Dave78
Dave's not here, man
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2009
- Posts
- 2,143
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- 432
Re: R.e.m.
Looking back on it all, I'd have to say that there were only a handful of songs on the radio that I really liked by REM (Drive, Man on the Moon, Stand, Orange Crush, Finest Worksong, Superman and What's the Frequency, Kenneth?). It wasn't until just last year that I went through their voluminous catalogue of music and discovered just how much great music they recorded. Not just the radio-friendly hits, but the deeper album tracks such as "How The West Was Won And Where It Got Us", "Walk Unafraid", "Low Desert", "Undertow" and "Ignoreland" to name but a few.
If you can get past the catchy pop songs that may be ingrained into your memory, there is much to be discovered in REM's music. I must admit I was a bit biased against them because they didn't look anything like the rockers I patronaged during the 70's and 80's, and afterall... image is everything, right? Funny how when I began listening to bands like Stone Temple Pilots, Smashing Pumpkins and Live in the 90's, my interpretation of REM and their music changed for the better.
Edited to add that I can't say I'm onboard with any of REM's social or political agendas, if any. I'm basing my opinions of them purely on their music.
Looking back on it all, I'd have to say that there were only a handful of songs on the radio that I really liked by REM (Drive, Man on the Moon, Stand, Orange Crush, Finest Worksong, Superman and What's the Frequency, Kenneth?). It wasn't until just last year that I went through their voluminous catalogue of music and discovered just how much great music they recorded. Not just the radio-friendly hits, but the deeper album tracks such as "How The West Was Won And Where It Got Us", "Walk Unafraid", "Low Desert", "Undertow" and "Ignoreland" to name but a few.
If you can get past the catchy pop songs that may be ingrained into your memory, there is much to be discovered in REM's music. I must admit I was a bit biased against them because they didn't look anything like the rockers I patronaged during the 70's and 80's, and afterall... image is everything, right? Funny how when I began listening to bands like Stone Temple Pilots, Smashing Pumpkins and Live in the 90's, my interpretation of REM and their music changed for the better.
Edited to add that I can't say I'm onboard with any of REM's social or political agendas, if any. I'm basing my opinions of them purely on their music.
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But I'm personally too scared to see what their later albums bring or their second Best Of album, cause I'm mainly sticking to the songs I know! 
). Your mileage may vary.
