R.E.M.’s final four albums — all overlooked gems — being reissued on vinyl

R.E.M.’s later-era albums don’t often get the respect they deserve.

Sure, we love the classic ’80s stuff — especially “Lifes Rich Pageant,” which makes our desert-island shortlist. And we certainly dig those ’90s offerings, with “New Adventures in Hi-Fi” being our No. 1 favorite in the band’s overall catalog.

Yet, fans who have skipped over the group’s 21st century output have missed out on some really amazing music. They are important, yet often-overlooked pieces of the puzzle that fully illustrate why R.E.M. ranks as the greatest American rock band of all time.

Fortunately, listeners have another chance to experience those gems now that R.E.M.’s long-out-of-print final four albums are being reissued on vinyl by Craft Recordings.

The first two reissues are 2004’s “Around the Sun” and 2011’s “Collapse Into Now.” The former was R.E.M.’s 13th studio outing and featured such amazing cuts as “Leaving New York,” “Wanderlust” and, best of all, “The Ascent of Man.” The latter was the band’s 15th and final studio offering, released just six months before R.E.M. called it quits. Highlights of that album include “Discoverer,” “Überlin” and “Oh My Heart.” (Actually, Side 1 of “Collapse” is absolutely brilliant from start to finish.)

Both of those albums, pressed on 180-gram vinyl, arrive July 14.

The reissues of the group’s 12th and 14th full-length studio recordings — 2001’s “Reveal” and 2008’s “Accelerate,” respectively — follow on Aug. 25.

Visit remhq.com for more information or to order the albums.