Currently Listening Accelerate By R.E.M. see related

And there we have it.

Album of the Day: R.E.M. "Reveal"

You know, I have to take back what i said yesterday about enjoying all of R.E.M.'s album, I listened through this album (well didn't make it actually) and it's a train wreck. I mean it's really just a bad album. I think there's a good album in there somewhere that's trying to break out, but overall it's just a bore, and really uninspired, silliness. Now, that said, there are some AMAZING songs on here. I honestly don't know how "All the Way to Reno (You're gonna be a star)" even goes on this album because its so incredible. I mean it's just beautiful and shows that they still have life in them. Another great song is "Imitation of Life" which you can tell they know it's one of the few bright moments because its one of the few times they even are acting like they care. The album also kicks off with the nice "The Lifting", and there are MAYBE 2 or 3 other tracks that are worth listening to, but then the rest is just horrible, filler SHIT! I mean it, I just don't think you defend this stuff. I believe "Up" was a succesful, experimental departure for the band, but "Reveal" is just floundering. I don't own "Around the Sun", so won't make it all the way through their full lenght albums as far as reviews go, but I hear it is about the same level of quality as this one. I hate ending on a sad note for R.E.M. with this album, but here's to the hope that songs like "All the Way to Reno" and "Imitation of Life" point to some life that is still there, and that R.E.M. will make a great comback such as acts like Belle and Sebastian, Steely Dan or Oasis.

Album of the Day: R.E.M. "Up

I think the fact that I have 12 albums by R.E.M. and that I enjoy all of them says a lot about their ability. They just really have incredible consistency, though their last 3 albums I think have caused some to believe them to have really slipped up on their form. Some even don't think they've done anything good since "Automatic for the People", but I believe "Up" is one of those albums that can be too quickly disregarded, by myself included, but "Up" definitely has a lot to offer, though it's probably R.E.M.'s most dramatic departure they have taken their entire career. The change is understandable seeing how they lost their drummer due to health issues, which I think R.E.M. take in stride by not trying to be what they're not but instead redefining what they're trying to accomplish, therefore the album results in more reliance upon studio tricks and keyboards. But this makes for a very pleasant and unique album. The sound is incredibly soft and understated, not really ever getting very much energy, other than the upbeat "Lotus" and "Hope", both highlights of the album. But the album kicks off with a very soft and atmosphereic "Airportman", leading into the afore-mentioned "Lotus" which lends the most energy of the entire album. But then "suspicion" heads back into the atmospheric direction and is very pleasant if you give it a chance. "Hope" is a really great, textured song. "At My Most Beautiful" is many people's favorite, R.E.M.'s offering to the Brian Wilson ode genre. This is really an effective, layered, complex vocally engaging song. The album continues with a string of slower, though very softly textured songs, including highlights in "Walk Unafraid" and "Daysleeper". It's important to note that its really quite a change for R.E.M. in this album because not only are there printed lyrics, but Stipe's lyrics are incredibly clear, a huge departure from earlier work. But, yeah, I think that "Up" is no place to start for someone getting into the band, but it's also not a disappointing addition to their very full catalog.

Album of the Day: R.E.M. "New Adventures in Hi-Fi"

Oh look at that brilliant lovely cover art! I am a huge fan of artwork, and this one just is so perfect for the purposes at hand on this album. I know I throw around the "overrated"/"underrated" tag a lot, but I think here at the very least its important to say that this one is definitely "overlooked". Mostly because its kind of the forgotten R.E.M. album, but you know what, it's a fucking incredible album. I think its definitely the 2nd best R.E.M. album after "Fables of the Reconstruction". It's just a brilliant, flawless rock and roll masterpiece. It's compiled as a travel album, which is kind of the theme, and many of it is recorded on the road, during sound checks and such, and really has an amazing ability to capture that feel. But it kicks off with the moody "How the West Was Won and Where it Got Us", "the Wake up Bomb" throws things into high gear, "New Test Leper" is a really raw and honest song from Michael Stipe regarding his views on Chrstianity, and though I don't agree with his views, you really have to appreciate emotional honesty he shows here. But yeah, I mean this one is just wall to wall excitement. I really suggest this one to R.E.M. fans who think they own the important material but have yet to look into this, one of their very best.

Album of the Day: R.E.M. "Monster"

People are all over the place when it comes to this one, but I am definitely a "Monster" fan, I think this one gets such a bad rap because its kind of different and loud and sounds kind of the same throughout, but I really love it. The thing about this album that you have to understand is that it has ATTITUDE! I mean it's just very bad ass. I think it's an album that R.E.M. wouldn't be the same without. And I mean "Belong" is a brilliant, shoegazer tinged R.E.M. treausre. But it's really a spectacular album, you can usually find like a dozen in your local used cd store, and don't be afraid to give "Monster" a chance.