10 replies to this topic

[Trytek]

OK, it's generally accepted that Nightswimming is R.E.M.'s greatest piano moment. Walk It Back has had mixed reactions as far as I can see, but where do you think it fits in?

I think it's definitely the best they've done since At My Most Beautiful, certainly better than the piano efforts on Reveal, Around the Sun and Accelerate, and just pipping Electrolite (although the two are probably interchangable, depending on my mood). I'd probably rank them as;

Nightswimming
At My Most Beautiful
Walk It Back/Electrolite
Hollow Man
Beat A Drum
Saturn Return
How The West Was Won And Where It Got Us
Tongue
Make It All Okay

Thoughts?

EDIT:   Where did my beloved poll go?

[e-botti]

Michael voice it's at his best....i love this song for me one of the most beautiful of the record and, for sure, one of the best piano song in years...

[elkokolores]

"Walk it back" is the worst song R.E.M. has ever written.

I would rank your songs like that:

How The West Was Won And Where It Got Us
Nightswimming
At My Most Beautiful
Tongue
Hollow Man
Electrolite
Make It All Okay
Beat A Drum
Saturn Return
Walk It Back

[Trytek]

"Michael's voice at its best" and "the worst song R.E.M. has ever written". Thank you for perfectly summing up the concept of 'mixed reactions'.  

[Yarxy]

My favorite thing about "Walk It Back" is the syncopated piano rhythms.
Easygoing and anchored at the same time.

I also love Mike's story that he wrote it on a hotel piano in New Orleans.
Imagine how great it would've been to be there listening while he created this.

I agree that Nightswimming is still the best.

I like Electrolite too, though, because whenever he does it live, you can see how much he enjoys playing it.  In the Perfect Square concert (on DVD), just look at the pleasantly contented smile he has.  He's having fun, which, according to him, is the most important element of playing music.

EDIT:  Here's a video of Electrolite in Perfect Square...

[Yarxy]

There's also Perfect Circle...

[liamthedon]

Beat a Drum is well down the list of any R.E.M. song for me. I find it unlistenable. Walk it Back has grown considerably. I like the simplicity of it, as in it's not "over cooked". Was it Pitchfork that described it as the best R.E.M. song in 15 years?

[robertandrews]

Good starter.
What's noticeable is that most of the songs on that list are good songs.
Best since Electrolite perhaps.

[robertandrews]

Oh, hah, here's the version minus piano...



(cf. http://www.murmurs.c...17695-eli-says/)

[stipeeyes]

I love Walk it Back.  It's now one of my favorite songs. Michael's voice is so beautiful in that song.

[Ophelia]

Hmm... I agree that Walk It Back is a great piano moment. I don't know that it's my favorite, but I do really like it. For me, nothing can top Perfect Circle.

My other favorite piano-led songs are
At My Most Beautiful
Nightswimming
Electrolite