Well,
it has been a long time since 1983 and U2- oops!.. I mean R.E.M.
has been through many changes. From a little IRS demo called Chronic
Town to their new album Reveal, R.E.M. has proved worthy of turning
out some of the best emo-rock through the better part of the eighties
all the way to the new millennium.
Their
new CD Reveal takes one into a somber state of thought. Breaking
the pattern in intervals with medium to up tempo songs throughout
the disc. Although better than the Up album, Reveal has the tone
of a band still mourning the decision of a well respected drummer
to quit after twenty years and a brain aneurysm.
The
overall mix is good. Stipe's vocals seem to be right out front
at times, but as usual he mumbles here and there. Different effects
are melded well into the music provided by guitars and keyboards.
At time it shows off the constant ingenuity of a well oiled band.
Now lets see what R.E.M. sez this time around.
Track
one The
Lifting appears to be about someone lifting out of their
mind. I could be way off base, but this song suggests a sort of
hypnotherapy of some kind. "Your counselor agrees, you've always
marked these boundaries, now your free."
I've
Been High sounds like life's highs and lows. I especially
like the phrase, "Make my make-believe believe in me."
All
The Way To Reno is a mid-tempo happy song of sorts. The
whole song seems to be a metaphor about someone making it in the
world, their own way. "You've written your own directions and
whistled the rules of chance."
She
Just Wants To Be is a very poetic song about a girl who
just wants to be somewhere other than she is in here station of
life. I really dig the melding of vocal and acoustic guitar.
Some
of the songs on Reveal are poetic in nature. Disappear is one of those. Instead of analyzing the words, I urge you (the
music listener) to form your own opinion here. Oh I'm not saying
to run out and buy this CD, But if you get a chance, listen to
the lyrics of this song.
Unfortunately Saturn
Return seems to be the musical downer of the album. It
also appears to be another song about wanting to escape the current
position of one's life.
Beat
A Drum is a dreamy tale of acknowledging the fact that
we are not perfect. To realize that we constantly grow through
life. "Don't forget, we're just halfway to coal."
Imitation
Of Life is the CDs major up-lifter. A pop song of reassurance.
The first single too.
Summer
Turns To High is a beach boy ballad sounding tune about
the joys summer can bring. "Offer wine and nectarines, the fireflies
and time moves like syrup through the evening with a sweet resign."
If
you have this CD, listen to Chorus
And The Ring. E-mail me on this site with your comments
if you'd like.
It
is not too often you catch a love song from Stipe, but we seem
to have one here. I'll
Take The Rain is a captivating song about lost love.
Beachball
ends this record with a groovy 60's feel. Night-life on a weekend
party beach is just about all this song boasts. Surf's up tonight!
R.E.M.
is still Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Michael Stipe. This album
was produced by Pat McCarthy and R.E.M. It was recorded in studios
throughout Vancouver, Athens, Dublin, and Miami; which could explain
all the summer and beach referrals.
Lifting
shadows off a dream once broken,
Bob
