I can have two different answers to the question “how many times did you see R.E.M. in concert?” I saw them twice on the Green tour and then once on each tour after that. That makes seven. However, the real answer is eight because I saw them once before any of those shows, but wasn’t […]
I used to do a semi-regular feature on Fridays called It’s The End of the Week As We Know It (or ITEOTWAWKI), a takeoff of one of R.E.M.’s most recognizable songs. And if you don’t know about my R.E.M. fandom, strap in. I can go pretty deep on even the most minute issues on the […]
(I have probably written about this before, but I don’t care) When I was in my seat (or, more accurately, standing in front of it) at Merriweather Post Pavilion 13 years ago tonight, I had no idea it would be the last time I saw R.E.M. in concert. The show came at a crazy time […]
Thirty years ago, R.E.M. released Fables of the Reconstruction. The album has taken almost mythic qualities among the band’s canon over time, mainly because no discussion can avoid the problems the band had during the recording process. In short, they were stuck in England where the weather was horrible and producer Joe Boyd pushed them in […]
On this day in 1986, something very special happened. I had no idea at the time. R.E.M. released Life’s Rich Pageant on this day 28 years ago, the band’s fourth album. I had yet to discover the Athens (Ga.) quartet at the time even though I saw them open for The Police a few years earlier. […]
Four years ago today, I faced one of the most important professional days in my life. I had to prepare for an event on June 12 which had to go perfectly. All the stress of that reality, however, gave way to something else. I had tickets to see R.E.M. the night before my big day. […]
I finally broke down and bought the (supposed) final album from R.E.M. I say supposed because Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage 1982–2011 may be the last project the band works on together in the studio, but I really doubt the business entity that is R.E.M. will never release anything ever again. I’ve blogged before […]
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 […]