27 replies to this topic

[Driver Nate]

REMCHICAGOBOY, on 18 October 2011 - 06:54 PM, said:

I agree completely that most of the general public didn't even realize they were still an active band. Hence why I truly believe they made the right decision to call it quits with the ending of their WB contract.

I actually wish more bands who have been around waaaaaay too long would do the same thing, and I'm starting to wonder if maybe R.E.M. will start a bit of a trend. I am seriously waiting to see if others "call it a day" as well in the next fews years.

(I know it's because of Kim and Thurston separating, but word is Sonic Youth are splitting...another band that 99% of the public either have never heard of or didn't know they were even still together...)

I have a friend that keeps up with music that also had no idea they were still active. Hearing it from him, I didn't take it as an insult, whereas I think some of the online commentary (especially from the anonymous contingent) was meant to be inflammatory. Same for those that thought they should have quit after insert album here. As for the public being unaware of them still playing and recording together, I really don't think that's a sign that they should hang it up. Even though their peak of popularity was probably back when "Losing My Religion" went worldwide, there's always been a certain portion of the population that's been out of touch with R.E.M. I do agree though that it was time for them to hang it up. That's not because I'm unhappy with their latest work, I just think they picked a good time, if ever there was going to be one, to call it quits. Watching that clip of them doing "Country Feedback" with Neil Young at the Bridge School Benefit in '98 sure doesn't make it any easier.

[sharathamm]

For me the Quintessentially R.E.M. song is "Fall on Me"..Distinctive Michael Voice,Jangly REM sound,Mills chorus,gorgeous melody all that makes the  moment you listen you say It is an REM song.Another one is "Cuyahoga"..After this period of course there style changed but still almost all songs carry may be in slight traces that REM jangle which hardcore fans can easily pick up.In later REM, two songs which I feel has that  Quintessentially R.E.M feel is "Imitation of Life" and "Supernatural Superserious".I am sure that anyone with only even a slight knowledge of REM will say about these songs that they remind them of that REM sound..

[ShouldersofGiants]

sharathamm, on 18 October 2011 - 08:05 PM, said:

For me the Quintessentially R.E.M. song is "Fall on Me"..Distinctive Michael Voice,Jangly REM sound,Mills chorus,gorgeous melody all that makes the  moment you listen you say It is an REM song.

Amen, I totally agree.  "Fall On Me" is the quintessential R.E.M. song - jangly guitars, powerful & beautiful vocals with intertwining harmonies.  It's the perfect song and, in my opinion, their best song.

[wagtail]

REMCHICAGOBOY, on 18 October 2011 - 06:54 PM, said:

I know it's because of Kim and Thurston separating, but word is Sonic Youth are splitting...

fuck.
I did not know that.  I went and checked and this news happened when I was having a bit of a hiatus.  that's sad, I had no idea.

[haggis]

I would agree that Fall On Me is quintessentially r.e.m. As well as something like So. Central Rain. In terms of sound then Bucks appregio guitar playing and michael's voice - particularly where he "whoahs" eg. The break in Maps and Legends, Old Man Kensey, etc are the r.e.m. Sound as well as Mike's backing vocals particularly when he sings something different to Michael eg. Fall On Me, These Days, etc.  contrapuntal is it?  That's maybe just the IRS years though...Later years I would say e-bow is quite obviously r.e.m.

[e-botti]

Talk About The Passion is quintessentially R.E.M. in the IRS era.

Losing My Religion is quintessentially R.E.M. in the WB era.

[1two3four5]

i'd say electrolite for the warner bros. years - mid-tempo, folkish, melodic, playful, laid-back, simple. could fit well on most albums, both pre- and post-berry.

[dirk-jan]

Some compacted inner 'crunch', a sort of implosion-going-outside. Especially in the Lifes Rich Pageant - New adventures period, many of the songs have this intense confined or concentrated outward pulse. Pff, that is abstract... Must be what Peter Buck means when telling their songs are often dense (or which word he used).

So, that's not taken as a particular song, but just a general feeling about what makes out the songs.

I also think they have something rural in their music, to attract me personally.