Talk About the Passion - R.E.M.'s Discography Reviewed

Rickenbacker · 01-18-2010, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RezZ

Rickenbacker: This may be a bit much of a request, but would you be down with making a compilation album of there discography. Basically picking 12-15 tracks from there studio, live, bootleg, or whatever sources you may have?

I have been trying to get into REM lately and so far its been just a jumbled mess.

I was actually planning on making two compilations; one of their IRS years stuff and another of their Warner Brothers stuff. Is that cool? The two halves are very different so I think this would be the best way to understand them. Also, you can download the "key tracks" by clicking them.

Dr_Rez · 01-18-2010, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickenbacker

I was actually planning on making two compilations; one of their IRS years stuff and another of their Warner Brothers stuff. Is that cool? The two halves are very different so I think this would be the best way to understand them. Also, you can download the "key tracks" by clicking them.

wuuuuuuuu thanks!

Burning Down · 01-18-2010, 07:55 AM

I'm excited! Obviously I have their entire collection already (including books and DVD's) but I'm looking forward to other people's opinions. Thanks Rickenbacker!

**Janszoon** · 01-18-2010, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rickenbacker

Born and raised in the swamps of Athens, Georgia, a small town that would soon be made famous as the college music capitol of the United States, Michael Stipe, Mike Mills, Peter Buck and Bill Berry would find that they were not fit for the small town life lay ahead. Together they founded a band and after opening the dictionary and choosing the best word on the page in front of them they named it R.E.M.

Just a minor quibble but none of the members of REM were born or raised in Athens, all of them grew up elsewhere and moved to Athens in their late teens/early twenties.

Rickenbacker · 01-18-2010, 12:37 PM

You're right, had something else written and forgot to change the rest. Will fix. Thanks for the tip

Rickenbacker · 01-18-2010, 09:41 PM

Murmur
Released 1983
I.R.S. Records

Well here it is. R.E.M.'s debut full length record was released in 1983, shocking fans and critics with its masterful blending of Feelies jangle-pop and haunting lyricism delivered in Michael Stipe's austere mumble. For many, the buck stops here for R.E.M. With iconic songs like "Talk About the Passion" and "Radio Free Europe", Murmur is widely seen as the crowning achievement of the band and among the greatest and most significant debuts in music.

Mixed so that no instrument would stand out, Murmur may not reveal its excellence upon first listen. While the album certainly has its share of on-target and upbeat college pop songs a la Chronic Town, such as the undeniably catchy and equally indecipherable "Catapult" and the single "Radio Free Europe", which was re-recorded for the album at the request of I.R.S. records, Murmur's genius lies in the tracks in which the band steps back and sets their angst aside.

"Take a turn, Take our fortune"

Such is the opening line of "Pilgrimage", expertly delivered by a distant sounding Mike Mills, bassist and backing vocalist for the band. With this cryptic line, the song descends into a plodding bass-led masterpiece about none other than a two-headed cow. "Speaking in tongues/ it's worth a broken lip", Stipe sings. Perhaps there is a grain of truth to this statement. Murmur's lyrics may be nonsense when read aloud, but in the context of the album they fit perfectly. Unlike any other album up to that point, Murmur managed to be vocally overwhelming based not on the talent of the vocalist, but on the mystical nature of the lyrics. As such, Michael Stipe is a brilliant lyricist. Not in the conventional sense of course, but rather in his sheer ability to make a piece like "Pilgrimage" make some sense.

Murmur's diversity is exemplified in its experimentalism. Sure, Pilgrimage is wild for its mysticism, but even stranger still is the incredibly beautiful "Perfect Circle". It is easy to dismiss "Perfect Circle" as a simple slow ballad, but it is so much more than that. I may go far as to say that it's my favorite R.E.M. song, if only for it's stunning ability to convey so much with so little. Again, it's not hard to dismiss the song, but it's really one of the best out there. As with any good song, when given repeated listens, one notices certain aspects that you never realized before. The song begins with a hypnotic and accessible, yet strangely different sounding keyboard which is played throughout. Second, that chorus is absolutely gorgeous. "Standing two soon, shoulders high in the room"? That might be the most gorgeous line Stipe has sung even if only for it's delivery. Thirdly, the guitar comes in towards the end and the sound is incredible. Peter might be using an E-bow here. Not totally sure, but the effect is ethereal. Also, by the middle, the drum mix switches from left to right in this really cool way. Not sure how else to describe it. Anyway, it's a beautiful song, but much more than just that. That's what I really love about R.E.M.; their ability to create something beautiful that isn't... just another beautiful thing. Amazing.

All of this of course is not to dismiss the quality pop songs present on Murmur. "Shaking Through", "Catapult" and the stellar album closer "West of the Fields" are all highlights, and I still maintain that the single "Talk About the Passion" is the best pop song ever made. The string arrangement is fantastic, and the song is one of the few examples under I.R.S. Records that Michael's lyrics are (nearly) conventionally beautiful and his delivery clean and intelligible.

"Not everyone can carry the weight of the world"

That's a great lyric. And this is a great record. But what did you expect? It's Murmur! And it is every bit as great as it is hyped to be.

Key Tracks (Click to Download): "Pilgrimage", "Talk About the Passion", "Perfect Circle"

10/10

Next Step: Violent Femmes - Hallowed Ground

Aidy · 03-31-2010, 05:57 AM

>>In response to Murmur review, still working my way thru the thread:

Great review, I'm a massive R.E.M. fan and looking forward to New Adventures and Reckoning. Love what you had to say about Perfect Circle, I heard Bill Berry wrote that song, I'm sure I actually heard Michael say that before playing at one of the more recent gigs.

Rickenbacker · 01-20-2010, 01:45 PM

no responses to the Murmur review... oh well. Up next:

Murmur [Deluxe Edition]
Reissued 2008
I.R.S. Records

2008 marked the 25th anniversary of Murmur, R.E.M.'s landmark debut LP, and thankfully for R.E.M. enthusiasts, I.R.S. Records was happy to reissue it. The 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of Murmur includes the original album completely remastered, as well as a bonus disc containing a previously unreleased live show at Larry's Hide-Away in Toronto from 1983, prior to Murmur's release. The track listing is as follows.

Laughing
Pilgrimage
There She Goes Again
Seven Chinese Brothers
Talk About the Passion
Sitting Still
Harborcoat
Catapult
Gardening at Night
9-9
Just a Touch
West of the Fields
Radio Free Europe
We Walk
1,000,000
Carnival of Sorts (Box Cars)

Overall, the live set is excellent. This show finds the band in a place where they don't feel they have to play any hits... because they didn't have any hits! The big problem with R.E.M.'s later, more orthodox live album "R.E.M. Live" is that it casts the band as a big successful rock band. Sure, the sound quality on R.E.M. Live is great, and the songs as good as they were in the studio, but somehow it doesn't feel "real". Live shows, even recorded ones, should feel "real", and this set is very, very real. Stipe, who at the time was known for his shyness, manages to engage the audience between songs as they shout out requests for obscure b-sides and the like. The audience here loves the band, and Stipe even comes out of his shell after some time to tartly respond "No, no, no, no, no!" after powering through a blistering "Radio Free Europe" when a group of people asks them to play "Shaking Through", an underrated Murmur classic. The Murmur songs sound incredible, as does the cover of the Velvet Underground's "There She Goes Again", the b-side to the re-released version of "Radio Free Europe". But even better than the Murmur and Chronic Town songs are those from their forthcoming album Reckoning. The recordings of "Harborcoat" and "7 Chinese Bros." are so filled with energy that it feels like the band is there. And of course there is nothing less than a stellar performance by drummer Bill Berry throughout.

By the way, the best part is where one fan yells out "BOX CARS!" and another yells out even louder "BOOOOOX CAAAAAAAARS!!"

Pure class.

Key Tracks (Click to Download): "There She Goes Again", "Seven Chinese Brothers", "Harborcoat"

(Rating is for the live set alone)

8.5/10

storymilo · 01-20-2010, 01:55 PM

^That was the first CD I ever bought on my own. I like it a lot, but the best part was the original album that came with it.

Rickenbacker · 01-20-2010, 02:01 PM

Speaking of which it gets a 0/10 for price. Mine cost nearly 35 dollars! Come on, I.R.S.! Ain't fair!

01-18-2010, 12:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
Rickenbacker / Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Conn Posts: 1,338	You're right, had something else written and forgot to change the rest. Will fix. Thanks for the tip __________________ last.fm rym Talk About the Passion - R.E.M.'s Discography Reviewed Last edited by Rickenbacker; 01-18-2010 at 12:42 PM.

01-18-2010, 09:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
Rickenbacker / Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Conn Posts: 1,338	Murmur Released 1983 I.R.S. Records Well here it is. R.E.M.'s debut full length record was released in 1983, shocking fans and critics with its masterful blending of Feelies jangle-pop and haunting lyricism delivered in Michael Stipe's austere mumble. For many, the buck stops here for R.E.M. With iconic songs like "Talk About the Passion" and "Radio Free Europe", Murmur is widely seen as the crowning achievement of the band and among the greatest and most significant debuts in music. Mixed so that no instrument would stand out, Murmur may not reveal its excellence upon first listen. While the album certainly has its share of on-target and upbeat college pop songs a la Chronic Town, such as the undeniably catchy and equally indecipherable "Catapult" and the single "Radio Free Europe", which was re-recorded for the album at the request of I.R.S. records, Murmur's genius lies in the tracks in which the band steps back and sets their angst aside. "Take a turn, Take our fortune" Such is the opening line of "Pilgrimage", expertly delivered by a distant sounding Mike Mills, bassist and backing vocalist for the band. With this cryptic line, the song descends into a plodding bass-led masterpiece about none other than a two-headed cow. "Speaking in tongues/ it's worth a broken lip", Stipe sings. Perhaps there is a grain of truth to this statement. Murmur's lyrics may be nonsense when read aloud, but in the context of the album they fit perfectly. Unlike any other album up to that point, Murmur managed to be vocally overwhelming based not on the talent of the vocalist, but on the mystical nature of the lyrics. As such, Michael Stipe is a brilliant lyricist. Not in the conventional sense of course, but rather in his sheer ability to make a piece like "Pilgrimage" make some sense. Murmur's diversity is exemplified in its experimentalism. Sure, Pilgrimage is wild for its mysticism, but even stranger still is the incredibly beautiful "Perfect Circle". It is easy to dismiss "Perfect Circle" as a simple slow ballad, but it is so much more than that. I may go far as to say that it's my favorite R.E.M. song, if only for it's stunning ability to convey so much with so little. Again, it's not hard to dismiss the song, but it's really one of the best out there. As with any good song, when given repeated listens, one notices certain aspects that you never realized before. The song begins with a hypnotic and accessible, yet strangely different sounding keyboard which is played throughout. Second, that chorus is absolutely gorgeous. "Standing two soon, shoulders high in the room"? That might be the most gorgeous line Stipe has sung even if only for it's delivery. Thirdly, the guitar comes in towards the end and the sound is incredible. Peter might be using an E-bow here. Not totally sure, but the effect is ethereal. Also, by the middle, the drum mix switches from left to right in this really cool way. Not sure how else to describe it. Anyway, it's a beautiful song, but much more than just that. That's what I really love about R.E.M.; their ability to create something beautiful that isn't... just another beautiful thing. Amazing. All of this of course is not to dismiss the quality pop songs present on Murmur. "Shaking Through", "Catapult" and the stellar album closer "West of the Fields" are all highlights, and I still maintain that the single "Talk About the Passion" is the best pop song ever made. The string arrangement is fantastic, and the song is one of the few examples under I.R.S. Records that Michael's lyrics are (nearly) conventionally beautiful and his delivery clean and intelligible. "Not everyone can carry the weight of the world" That's a great lyric. And this is a great record. But what did you expect? It's Murmur! And it is every bit as great as it is hyped to be. Key Tracks (Click to Download): "Pilgrimage", "Talk About the Passion", "Perfect Circle" 10/10 Next Step: Violent Femmes - Hallowed Ground __________________ last.fm rym Talk About the Passion - R.E.M.'s Discography Reviewed Last edited by Rickenbacker; 01-28-2010 at 02:17 PM.

01-20-2010, 01:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
Rickenbacker / Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Conn Posts: 1,338	no responses to the Murmur review... oh well. Up next: Murmur [Deluxe Edition] Reissued 2008 I.R.S. Records 2008 marked the 25th anniversary of Murmur, R.E.M.'s landmark debut LP, and thankfully for R.E.M. enthusiasts, I.R.S. Records was happy to reissue it. The 25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition of Murmur includes the original album completely remastered, as well as a bonus disc containing a previously unreleased live show at Larry's Hide-Away in Toronto from 1983, prior to Murmur's release. The track listing is as follows. Laughing Pilgrimage There She Goes Again Seven Chinese Brothers Talk About the Passion Sitting Still Harborcoat Catapult Gardening at Night 9-9 Just a Touch West of the Fields Radio Free Europe We Walk 1,000,000 Carnival of Sorts (Box Cars) Overall, the live set is excellent. This show finds the band in a place where they don't feel they have to play any hits... because they didn't have any hits! The big problem with R.E.M.'s later, more orthodox live album "R.E.M. Live" is that it casts the band as a big successful rock band. Sure, the sound quality on R.E.M. Live is great, and the songs as good as they were in the studio, but somehow it doesn't feel "real". Live shows, even recorded ones, should feel "real", and this set is very, very real. Stipe, who at the time was known for his shyness, manages to engage the audience between songs as they shout out requests for obscure b-sides and the like. The audience here loves the band, and Stipe even comes out of his shell after some time to tartly respond "No, no, no, no, no!" after powering through a blistering "Radio Free Europe" when a group of people asks them to play "Shaking Through", an underrated Murmur classic. The Murmur songs sound incredible, as does the cover of the Velvet Underground's "There She Goes Again", the b-side to the re-released version of "Radio Free Europe". But even better than the Murmur and Chronic Town songs are those from their forthcoming album Reckoning. The recordings of "Harborcoat" and "7 Chinese Bros." are so filled with energy that it feels like the band is there. And of course there is nothing less than a stellar performance by drummer Bill Berry throughout. By the way, the best part is where one fan yells out "BOX CARS!" and another yells out even louder "BOOOOOX CAAAAAAAARS!!" Pure class. Key Tracks (Click to Download): "There She Goes Again", "Seven Chinese Brothers", "Harborcoat" (Rating is for the live set alone) 8.5/10 __________________ last.fm rym Talk About the Passion - R.E.M.'s Discography Reviewed Last edited by Rickenbacker; 01-23-2010 at 08:54 AM.

01-20-2010, 02:01 PM	#10 (permalink)
Rickenbacker / Join Date: May 2009 Location: The Conn Posts: 1,338	Speaking of which it gets a 0/10 for price. Mine cost nearly 35 dollars! Come on, I.R.S.! Ain't fair! __________________ last.fm rym Talk About the Passion - R.E.M.'s Discography Reviewed

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01-18-2010, 07:55 AM	#3 (permalink)
Burning Down The Music Guru. Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Beyond the Wall Posts: 4,858	I'm excited! Obviously I have their entire collection already (including books and DVD's) but I'm looking forward to other people's opinions. Thanks Rickenbacker!

03-31-2010, 05:57 AM	#7 (permalink)
Aidy Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Cambridge Posts: 50	>>In response to Murmur review, still working my way thru the thread: Great review, I'm a massive R.E.M. fan and looking forward to New Adventures and Reckoning. Love what you had to say about Perfect Circle, I heard Bill Berry wrote that song, I'm sure I actually heard Michael say that before playing at one of the more recent gigs.

01-20-2010, 01:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
storymilo Music Addict Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 1,845	^That was the first CD I ever bought on my own. I like it a lot, but the best part was the original album that came with it.