OFF: Re: R. E. M.

[David Kuznick]

Quoting John Majka <jmajk at INDY.RR.COM>:

> R.E.M.,  like so many bands, has become rather boring in recent years...
> well the recent decade, I suppose.  The early material was spectacular,
> strange fare.  My favorite R.E.M. albums remain "Fables of the
> Reconstruction" and "Reckoning" though "Green" is also incredibly strong.
> As the years went by, the band become increasingly "by-the-numbers"
> sounding.  I would say that "Green" was the last great album, and there were
> tracks on individual albums after that which were fantastic, but the good
> songs were becoming fewer and fewer.

I guess I'll be the lone voice of disssent and say I MUCH prefer the R.E.M.
albums from Out of Time onward, and think Up especially is brilliant.

> Their declining course isn't unlike
> that of Rush, who is also in the business these days of producing rather
> uninspired and uninspiring, though competent, albums.

I'll mostly agree, but I think Vapor Trails was a pleasant surprise.

--
David Kuznick   dkuznickATalumni.brandeis.edu
"Dark Star crashes pouring its light into ashes. Reason tatters, the forces
tear loose from the axis. Searchlight casting for faults in the clouds of
delusion.  Shall we go, you and I while we can? Through the transitive
nightfall of diamonds."                    Dark Star - GRATEFUL DEAD