The recent release of R.E.M.'s long out-of-print titles Around the Sun (2004) and Collapse Into Now (2011) on vinyl by Craft Recordings is the perfect opportunity to rediscover two outstanding full-length classics from the beloved Athens, Georgia-spawned band's second half of their incredible career.

Both casual and hardcore fans of R.E.M. will appreciate how amazing the albums sound (both albums were cut by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and were pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Memphis Records Pressing). Additionally, vinyl aficionados can find limited editions exclusively at REMHQ.com; the 2-LP Around the Sun is available on an Opaque White color variant, while the 1-LP Collapse Into Now can be found in Milky Clear vinyl. Other exclusive official merchandise is also available on the website.

Following the release of their acclaimed albums Up (1998) and Reveal (2001), R.E.M.'s 13th LP Around the Sun was released in the wake of the 9/11 attacks and the Iraq War; the 13-track album finds R.E.M. (singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Rieflin) tackling a troubled world with musical and literate depth. The album shines via the glorious opener "Leaving New York" (the single is bolstered by a sumptuous chorus), ambitious electronica-tinged "Electron Blue," wistful piano-anchored "Make It All Okay," luxurious "I Wanted To Be Wrong," soaring "Wanderlust" and longing "Around the Sun." Around the Sun topped the album charts in the UK, Sweden and Germany, among other territories, and landed at No. 13 on the Billboard 200.

Following the release of their 14th album Accelerate in 2008, the members of R.E.M. collectively decided to record their final album, Collapse Into Now. Produced by Jacknife Lee (The Cars, U2, Snow Patrol), the album was recorded between November 2009 and September 2010 in Berlin, New Orleans and Nashville. At the time of its release, Mills noted: "It's more of a personal record than a political one. Current events do come into our mind when we write, but the themes here are more universal."

The purposeful track listing opens with the confessional rocker "Discoverer," one of Stipe's only autobiographical songs (the track includes guest vocals from Patti Smith). Early highlights abound on the 12-track masterwork; my favorites include the propulsive rocker "All The Best" (whose lyrics foreshadow R.E.M. disbanding in September 2011), the undeniably ravishing “Überlin,” and driving melody-showered gem "It Happened Today" featuring guest vocals by Eddie Vedder and The Hidden Cameras' Joel Gibb. Standouts on the last half of the album include the speedy "Mine Smell Like Honey," freewheeling rocker "Alligator_Aviator_Autopilot_Antimatter," and alluring "Me, Marlon Brando, Marlon Brando and I."