In a couple of weeks, R.E.M. will release what it calls a definitive retrospective on their 31-year career, “Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage, 1982-2011.” The band’s website has started a number of initiatives to promote the release of the 40-song collection. They have a “Song of the Week” with various performances of […]
Obviously, I have thought way too much about the R.E.M. breakup this week. A few friends contacted me to say that I came to mind when they heard the news, which is touching, but I’m not distraught or anything. Since most albums in the past 10-15 years have been hit or miss, I’m not that […]
I remember the first time I heard R.E.M. They opened for The Police in August 1983, and the thing I remember most is that I don’t remember anything. My siblings told me opening acts sucked and I should not pay attention. I remember they were incredibly manic on stage and Michael Stipe introduced them as […]
When the earthquake hit the East Cost on Tuesday, I made a joke in reference to the lyrics to “It’s The End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine).” Now that a hurricane is bearing down on the East Coast, I’m beginning to think that Michael Stipe’s word play is more […]
I didn’t realize until now that I hadn’t posted at all about the upcoming re-release of “Lifes Rich Pageant.” The new version comes out on July 12 with a bonus disc of demos from March 1986. The “Athens Demos” are previously unreleased, but let’s hope they are also previously unheard, just like the demos from […]
A number of years ago, I went to the mall to purchase a CD. I only had the songs I wanted on cassette and wanted to upgrade my collection. After I handed the disc to the clerk at the register, he sighed. Now this was no sullen teenager bothered by some older guy’s nostalgic purchase. […]
My column for this coming week focuses on the motivations and meaning of the Go-Go’s concert I saw last week. That will post on Tuesday. I wanted to talk a little here about the actual show, which was also blogged about here. It is kind of a shame that they didn’t fill the Hershey Theatre. […]
I was just sitting around the other week thinking, “We don’t have enough television shows which judge people’s singing ability.” Well, to be honest, I didn’t say that. I would never say that. But some television executive said it at some point because NBC has started hyping a new show to find a hidden talent. […]
I have thought about posting a review of R.E.M.’s new album “Collapse Into Now” a bunch of times since its release in early March. Lord knows I have listened to the album a bunch of times. The problem is, I have also read and listened to other people’s reviews and didn’t feel the need to […]
In anticipation of the release of “Collapse Into Now” next week, Paste Magazine took a unique look at R.E.M.’s legacy by posting a list of the 20 best cover versions of the band’s work. I loved this piece because I had not heard many of them, and they managed to have audio for about half […]