I love this album, I really do! Leaving New York, Electron Blue, Aftermath, The Worst Joke Ever and The Ascent Of Man are all fantastic. Not so keen on the rapping on The Outsiders though, and some songs are quite weak, such as I Wanted To Be Wrong and High Speed Train, but the great songs outnumber the weak songs.
I think one thing that hurts Up/Reveal/ATS, which I all like, is that they're too long. It's been a while, but I want to say they're all in the 50+ to 60+ min range and would all be stronger with some tracks trimmed to get closer to 40 mins. The title track is one of their most ambitious songs they've ever done.
Can R.E.M. ever do wrong? The answer is no. No they can't. Around the Sun is beautiful and puts a gigantic smile on face very time I listen to it. It looks rather like this :D
i thought it was ok, but it was their less interesting album to date, and much too slick.Leaning dangerously towards MOR territory.I was really surprised when i saw them during that tour (in Marseille, yes, the city Stipe mentions in "Fast Speed Train"). The songs from the album sounded much better live.And the overall performance rocked.
R.E.M. finally did what I never thought they would do and that's make a terrible album. I only like a couple of songs on it. It's just so bland and boring and that's not what I expect form my favorite band
I've never thought that this was a bad record. Like a lot of R.E.M albums, it has it's time and place. You just have to be in the mood for it, I guess.
Spot on. There are a few great moments, but it is completely overproduced. It's like all of the meat was stripped off and we just have these bare songs left over. They pack badly needed punch and pace when played live.
You should check out REM's interview with Dave Fanning. On part 2 Michael Stipe talks about what went wrong with Around The Sun. At least he admits that they went wrong on this.
I believe that this is a great album. Yes, it may not have the type of energy that screams in your face but I dont think thats what its all about. For me, its the subtle details that perhaps take a little more time to appreciate, but once you past that there is something definitely quite beautiful.
I love this album, I really do! Leaving New York, Electron Blue, Aftermath, The Worst Joke Ever and The Ascent Of Man are all fantastic. Not so keen on the rapping on The Outsiders though, and some songs are quite weak, such as I Wanted To Be Wrong and High Speed Train, but the great songs outnumber the weak songs.
museandmanicsfan 4 months ago
Do you have a ranking of your favourite REM albums that you could share? Because I'd really like to see it.
museandmanicsfan 4 months ago
I think one thing that hurts Up/Reveal/ATS, which I all like, is that they're too long. It's been a while, but I want to say they're all in the 50+ to 60+ min range and would all be stronger with some tracks trimmed to get closer to 40 mins. The title track is one of their most ambitious songs they've ever done.
bigideas3 6 months ago
Can R.E.M. ever do wrong? The answer is no. No they can't. Around the Sun is beautiful and puts a gigantic smile on face very time I listen to it. It looks rather like this :D
42guide42 7 months ago
i thought it was ok, but it was their less interesting album to date, and much too slick.Leaning dangerously towards MOR territory.I was really surprised when i saw them during that tour (in Marseille, yes, the city Stipe mentions in "Fast Speed Train"). The songs from the album sounded much better live.And the overall performance rocked.
dummytree 1 year ago
R.E.M. finally did what I never thought they would do and that's make a terrible album. I only like a couple of songs on it. It's just so bland and boring and that's not what I expect form my favorite band
boognish94 1 year ago
I've never thought that this was a bad record. Like a lot of R.E.M albums, it has it's time and place. You just have to be in the mood for it, I guess.
Issicra 1 year ago
I have been an REM fan since I was 11. I bought this album when it came out, I think I listend to it less than 10 times. :-(
RabbiJochanan 1 year ago
Spot on. There are a few great moments, but it is completely overproduced. It's like all of the meat was stripped off and we just have these bare songs left over. They pack badly needed punch and pace when played live.
duckyousuckr 1 year ago
You should check out REM's interview with Dave Fanning. On part 2 Michael Stipe talks about what went wrong with Around The Sun. At least he admits that they went wrong on this.
AlanMcB 1 year ago
I believe that this is a great album. Yes, it may not have the type of energy that screams in your face but I dont think thats what its all about. For me, its the subtle details that perhaps take a little more time to appreciate, but once you past that there is something definitely quite beautiful.
tele360 2 years ago
I can understand that perspective. I don't share it, but I see why someone would feel that way about the album. Thanks for the comment!
SirAllAboutMusic 2 years ago
It's hilarious watching these reviews with the captions on.
RockBottomRiser21 2 years ago
Yeah I know haha.
SirAllAboutMusic 2 years ago
rem is rem maybe you like accelerate?
danbit5 2 years ago
I don't think R.E.M. tried very hard on this album, which is the biggest disappointment
musikgeeek67 2 years ago
listen closly and you will find a lot of hidden energy in the kind they play the music... i think it's a very adult album
Jimmypppp 2 years ago
Like you say, there are moments here when you realise why you fell in love with this band and then its gone. And its probably gone forever.
sweetness2follow 2 years ago
hoi a hamer our ere
SuperFatmac 2 years ago
What?
SirAllAboutMusic 2 years ago
@SuperFatmac What?
AlanMcB 1 year ago