Lifes Rich Pageant

The album was released in 1986 on the IRS label, and produced by Don Gehman, best known then for his work with John Cougar Mellencamp. Gehman’s production approach was R.E.M.’s most modern to date, with a layered and dynamic guitar sound, and bringing Stipe’s voice front and center.

According to Rolling Stone, the album title is taken from a remark by the Peter Sellers' character Inspector Clouseau, to the effect that even the most absurd setbacks are part of “life’s rich pageant” – a sentiment that became something like the band’s motto.

The album cover shows drummer Bill Berry, in a photo taken by Stipe. Read together with the hazy image below creates a visual pun: buffalo bill.