Rem

Out of Time
$13.98
Building on some of the experiments of 'Green', REM push into more acoustic and poppier territory with 'Out Of Time'. The more direct and political work of the late 80's has been replaced by a more upbeat and personal feel, which is something of a surprise. While grounded in folk-rock and country-rock, there is a much greater emphasis on pop hooks and infectious melodies. 'Out Of Time' is more accessible than any other REM album, although there is still the same sense of experimentation that was seen on 'Green'. The band add in guest vocalists, mandolins, and strings, with several tracks being a complete departure from REM's signature sound. While it is just as ambitious as 'Green', the results are not quite as successful. Perhaps they're trying to do too much, or perhaps it's just that REM sound a little out of place performing bright uplifting pop.

The first two tracks are a good example of the album's hits and misses: 'Losing My Religion' is driven by a lead mandolin and accompanied by strings. It's very different from REM's early work, and a brave choice for a single. But it works because it has an infectious melody that contrasts with the dark, affecting lyrics. On the other hand, 'Radio Song' sounds incredibly forced and awkward, a rap/funk-influenced collaboration with KRS-One that doesn't come off. At best, you could call it a fun throaway, but it's a disappointing and misleading introduction to the album.

This sort of sets the pattern for the album, with some songs greatly expanding REM's sound and others being slightly awkward mis-steps. The band themselves virtually disowned 'Shiny Happy People', whose irony seemed to be lost on most listeners. 'Country Feedback' is a real love-it-or-hate-it song, although Stipe's incoherent mumur is reminiscent of the band's earliest work. 'Near Wild Heaven' and 'Texarkana' are great pop, while a few of the more somber tracks such as 'Low' point the way forward to 'Automatic For The People'.

In some ways, 'Out Of Time' is a transitional album between the experimental 'Green' and the reflective 'Automatic...', but it also has its own distinctive style. The bright and sunny (for REM) pop/folk/rock on display here makes the album a unique one in REM's catalogue. It's not perfect, and not really reflective of REM's traditional sound, but it is still a good, listenable album. Just don't expect every track to reach the same heights as 'Losing My Religion'.

[3.5 stars]

Accelerate
$18.98
Now before I say anything about the album let me tell everyone that I love R.E.M. if you're talking about old R.E. M. from 81-88 and 92-94. R.E.M. have not put out a good release since Monster. When this album came out I foolishly had high expectations for it. The last 3 albums were poor. Up being too electronic and boring. Reveal being decent with some moments but not great. Around The Sun I never heard buit heard nothing but negative things so never bothered to listen to it. I thought hopefuly by their 4th album without founding member Bill Berry they could get it right and rock again instead of being real mellow. Well the songs are more guitar driven now but there is absolutly no life to them. They're just boring and I wasn't able to listen to the whole album. I found it completly unlistnable and was not the great comeback I hoped it would be. R.E.M. have put out great masterpieces like Murmer, Reckoning, Green and Automatic For The People. Monster was the last album I liked. Ever since then they have gone downhill. I would probably say this is their second worst album next to Up. Sorry fans but I couldn't get into this one at all. The songwriting and playing was weak. I'll have to say I'm done with R.E.M. If I want to hear an R.E.M. album it's going to be Chronic Town through Monster with the exception of Out Of Time (their ultimate sell out album.)

In Time: The Best Of R.E.M., 1988-2003
$10.97
'In Time' covers REM's most commercially succesful period, but it is important to note that it does NOT span the band's entire career. Casual fans looking for earlier hits such as 'Fall On Me' or 'The One I Love' need to seek out 'Eponymous', which covers REM from 1981-1987.

The lack of these early hits aside, 'In Time' does a reasonable job of collating the band's best known songs from 'Green' to 'Reveal'. You certainly can't go wrong with 'Stand', 'Orange Crush', 'Losing My Religion', 'Everybody Hurts', 'Nightswimming', 'Man On The Moon', 'What's The Frequency Kenneth?', 'E-Bow The Letter', 'Daysleeper', and 'Imitation of Life'. This was some of the greatest music of its time, demonstrating that REM could achieve massive success without ever compromising their signature sound. All good so far.

However, the collection isn't perfect. Leaving off 'Shiny Happy People' is pretty much unforgivable. So what if the band doesn't like the song? The fans do, and the song was a big hit. And I've always thought 'Bittersweet Me' should have been on here as well; it was one of their most under-rated singles and a highlight of the 'New Adventures..' album. In their place is two new songs, plus two previously released non-album tracks. But of those four, only 'The Great Beyond' really deserves its place here. While it's nice to hear 'Bad Day' (the re-written 'PSA') after two decades, it's really too similar to 'It's The End Of The World..' to be much of a revelation. The 'You'-ish 'Animal' I can take or leave, while 'All The Right Friends' was hardly a "hit". I understand that compilations need these new or rare songs to attract the die-hard fans, but it is frustrating when they elbow out more important songs.

There are a few other minor problems, like not presenting the songs in chronological order. REM kept developing their sound during this time, and it would have been nice to follow their musical progress in a coherent manner. And putting 'The Great Beyond' next to 'Man On The Moon' only emphasises how similar they sound.

All that said, it is a pretty strong collection that at least captures most of the important songs from the period. Even if it's not as good as it could (or should) have been, it does demonstrate why REM were one of the best, most respected, and most influential bands of the time.

Just make sure you pick up 'Eponymous' as well, to get the complete REM picture.

In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003
$18.98
'In Time' covers REM's most commercially succesful period, but it is important to note that it does NOT span the band's entire career. Casual fans looking for earlier hits such as 'Fall On Me' or 'The One I Love' need to seek out 'Eponymous', which covers REM from 1981-1987.

The lack of these early hits aside, 'In Time' does a reasonable job of collating the band's best known songs from 'Green' to 'Reveal'. You certainly can't go wrong with 'Stand', 'Orange Crush', 'Losing My Religion', 'Everybody Hurts', 'Nightswimming', 'Man On The Moon', 'What's The Frequency Kenneth?', 'E-Bow The Letter', 'Daysleeper', and 'Imitation of Life'. This was some of the greatest music of its time, demonstrating that REM could achieve massive success without ever compromising their signature sound. All good so far.

However, the collection isn't perfect. Leaving off 'Shiny Happy People' is pretty much unforgivable. So what if the band doesn't like the song? The fans do, and the song was a big hit. And I've always thought 'Bittersweet Me' should have been on here as well; it was one of their most under-rated singles and a highlight of the 'New Adventures..' album. In their place is two new songs, plus two previously released non-album tracks. But of those four, only 'The Great Beyond' really deserves its place here. While it's nice to hear 'Bad Day' (the re-written 'PSA') after two decades, it's really too similar to 'It's The End Of The World..' to be much of a revelation. The 'You'-ish 'Animal' I can take or leave, while 'All The Right Friends' was hardly a "hit". I understand that compilations need these new or rare songs to attract the die-hard fans, but it is frustrating when they elbow out more important songs.

There are a few other minor problems, like not presenting the songs in chronological order. REM kept developing their sound during this time, and it would have been nice to follow their musical progress in a coherent manner. And putting 'The Great Beyond' next to 'Man On The Moon' only emphasises how similar they sound.

All that said, it is a pretty strong collection that at least captures most of the important songs from the period. Even if it's not as good as it could (or should) have been, it does demonstrate why REM were one of the best, most respected, and most influential bands of the time.

Just make sure you pick up 'Eponymous' as well, to get the complete REM picture.