When exactly did Stipe say this new album would be their last? You’re just making things up now!

killingfloor, I agree man, I think ‘Ascent Of Man’ was one of their finest song writing achievements ever as well, but don’t expect this album (which Stipe has said will most likely be their last btw) to be anything like Around The Sun.

I love all the albums they have done, but my least favorite is New Adventures In Hi-Fi, followed by Monster.

I think with the exception of ‘Til The Day is done, this may inevitably be my least favorite album from them.

Don’t care so much for the ‘rockier’ sound…you can get that anywhere. And I didn’t care much for what I heard lyrics wise either from the new songs, but I am sure it will sound much better on the album.

Nevertheless, R.E.M. is and always will be my favorite band, with Coldplay coming in second I think.

being a fan of Monster, Hi-Fi and Up primarily, i’m extremely excited about this new record.

bring back the guitars is right!

R.E.M. is the Best.Fucking.American.Band.Alive.

U2 is the Best.Fucking.NonAmerican.Band.Alive.

The Who is the Best.Fucking.Band.Ever.

Believe it or continue to live in ignorance. Your choice.

The hits haven’t happened cause the music buying demographics have changed.Their music is as great as ever.I think they deserve an extra helping of pie.

Loud guitar or not, so what. It is the quality of the songs, the lyrics, the mood. Give me ‘Imitation of Life’ over ‘What’s the frequency.’ any day.

R.E.M. created the sound known as ALTERNATIVE ROCK. Great band period………

Ted, puddle of vomit and Bob are all idiots. if anyone has seen REM live multiple times you can see the progression of talent and musician-ship. from the Document tour to the Green tour and the shiny happy people tour and the leaving New York ….they are a kick ass band live and every CD/album they’ve written has ben kick ass but Pageant was one of their greatest

One of the most boring bands around.
They had a couple of song on Adventures in Hi-Fi, but that’s about it.

And might I add, how great to see a “megaband” come out on a stripped down stage, no silly light show or video screens, and blow away an audience with a bunch of songs most had never heard before or hadn’t heard for years . . .

Attended the July 4th show - Robyn Hitchcock opened (Ole Tarantula!). Concert was much as the earlier one reviewed above - Michael reading and editing the lyrics of the new stuff as he went along - lots of old stuff and obscure stuff being played in the mix. Watch for this album, it will be strong and angry - the songs had the making of a great anti-war album . . .

REM are still my second favorite all time band, behind only Led Zeppelin. ‘Automatic For The People’ along with Radiohead’s ‘OK Computer’ are the best two albums of the 90’s. I’d love to see REM again in concert, they were phenomenal in the early 90’s.

rem is the best band in the world.
so simple.the new album will simply confirm it.

They played in Dublin in 1980? Before they released Chronic Town? I think someone’s been hitting the pipe. My favorites after Berry: Daysleeper, Electrolite, Imitation of Life and one of my ALL TIME faves has no guitar in it period: I’ve Been High. Stipes pipes have been 55% percent of their success, Bucks Guitar 30%, Mills harmonies 15%. Anytime Stipe is a guest on an album, it is the best track on that album

Oops, hope Im not hogging space here, just forgot to add something.

From all the interviews, it seems Berry was a “Grounding” force in R.E.M, a voice of reason when flights of fancy strayed a little too high. Again, considering the shock the band expressed when Berry left, its perhaps not so surprising that they should want to rebel and explore those other areas. They may have felt unable to do so as freely previously…. but I think its fair to say theres many of us who hope that desire is satisfied now - that they no longer see guitar music as a dead end already explored; That they are once again more interested in the song than in the sonic.

It seems when Berry left they felt the need to re-invent / find themselves again, to deal with the shock. Hence the move away from the traditional guitar band set up, towards electronica such as “Up”, “Reveal”, and the last album. They should take a leaf out of U2’s book and realize that it’s OKAY to be themselves - accept what they do (brilliantly) well, instead of trying to be something other. That doesnt have to mean repeating yourself - its a greater artistic challenge to come up with something new and memorable while STILL RETAINING what it is that made you great in the first place. Many bands have shown that theres still plenty of sonic territory left to explore with guitars bass and drums.
And a P.S. - people keep mentioning “Bad Day” as a great “post Berry” tune - It originated from a song from way before he left called “P.S.A”, and was almost complete back then.

P.P.S - In case people get the wrong idea, R.E.M. are my favourite band, and have been since the first releases such as the “Chronic Town” E.P. Come on guys - we KNOW you have another classic album in you!!

As much as we denounce r.e.m. post Bill Berry we need to consider “The Great Beyond” and “Animal” these are some of their finest work ever. They would receive much more respect as would the albums if they were included say on reveal, or ATS. I really hope this new record varies itself, im pleased with the rehearsals, but…like that guy said, a good live r.e.m. song can easily be destroyed by layers of atmospherics and harmonics and synths…please leave the songs as is! Let Mills create the melodies with the bass, like he used to

Well, I do have to admit liking “All The Way To Reno (You’re Gonna Be A Star)” quite a bit.

I’m glad they’re returning to the guitar heavy sound.

‘Monster’ is probably the album of theirs that sounds the best all these years later, compared with the impression it made upon release. Only recently did I come to realize how much that album really rocks. Bring it on guys!

I’m glad they’re returning to the guitar heavy sound.

‘Monster’ is probably the album of theirs that sounds the best all these years later. Only recently did I come to realize how much that album really rocks. Bring it on guys!

U2 did it a few years back w/ HTDAAB. These guys are more than capable. They need to forget about $ and the fans and make some good music again. Great Band.

Still the greatest band in the world….Hope to hear a rough sound mixed with their beautiful melodies and harmonies!

BRING BACK THE GUITARS!!!

yes, yes, yes!
now we gotta just hope that it does not get screwed up somehow. There is so much right about these working rehearsals, in the past ten years, it has become truly fashionable to denounce REM, but with a well timed and great record, it will be time again for many to reconsider.

This is what the band needs. It’s not like all the songs on the last three cds have been bad, many were devoid of any kind of life and were way, way too polished in the studio, but most life was produced out of them.
It’s okay to be yourself.

REM need to keep the raw energy (raw does not mean sloppy) of these shows and perhaps bring out the melodies a bit more (Buck needs to challenge himself, Mill’s needs to harmonize) and good things are sure to happen.

I for one, cannot wait to hear this new material!! Anything new from these guys is always different, which I consider to be a good thing! I doubt they’ll have the album finished before the end of the year, but I know however long it takes, it will be worth the wait! REM is, and always will be the Greatest Rock Band Ever!

R.E.M. is still my all-time favorite band, but I agree most everything post-Berry has been blah (one notable exception: the brilliant “Bad Day”), so I am interested in how this new album turns out. Hopefully it’ll live up to this supposed newfound energy the guys have tapped into in their latest shows.

I Love R.E.M but I dont think they will ever make a better album then Murmur. Possibly the greatest debut in music history.

Great article…I’m so excited to hear the new album. But I totally agree with Jefferson H. !!! What a rich history…those were the best days!

Well, I saw them a few years ago at the Street Scene music festival in San Diego. Stipe come out with the music stand holding the lyrics and the band was all bloated with too many extra musicans. After singing (reciting?) each song Stipe would toss the lyric sheet to the stage. Wow, so rock and roll. *cough* I left after a few songs to go hear the Sex Pistols. Great choice on my part. And this is coming from someone who saw them in concert years ago when they were at their peak. Just strip down and rock guys! And get a teleprompter while you’re at it…

R.E.M. is always and forever the best alternative rock band of the whole world
Thank you for all…

Are Michael Stipe and Natalie Merchant still married? I love them both and wish them the best. I’m quite proud that they’ve managed to escape the prying eyes of the press and keep their relationship private.

Beltway Greg

I like the sound of Guitar-heavy REM. I love Monster and Hi-Fi. They were the American equivalent to U2 back in the 90’s. Hopefully this next album will be their “All You Can’t Leave Behind.”

Can not wait for the new release
and possible and some live tracks
of the new songs included as a EP
Guitar Heavy is fine with me
Peter Buck is a awesome guitar player
One of the Best Rickenbacker Players
out there and the rythmn player
(when playing live, can not remember his name but I think he played in
a Athens Band as well) fills in well too(not noted that he was present, Dublin is a fine place to
debut new material, I think Europe fans are not as jaded and judgemental as US fans.(And I live in the US) please be open minded folks!

impeach,IMPEACH, IMPEACH

R.E.M.’s best albums were all recorded in North Carolina. There, I said it.

This group always puts out quality material, but sometimes it is different than what they have previously done. That is what makes groups fun and different - take some risks. I’ll listen, enjoy, and know that it is quality from a Hall of Fame band. If you want the same monotonous rock, listen to today’s modern rock bands.

“Sticker that says Impeach”- uh, when will these vitriolic and clueless liberals realize that Bush will not be impeached? Plus Bush has a year and a half left in office. Get over it.

There has never been a terrible REM album there have been a few boring ones though.
There are just a few bands you keep coming back to no matter what, and REM is one of them.
They just need to have a more up-tempo release, that will not have you nodding off, sounds like they are heading in that direction.

REM rocks, their new album is gonna be sweet

Wow, they played “Little America” — that’s pretty Sweet.

What killed R.E.M. was that they started listening to everyone else too much, and tried to be trendy. They forgot that they practically kicked the “alternative” door down with their early records, waving everyone else in. The band is brilliant, but lost a key player in Berry. They’ve been searching for themselves ever since. I haven’t heard the new songs yet, but I certainly hope they’ve started writing for themselves again, and not for a larger audience. If R.E.M. stays true to themselves, the audience will come back again.
Not that they’re exactly struggling for one, but you catch my drift.

Sounds good!!! Cannot wait for the new album.

Out of Time is still my fav. Bring back Kate for some more killer harmonies!

Hulk listen to new tunes. Hulk smash! Hulk think REM sell out to make extra buck. Guitar heavy tracks no good to Hulk. Think it be too commercial for Hulk.

MONSTER is REM best album duh

am i the only person that thinks “guitar heavy” tracks is a bad idea for r.e.m. to make a comeback? who remembers “monster”?

i’d rather hear something like “a return to the bass-dominated sound of chronic town” back when they were really good.

All right REM will be releasing some guitar heavy tracks. Can’t wait to start moshing and slam dancing to their tunes!

Stipe and that chrome dome of his sure looks mighty ugly in that pic.

1996′ New Adventures in Hi Fi was brilliant, so not all post-Monster efforts sucked.

Please, please, please be the return of the real R.E.M. that we haven’t heard from since new Adventures in Hi-Fi
This elevator music band that’s been posing as them needs to go.

“Guitar Heavy”? Does that mean they’ve brought in another guitar player to make it sound like Buck knows how to play?

I think ‘Ascent Of Man’ was one of their finest songwriting achievements. Hope this Album has the same feel.

Anybody even vaguely considering buying that record is a sucker.

I agree whole-heartedly with the Thom Yorke comment. Ever since Bill Berry left, this band has stopped writing tunes almost entirely. Just like post-Kid A Radiohead. All REM has to do is focus on the tunes, much like U2 has done this century, and they can win back a lot of fans who still love their music.

Oh please make this the album I’ve been waiting on for more than 10 years, maybe even 20.

om my, i am keeping my fingers crossed, please let this one be the rem i know and love

Please God, let them go back to big guitar anthems. This electo-pop stuff is so 1998. Around the Sun and Reveal were terrible albums, and this is still one of the best rock outfits in the world. And somebody tell Thom Yorke to stop talking to Stipe, he’s ruining him!

Sounds like a needed return to form. REM has the passion and ability to be America’s Greatest Band, but they have not delivered the goods in quite a while. You can take the post-Monster material and make one good CD from it, so they have it in them, it just needs to come out in a BIG way. Go get ‘em boys!