Automatically a R.E.M. Special for the People

Modern Rock

By Kristi Kates | Oct. 28, 2017

R.E.M. will release a 25th anniversary edition of its smash 1992 album Automatic for the People next month, with four discs included in all. The special edition, in addition to the main multi-platinum album itself, will feature a Blu-ray with two different mixes of the album plus all its accompanying music videos; a collection of rare demos and previously unreleased tracks; and a raucous live album recorded at one of R.E.M.’s favorite stomping grounds, the 40 Watt Club, in the band’s hometown of Athens, Georgia. The set will be available on vinyl, digitally, and streaming Nov. 10 …

On Nov. 1, fans of reggae legend Bob Marley will be treated to an all-star concert in Los Angeles featuring a host of musicians from Tom Morello, Gary Clark Jr., and Aloe Blacc to Marley’s own sons Ziggy Marley and Stephen Marley. Called Exodus 40, the show will take place at L.A.’s Orpheum Theater. The event follows hot on the heels of the special reissue of Marley’s ninth studio album, Exodus, which featured added outtakes, ad-libs, and more from the original Exodus recording sessions …

Rapper Ty Dolla $ign has a new album heading out this week. The full-length set, Beach House, is the follow-up to $ign’s 2015 album, Free TC, and features guest collaborations with Skrillex, R&B singer Jeremih, hip-hop artist Lil Wayne, and yet another of Bob Marley’s sons, Damian Marley …

The Ramones is prepping a deluxe edition of its third album, Rocket to Russia, which is set to hit outlets next month. This 40th anniversary three-disc version will include piles of previously unreleased material, including alternate and early versions of songs, plus tracks featuring different lyrics than what was released on the actual album. Also included: the band’s full concert at the Apollo Center in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1977. Pick it up on Nov. 24 … 

LINK OF THE WEEK
The Rock and Rock Hall of Fame has announced the nominees for its class of 2018, which includes nominations for Radiohead, Kate Bush, The Moody Blues, Rage Against the Machine, Eurythmics, and LL Cool J. The top five vote-getters will be revealed in December; induction ceremonies take place next spring. Check out past classes at the Hall of Fame’s official website, rockhall.com …

THE BUZZ
Happy birthday, Eminem. Detroit’s best-known rapper turned 45 last week …

In other Eminem news, his Shady Records will celebrate his 2002 movie, 8 Mile, with a Nov. 8 screening at Detroit’s Bel Air Luxury Cinema, which hosted the movie’s Detroit premiere 15 years ago …

Janet Jackson returns to Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena for a concert on Nov. 1 …

Also coming to Grand Rapids: Regina Spektor. She’ll bring a show to 20 Monroe Live on Nov. 4 …

Detroit band Sweat is releasing its new album, Gloom Pride, on Antimagic Media … and that’s the buzz for this week’s Modern Rock.

Comments, questions, rants, raves, suggestions on this column? Send ’em to Kristi at modernrocker@gmail.com.