How The West Was Won And Where It Got Us: An REM Thread

[LoathedVermin72]

I'm listening to the Chronic Town episode and 10 minutes in I don't know that this podcast is for me

You should really be starting with U2.

[epilogue]

I'm listening to the Chronic Town episode and 10 minutes in I don't know that this podcast is for me

I felt the same after the first 40 minutes of the Murmur ep (the first I listened to).

Now... I literally can't stop thinking about the goddamn podcast. I have no idea why either. There's a lot about it that annoys me. But even that shit is charming too somehow.

[Blaine Ryan]

I've gotten up to the Fables episode.

I really like it, but I will say that I tend to enjoy it the most when they're actually talking about the band/album (usually in the second halves of the episodes).

[verb_to_trust]

I like the conversational stream of consciousness stuff, it makes me feel like I'm hanging out with friends I don't have.

[epilogue]

I've gotten up to the Fables episode.

I really like it, but I will say that I tend to enjoy it the most when they're actually talking about the band/album (usually in the second halves of the episodes).

The only things that REALLY get to me are Scott Aukerman's clear inferiority complex that manifests in some cringy big brother complex lash-outs that are probably meant to be funny but come across as too real to be shtick, and his need to say the word penis in every episode. It's like he lost a bet or something.

Adam Scott is necessary, I think. They have a great chemistry and balance. When they are "yes anding" it's marvelous. The show at its best is a masterclass in improve comedy.

But, yeah, the album discussion is almost always my favorite part, too.

[epilogue]

I like the conversational stream of consciousness stuff, it makes me feel like I'm hanging out with friends I don't have.

Yeah, at its best, or does feel like chilling with friends. And I think it feels like that more often than not. It's great.

[LoathedVermin72]

I've gotten up to the Fables episode.

I really like it, but I will say that I tend to enjoy it the most when they're actually talking about the band/album (usually in the second halves of the episodes).

The only things that REALLY get to me are Scott Aukerman's clear inferiority complex that manifests in some cringy big brother complex lash-outs that are probably meant to be funny but come across as too real to be shtick, and his need to say the word penis in every episode. It's like he lost a bet or something.

Adam Scott is necessary, I think. They have a great chemistry and balance. When they are "yes anding" it's marvelous. The show at its best is a masterclass in improve comedy.

But, yeah, the album discussion is almost always my favorite part, too.

That stuff is far less pronounced in the U2 shows. It really is the best incarnation of the show.

[epilogue]

I've gotten up to the Fables episode.

I really like it, but I will say that I tend to enjoy it the most when they're actually talking about the band/album (usually in the second halves of the episodes).

The only things that REALLY get to me are Scott Aukerman's clear inferiority complex that manifests in some cringy big brother complex lash-outs that are probably meant to be funny but come across as too real to be shtick, and his need to say the word penis in every episode. It's like he lost a bet or something.

Adam Scott is necessary, I think. They have a great chemistry and balance. When they are "yes anding" it's marvelous. The show at its best is a masterclass in improve comedy.

But, yeah, the album discussion is almost always my favorite part, too.

That stuff is far less pronounced in the U2 shows. It really is the best incarnation of the show.

I should have started there, I now realize. But I didn't know what the show was and had no interest in a real, in depth exploration of U2's catalog.

Now I know better and I'm really looking forward top those eps.

[Norah]

I like the conversational stream of consciousness stuff, it makes me feel like I'm hanging out with friends I don't have.

[epilogue]

Accelerate is a bit of a mixed bag for me.

The opener is outstanding. The next three are good enough and I understand why people respond so well to them but they aren't as interesting as the rest of the record for me.

Houston to the closer its an excellent record. Ultimately though I think it veers too far from the shade of R.E.M. that I like the most to put it above the previous record.

Still, there's a lot to like and I'm sure it will age well and grow upon further listening.

[stip]

Fair enough. Riot Act, Around the Sun, S/T, and Accelerate are impossible for me to separate from the politics of the times they came out. The later two were the 'response to bush' records I wished the first two were, and so they'll always be elevated in my mind because of that.

[epilogue]

Fair enough. Riot Act, Around the Sun, S/T, and Accelerate are impossible for me to separate from the politics of the times they came out. The later two were the 'response to bush' records I wished the first two were, and so they'll always be elevated in my mind because of that.

I totally get this. I think it's just a taste/ expectation thing. It shouldn't be surprising that the guy who likes Riot Act prefers Around the Sun. And vice versa.

[Blaine Ryan]

I've gotten up to the Fables episode.

I really like it, but I will say that I tend to enjoy it the most when they're actually talking about the band/album (usually in the second halves of the episodes).

The only things that REALLY get to me are Scott Aukerman's clear inferiority complex that manifests in some cringy big brother complex lash-outs that are probably meant to be funny but come across as too real to be shtick, and his need to say the word penis in every episode. It's like he lost a bet or something.

Adam Scott is necessary, I think. They have a great chemistry and balance. When they are "yes anding" it's marvelous. The show at its best is a masterclass in improve comedy.

But, yeah, the album discussion is almost always my favorite part, too.

That stuff is far less pronounced in the U2 shows. It really is the best incarnation of the show.

I should have started there, I now realize. But I didn't know what the show was and had no interest in a real, in depth exploration of U2's catalog.

Now I know better and I'm really looking forward top those eps.

Same.

I definitely plan to go back.

[Blaine Ryan]

There's a track that didn't make Accelerate called "On the Fly" that I really like -- it reminds me a lot of the slower songs on Around the Sun, which is probably why they cut it.

[Blaine Ryan]

This is a great performance of it, too. Love the improvised instrumentation.

[epilogue]

I need to go back and listen to Chronic Town.

They keep playing Wolves, Lower on the pod and I love that.

[epilogue]

There's a track that didn't make Accelerate called "On the Fly" that I really like -- it reminds me a lot of the slower songs on Around the Sun, which is probably why they cut it.

I'll check that out later today!

I wonder why it's not on the Accelerate ep of the pod...

[epilogue]

The most important take-away from this exercise is that I love mid-tempo, minor key, sprawling music.

[LoathedVermin72]

The most important take-away from this exercise is that I love mid-tempo, minor key, sprawling music.

Then you should love U2

[BootsToAsses]

'Sing For The Submarine' is utterly brilliant, and easily my favourite from 'Accelerate'.

I love songs that deal with the future, dreams etc. Love this one.