Photo

R.E.M.


  • Please log in to reply
94 replies to this topic

#1 Pedro Cerrano

Pedro Cerrano

    I Miss McNulty

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 35,435 posts
  • LocationEllicott City, MD

Posted 15 June 2012 - 05:24 PM

This is one of my 5 favorite bands ever. If you're my friend on Spotify you probably know I've been listening to these guys a ton again lately, and I think I'm ready to dub "New Adventures in Hi-Fi" my favorite album of theirs. I didn't think it was possible, but here we are. My top 5:

1) New Adventures in Hi-Fi
2) Out of Time
3) Murmur
4) Document
5) Monster

*For the longest time I thought this was their best. My re-listening has changed my thoughts. Full disclosure, I change my favorite albums of bands all the time.

Edited to change lol
  • SBTarheel likes this

There is baseball, and occasionally there are other things of note

"Now OPS sucks.  Got it."

"Making his own olive brine is peak Mackus."

"I'm too hungover to watch a loss." - McNulty

@bopper33


#2 SBTarheel

SBTarheel

    HOF

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 14,851 posts
  • LocationEldersburg, Md

Posted 15 June 2012 - 05:30 PM

This is one of my 5 favorite bands ever. If you're my friend on Spotify you probably know I've been listening to these guys a ton again lately, and I think I'm ready to dub "New Adventures in Hi-Fi" my favorite album of theirs. I didn't think it was possible, but here we are. My top 5:

1) New Adventures in Hi-Fi
2) Document
3) Monster
4) Automatic for the People*
5) Murmur

*For the longest time I thought this was their best. My re-listening has changed my thoughts. Full disclosure, I change my favorite albums of bands all the time.


I love you, man. REM is my favorite band ever, and no one comes close.

I've always felt "New Adventures" is vastly underrated. For whatever reason, it didn't produce any hit singles and really kind of ended their run in the mainstream (though I didn't mind that so much to be honest).

I love all of their stuff, I've always said that REM could fart in a microphone for 90 minutes, and I'd still buy the record, but if I'm forced to pick a top 5 albums, here goes:

1-Reckoning
2-NAIHF
3-Monster
4-Fables
5-Life's Rich Pageant
@beginthebegin71

#3 Pedro Cerrano

Pedro Cerrano

    I Miss McNulty

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 35,435 posts
  • LocationEllicott City, MD

Posted 15 June 2012 - 05:34 PM

So you're much more of a fan of their earlier stuff. Of their 5 "pre-main stream" records I like Murmur and Document in my top 5 (interesting that you picked the other 3 "IRS years" records in your top 5) but the rest are after they hit it big time. Listening to "Hi-Fi" now. What a record. Just terrific.

There is baseball, and occasionally there are other things of note

"Now OPS sucks.  Got it."

"Making his own olive brine is peak Mackus."

"I'm too hungover to watch a loss." - McNulty

@bopper33


#4 Pedro Cerrano

Pedro Cerrano

    I Miss McNulty

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 35,435 posts
  • LocationEllicott City, MD

Posted 15 June 2012 - 05:37 PM

BTW, sick twitter handle haha.

There is baseball, and occasionally there are other things of note

"Now OPS sucks.  Got it."

"Making his own olive brine is peak Mackus."

"I'm too hungover to watch a loss." - McNulty

@bopper33


#5 SBTarheel

SBTarheel

    HOF

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 14,851 posts
  • LocationEldersburg, Md

Posted 15 June 2012 - 05:37 PM

So you're much more of a fan of their earlier stuff. Of their 5 "pre-main stream" records I like Murmur and Document in my top 5 but the rest are after they hit it big time. Listening to "Hi-Fi" now. What a record. Just terrific.


I guess, though I'm not one of those who automatically thinks the Post IRS stuff sucks..That's absurd.

My email address is beginthebegin, as is my twitter..It's all REM, all the time.

Not that you asked, but "Leave" is probably my favorite song on New Adventures, though I love "How The West Was Won and where it got us".
@beginthebegin71

#6 Pedro Cerrano

Pedro Cerrano

    I Miss McNulty

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 35,435 posts
  • LocationEllicott City, MD

Posted 15 June 2012 - 05:41 PM

The whole record just has such incredible flow to it. And I think it's easily their most diverse record and one of their most consistent. They combine the edgy rock from "Monster" with the folksy sound of previous records so beautifully. "Wake Up Bomb" could have easily played on "Monster" and songs like "Electrolite" and "...West was Won" could fit on any number of records; "Out of Time" "Green" "Murmer" etc.

That's why I like it the most.

And yes, "Leave" is a great song. "Electrolite" is probably my favorite song on the record, with "Bittersweet Me" "Undertow" and "Leave" all jockeying for position in second.

There is baseball, and occasionally there are other things of note

"Now OPS sucks.  Got it."

"Making his own olive brine is peak Mackus."

"I'm too hungover to watch a loss." - McNulty

@bopper33


#7 SBTarheel

SBTarheel

    HOF

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 14,851 posts
  • LocationEldersburg, Md

Posted 15 June 2012 - 05:46 PM

The whole record just has such incredible flow to it. And I think it's easily their most consistent record and one of their most diverse. They combine the edgy rock from "Monster" with the folksy sound of previous records so beautifully. "Wake Up Bomb" could have easily played on "Monster" and songs like "Electrolite" and "...West was Won" could fit on any number of records; "Out of Time" "Green" "Murmer" etc.

That's why I like it the most.

And yes, "Leave" is a great song. "Electrolite" is probably my favorite song on the record, with "Bittersweet Me" "Undertow" and "Leave" all jockeying for position in second.


Definitely a fair point. I remember when the album came out the "I'm outta Here" line at the end of "Electrolite" had everyone thinking they were breaking up. Though I guess Bill Berry did leave shortly after..They Played "Wake Up Bomb" (First called, "Wake Up Mom") throughout the Monster tour in '95, and I couldn't wait to hear it on the record.

I do love their 80s stuff so much more overall probably, I mean I was the kid in High School that was listening to "Pageant" when everyone else was listening to Winger and Warrant. Kind of shaped my views on politics, as pathetic as it might sound..
@beginthebegin71

#8 Pedro Cerrano

Pedro Cerrano

    I Miss McNulty

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 35,435 posts
  • LocationEllicott City, MD

Posted 15 June 2012 - 05:59 PM

To be honest, R.E.M. was the first band that really made me get "into" music. Smashing Pumpkins were second. I was born in 1982 and, growing up like everyone else I had my MC Hammer tapes, my Vanilla Ice cassette singles, etc. My dad owned "Out of Time" and "Automatic for the People" and I remember listening to those and slowly learning to appreciate what good music was.

"Monster" came out when I was 12 and I remember "What's the Frequency Kenneth" being pretty different than the other crap most of my friends listened to. I bought that tape, loved it and was completely sold. It took me a while to get into "New Adventures" and the IRS stuff (other than the singles) but once I did that was it.

There is baseball, and occasionally there are other things of note

"Now OPS sucks.  Got it."

"Making his own olive brine is peak Mackus."

"I'm too hungover to watch a loss." - McNulty

@bopper33


#9 SBTarheel

SBTarheel

    HOF

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 14,851 posts
  • LocationEldersburg, Md

Posted 15 June 2012 - 06:07 PM

To be honest, R.E.M. was the first band that really made me get "into" music. Smashing Pumpkins were second. I was born in 1982 and, growing up like everyone else I had my MC Hammer tapes, my Vanilla Ice cassette singles, etc. My dad owned "Out of Time" and "Automatic for the People" and I remember listening to those and slowly learning to appreciate what good music was.

"Monster" came out when I was 12 and I remember "What's the Frequency Kenneth" being pretty different than the other crap most of my friends listened to. I bought that tape, loved it and was completely sold. It took me a while to get into "New Adventures" and the IRS stuff (other than the singles) but once I did that was it.


That's awesome..Me too, just in 1982, when I was 11. I heard "Sitting Still" on 98 Rock as REM was opening for the Police on parts of the Synchronicity tour..My Father bought "Murmur" for us, and I was hooked from the get go. I went and saw them a few times before they hit it big, and even moreso since. I'm trying to get my Daughter (9) to listen, but I'm not having much luck yet.
@beginthebegin71

#10 Pedro Cerrano

Pedro Cerrano

    I Miss McNulty

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 35,435 posts
  • LocationEllicott City, MD

Posted 15 June 2012 - 06:11 PM

That's awesome..Me too, just in 1982, when I was 11. I heard "Sitting Still" on 98 Rock as REM was opening for the Police on parts of the Synchronicity tour..My Father bought "Murmur" for us, and I was hooked from the get go. I went and saw them a few times before they hit it big, and even moreso since. I'm trying to get my Daughter (9) to listen, but I'm not having much luck yet.


Just keep her the hell away from Justin Bieber and Carly Rae Jespen.

She doesn't have to love REM, just make sure she doesn't love the wrong stuff.

Going back to my dad again, he was a Giants (NY) fan. He told me "You don't have to love the Giants, just please please please don't ever love the Redskins."

This is probably why I'm a Caps and Wizards fan but, until the Ravens came to town, just passively rooted for the Packers.

I may take that approach with my kids too, I'd imagine it's easier to tell them what NOT to like than to tell that what to like. But hey I'm 30 and single so WTF do I know?

There is baseball, and occasionally there are other things of note

"Now OPS sucks.  Got it."

"Making his own olive brine is peak Mackus."

"I'm too hungover to watch a loss." - McNulty

@bopper33


#11 Adam Wolff

Adam Wolff

    HOF

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 5,294 posts
  • LocationWaynesboro, PA

Posted 15 June 2012 - 06:16 PM

This might sound treasonous, but 'Out of Time' is the only album of their's I've ever listened to :oops:

This thread might make me dl some though.

@AdamWolff


 


#12 Pedro Cerrano

Pedro Cerrano

    I Miss McNulty

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 35,435 posts
  • LocationEllicott City, MD

Posted 15 June 2012 - 06:18 PM

Oh man....do you like "Out of Time"? The slower, more country (but NOT country) sound? If so, go for "Automatic." If you want something harder sounding go for "Monster."

There is baseball, and occasionally there are other things of note

"Now OPS sucks.  Got it."

"Making his own olive brine is peak Mackus."

"I'm too hungover to watch a loss." - McNulty

@bopper33


#13 Adam Wolff

Adam Wolff

    HOF

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 5,294 posts
  • LocationWaynesboro, PA

Posted 15 June 2012 - 06:20 PM

Oh man....do you like "Out of Time"? The slower, more country (but NOT country) sound? If so, go for "Automatic." If you want something harder sounding go for "Monster."


I like it enough, I suppose..to tell you the truth, R.E.M. is just a band I haven't checked out much, for some reason. I guess I liked "Out of Time" enough to remember that I liked it, but not enough to really check out anything else. I never really had any friends into them and my parents were only casual fans, so they've just never found their way into my life.

I'm going to check out some stuff from Monster now!

@AdamWolff


 


#14 Adam Wolff

Adam Wolff

    HOF

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 5,294 posts
  • LocationWaynesboro, PA

Posted 15 June 2012 - 06:21 PM

And just looked at the album, I obviously know and really enjoy 'What's the Frequency, Kenneth?'. But I believe that's the only song I've ever heard off of it.

@AdamWolff


 


#15 SBTarheel

SBTarheel

    HOF

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 14,851 posts
  • LocationEldersburg, Md

Posted 15 June 2012 - 06:23 PM

Just keep her the hell away from Justin Bieber and Carly Rae Jespen.

She doesn't have to love REM, just make sure she doesn't love the wrong stuff.

Going back to my dad again, he was a Giants (NY) fan. He told me "You don't have to love the Giants, just please please please don't ever love the Redskins."

This is probably why I'm a Caps and Wizards fan but, until the Ravens came to town, just passively rooted for the Packers.

I may take that approach with my kids too, I'd imagine it's easier to tell them what NOT to like than to tell that what to like. But hey I'm 30 and single so WTF do I know?


I'm trying, she does like Taylor Swift, but at least she writes her own stuff. I grew up with my Father loving the "mellow" 70s stuff like the Eagles, Poco, Orleans, Supertramp...etc. So I'm drawn a bit to the slower REM stuff if I really think about it. I think you lost your Dad fairly young like I did (I apologize if I'm mistaken), so it's a bit bittersweet to reminisce.

As far as kinds go, I promised myself I wouldn't let them listen to crap, but it's not easy...
@beginthebegin71

#16 SBTarheel

SBTarheel

    HOF

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 14,851 posts
  • LocationEldersburg, Md

Posted 15 June 2012 - 06:24 PM

And just looked at the album, I obviously know and really enjoy 'What's the Frequency, Kenneth?'. But I believe that's the only song I've ever heard off of it.


Go download Monster right now!! If you like it, just go back to Murmur, and get em all in order..

Best decision you'll make this week.
@beginthebegin71

#17 Pedro Cerrano

Pedro Cerrano

    I Miss McNulty

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 35,435 posts
  • LocationEllicott City, MD

Posted 15 June 2012 - 06:25 PM

And just looked at the album, I obviously know and really enjoy 'What's the Frequency, Kenneth?'. But I believe that's the only song I've ever heard off of it.


"Crush With Eyeliner" "Strange Currencies" "Tongue" and "Bang and Blame" are all must-hears.

There is baseball, and occasionally there are other things of note

"Now OPS sucks.  Got it."

"Making his own olive brine is peak Mackus."

"I'm too hungover to watch a loss." - McNulty

@bopper33


#18 Pedro Cerrano

Pedro Cerrano

    I Miss McNulty

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 35,435 posts
  • LocationEllicott City, MD

Posted 18 June 2012 - 10:50 AM

Been listening to their earlier stuff this weekend. Real good. Reckoning real good Seth.

There is baseball, and occasionally there are other things of note

"Now OPS sucks.  Got it."

"Making his own olive brine is peak Mackus."

"I'm too hungover to watch a loss." - McNulty

@bopper33


#19 SBTarheel

SBTarheel

    HOF

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 14,851 posts
  • LocationEldersburg, Md

Posted 18 June 2012 - 11:24 AM

Been listening to their earlier stuff this weekend. Real good. Reckoning real good Seth.


Reckoning has always been my favorite. "Rockville" I could listen to all day, every day. In fact, I'm sure I have.
@beginthebegin71

#20 You Play to Win the Game

You Play to Win the Game

    HOF

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 60,347 posts
  • LocationMaryland

Posted 18 June 2012 - 04:26 PM

So I saw this thread today at work and decided to listen to the "In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003" album that I downloaded a while ago to see if I could get into them. I have to say, I was pleased.

It's a short commute, so I only got 4 songs in:
Man on the Moon - Of course I've heard this before, very good song
Everybody Hurts - Classic
Bad Day - Liked it
Stand - Liked it

This is the track list from that album - http://en.wikipedia.... ... ck_listing

Any other must listen songs I should look into? Or should I just get all of their albums and be done with it? (I am hesitant to get full albums of a band that's been around a long time because it's such a tall task to tackle them all)




0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users


Our Sponsors


 width=