Posted on 09/23/2011 12:43:44 PM PDT by mojito
The world in which R.E.M. was created and came to artistic prominence was a much different one from today. They were a post-punk band, to be sure, but they sounded like the Byrds more than X. Their musical roots were in Americana (a genre that hadn't been recognized yet), the static psychedelia of the Velvet Underground, and to some extent Nick Drakian dreamfolk, but philosophically they were inculcated in punk and its discontents. Issues like integrity, self-determination, and aesthetics were involved in talking and thinking about the band in a way that's quite foreign now.
(Excerpt) Read more at slate.com ...
Yes, I know Michael Stipe has annoying kneejerk liberal politics, but I've enjoyed their music for many years.
It’s the end of the world as we know it.
Stipe is a jerk.
But I enjoyed their music in 80’s - early 90’s
I feel fine.
I loved them in the 80s, had no idea they were still around.
Oh well, who cares.
They are also losing their religion.
Losing my religion was a great song.
No ads—straight to the music on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ2yXWi0ppw
What? The B52's are breaking up? Now that would be a real tragedy. REM hasn't been relevant in years and really haven't put out any music worth listening to since the 80's. I don't think there will be many crying teeny boppers over this.
I enjoyed their music when they were known as The Byrds. McGuinn and Hillman are both Christians and are still playing.
Back when they were kids - they raced their Jaguars up the Hollywood canyon roads to go fire David Crosby after his childish lefty political outbursts at Monterey Pop Festival. This was during JFK/LBJ’s Vietnam War when Democrat LBJ was president.
Lita Ford can kick his butt. :-)
WTF?
I honestly thought they had gone their separate ways about a decade ago.
I always thought of them as a band sucking up oxygen so good bands couldn’t be heard. They should have retired decades ago
Finest Worksong and Don’t Go Back to Rockville were my favorites. Especially loved the little tribute to Johnny Rivers’ “Poor Side of Town” at the end.
I have to say I never really thought R.E.M. sounded like the Byrds...
The guys that pioneered the whiny sound that has taken over “indy” rock. Leaving now that the damage looks permanent.
Nice article.
Is that Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones that wrote this article?
Thanks for all the great songs R.E.M. guys.
Nice article.
Is that Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones that wrote this article?
Thanks for all the great songs R.E.M. guys.
I’ve always liked their music. They’ve had some tragedies. I forgot which one it was but one of them developed an aneurism in his head. He’s lucky he got all his marbles back.
I could do without I think, Stype’s confession of being gay; what does that have to do with music and seriously, was it that big of a surprise?
Check out a group called “The Decemberists” and an album called “The King is Dead”. It will probably sound very familiar. Seems like a guy named Peter Buck plays on several tracks. Yes, the same guy that left REM about the time they stopped making music and became totally political - wonder if there was a connection?
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