R.E.M.'' COMPANION: IT CRAWLED FROM THE SOUTH

R.E.M.'' COMPANION: IT CRAWLED FROM THE SOUTH by Gray, Marcus. paperback edition. ISBN: 9780851125848.

Now in its second edition, It Crawled from the South is an encyclopedic, non-linear, mostly non-hagiographic book about those enigmatic guys from Athens, Georgia. Marcus Gray furnishes thumbnail sketches of each member, as well as chapters on the bands recording history, politics, album packaging, and regional accent. The author is also fearless enough to venture into the black hole of Michael Stipes lyrics. He doesnt, to be sure, make sense of Stipes associative rambles, and the singer himself lets Gray off the hook by confessing that "three-quarters of my lyrics probably come from overheard conversations. I steal a lot, basically. Someone will say something really interesting, and Ill write it down." Okay. But wed still like to know what a moral kiosk is.