Life After R.E.M.: Discussion Thread
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The friendliest place on the web for anyone that follows U2.
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If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
lazarus
Blue Crack Supplier
This is really late to the game, as the Monster 25th anniversary deluxe edition came out back in 2019, and I'm not sure why I didn't spring for it, or look deeper into what was on it. Maybe because I already owned the Road Movie DVD and didn't feel like double-dipping on that, I don't remember.
But I really should have, because the complete live show included with the deluxe set is a gig I was actually at, and had I known that I would have sprung for it, easily.
Back in 1995, I finally saw R.E.M. for the first time; although I'd been a fan since Out of Time came out (I was working at a record store during the Green era and found the album extremely annoying), the band didn't tour for that release or Automatic For The People, so this was my first chance. My friend and I didn't do very well with our tickets, having to settle for the nosebleed seats at the Rosemont Horizon (famed Chicago-area venue). Regardless, we still liked the show a lot--I remember transcribing the setlist on post-it notes which I might still have buried somewhere. As luck would have it, we wound up scoring seats in the first 10 rows for face value the second night, and did it all over again. And that second show is the one on this set, with no edits.
I just compared the two nights on Setlists.fm, and there was a surprising amount of difference between them: 8 substitutions, more than you'd get at any U2 show in history on a multiple night stand, if memory serves (paging Axver...).
There was a healthy dose of Monster on both nights, 10 and 9 tracks, respectively. And they were alternating openers with I Took Your Name and What's The Frequency Kenneth so I got to experience both versions. They also played on both nights three new songs, two of which would wind up on New Adventures in Hi-Fi (Undertow and Departure) and another which wound up on the Batman & Robin soundtrack (Revolution).
For those who might be interested, here's the list of substituted songs:
NIGHT 1 (6/2/95)
Drive (Automatic)
Try Not To Breathe (Automatic)
I Don't Sleep, I Dream (Monster)
Disturbance At The Heron House (Document)
Half A World Away (Out of Time)
Bang and Blame (Monster)
Finest Worksong (Document)
Fall On Me (Lifes Rich Pageant)
NIGHT 2 (6/3/95)
Near Wild Heaven (Out of Time)
Welcome to the Occupation (Document)
Me in Honey (Out of Time)
Monty Got A Raw Deal (Automatic)
You (Monster)
Orange Crush (Green)
So. Central Rain (Reckoning)
Pop Song 89 (Green)
It's a fairly even split in terms of my preferences. What's surprising is that they only played 4/3 songs from Automatic, considering its stature and popularity. Maybe they felt they couldn't do it justice without a string section or whatever, who knows. Like Shuttlecock on ZooTV, they played very few old school tracks, only 3/2 songs from the I.R.S. years.
Anyway, here's the full set from Night 2:
What's the Frequency, Kenneth?
Circus Envy
Crush With Eyeliner
Near Wild Heaven
Welcome to the Occupation
Undertow
I Took Your Name
Strange Currencies
Me in Honey
Revolution
Tongue
Man on the Moon
Country Feedback
Monty Got a Raw Deal
Losing My Religion
You
Departure
Orange Crush
Get Up
Star 69
Encore:
Let Me In
Everybody Hurts
So. Central Rain
Pop Song 89
It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
But I really should have, because the complete live show included with the deluxe set is a gig I was actually at, and had I known that I would have sprung for it, easily.
Back in 1995, I finally saw R.E.M. for the first time; although I'd been a fan since Out of Time came out (I was working at a record store during the Green era and found the album extremely annoying), the band didn't tour for that release or Automatic For The People, so this was my first chance. My friend and I didn't do very well with our tickets, having to settle for the nosebleed seats at the Rosemont Horizon (famed Chicago-area venue). Regardless, we still liked the show a lot--I remember transcribing the setlist on post-it notes which I might still have buried somewhere. As luck would have it, we wound up scoring seats in the first 10 rows for face value the second night, and did it all over again. And that second show is the one on this set, with no edits.
I just compared the two nights on Setlists.fm, and there was a surprising amount of difference between them: 8 substitutions, more than you'd get at any U2 show in history on a multiple night stand, if memory serves (paging Axver...).
There was a healthy dose of Monster on both nights, 10 and 9 tracks, respectively. And they were alternating openers with I Took Your Name and What's The Frequency Kenneth so I got to experience both versions. They also played on both nights three new songs, two of which would wind up on New Adventures in Hi-Fi (Undertow and Departure) and another which wound up on the Batman & Robin soundtrack (Revolution).
For those who might be interested, here's the list of substituted songs:
NIGHT 1 (6/2/95)
Drive (Automatic)
Try Not To Breathe (Automatic)
I Don't Sleep, I Dream (Monster)
Disturbance At The Heron House (Document)
Half A World Away (Out of Time)
Bang and Blame (Monster)
Finest Worksong (Document)
Fall On Me (Lifes Rich Pageant)
NIGHT 2 (6/3/95)
Near Wild Heaven (Out of Time)
Welcome to the Occupation (Document)
Me in Honey (Out of Time)
Monty Got A Raw Deal (Automatic)
You (Monster)
Orange Crush (Green)
So. Central Rain (Reckoning)
Pop Song 89 (Green)
It's a fairly even split in terms of my preferences. What's surprising is that they only played 4/3 songs from Automatic, considering its stature and popularity. Maybe they felt they couldn't do it justice without a string section or whatever, who knows. Like Shuttlecock on ZooTV, they played very few old school tracks, only 3/2 songs from the I.R.S. years.
Anyway, here's the full set from Night 2:
What's the Frequency, Kenneth?
Circus Envy
Crush With Eyeliner
Near Wild Heaven
Welcome to the Occupation
Undertow
I Took Your Name
Strange Currencies
Me in Honey
Revolution
Tongue
Man on the Moon
Country Feedback
Monty Got a Raw Deal
Losing My Religion
You
Departure
Orange Crush
Get Up
Star 69
Encore:
Let Me In
Everybody Hurts
So. Central Rain
Pop Song 89
It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
cobl04
45:33
I’d be interested to know how Everybody Hurts was perceived back then. A few years old by that point, but I can’t conceive of it being anything other than an incredibly trite, overplayed, dreary meme.
lazarus
Blue Crack Supplier
When the album first came out, I don't believe it had been issued as a single yet. And at first I thought it was a well-written, moving track. Once the video became overplayed and it was a huge pop culture anthem, it got old quickly.
By the time I saw these concerts a few years later, I was way over it. If memory serves, when they started playing it that first night, me and my friend both sat down in the nosebleeds seats in protest.
It's interesting to compare this to One, which was a crossover hit as well. I'm sure there are many who are sick of that one for similar reasons, and they both deal mostly in broad strokes, but at least Shuttlecock didn't make theirs too maudlin.
By the time I saw these concerts a few years later, I was way over it. If memory serves, when they started playing it that first night, me and my friend both sat down in the nosebleeds seats in protest.
It's interesting to compare this to One, which was a crossover hit as well. I'm sure there are many who are sick of that one for similar reasons, and they both deal mostly in broad strokes, but at least Shuttlecock didn't make theirs too maudlin.
cobl04
45:33
Interesting comparison with One. I'm obviously biased, but I think One really holds up, it's much more nuanced musically and lyrically imo.
DaveC
Blue Crack Addict
it always seemed to me that everybody hurts is just the off-brand version of never tear us apart.
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lazarus
Blue Crack Supplier
Strange Currencies from the following album is very similar to Everybody Hurts and an improvement IMO.
It's fantastic. So is the below performance, for a freaking compilation. Crazy.
I had such high hopes for REM around this time, it felt like they were really hitting their groove without Bill....and then Around The Sun, and I don't think my fandom ever really came back to what it was pre-2004.
I remember that video was EVERYWHERE. I was 12 or 13 and at the age when everyone came home and watched MTV after school. It seemed like it was on everyday. The Numb video also got a lot of airplay around that time and was one of the first things that got me thinking about U2. But yeah, Everybody Hurts is like a bottom-5 REM song for me, and I agree that Strange Currencies is waaaay better.
monkeyskin
Refugee
So Laz, what did you think of the remixed Monster?
Overall I liked it, the sound of the mix was very good to my ears. But I felt that Kenneth and Let Me In were neutered versions. The lack of tremolo in the former and removing the My Bloody Valentine soundscape in the latter took away what set them apart in the first place.
Overall I liked it, the sound of the mix was very good to my ears. But I felt that Kenneth and Let Me In were neutered versions. The lack of tremolo in the former and removing the My Bloody Valentine soundscape in the latter took away what set them apart in the first place.
namkcuR
ONE love, blood, life
I know that wasn't directed at me, but I couldn't agree with you anymore. The original version of Let Me In is magical; the remix lacks that magic. It doesn't carry nearly the emotional punch.
Good extensive interview with Mike Mills looking back at the making of Up on the 25th Anniversary of its release.
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/...P7Ggb386njSBvAcqUicH6vhsB76ovSvL-zHFh8ovg51nI
...and damn, just reading back through the first ten pages of this thread, we used to have some great discussion on here. I miss that.
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/...P7Ggb386njSBvAcqUicH6vhsB76ovSvL-zHFh8ovg51nI
...and damn, just reading back through the first ten pages of this thread, we used to have some great discussion on here. I miss that.
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lazarus
Blue Crack Supplier
This thread having no posts in 2 years is sad, even if the band is defunct.
It's worth noting that R.E.M. is doing special editions for all these albums, even the ones that weren't huge hits.
U2 should consider what that means for fans.
It's worth noting that R.E.M. is doing special editions for all these albums, even the ones that weren't huge hits.
U2 should consider what that means for fans.
lazarus
Blue Crack Supplier
http://www.x.com/brofromanother/status/1731345169864089990
This is a gifted article so clicking through should get you past the New York Times paywall.
The short version: Stipe has been working on a solo album the last few years and it *might* be out next year.
But it's a beautiful read overall.
This is a gifted article so clicking through should get you past the New York Times paywall.
The short version: Stipe has been working on a solo album the last few years and it *might* be out next year.
But it's a beautiful read overall.
prbiker15
Blue Crack Addict
Surprise performance at the Songwriters Hall of Fame! So good to see them together on stage again, even if it might never happen again.
cobl04
45:33
He still sounds fantastic.
I hope they can change their minds and so once more tour. I didn't need new music, but I never got to see them live and it's a regret
BigMacPhisto
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
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I never saw them live either and I was an obsessive by 2003 and had been a record-buying fan since 1996 when I immediately bought New Adventures. I considered going to their Around the Sun show at Berkeley Greek but just didn't.
Earlier this year I went to the tribute shows with an All Star indie lineup and actor Michael Shannon on vocals. They did Murmur one night and Reckoning the next. REM ended up showing up at the Georgia show which I'm sure you're all aware of at this point. I went to the bathroom one of the nights after doors and Michael Shannon walked in inches away from me looking like some disheveled 50 year old while holding a plastic bag, lol. I didn't say anything because what would I really say? "Hey man, I loved Take Shelter"?
Every album of there's was worth owning until Collapse Into Now. That record just doesn't do anything for me and it's their first that felt like they weren't branching off into a place they hadn't before. Instead it just kind of mimics a lot of different styles from their entire history. The two-disc greatest hits they released that year was near perfect but then it inexplicably had six songs from that year on it with only that final single, We All Go Back To Where We Belong, being a gem. Should have just been that and one song from Collapse and used the real-estate for other missing hits.
Also, Mike Mills is unfortunately a full on MSNBC obsessive shit lib. Hasn't said one thing about Gaza which is something REM would have rightfully condemned right away but is always posting sneering, lame Tweets about whatever GOP operatives are currently the focus of him and Blue MAGA. It's really fucking dumb.
Earlier this year I went to the tribute shows with an All Star indie lineup and actor Michael Shannon on vocals. They did Murmur one night and Reckoning the next. REM ended up showing up at the Georgia show which I'm sure you're all aware of at this point. I went to the bathroom one of the nights after doors and Michael Shannon walked in inches away from me looking like some disheveled 50 year old while holding a plastic bag, lol. I didn't say anything because what would I really say? "Hey man, I loved Take Shelter"?
Every album of there's was worth owning until Collapse Into Now. That record just doesn't do anything for me and it's their first that felt like they weren't branching off into a place they hadn't before. Instead it just kind of mimics a lot of different styles from their entire history. The two-disc greatest hits they released that year was near perfect but then it inexplicably had six songs from that year on it with only that final single, We All Go Back To Where We Belong, being a gem. Should have just been that and one song from Collapse and used the real-estate for other missing hits.
Also, Mike Mills is unfortunately a full on MSNBC obsessive shit lib. Hasn't said one thing about Gaza which is something REM would have rightfully condemned right away but is always posting sneering, lame Tweets about whatever GOP operatives are currently the focus of him and Blue MAGA. It's really fucking dumb.
djerdap
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
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Three bands I am immensely grateful I had the opportunity to see live - R.E.M., Sonic Youth and Soundgarden.
BigMacPhisto
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
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I could have seen Pearl Jam with Sonic Youth at Bill Graham (about a half-sized arena) and was just so disappointed with the Avocado album that I didn't bother. Probably still should have gone, SY was touring Rather Ripped.
Same for Soundgarden when they reunited with Chris but I just couldn't get into the bland reunion record and it just feeling like a cash grab, etc. Oh well. Their run from Ultramega OK through Superunknown is one of hard rock's best.
Same for Soundgarden when they reunited with Chris but I just couldn't get into the bland reunion record and it just feeling like a cash grab, etc. Oh well. Their run from Ultramega OK through Superunknown is one of hard rock's best.
Hewson
Blue Crack Supplier
Saw them 5 times, never after Berry left.
lazarus
Blue Crack Supplier
Back-to-back nights on the Monster tour, once on the Up tour, and once on Accelerate.
Regarding BMP's post above, strongly disagree with the take on Collapse Into Now. While it does revisit certain old sounds (Discoverer = Finest Working, Blue = Country Feedback, etc), it should be judged on the strength of the tracks, which are for the most part strong. The idea that it's not worth owning while Around The Sun is....no bueno. Not that this is the final barometer of quality, but it's worth noting that Sun is the only R.E.M. album on Rate Your Music with a score below 3.0 at 2.58; the next lowest is Reveal at 3.13, with the final two albums rebounding .10 higher than that (also props to the fans for appropriately ranking Hi-Fi above Green). So there's at least consensus here for justifying the idea that the band didn't stumble at the finish line.
For me, Collapse takes the recaptured energy of Accelerate (which also doesn't break much new ground, if we're being honest), and added some sophistication, depth, and variety to the mix. Mine Smell Like Honey is a killer single, Alligator Aviator another great rocker, Walk It Back and Every Day... are gorgeous ballads, and the guests (Vedder, Lenny Kate, Patti, Peaches) all make their small contributions count. The only clunker for me is Oh My Heart, which is too anonymous of an Automatic dirge retread.
Regarding BMP's post above, strongly disagree with the take on Collapse Into Now. While it does revisit certain old sounds (Discoverer = Finest Working, Blue = Country Feedback, etc), it should be judged on the strength of the tracks, which are for the most part strong. The idea that it's not worth owning while Around The Sun is....no bueno. Not that this is the final barometer of quality, but it's worth noting that Sun is the only R.E.M. album on Rate Your Music with a score below 3.0 at 2.58; the next lowest is Reveal at 3.13, with the final two albums rebounding .10 higher than that (also props to the fans for appropriately ranking Hi-Fi above Green). So there's at least consensus here for justifying the idea that the band didn't stumble at the finish line.
For me, Collapse takes the recaptured energy of Accelerate (which also doesn't break much new ground, if we're being honest), and added some sophistication, depth, and variety to the mix. Mine Smell Like Honey is a killer single, Alligator Aviator another great rocker, Walk It Back and Every Day... are gorgeous ballads, and the guests (Vedder, Lenny Kate, Patti, Peaches) all make their small contributions count. The only clunker for me is Oh My Heart, which is too anonymous of an Automatic dirge retread.
BigMacPhisto
Rock n' Roll Doggie ALL ACCESS
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Around The Sun is a record of great songs harmed immensely by incredibly lazy arrangements and production. It's so fucking sterile sounding.
MrPryck2U
ONE love, blood, life
Saw them 3 times. 1995, 2003, and 2008. They kicked ass at all 3. The third one was at Jones Beach in the rain. It didn't dampen our spirits. Lol!
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