Hey guys, I'm thinking about researching some R.E.M because I only know Automatic for the people and some facts about the band and their style, so I was looking for some opinions over this group, they seem genuine guys and very friendly, what do you think? Also tell me what would you advise, in terms of albums and songs for a R.E.M noob LOL
Get the album Monster which came out say 95 ,,sounds really good and i remember the edge saying in an interviewat the time that he loved the guitars on that album. I got the feeling R.E.M were following U2's Zooropa in style.
Rem are one brilliant band. Automatic for the People is one of many great Rem albums. Albums I will suggest that you should listen to are Green, Out of Time and Murmur. The other albums are good as well. They have some great anthems as well.
I think they're great, but I can't recommend a single album, they don't have a stand-out album full of great tracks; in my opinion, you'd better get a good Best Of and some good bootlegs
New Adventures in Hi-Fi is their best album after Automatic imo. Some of the best bootlegs are Orlando 89, Milton Keynes 95, Werchter 99, Koln 2001, Avalon 2003, Rock am ring 2005 and Mexico 2008.
I think their recordings prior to 'Out of Time' are better and much more interesting. Here are my faves:
1. Reckoning
2. Murmur
3. Life's Rich Pageant
4. Fables of the Reconstruction
5. Document
Great, great stuff. Murmur and Reckoning are timeless classics. I have a handful of bootlegs from this era which are great as well. One worth checking out is their 1985 Rockapalst show.
If any one has a good boot from their Pageantry tour let me know. This was the first tour that I saw them - amazing show.
Some consider the golden/prime years as being 1986 to1992: Lifes Rich Pageant (1986), Document (1987), Green (1988), Out of Time (1991) and Automatic For the People (1992)
"New Adventures In Hi-Fi" (1996) has some unique qualities, as many of the songs were previewed (and recorded) during the 1994/1995 Monster tour.
Original drummer Bill Berry left the band in 1997. Bill was not only a drummer. He wrote songs (Perfect Circle, Man On The Moon...) and like the Peter and Mike from REM, could play multiple instruments.
Many might feel that the band was not the good or the same after his departure. Admittedly "Up" (1998) is an odd and a bit somber album but there are some great songs there. Which could also be said about 'Reveal' (2001) and 'Around The Sun' (2005).
In fact, Bono had heard 'Reveal' before it was released and had great things to say about it in the press, stating that it was scary how good it was.
Sadly, radio and the media ignored 'Reveal'... and has continued to ignore R.E.M. since just around "New Adventures In Hi-Fi" and Bill Berry's departure in 1997.
Every REM album has some great tunes. Their latest, "Accelerate" is fantastic! I highly recommend it.
A truly fantastic band. Automatic For The People is my favourite album by them, but the song I keep listening to all the time these days is The Great Beyond.
Also the "REM: Live" album recorded in Dublin is fantastic