R.E.M. has that ability to produce radio-friendly pop-rock, but still maintain an indie tinge which can appeal to some on that end of the spectrum. With a far more intellectual approach to their music than the basic frivolities of what has become the commercial music industry, this band is always a viable option. The album however does not produce instant anthems like that of Losing My Religion, Man On The Moon, Radio Song, The One I Love, or the song that got used over the weekend of 21 May (with the failed Rapture prophecy) on American news cable channels, It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine). As is so often the case, a band is identified by its vocalist and after pondering this in the light of Michael Stipe, along with a similar scenario as Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder being the recognizable figure (the rest of the band could pass you in the street and you wouldn’t know), I spotted that Vedder actually features on the song It Happened Today (!). Now a 3-piece with session musicians and guests, the essence of R.E.M. is still fully intact after 3 decades.
Rating : 3/5 – Pretty Cool
Reviewed By : Paul Blom
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