REM-best al*** since the last time we said this?

Posted by: Bruce Woodhouse on 03 April 2008

According to some 'Accelerate' is the sound of a band vigorously re-announcing themselves after the insipid fare of the last few albums.

Hmm.

To my ears it sounds forgettable. Fast and louder does not always mean more exciting. I still remember the goosebumps I got listening to 'Drive', 'Nightswimming' and others for the first time on Automatic For The People-and funny enough when I gave it a spin last night it still sounds superb-and more importantly seems like a creative apogee. REM have failed the trick of growing older and still being relevant, imaginative and exciting. The last (five) albums have each contained one or two tracks at the most that bear repeated listening. I think I just bought my last REM album-unless I fall for the 're-invention' hype again in three years!

Anyone else bought it?

Bruce
Posted on: 03 April 2008 by Huwge
No - had a listen in the shop and decided it was not interesting enough, especially as I have bought quite a few other CDs recently.

Bruce, did you ever try the Felice Brothers?

Huw
Posted on: 03 April 2008 by Lontano
Bought it last weekend. Played it once - OK, not that great and has not been played since. Maybe I am just bored with REM. After all there is so much good stuff out there.
Posted on: 04 April 2008 by Bruce Woodhouse
quote:
Originally posted by Huwge:

Bruce, did you ever try the Felice Brothers?

Huw


I had a quick listen to some brief clips but never explored further. Thanks for the reminder. Any particular album or tracks? I might buy a track or two from iTunes as a 'taster'.

Cheers

Bruce
Posted on: 04 April 2008 by Lontano
Bruce - just reread what you said and I think you are spot on - it is hype.

I have been bored with them for a long time but I went to see them live a couple of years back and it exceeded expectations and was superb - in fact outstanding. So I looked forward to the live album, played it and was bored.

Adrian
Posted on: 04 April 2008 by Huwge
quote:
Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:
quote:
Originally posted by Huwge:

Bruce, did you ever try the Felice Brothers?

Huw


I had a quick listen to some brief clips but never explored further. Thanks for the reminder. Any particular album or tracks? I might buy a track or two from iTunes as a 'taster'.

Cheers

Bruce


Tonight at the Arizona or the more recent eponymous The Felice Brothers. One song that gets pretty much repeat play on iTunes is the ballad of Lou the Welterweight. If you only buy one track, let it be that.

Huw
Posted on: 04 April 2008 by Steve S1
I'm never sure which of these albums are supposed to be 'insipid'. The last one was a bit dull save for a couple of tracks but I thought 'Reveal' was superb. Confused
Posted on: 04 April 2008 by RichardM
I saw it on display earlier in the week, considered buying it for a second as it has had good reviews and then decided against it.

They were my favourite band in the mid 80s and I still get the "goosebumps" when I hear Murmer or any of the first 4 albums.

I think that Out of Time and Automatic for the People are both good, although they don't quite give me the same sense of excitement.

After that, I agree that they have been boring and I can't really understand why they continue to release such lacklustre albums.

I also saw them live in 1985 at Sheffield University. It wasn't even full, but they were pretty awesome - Michael Stipe with spikey peroxide hair. I have seen them a coupler of times since after they became a global phonomenon, but they failed to inspire me.
Posted on: 04 April 2008 by MilesSmiles
quote:
Originally posted by RichardM:
They were my favourite band in the mid 80s and I still get the "goosebumps" when I hear Murmer or any of the first 4 albums.

I think that Out of Time and Automatic for the People are both good, although they don't quite give me the same sense of excitement.

After that, I agree that they have been boring and I can't really understand why they continue to release such lacklustre albums.


Richard,
you are spot on. Automatic for the People ranks right there with the first ones for me.
Sad that they have now succumbed as well to the loudness war.
Oliver
Posted on: 06 April 2008 by rupert bear
quote:
Originally posted by RichardM:
They were my favourite band in the mid 80s and I still get the "goosebumps" when I hear Murmer or any of the first 4 albums.


Make that 6 and a half - all the IRS LPs plus the Chronic Town mini-album and Dead Letter Office (IRS outtakes). Like most others here, I was an avid fan in the 80s - saw a phenomenal gig at Hammersmith in 1987 - and until and including Monster. Unlike serious REMers who love 'New Adventures', I thought that was the start of the decline and I suspect Bill Berry thought so too.

But there's so much else out there. New bands, new issues of great old ones. As with the new Van Morrison, how many albums by someone do you need?
Posted on: 06 April 2008 by RichardM
quote:
Originally posted by rupert bear:


Make that 6 and a half - all the IRS LPs plus the Chronic Town mini-album and Dead Letter Office (IRS outtakes). Like most others here, I was an avid fan in the 80s - saw a phenomenal gig at Hammersmith in 1987 - and until and including Monster. Unlike serious REMers who love 'New Adventures', I thought that was the start of the decline and I suspect Bill Berry thought so too.

But there's so much else out there. New bands, new issues of great old ones. As with the new Van Morrison, how many albums by someone do you need?


Yes, I will go with that Rupert.

It does make me wonder why they are not capable of doing something worthwhile agin though. All artists go through lean spells, but some do manage then to comeback with some new found excitement - Neil Young with Freedom and Ragged Glory for example. I can't see REM doing that somehow as they seem very content with their own recent material.