith's "Toys In The Attic," the classic "Dream (All I Have To Do)," and the one- minute blues moment "Tired Of Singing Trouble." Essential documents a band that was only a band before the guys became international superstars, and it truly shines. The disc is absolutely essential to R.E.M. followers (and probably a good idea even if you thought their first release was Green) as it brings together some of their strongest early songs (including "Finest Worksong," "Gardening At Night," "Driver 8," and "Can't Get There From Here").

-James P. Wisdom