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Live At The Olympia - R.E.M.
User Score
9.1 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 17 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 17
  3. Negative: 1 out of 17

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  1. JimmyR.
    Oct 30, 2009
    10
    A real treat for fans, and a great intro to the band for new fans.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. MiguelA.
    Oct 30, 2009
    10
    Amazing live album, great set list, good sound and top performance.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. Ricko
    Mar 29, 2012
    9
    Although technically a live album, as the sleeve of the album states "This is not a show". Recorded over several nights in Ireland's best venue to see a band, The Olympia in Dublin, this was a mini residency where REM worked on and tested out new songs that were to appear on their forthcoming album Accelerate. Along with work in progress versions of Accelerate tracks, this double album has tracks from throughout the bands career. There are very few of their massive hits on this with Drive and Electrolite the most widely known. The majority of the material comes from their pre Out of Time era. The quality of the songs is amazing throughout, the standard of the recording is excellent and the band are in top form here. A couple of the songs have interesting explanations about their origins as well. The older stuff still sounds amazingly fresh and vibrant. Not so sure it's a record you'd give to someone as an introduction to REM but for the many fans of the band already out there it's a must, have especially now that the band are no more.… Expand
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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
74 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Rolling Stone
    60
    The stitching is tighter now, and drummer Bill Rieflin often holds things together too neatly. But when songs fray--see 'Harborcoat'-- it's the sound of imperfection perfected.
    Read full review
  2. Slant Magazine
    70
    Given the quality of the performances and the depth of the song selection, Olympia is not simply a for-fans-only vanity project or an excuse to revisit an album that's just over a year old, but it stands as an essential addition to R.E.M.'s catalogue.
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  3. Uncut
    80
    In 39 tracks over two CDs, the punk-fuelled folk-rock group that had ruled the '80s along with U2 magically reappears.
    Read full review
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