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The Guardian
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The ones we love: all 16 of REM's albums – ranked!
The REM album that REM appeared to hate: guitarist Peter Buck called it unlistenable, 'a bunch of people so bored with the material that they can't stand it any more'. In truth, the songs aren't bad, but there's something lifeless about Around the Sun: its best tracks sound infinitely better on the 2007 REM Live album. 'I guess a three-legged dog is still a dog,' mused frontman Michael Stipe after drummer Bill Berry's 1997 departure from REM. 'It just has to learn to run differently.' Thus Up was heavy on synths and drum machines, muted, crepuscular – and a relative commercial failure. It's too long and understated to a fault, but the best songs – Suspicion, Hope, Airportman – are worth trawling for. They had nearly split during the making of Up, and were now steadying the ship. Closer to the sound of 'classic' REM (though there's still a lot of electronics), Reveal is sunny but wistful. It may not be quite a return to peak songwriting form, but the single Imitation of Life is insanely catchy. REM ended their career with an album that feels weirdly career-spanning. Oh My Heart – recently given a boost thanks to TV series The Bear – recalls their early 90s; Überlin and Discoverer evoke their college-rock years. It wasn't the triumphant finale they might have hoped for – sales were indifferent – but no disaster either. Both Stipe and Buck threatened to end REM if Around the Sun's successor wasn't an improvement; hence this Jacknife Lee-assisted attempt to harness the power of their acclaimed live shows in the studio. There's plenty of grit and punch, with Buck's Rickenbacker ringing out, and the songs are strong without providing a classic. Stand and Pop Song 89 were REM at their most commercial, but Green was a darker, more introspective major-label debut than those singles suggested, as shown on World Leader Pretend, I Remember California, Hairshirt, and the oddly eerie love song You Are the Everything. The production makes it the most dated-sounding REM album, but there's still a lot to love here. Their debut mini-album offers REM at their rawest: despite the experimentation that apparently took place – producer Mitch Easter deployed tape loops and recorded Stipe's vocals outdoors – it sounded like a band playing live. In Wolves, Lower, Carnival of Sorts (Boxcars) and Gardening at Night, it featured songs so great they needed no adornment. Widescreen and confident where Green was slightly scattered and tentative, Out of Time turned REM into superstars. Not everything here still works (although full marks for effort with the KRS-One collab Radio Song), but when Out of Time hits – Losing My Religion, Country Feedback, Me in Honey – it's hugely impressive. Made by a band in turmoil – they temporarily broke up during its recording – Monster is effectively old-fashioned REM (guitars far louder than vocals) put through a distorted glam-rock filter. Its lyrics are preoccupied with sexuality: Stipe came out after its release. Not what a mainstream audience wanted in 1994, it sounds pretty magnificent now. You would never know that Reckoning was written and recorded in a hurry by a band exhausted by touring. Crisper and more straightforward than their debut, it feels awesomely confident, although Stipe's vocals, plaintive but hard to understand, retained an enigmatic air, particularly on standout So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry). Partly recorded during the seemingly cursed Monster tour, this is perhaps REM's last unequivocal triumph. New Adventures in Hi-Fi is filled with weary disillusion – 'The fame thing, I don't get it,' sings Stipe, who had just signed one of the biggest record deals in history – but also with raggedly wonderful songs: the closing Electrolite is a career high. The REM album that most betrays their geographical roots – or perhaps the tense recording sessions. A southern gothic darkness hangs over even the upbeat tracks: Life and How to Live It deals with mental illness, and there's something ominous about Driver 8. Less ecstatically received than its predecessors on release, it sounds incredible 40 years on. Their biggest album at that point was also REM's bleakest, filled with intimations of environmental collapse and horror at Reagan-era America: even the joyous It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) has obvious apocalyptic overtones. Here they sound arena-ready, without compromising their vision or quality. A joy from start (the distorted folk-rock guitar figure that introduces Begin the Begin) to finish (the fantastic cover of the Clique's late 60s obscurity Superman), Lifes Rich Pageant was forceful where its predecessors had been oblique. It features an embarrassment of songwriting riches: Cuyahoga, Fall On Me, These Days. The genius of REM's debut album proper lies not just in the magnificent songwriting but the sense of mystery it conveyed. Everything – title, cover, lyrics, an atmospheric production that buries the vocals and pushes the drums – was inscrutable. Here is music rooted in various traditions, from folk-rock to post-punk, that at the time seemed utterly fresh. Not everyone was delighted by REM's huge mainstream success: naysaying former fans were winningly invited to 'kiss my ass' by Buck, and, listening to their biggest album, it's hard to see what their problem was. It's packed with fantastic songs, dark in tone (The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite and Man on the Moon offer rare glimpses of light) and unexpected in its influences: opener Drive was inspired by David Essex's Rock On. Everybody Hurts is probably too overplayed to pack the emotional punch it once did, but Nightswimming is still incredibly moving, and if you're sick of the hits, the deeper cuts sound glorious.
BreakingNews.ie
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
REM re-release debut single Radio Free Europe to aid threatened news service
Alternative rock band REM have re-released their debut single Radio Free Europe to raise funds for the pro-democracy media outlet. The original single, about US government-funded media service Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), was released by the Grammy-winning band in 1981. Advertisement A remixed version is included in five-track benefit EP, Radio Free Europe 2025, released a day before World Press Freedom Day, which acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom. REM's Michael Stipe on stage performing (Niall Carson/PA) It comes after attempts by the administration of US president Donald Trump to dismantle the US Agency for Global Media, including Voice of America and RFE/RL, which were designed to model independent news gathering globally in societies that restrict the press. Lead singer of REM Michael Stipe said: 'Whether it's music or a free press – censorship anywhere is a threat to the truth everywhere. 'On World Press Freedom Day, I'm sending a shoutout to the brave journalists at Radio Free Europe.' Advertisement Bassist Mike Mills added: 'Radio Free Europe's journalists have been pissing off dictators for 75 years. You know you're doing your job when you make the right enemies. 'Happy World Press Freedom Day to the 'OG' Radio Free Europe.' RFE/RL president and chief executive Stephen Capus said: 'To me, REM's music has always embodied a celebration of freedom: freedom of expression, lyrics that make us think, and melodies that inspire action. 'Those are the very aims of our journalists at Radio Free Europe — to inform, inspire, and uphold freedoms often elusive to our audiences. We hold dictators accountable. Advertisement 'They go to great lengths to silence us—blocking our websites, jamming our signals, and even imprisoning our colleagues.' In April, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore $12 million that Congress appropriated for RFE/RL. RFE/RL started broadcasting during the Cold War. Its programmes are aired in 27 languages in 23 countries across eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East. Its corporate headquarters are in Washington, and its journalistic headquarters are in the Czech Republic. Advertisement In 2009, Radio Free Europe was inducted into the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry, which maintains and preserves sound recordings. Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mills and Stipe were behind numerous alt-rock hits such as Everybody Hurts and It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine). Last year, they were inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame and reunited at the ceremony in New York City where they performed an acoustic version of Losing My Religion. In September 2011, the band announced they had 'decided to call it a day as a band'. Advertisement Their final studio album, Collapse Into Now, had been released in March of that year. Radio Free Europe 2025 EP tracklist: Radio Side: 1. Radio Free Europe 2025 (Jacknife Lee Remix)* 2. Radio Free Dub (Mitch Easter 1981 Remix)* Liberty Side: 1. Radio Free Europe (Original Hib-Tone Single) 2. Sitting Still (Original Hib-Tone B-Side) 3. Wh. Tornado (From Cassette Set)
Japan Today
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Worlds collide: R.E.M. rereleases 'Radio Free Europe' single to benefit the threatened news service
FILE - Michael Stipe, of the band R.E.M., center, speaks as he accepts the Video Vanguard award during the 1995 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York on Sept. 7, 1995. Standing by are fellow band members, from left, Mike Mills, Peter buck and Bill Berry. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File) By DAVID BAUDER The rock band R.E.M. is putting out a special rerelease of its first single, 'Radio Free Europe,' to benefit — wait for it — the actual Radio Free Europe. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty is among the U.S. government-funded media services that deliver news in overseas markets. President Donald Trump's administration, claiming they are wasteful and promote a liberal point of view, is trying to choke off their funding. A federal judge this week ordered the Republican administration to restore $12 million to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that was appropriated by Congress. Lawyers for the service, which has been operating for 75 years, said it would be forced to shut down in June without the money. In the first line of its song 'Radio Free Europe,' R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe sings: "Decide for yourself if radio's going to stay.' 'Whether it's music or a free press — censorship anywhere is a threat to the truth everywhere,' Stipe said on Friday. 'On World Press Freedom Day, I'm sending a shout-out to the brave journalists at Radio Free Europe.' Stephen Capus, RFE/RL president, said R.E.M.'s music has always represented a celebration of freedom to him. He said inspiring and upholding freedom to audiences that might not always experience it is the goal of his organization's journalists. Released on a tiny independent label, the 'Radio Free Europe' single was the first the world had heard from the Athens, Georgia-based band, whose career eventually took it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The band called it quits in 2011. The song was later inducted into the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry for setting the pattern for independent rock releases at the time. The five-song EP will include the original recording of the song and a remix made this year by the band's collaborator Jacknife Lee. It will also contain three other songs made at the same time: the single's B-side, 'Sitting Still'; the instrumental 'Wh. Tornado'; and a previously unreleased 'Radio Free Dub' remix. The producer of the original recording session, Mitch Easter, is supervising this year's rerelease. It's available for streaming on Friday, and a special vinyl pressing can be bought at independent record stores and R.E.M.'s mail order store. Proceeds from all vinyl sales go to RFE/RL. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
RTÉ News
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
R.E.M. re-release debut single Radio Free Europe to aid threatened news service
US rock band R.E.M. have re-released their debut single Radio Free Europe to raise funds for the pro-democracy media outlet. The original single, about US government-funded media service Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), was released by the Grammy-winning band in 1981. A remixed version is included in five-track benefit EP, Radio Free Europe 2025, released a day before World Press Freedom Day, which acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom. It comes after attempts by the administration of US president Donald Trump to dismantle the US Agency for Global Media, including Voice of America and RFE/RL, which were designed to model independent news gathering globally in societies that restrict the press. Lead singer of R.E.M. Michael Stipe said: "Whether it's music or a free press - censorship anywhere is a threat to the truth everywhere. "On World Press Freedom Day, I'm sending a shoutout to the brave journalists at Radio Free Europe." Bassist Mike Mills added: "Radio Free Europe's journalists have been pissing off dictators for 75 years. You know you're doing your job when you make the right enemies. "Happy World Press Freedom Day to the 'OG' Radio Free Europe." RFE/RL president and chief executive Stephen Capus said: "To me, R.E.M.'s music has always embodied a celebration of freedom: freedom of expression, lyrics that make us think, and melodies that inspire action. "Those are the very aims of our journalists at Radio Free Europe - to inform, inspire, and uphold freedoms often elusive to our audiences. We hold dictators accountable. "They go to great lengths to silence us - blocking our websites, jamming our signals, and even imprisoning our colleagues." In April, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore 12 million dollars (£9 million) that Congress appropriated for RFE/RL. RFE/RL started broadcasting during the Cold War. Its programmes are aired in 27 languages in 23 countries across eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East. Its corporate headquarters are in Washington, and its journalistic headquarters are in the Czech Republic. In 2009, Radio Free Europe was inducted into the US Library of Congress's National Recording Registry, which maintains and preserves sound recordings. Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mills and Stipe were behind numerous alt-rock hits such as Everybody Hurts and It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine). Last year, they were inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame and reunited at the ceremony in New York City where they performed an acoustic version of Losing My Religion. The band has a long relationship with Ireland. They played their first gig here at the SFX in Dublin in 1984 and returned the following year to support U2 at Croke Park. They also headlined Slane Castle in 1995 and played a five-night residency at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin in 2007. In September 2011, the band announced they had "decided to call it a day as a band". Their final studio album, Collapse Into Now, had been released in March of that year. Radio Free Europe 2025 EP tracklist: Radio Side: Radio Free Europe 2025 (Jacknife Lee Remix) Radio Free Dub (Mitch Easter 1981 Remix) Liberty Side: Radio Free Europe (Original Hib-Tone Single) Sitting Still (Original Hib-Tone B-Side) Wh. Tornado (From Cassette Set)
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
REM re-release debut single Radio Free Europe to aid threatened news service
Alternative rock band REM have re-released their debut single Radio Free Europe to raise funds for the pro-democracy media outlet. The original single, about US government-funded media service Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), was released by the Grammy-winning band in 1981. A remixed version is included in five-track benefit EP, Radio Free Europe 2025, released a day before World Press Freedom Day, which acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom. It comes after attempts by the administration of US president Donald Trump to dismantle the US Agency for Global Media, including Voice of America and RFE/RL, which were designed to model independent news gathering globally in societies that restrict the press. Lead singer of REM Michael Stipe said: 'Whether it's music or a free press – censorship anywhere is a threat to the truth everywhere. 'On World Press Freedom Day, I'm sending a shoutout to the brave journalists at Radio Free Europe.' Bassist Mike Mills added: 'Radio Free Europe's journalists have been pissing off dictators for 75 years. You know you're doing your job when you make the right enemies. 'Happy World Press Freedom Day to the 'OG' Radio Free Europe.' RFE/RL president and chief executive Stephen Capus said: 'To me, REM's music has always embodied a celebration of freedom: freedom of expression, lyrics that make us think, and melodies that inspire action. 'Those are the very aims of our journalists at Radio Free Europe — to inform, inspire, and uphold freedoms often elusive to our audiences. We hold dictators accountable. 'They go to great lengths to silence us—blocking our websites, jamming our signals, and even imprisoning our colleagues.' In April, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore 12 million dollars (£9 million) that Congress appropriated for RFE/RL. RFE/RL started broadcasting during the Cold War. Its programmes are aired in 27 languages in 23 countries across eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East. Its corporate headquarters are in Washington, and its journalistic headquarters are in the Czech Republic. In 2009, Radio Free Europe was inducted into the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry, which maintains and preserves sound recordings. Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mills and Stipe were behind numerous alt-rock hits such as Everybody Hurts and It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine). Last year, they were inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame and reunited at the ceremony in New York City where they performed an acoustic version of Losing My Religion. In September 2011, the band announced they had 'decided to call it a day as a band'. Their final studio album, Collapse Into Now, had been released in March of that year. Radio Free Europe 2025 EP tracklist: Radio Side: 1. Radio Free Europe 2025 (Jacknife Lee Remix)* 2. Radio Free Dub (Mitch Easter 1981 Remix)* Liberty Side: 1. Radio Free Europe (Original Hib-Tone Single) 2. Sitting Still (Original Hib-Tone B-Side) 3. Wh. Tornado (From Cassette Set)
