Early R.E.M. songs that haven't aged well

[McParadigm]

REM is one of those bands that really intrigued me for about 3 years, and now I almost never have any interest in listening to them.

you're lucky I don't have the attention span to remember this for when I need to invalidate your opinions to try and win an argument.

MUSIC IS SUBJECTIVE YOU BULLY

[PryTo]

there's a difference between getting tired of them and not aging, methinks.

True dat. I was a total R.E.M. fanboy and they could do no wrong. I've probably listened to R.E.M. as much or more than any other band, so some of it is just being worn out on some songs. That said, I'm not sure how I ever sat through "We Walk" and some others.

There's a ton of great live footage out there, and I'm sure many of you have seen this, but wow.



That's one pretty unfuckwithable opening:

Feeling Gravity's Pull
Harbor Coat
Sitting Still
Maps and Legends
Fall On Me
Green Grow The Rushes
Driver 8

Saw R.E.M. four, maybe five times in concert. Never anything less than a five-star show. They'll always be in my top three or so, typically number one.

[Birds in Hell]

Thanks for posting that.

Despite a number of attempts, I'm not a terribly big REM fan but I really love Feeling Gravity's Pull. I just love Buck's post-punk-esque guitar work in that song.

[philpritchard]

Saw R.E.M. four, maybe five times in concert. Never anything less than a five-star show. They'll always be in my top three or so, typically number one.

My wife and I were going to go see them a few years ago, but we decided that weekend wasn't the best time for us and that we would go the next time they were somewhere close-ish. They broke up before we ever got another chance. I've been full of regret ever since. Ruined my life.

[PryTo]

Saw R.E.M. four, maybe five times in concert. Never anything less than a five-star show. They'll always be in my top three or so, typically number one.

My wife and I were going to go see them a few years ago, but we decided that weekend wasn't the best time for us and that we would go the next time they were somewhere close-ish. They broke up before we ever got another chance. I've been full of regret ever since. Ruined my life.

Aw bummer. I have a long story that I'll spare everyone that caused me to miss the Green tour in 1988. Regret that one to this day. First time I saw 'em was 1995 on the Monster tour, so I came to the party pretty late. At that show, I was literally in the very last row of the venue. And they killed it. Time of my life. The last time I saw them was on the Accelerate tour, so 2008-ish. They were still in top form, still killed it. Time of my life. My wife says it was the best concert she's ever seen.

[Lament]

I only saw them once, in 2004 with Springsteen on the VFC tour.



Nils Lofgren joined them for Country Feedback though. That was sublime.

[spike]

RIP Peter Buck

[PryTo]

I only saw them once, in 2004 with Springsteen on the VFC tour.



Nils Lofgren joined them for Country Feedback though. That was sublime.

Love me some Country Feedback. The last time I saw them, Johnny Marr hopped onstage for a song or two.

[matt reeder]

RIP Peter Buck

You scared the shit out of me. Don't do that.

[Mojopin]

I saw them at Wembley in London in 1989. Throwing Muses opened. It was magic!

[stip]

I only started seeing them on the Monster tour. I think I got to see them 4-5 times. Every show was great.


I really like We Walk. The only IRS era REM songs I'd probably skip if they came up on shuffle are Second Guessing, Pretty Persuasions, Strange, and maybe Flowers of Guatemala and talk about the passion (never liked that one).

[matt reeder]

I only started seeing them on the Monster tour. I think I got to see them 4-5 times. Every show was great.


I really like We Walk. The only IRS era REM songs I'd probably skip if they came up on shuffle are Second Guessing, Pretty Persuasions, Strange, and maybe Flowers of Guatemala and talk about the passion (never liked that one).

[stip]

interestingly enough, the bolded songs may be the ones that are the most sterotypically REM.

[Lament]

I'm afraid to ask this, but...

Do you like Ed's cover of Talk About the Passion, stip?

[stip]

I only vaguely remember it, so I couldn't have felt that strongly about it one way or the other.

[TwoAlarmFire]

I only started seeing them on the Monster tour. I think I got to see them 4-5 times. Every show was great.


I really like We Walk. The only IRS era REM songs I'd probably skip if they came up on shuffle are Second Guessing, Pretty Persuasions, Strange, and maybe Flowers of Guatemala and talk about the passion (never liked that one).

Musically, I love how that song starts.

[southp]

Interesting topic. I do feel some REM is a bit dated now.

Life's Rich Pageant is one of my favourites but from the early albums the only song I don't really like anymore is Superman. It sounds a bit childish.

The other dated songs are the ones that were the late-80s/early 90's singles because they feel like they are locked in a time capsule of that era:
End of the world
Stand (which is probably the biggest culprit)
Radio Song (the KRS-one rap is the worst)
Shiny Happy People

...and I hate to say it, Everybody Hurts.

[stip]

I still love end of the world as we know it. I've never once not gotten totally pumped for that song.

I do like the ragged electric end of the show versions from the monster tour.

[super nintendo chalmers]

whoa nellie.

[stip]

I like the how the vocals are humming on this one.