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View Poll Results: The Smiths vs. R.E.M?
The Smiths 12 54.55%
R.E.M 10 45.45%
Voters: 22. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 05-09-2022, 02:36 PM   #21 (permalink)
GD
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Originally Posted by SGR View Post
I'd recommend just starting with their first two records, Murmur and Reckoning. It's great, great stuff. Their sound changes throughout their career though - so if their early stuff isn't much to your liking, try checking out some of their mid '90s material. Here's a sample of one of their early songs:



Just for comparison, here's a song of theirs from the mid '90s - as you can tell, the sound is quite different.



Most R.E.M. fans would disagree with me, but Up is my favorite album of theirs. R.E.M.'s Kid A, or close to it. Their only record that I think can safely be skipped is Around the Sun.
Yeah, thanks. The first video you posted shows up as unavailable to me (maybe a regional thing), but also judging by RYM it seems starting with either Murmur or Automatic for the People would be way to go. Figure I'll just start at the beginning and then throw in Automatic... somewhere.

That's interesting about Up too. What aspects of it appeal to you in particular?
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Old 05-09-2022, 02:39 PM   #22 (permalink)
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uh, no
Now that I think of it, they're better than all Smiths studio albums besides perhaps The Queen is Dead. Can't front on Hatful of Hollow and Louder than Bombs though - even though they're not proper studio albums, they're absolutely excellent.

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Yeah, thanks. The first video you posted shows up as unavailable to me (maybe a regional thing), but also judging by RYM it seems starting with either Murmur or Automatic for the People would be way to go. Figure I'll just start at the beginning and then throw in Automatic... somewhere.

That's interesting about Up too. What aspects of it appeal to you in particular?
It was the first REM record after the departure of drummer Bill Berry. Instead of just replacing him REM decided to take a different approach to their sound. The album is much more steeped in electronics and mood pieces. This album became one of those rare albums for me that would provide real comfort during times of depression or anxiety for me - it just kinda made me relax. It's a very slow and deliberate record - and it is easily the most beautiful sounding R.E.M. record. The band took a similar approach as the Smashing Pumpkins after their drummer bowed out (or was kicked out) - they released their beautiful and wistful electronics steeped Adore the same year (only a few months before) R.E.M. released Up and that record works on a very similar cerebral level that this record does.
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Old 05-09-2022, 02:42 PM   #23 (permalink)
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put down the crack pipe
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Old 05-09-2022, 02:49 PM   #24 (permalink)
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I'm about to see Morrissey for a 2nd time and have no reservations about it, he's great, he hasn't changed, he's exactly what he's supposed to be
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Old 05-09-2022, 02:53 PM   #25 (permalink)
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put down the crack pipe
For most Smiths studio albums, there was a duff track in them that stuck out like a sore thumb, whether it's "Meat is Murder" (or "Barbarism Begins at Home"), "Miserable Lie", or in Strangeways case, basically the entire b-side of the record. I'll give "Vicar in a Tutu" a pass, even though it is the weakest track on TQID.

R.E.M.'s first two records didn't have duff tracks.

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he's exactly what he's supposed to be
And what is that, exactly?
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Old 05-09-2022, 04:03 PM   #26 (permalink)
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Strangeways is underrated, that's a gud ****in record
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Old 05-09-2022, 04:12 PM   #27 (permalink)
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also Miserable Lie is dynamite in so many ways...so much more rockin', strange, and funny than anything REM ever did
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Old 05-09-2022, 04:29 PM   #28 (permalink)
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I mean REM is a college band for a college town ofc they're all likeable and make kinda just nice frilly art music

The Smiths are working class English punk blokes warts and all..
Mozz may not be totally likeable but he's 100% more exciting than Stipe
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Old 05-09-2022, 05:34 PM   #29 (permalink)
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I have no opinion on the matter but I voted for REM just to make the poll tied.
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Old 05-09-2022, 05:52 PM   #30 (permalink)
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I'm fairly cool with the Smiths and appreciate The Queen is Dead quite a bit, but I'll admit that R.E.M. is a pretty big hole in my familiarity with the music of their heyday, i.e. I don't know anything much of them beyond the "big hits" – "Losing my Religion" etc.
What would the R.E.M. aficionados among you recommend as a good starting point in their discography?
I certainly agree with SGR about the early albums (also add Fables of the Reconstruction) but I'd also add Automatic For the People on the list. Also, I think New Adventures in Hi-Fi is highly underrated.
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