R.E.M. -- Guitar TAB Anthology: Authentic Guitar TAB

Even though I have found most of the tabs for these songs on various websites, I still had this book sitting in my Amazon wishlist. I'm a big R.E.M. fan, so for under $20, it was well worth it.Curious what "Authentic Guitar Tab Edition" actually means. It's that word "Authentic" that throws me off a bit. I would guess that tabs on those various websites are not "Authentic". I suspect that it just means the record label or publisher has to approve or gets some sort of compensation for allowing the book to be published.I'm not talented enough to determine if these are 100% accurate tabs of the original songs, as written and recorded by the band, but they are certainly accurate enough that you (or your band) will be able to play your favorite R.E.M. songs using this book as reference.

I first bought this for so. central rain, and transpose it to piano, but soon I saw more great riffs, and enjoyed more of this great band

All full length releases from the band are represented in this collection with one or two selections from each, the only exception being Around the Sun. Unfortunately, the EP Chronic Town is not represented either.All of the "hits" you could expect from the band are here, the only surprise being "Talk About the Passion," which didn't make it into the book. I was hoping one of Peter Buck's most catchy and iconic guitar hooks would have made it into an REM guitar anthology. It's a rather simple number, yes, but I'd hoped to have a proper transcription of the song.That's the only major complaint. As a big fan of the bands early work I would have wanted to have more songs included in this collection, but I knew going in that it was a career retrospective and was mostly happy with the inclusions. Some of my faves include "So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry), Driver 8, Radio Free Europe, Fall On Me, Everybody Hurts (a fun simple arpeggio exercise) and The One I Love. The signature intro/"Fire" riff of The One I Love is transcribed here as a composite arrangement of multiple guitars. I would have liked to see each part transcribed individually, but the composite works well enough to play along with the track. Most transcriptions seemed to be very accurate. One curious inclusion is the song, "Electrolite." While a good song, it's a piano number arranged here for guitar, and the guitar arrangement doesn't really work.As with all tab, a rudimentary knowledge of music notation will be helpful in using this book, particularly when only basic strumming patterns are given.Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone whose a fan of the band and/or the Peter Buck style. Until they come out with "REM: The I.R.S. Years Tab For Guitar" this will have to do.

Very good book also in good condition, I have learned a lot about R.E. M. by reading the lyrics I really can't say much more than it came early from Amazon

Consistently clear tabs. All the favorites are here. Very enjoyable, easy to follow. Great purchase! Looking forward to learning some of our favorites.

Nice selection of REM songs.

For tab books I'd say this is more intermediate. The chords and melodies are presented in a slightly more advanced way. The really cool thing about this book is that it tells you which album the songs came from.

The pages do not match the table of contents. For example, Man on the Moon should be on page 90, but is on page 55.

good rem tab book , seems authentic, very enjoyable

Feels a little photocopied but overall good quality - although there is a random blank pageFull of the better REM songs ... Although shouldv'e done better with more songs from Pre-Green LPs

Admirers of Peter Buck's restrained and tasteful guitar playing will find this book a fine investment. Alfred Music Publishing have really outdone themselves this time: covering key songs from the entire R.E.M. back catalogue. The guitar tab is highly accurate and often reveals the layers of guitars that come together to help create the distinctive R.E.M. sound. I have been playing guitar for 15 years and have found the tablature in all the songs to be spot on with the correct keys the songs were played in as well as alternate tunings. Of course, the book does not cover all the songs from all of R.E.M.'s entire back catalogue. If that were the case, the book would be longer than a Bruce Springsteen concert. But, it covers all the major songs as well as choice selections from their amazing library of tunes. As an added bonus, which I think R.E.M. would approve of, the book is printed on 100% recycled paper.The songs covered in the book are as follows: All The Right Friends, At My Most Beautiful, Daysleeper, (Don't Go Back To) Rockville, Drive, Driver 8, Electrolite, Everybody Hurts, Fall On Me, The Great Beyond, Imitation Of Life, It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine), Losing My Religion, Man On The Moon, Nightswimming, The One I Love, Orange Crush, Perfect Circle, Radio Free Europe, Shiny Happy People, The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite, So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry), Stand, Supernatural Superserious, Until The Day Is Done, What's The Frequency Kenneth?I highly recommend this book for all guitar playing devotees of this amazing rock band.

Arrived in mint condition in speedy time.

A great book