R.E.M.

R.E.M. has, relatively recently, become one of my favorite bands. Although the most recent albums have been less impressive, the music still continues to be good, IMO. The level of the earlier albums -- Murmur, Document, Life's Rich Pageant -- and the mid-career ones -- Automatic for the People, Out of Time -- will likely not be reached again. Still, I'm anticipating the upcoming album.

I know Squeakus is a fan of R.E.M., but there must be others; surely more than two fans of this band exist on TWC?

REM turns me on

I really only like Automatic For The People , The whole album is a masterclass in production,their later stuff seemed a little bland with no real substance (apart from imitation of life,which is a good song)

Originally Posted by Minibomb74

I really only like Automatic For The People , The whole album is a masterclass in production,their later stuff seemed a little bland with no real substance (apart from imitation of life,which is a good song)

Automatic for the People is definitely one of R.E.M.'s best; it's simply an amazing album... And I agree that the quality did decline after that. But the newer music really isn't bad; it's just not as good.

Some of the earlier albums definitely are close to Automatic though, even if they don't actually reach its quality.

Peter Buck's guitar playing is what really makes it great, so versatile and varied, he is like ten different guitarists in one!

Yeah, he definitely does some interesting stuff.

I like their use of irony. Very biting and still very melodic. The mumbling by Michael Stipe is actually a good thing. It makes their music that much more unique.

Peter Buck's guitar playing is what really makes it great, so versatile and varied, he is like ten different guitarists in one!

I think I pointed Ozy to REM. I think some of their work is as good as it gets.

Originally Posted by imb39

I think I pointed Ozy to REM. I think some of their work is as good as it gets.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by Søren

I'm surprised you don't like the Smiths, AP. Or maybe it was someone else who said that, and I'm getting mixed up.

I don't dislike them; I think you may indeed be getting mixed up. I've never really listened to the Smiths; I should sometime.

Originally Posted by imb39

I think I pointed Ozy to REM.

You did, in the form of what I see as the pinnacle of their amazing opus - Everybody Hurts (which prompted me to buy 2 R.E.M. albums and the iTunes Original thingy, and which is my most played song). As one might be able to deduce from this set of facts, yes, I like their music just that little bit.

I like R.E.M. I would not say they were one of my very favourite bands, but I like them a lot.

I'm surprised you don't like the Smiths, AP. Or maybe it was someone else who said that, and I'm getting mixed up.

I've always like REM, especially after that Simpsons episode. :laughing:

My music tastes have shifted a lot but I always pop in my dad's REM cds to calm down when I'm at home.

'Losing My Religion' is a great song.

I really like most of their 80s stuff, particularly Murmur. After that, they were a little too AOR... not that they still weren't writing some good music, it just sort of moved away from my interest.