Album of the Day: R.E.M. - Automatic for the People

Automatic for the People (1992)

Once my father realized that I was becoming a burgeoning R.E.M. fan and I had listened to Document, Green, and Out of Time multiple times, he decided to get me their following album as a birthday gift.  I was excited, but after my first listen, I was confused.  This album didn't have any breakout pop hits like the first three that I enjoyed so much.  No "Losing My Religion." No "Stand." No "It's the End of the World as We Know It."  But upon repeated listens, I found the true beauty in this album.  The tone was quieter and sadder and overall, it just clicked with my teenage brain.

1) Drive - 5/5
Right away, we get the different vibe that this album is trying to offer.  As a message to the youth listening to their songs, the lyrics suggest that it is up to them to take a hold of their own lives.  It's a mellow and somber way to open, but it's realistic and honest.  This won't be the same pop sound that the last two records were full of.

2) Try Not to Breathe - 4/5
The mellowness continues.  While it's a bit simpler with a song about holding on to memories, it's effective and memorable and a great transition to the next upbeat song.

3) The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite - 4/5
Reactions are mixed to this song.  It's silly and energetic and tonally at odds with the rest of the album, but it was included as that breath of levity before things get really dark.  It bounces around from colorful cartoonish ideas and while I usually have to be in the right mood to enjoy it, I do appreciate it's existence.  And I like that Stipe laughs at his own mispronunciation in the third verse.

4) Everybody Hurts - 5/5
While this song may be overly simplistic, it's one of those songs that just needs to exist in the world.  It's the perfect sad song for any occasion.  It can appeal to everybody.  And it's quite beautiful in that way.

5) New Orleans Instrumental No. 1 - 4/5
A nice transitory instrumental piece (because you kind of need a break after "Everybody Hurts"). It's wonderful background music for a quiet scene.

6) Sweetness Follows - 4/5
Death and sadness can be overwhelming.  So it's nice to have a reminder that sweetness follows.

7) Monty Got a Raw Deal - 4/5
A look at the sparkly glamorous fiction that is portrayed in film vs. the actual gritty reality that stays hidden beneath the surface.

8) Ignoreland - 4/5
Here's an angry song that spits fire against the then-recent Republican administrations.  It provides more power to the album, and it can really get you in the activist spirit.

9) Star Me Kitten - 4/5
This one almost sounds like an old slow-dance song from a '50s dance.  Until you listen to the lyrics.  Which makes it amazing, in a way.

10) Man on the Moon - 5/5
This is the song that really hooked me the first time I listened to this album.  As a fan of Andy Kaufman, I appreciated this fun tribute to his life, legacy, and spirit.

11) Nightswimming - 5/5
This is my absolute favorite R.E.M. song and one of my all-time favorite songs period.  It fills me with such nostalgia and it hits that right emotional balance that always resonates with me.  I'm not sure how soon this became one of my favorites, but listening to the album repeatedly helped me connect quickly with this song.  While I ever have actually experienced what this song is about, I find it so relatable.

12) Find the River - 4/5
This is a wonderful closer to everything that preceded it and it suggests that after all the bleakness, there is hope around the corner.  A great end to a great album.

Music Video: Drive

What a great intro to the disorienting and sinking feeling that this song suggests.  Black-and-white slow-motion footage Stipe crowd surfing just works so well with the mixed emotions of the music.

Music Video: Man on the Moon

The various stock footage superimposed over Stipe in a cowboy hat just walking down the road to a bar fits with the tone of the song.  I feel this video could have gone in a lot of directions, but it works! Especially once he reaches the bar and everyone just seems to be on the same wavelength.

Music Video: The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite

This feels like a Red Hot Chili Peppers video to me, for some reason.  Not the song, of course, but the colorful visuals with the band being bathed in different images and lights.  It doesn't quite add much to the song like the first two, however.

Music Video: Everybody Hurts

Fantastic!  A traffic jam is the perfect metaphor for the collective pain we all can feel.  We get a glimpse into all of these people's problems and they are all unaware of each other until the end when they all choose to leave and join together.  It's wonderful!

Music Video: Nightswimming

So, I don't think I've ever seen this video until today, and it's exactly as I picture this song in my head.

Music Video: Find the River

This is a very simple video.  Like the song, it's not too flashy and it serves it's purpose.  I can't tell if that means I like it or not.  Filming the band just performing/recording the song always feels like taking the easy route.  At least there's an alternative story happening with an old man and his dog.  I wish that had been the whole video.

Overall: 4.40/5 - A
I may be biased or blinded by nostalgia, but I think this is the absolute best album that R.E.M. has to offer (many critics agree).  It's the first album where it doesn't feel like there is a dud or an exception on the track list.  I may not always want to pop in one of the songs randomly, but the whole experienced is beautifully focused and composed.  Even the songs I don't quite connect with, I enjoy listening too.  It may not have that fun pop feel like most of my favorite R.E.M. songs, but this is an absolute must-own album in anyone's collection.

Album of the Day: R.E.M. - Out of Time

Out of Time (1991)

After spending a year on tour, R.E.M. released their second Warner Bros. record and thanks to an amazing lead single, this became their first #1 album.  As I said, it was one of the three original R.E.M. albums I had growing up and while I enjoyed certain tracks on Document and Green, I probably listened to this one the most.

1) Radio Song - 2/5
So, this one is pretty much an odd dud of a song.  It starts promising enough.  Then it throws in... rap and... childish singing.  It just feels like no one's heart is really in it.  And Stipe said that he felt people would see the humor in this opening song.  Like...I get it...singing about a crappy pop radio song.  But it just doesn't quite connect on the levels that it should.

2) Losing My Religion - 5/5
It all was leading to this.  The biggest hit song of R.E.M.'s career.  This is the first song I distinctly remember knowing was an R.E.M. song.  And it's certainly a marvelous song.  It was what drew me to this album initially, and it remains a favorite to this day.  It doesn't quite sound like any R.E.M. song before it and it has earned it's place in alt. rock history.

3) Low - 4/5
This feels like R.E.M. is attempting to do a Johnny Cash style song.  I think it works and it adds some weight to the album.  Very strong.

4) Near Wild Heaven - 5/5
This is a Mike Mills song and as such, it sounds quite similar to his "(Don't Go Back To) Rockville."  I love it's sunniness and like his other song, it also reminds me of "Frank's 2000' TV" (it's probably that song's biggest inspiration) so it all fits together in a nice, happy package.

5) Endgame - 5/5
This is mostly an instrumental, but it's just so calm and soothing that I could listen to it anytime.  It feels just like the ending of some movie or TV show where everything just seems to be working out all right.

6) Shiny Happy People - 5/5
Like "Stand," this is deliberately cutesy and annoying.  But, so help me, I do enjoy when R.E.M. gets this way.  Though this is more "I love it because it's so bad."  Even the band hates it.  That's why it's so great!  Also, it was going to be the Friends theme song originally!  And it has a member of the B-52's!  So great!

7) Belong - 4/5
I love the Lovecraftian apocalypse that this song seems to be suggesting.  It's not upbeat, necessarily, but hopeful and affirming that it'll all work out okay.

8) Half a World Away - 4/5
And how can I not enjoy an R.E.M. love song about lovers separated by a very long distance?

9) Texarkana - 3/5
This is a rare R.E.M. non-single that managed to chart.  It's a good song, but I feel there are more worthy contenders on the album.  This one doesn't quite grab me like the rest.

10) Country Feedback - 5/5
This has been cited as Stipe's favorite song and I agree wholeheartedly.  It's the strongest on the album and is among my all-time favorites.  It's got great emotion and heartbreak and it's a shame it didn't become one of their hits.  But it would make it's way on to a later all-encompassing R.E.M. compilation with good reason.

11) Me In Honey - 3/5
Like "Texarkana," this song is fine, but very overshadowed.  It's another weak offering for an album closer, but it's by no means terrible.

Music Video: Losing My Religion

This is it! The first truly classic R.E.M. music video!  (I think I said that for "Stand" too, but come on.)  I remember seeing this video back when I was a kid and only vaguely aware of who R.E.M. was, so it's iconic for me at least.  It definitely has the most going for it out of any video up to this point.  Great visuals, great flailing around.

Music Video: Shiny Happy People

Haha, so dorky!  I love it!

Music Video: Near Wild Heaven

This video gives me a real Rent vibe, for some reason.  It's simple and pleasant, like the song.

Music Video: Radio Song

Well, the video makes it slightly more palatable, I suppose?

Music Video: Losing My Religion (Live)

This is listed as a music video on Wikipedia along with their performance of "Love Is All Around," which is a great cover they were performing live during this era (and will get included down the line).  But there were other live songs during this Late Show performance and it's just that these two happened to be included on the music video collection The Film Is On.  So, here we are.

Music Video: Love Is All Around (Live)

Video Collection: The Film Is On

Like Left of Reckoning, the next set of videos ("Low," "Belong (Live)," "Half a World Away," and "Country Feedback") are all done in this found footage style.  Fortunately, most of them work in this format.

Overall: 4.07/5 - A-
Damn that "Radio Song."  If it hadn't been for that clunker of an opener, this would be the first perfect R.E.M. album.  But, even that song couldn't hold it down for too long.  Everything from "Losing My Religion" on is pure joy and a very strong showing, establishing R.E.M. as a definitive band of the '90s as well as the '80s.

Album of the Day: R.E.M. - Green

Green (1988)

R.E.M. ended their contract with I.R.S. and "sold out" by moving to the much bigger Warner Bros. Records for more creative freedom.  Many "true fans" were upset with the change, but with Scott Litt still at the production helm, the great albums continued.  Part of the backlash occurred since the band deliberately aimed to create songs that "weren't R.E.M. songs."  The sound is definitely new and more mainstream, but not wholly unfamiliar.

1) Pop Song 89 - 5/5
Right away, we're hit with a great opening track.  Sure, it's a deliberate pop song, but it skewers typical pop song themes (for the time) while highlighting the real lack of substance.  A nice bit of satire.  Or at least an enjoyable one.

2) Get Up - 5/5
Another pop song, and I think it's a bit more fun that the first.  It's simple (a call to wake up), but sometimes simple is what you need.  And it's definitely fun to sing along to and wake up to.

3) You Are the Everything - 4/5
The new mandolin is brought out for this one, making for a very sweet love song.  The whole album is just making me feel so warm and fuzzy so far.

4) Stand - 5/5
Here it is! One of the contenders for my all-time favorite R.E.M. songs.  I realize it's an intentionally inane bubblegum pop song, but I love those kind of songs and it works so well!  I even enjoy the stupid Weird Al parody, "Spam." That melody just sucks me in and doesn't let go!

5) World Leader Pretend - 4/5
Here, we're presented with a scenario in which a world leader struggles to do their job well.  But by gum, they're trying.  It suddenly got a lot better when I listened to it today.

6) The Wrong Child - 4/5
I really like this song as well.  Another story song, from the perspective of the "bubble boy," who cannot interact with the world outside of his quarantined home.  It's got a lot of pathos and I feel many people can identify with the discomfort that he feels.

7) Orange Crush - 5/5
Man, these singles are killing it, aren't they?  This is less of a traditional pop song and a bit darker, giving the album that old R.E.M. charm.  It's got a powerful anti-war message hidden beneath its cryptic lyrics, and it'll leave you thinking long after you listen to it.

8) Turn You Inside Out - 4/5
This one managed to chart despite just being a simple promo single, so the band was really on fire.  I really enjoy it's energy, but it loses a bit of it credibility when I keep mistaking it for "Finest Worksong."  It really feels like a retread, musically.  Fortunately, that one was also great.

9) Hairshirt - 2/5
Well...all good things must come to an end.  Maybe because it's following so many great songs, but this one just gets on my nerves and I can't fully get into it.

10) I Remember California - 3/5
Man...I enjoy the lyrics in this one.  And the music.  It has the makings of a great R.E.M. song and I'm sure many people would probably cite it as one of the best of the album, but it goes one far too long.  Had it been half the length, it would be great!

11) Untitled - 3/5
Similarly, this one is fine, but it doesn't compare to all that came before.  It's cute and chrming, and fortunately a good length.  It feels a bit juvenile though, so I tend to skip it/forget it quickly.

Music Video: Orange Crush

The change in record companies have made for much more polished and professional looking music videos.  Being such a weighty song, of course the video black and white and "artsy." I'm not sure if it entirely works for this song as it gets a bit heavy-handed, but it's serviceable.

Music Video: Stand

A dopey pop song deserves an equally dopey music video.  I may be biased since I love the song, but I think this is the first R.E.M. video that could be considered a classic.  Well, this might be better...

Music Video: Turn You Inside Out

So, I thought this was going to be just a straightforward "film the band" video.  And it is, but it's minimalistic approach makes it stand out from the pack.  It really could have been applied to any of the songs though, so it doesn't thematically match up with the song.

Music Video: Pop Song 89

Obviously, there was a little bit of controversy with this one.  Stipe responded by censoring all the nipples (even his own) for the television broadcast.  Very clever.  While it's just simple dancing occurring in this one, there is a bold statement being made here about what we demand out of our pop music and it works surprisingly well, either way.

Music Video: Get Up

Abstract colors and images!  Well, it fits with the "dreamlike" lyrics.  And it looks pretty cool.

Overall: 3.92/5 - B+
I know were still in  B+ territory, but this is now the highest rated album.  And had it not been for the mediocrity of those last three songs, this would have been a near-perfect album!  And I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt, they may still grow on me in the future.  Although, as I said with Document, this was one of the three R.E.M. CD's I grew up with, so if those songs haven't clicked with me by now, they might not do so in the near future.  But even if this CD were just "Stand" and "Orange Crush," I'd be willing to call it a near-perfect album.

Album of the Day: R.E.M. - Eponymous

Eponymous (1988)

The final album released under the I.R.S. contract was fittingly a "best of" compilation, featuring the band's biggest hits from each album, as well as some alternate takes on tracks and one bonus song that had only appeared on a movie soundtrack before.  I'll still review it like any other album, though I won't repeat my discussions on any tracks that appeared on previous albums.

1) Radio Free Europe (Original Hib-Tone Single) - 5/5
This is the original single that kicked everything off in 1981.  While "Radio Free Europe" was released on Murmur, this recording existed first and, after listening to it a few times, I agree with the band that this take is better.  I enjoy the faster pace and the less composed production quality.  So I'm bumping this up a grade over the Murmur version.

2) Gardening at Night (Different Vocal Mix) - 3/5
Unfortunately, the same does not hold for this alternate take of "Gardening at Night."  I feel a lot is lost from the slower, more muffled version from Chronic Town.  It's nice to have this version as an option on an album, but it would have been stronger with the originally released version instead.

3) Talk About the Passion - 5/5
Same as Murmur track.

4) So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry) - 4/5
Same as Reckoning track.

5) Don't Go Back to Rockville - 5/5
Same as Reckoning track.

6) Can't Get There from Here - 5/5
Same as Fables of the Reconstruction track.

7) Driver 8 - 4/5
Same as Fables of the Reconstruction track.

8) Romance - 1/5
Yeesh, I was wondering why I hadn't heard of this song before and now it's plain to see why.  Kudos to sticking a "new" song on the album, but all I'm left thinking is that they could have just as easily put on "Superman" from Lifes Rich Pageant and this would truly be a "best of" album.  But maybe there were complications since that's technically a cover song.  Oh well.

9) Fall On Me - 5/5
Same as Lifes Rich Pageant track.

10) The One I Love - 5/5
Same as Document track.

11) Finest Worksong (Mutual Drum Horn Mix) - 5/5
This is the single version of the track and it's virtually the same as the original, except with horns added to significant moments in the background.  I already gave the original 5/5 and while the horns don't hurt it, it definitely gives it a different, more powerful flavor.  It's hard to say which I prefer, since I'm so used to the hornless version, but it's not enough to change the grade for me.

12) It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) - 5/5
Same as Document track.

Music Video: Talk About the Passion

Hey, there's actually a music video to promote this album!  "Talk About the Passion" finally gets the video treatment, probably since the band was a bit more confident in making their political statements at this point in their career.  The video emphasizes all the subtext into text.  Not too bad.

Overall: 4.36/5 - A, 3.58/5 - B (for "new" material only)
I'm not quite sure how to best grade these compilation albums.  If someone were coming into the band fresh and needed an idea of the band's I.R.S. years, then this is a near perfect album (hindered only by a lack of "Superman" and the better version of "Gardening at Night").  For fans who already have all the previous records, the new material is just fine.  It's interesting enough to check out, but it's not necessarily worth getting a whole album for.  I would just get the original "Radio Free Europe" and continue on my way.

Album of the Day: R.E.M. - Document

Document (1987)

I always felt as if this was the first "real" R.E.M. album.  Everything pre-Document felt as it belonged to another era to another band that wasn't quite R.E.M. as we know them today.  Part of it had to do with the fact that this was one of the few R.E.M. albums my father owned (along with the next two, Green and Out of Time) so I listened to it a lot in my youth.  But also, it contains two of the bands biggest mainstream hits that I still hear on the radio to this day.  And while I occasionally hear some pre-Document tracks, it's not with the same consistency as the two from this album.  This was the first album co-produced with Scott Litt, who would remain with the band over the next 5 albums, so apparently that change in structure and tone isn't just all in my head and we are entering the second era of R.E.M.  This is also the last I.R.S. album (excluding the compilation album Eponymous) so this is definitely a transitional record.

1) Finest Worksong - 5/5
Document comes out of the gate swinging!  While I may skip this song from time to time, it is a strong offering with a clear message and a great, confident sound.

2) Welcome to the Occupation - 4/5
The flow of this album works well.  I always picture the first three songs of this album as an intended trio and while this is more of a transitory piece, it continues the marvelous, passionate theme.

3) Exhuming McCarthy - 5/5
Not only is this a fantastic song, but it was my first history lesson about McCarthyism as a young teen.  While I may have originally missed the parallels between McCarthy and late '80s America, the song always stuck with me and I'd return to it time and time again.

4) Disturbance at the Heron House - 3/5
I enjoy this song, though not as much as the openers.  It's pleasant enough, though.  I mean, subject matter notwithstanding.

5) Strange - 3/5
Well, today I learned that this is actually a cover song.  It's originally a 1977 punk song by Wire.  I think I prefer it's original slow sound however.  It reminds me of a song I'd hear on Scott Pilgrim.  Stipe's voice in the R.E.M. version is a bit too nasally and...strange in this upbeat cover.

6) It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) - 5/5
Here it is, the first amazing R.E.M. song.  You may argue with me, but it has staying power to this day and it probably will until the end of the world.  And I feel fine saying that.  It's fun to listen to and to try and fail to sing along to.

7) The One I Love - 5/5
And bang! Another amazing R.E.M. song.  This is their first single to go platinum and with good/bad reason.  A lot of people took this to be a simple love pop song, but a quick analysis of the lyrics reveal that it's an anti-love song.  I just enjoy the fact that so many people misinterpret it and play it at their wedding or anniversaries.  And also, fire.  (This album's theme is fire, by the way. Forgot to mention it.)

8) Fireplace - 2/5
Ugh, I hate that this song has the intro that it has.  It's such a shift after back to back greatness.  The meat of this song isn't bad, but I can't get into it at all.  Then there's that sax solo that really dates this song firmly in the '80s, which R.E.M. has managed to avoid so far.  More fire, though!

9) Lightnin' Hopkins - 3/5
This is much better.  This has a fun intro and melody throughout.  But, like "Strange," Stipe affects this weird annoying voice throughout.

10) King of Birds - 4/5
I just really enjoy this one.  Maybe it's the dulcimer.  Or maybe it's the imagery.  It's quite poetic.

11) Oddfellows Local 151 - 3/5
This one is fine (and more fire!!!!), but it goes on a tad bit too long for my liking.  Very repetitive.

Music Video: The One I Love

Can't embed these ones, sorry.  The music video is pretty straightforward, by R.E.M. standards.  The visuals are appropriate to the song and there is a disjointedness throughout.  Not an iconic video.

Music Video: It's the End of the World as We Know It

This one works a bit better than "The One I Love," but it could have used much more frantic editing and imagery to match the fast-paced lyrics.  But the stillness is almost haunting in a way, suggesting that this kid who is featured in the video has just given up on life and is going to have fun or...not.

Music Video: Finest Worksong

Stipe directed this one and I think it's the coolest of the bunch.  It's still that usual visual style, but the metal working imagery fits in with the sounds of the music very well.  It feels like a worksong!

Overall: 3.82/5 - B+
Huh, so due to my math, this came out to be the exact same score as Lifes Rich Pageant even though I feel that I like this one more.  I blame the last few tracks of the album which go on a bit too long and drag out the entire experience.  But if push came to shove, I'd recommend this one over the previous album.  While there are a lot of fun songs on the former, this one has a dedicated focus in it's political commentary and thematic consistency.  Plus, you can actually understand most of the lyrics this time! And when it hits those heights, it really excels!

Album of the Day: R.E.M. - Dead Letter Office

Dead Letter Office (1987)

After Lifes Rich Pageant, R.E.M. had amassed enough material from the B-sides of their singles to compile them all into a compilation album.  While it's not an official main album, it is a nice overview of the fun that the band got into during the first 7 years of their career.

1) Crazy - 5/5
B-side of "Driver 8" and "Wendell Gee."  This is a cover of a song from the Athens-grown band Pylon, which was an influence on R.E.M. as they were starting out.  This is a really cool song and I enjoy both versions of it.  A strong choice to open with.

2) There She Goes Again - 4/5
B-side of "Radio Free Europe." Another cover, this time of a Velvet Underground song.  I kind of like how Stipe makes it a bit more melodic than the original making for a very easy listen.

3) Burning Down - 3/5
B-side of "Wendell Gee." An early song from the Chronic Town days.  It definitely feels like it could have fit on Fables of the Reconstruction.  It's a bit of a basic R.E.M. song, but since that album was lacking that sound, it would have been a welcome addition there.

4) Voice of Harold - 3/5
B-side of "So. Central Rain." As you listen, you'll realize that this is the music to "7 Chinese Bros." but the lyrics are all weird.  That's because Stipe is singing/reading the liner notes to a gospel record called The Joy of Knowing Jesus by the Revelaires.  This was apparently a vocal exercise to get Stipe ready for the actual song, so it's cool for that reason.  Not really a great song, but cool.

5) Burning Hell - 2/5

B-side of "Can't Get There from Here." Another Fables of the Reconstruction reject.  The style is definitely imitating/parodying devil-centric heavy metal music.  Cute, but not my cup of tea.

6) White Tornado - 2/5

B-side of "Superman." This was recorded the same day as their very first single, "Radio Free Europe" (the original 1981 take, not the one from Murmur).  Kind of a surfer rock instrumental, but not a very captivating one, unfortunately.

7) Toys in the Attic - 2/5

B-side of "Fall On Me." A cover of the Aerosmith song.  It seems this was more of an excuse for the band to have fun with a new type of song, rather than a real attempt to make it their own, so it just pales in comparison to the original.

8) Wind Out - 3/5

Track from the Bachelor Party soundtrack.  R.E.M. needed a party song for a 1984 party movie.  This definitely works, and I could imagine it playing in the background of a party scene, but it doesn't quite get my blood pumping like an all-time great party anthem should.

9) Ages of You - 4/5

B-side of "Wendell Gee." Recorded along with "Burning Down," this one really surprised me.  I had just assumed after multiple listens that it was a cover of some '50s or '60s rock song but it's an original.  It was supposed to be another Chronic Town song and while I like it, I'm not sure it would have fit on that EP.  But I'm glad it was eventually released.

10) Pale Blue Eyes - 3/5

B-side of "So. Central Rain." Another Velvet Underground/Lou Reed cover.  It's nice, but it doesn't quite match the beauty of the original.

11) Rotary Ten - 1/5

B-side of "Fall On Me." Another instrumental piece, but an underwhelming one at that.  I've listened to this album multiple times and I keep mentally blocking it out and forgetting about it.

12) Bandwagon - 3/5

B-side of "Can't Get There from Here." A fine song, but it's a bit too short.  When it's over and the next song starts, I assume they are just two different parts of the same song.

13) Femme Fatale - 4/5

B-side of "Superman." I hope you want more Velvet Underground covers! Fortunately, this cover works a bit better than "Pale Blue Eyes" in retaining the spirit and tone.

14) Walter's Theme - 3/5

B-side of "So. Central Rain." An instrumental piece with some ad-libbed ramblings from Stipe.  Apparently, this is from a drunken recording session, along with the next song.  The music's pretty fun, but it's more of a novelty.

15) King of the Road - 3/5

B-side of "So. Central Rain." Speaking of novelty, the drunken stupor continues as the band ambles their way through this classic song.  They don't horribly butcher it, fortunately, and it would fit in the background of any dive bar soundtrack.  Almost karaoke-like.  It's charming, but not really meant to be reviewed and criticized.

Overall: 3.08/5 - B-

It certainly is not the best album, but it has enough to offer to keep even casual R.E.M. fans interested.  It's more of a museum of their musical history than a complete album, but it's clear that there is heart and soul in these tracks, even if most of them miss the mark.  A couple of the ones I rated highly probably won't enter my usual rotation of R.E.M. listening (except for "Crazy") but it's nice to know that these songs exist in one place.

Album of the Day: R.E.M. - Lifes Rich Pageant

Lifes Rich Pageant (1986)

After the experiment that was Fables of the Reconstruction, R.E.M. returned to a more traditionally focused album.  However, their strength as a band was growing and they had the confidence to create more politically conscious songs while also tapping into the pop music market.  Their sound was still wholly their own, but the aim was to get their messages across in a more accessible way.  Less abstract lyrics and subjects are focused on this time around.

1) Begin the Begin - 4/5
Probably the best opening song of any R.E.M. album, the band would use this call to action to open their concerts for years to come.  It has power and clarity and it represents a bold next step in the band's music.  This is one that I felt was merely okay when I first heard it, but every time I listen to it, it pumps me up more and more.

2) These Days - 4/5
Continuing the passion built up in "Begin the Begin," "These Days" represents a sort of rallying cry for the modern ('80s) youth.  There's a sense of positive defiance and rebelliousness that just adds to the fun of this album.

3) Fall On Me - 5/5
A pointedly environmentally conscious song that started as a cry against acid rain turned into more of a song about oppression in general.  It has a great chorus and presents a welcome tonal shift for the album, while remaining up-tempo.

4) Cuyahoga - 3/5
Similar to the previous track, this one tackles pollution and the plight of Native Americans.  It's a strong, well-written song, but it's not as easy to listen to as "Fall On Me."  That isn't to say it's bad, but it lacks a certain musical element to make it stick with me.

5) Hyena - 3/5
I also like the premise of this song, with a metaphorical hyena preparing to attack unsuspecting citizens.  Unfortunately, while I like the main melody and verses, the chorus loses me a bit.

6) Underneath the Bunker - 4/5
This one is short and sweet with a sound akin to Latin/ethnic music but also a surfer track like "Miserlou." Stipe's vocals are muffled as if he's speaking from a bunker through an intercom device.  It's all really cool and doesn't overstay it's welcome.

7) The Flowers of Guatemala - 5/5
Around this time, I was starting to worry, because I've been really enjoying the album so far, so I knew something would have to give.  Fortunately, this one put my fears to rest.  Like a '60s flower-power song, this one has a sweet tranquil melody with simple lyrics and wouldn't be out of place in one of those songs.  And then it just gets musically better and better as the song progresses! (I'm a big fan of songs with a slow build like this.)

8) I Believe - 4/5
Of course a song called "I Believe" is probably going to uplifting in some sense.  A nice message of hope, but in hope that you must cultivate with your actions.

9) What If We Give It Away? - 3/5
When the rest of the songs are so strong, some times you'll have one that's just okay.  Maybe upon more listens, this will grow on me, but at the moment, it's not showing its significance to me yet.

10) Just a Touch - 3/5
It's more fun than the previous song, but there are stronger offerings.

11) Swan Swan H - 3/5
Well, it sounds cool, but it's one of those songs that is hard to fully grasp.  I'm sure I'll love it in a year.

12) Superman - 5/5
It's a cover of The Clique, but it's one of the songs I most associate with R.E.M. and it's one of my all time favorites.  Compared to the original, it's very similar.  It's just as fun and this was just R.E.M.'s opportunity to share a song they enjoyed.

Music Video: Fall On Me

In a rare move, it seems as if Michael Stipe actually wanted people to pay attention to the lyrics to this one, making what is effectively a lyric video.

Music Video: Swan Swan H

As part of the music documentary Athens, GA: Inside/Out, R.E.M. is one of the bands featured.  They perform one of their then recent songs in an abandoned building.  And they also perform a cover of an Everly Brothers classic.  I wouldn't quite count it as a video promoting the album, but it fits here.

Music Video: All I Have to Do Is Dream

Overall: 3.82/5 - B+
This was just a lot of fun the whole way through and, for me, it is their strongest offering thus far (assuming I don't know what's coming down the line).  It returns to that upbeat sensibility we saw in Murmur but with a lot more passion and emotion to resonate with an educated audience who are prone to seeing a change in the world.  It does not come off as preachy but it will have you thinking and returning again and again.