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=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: markie on September 29, 2003, 02:20:00 pm

Title: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: markie on September 29, 2003, 02:20:00 pm
Its been a bad day is on the radio right now.... Its like a bad cover version of one of their own songs. Does anyone have any sympathy for super rich mega celebrities anyway?
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: ggw on September 29, 2003, 02:30:00 pm
It was all downhill after Green
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: mankie on September 29, 2003, 02:31:00 pm
Right at the same time as they released Chronic Town in August 1982.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: markie on September 29, 2003, 02:31:00 pm
But isnt out of time their masterpiece?
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: Celeste on September 29, 2003, 02:33:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by ggwâ?˘:
  It was all downhill after Green
agreed.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: ggw on September 29, 2003, 02:52:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Bubba:
  But isnt out of time their masterpiece?
Blech...
 
 I find myself somewhat in agreeance with **gasp** mankie.
 
 Chronic Town was the best.  Reckoning and Murmur were similarly outstanding.  The next ones through Green were still very solid.  After that, the great songs just seemed outnumbered by the utterly forgettable.  The stuff from recent years is just flat out dull in my opinion.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: MiloGTC on September 29, 2003, 03:45:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Bubba:
  Its been a bad day is on the radio right now.... Its like a bad cover version of one of their own songs. Does anyone have any sympathy for super rich mega celebrities anyway?
As a matter of fact, it is "a bad cover version of one of their own songs" - sorta. The song's been around since the mid-'80s; it pops up on bootlegs as an outtake from the "Life's Rich Pageant" sessions, and supposedly it was used as a template for "It's the End of the World As We Know It..." (the lyrics for that song originally went with the music for this one).
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: Bags on September 29, 2003, 04:52:00 pm
Aw Mank, come on.  I think all of the first eight R.E.M. albums are wonderful.  Up through Automatic for the People.  And I like Monster, but you could do without it.
 
 But to leave it at Chronic town?  Sheeesh.  It's my favorite, with Murmur second and the rest descending in counter-chronological order.
 
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by mankie:
  Right at the same time as they released Chronic Town in August 1982.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: mankie on September 29, 2003, 05:08:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by bags:
  Aw Mank, come on.  I think all of the first eight R.E.M. albums are wonderful.  Up through Automatic for the People.  And I like Monster, but you could do without it.
 
 But to leave it at Chronic town?  Sheeesh.  It's my favorite, with Murmur second and the rest descending in counter-chronological order.
 
 
   
Quote
Originally posted by mankie:
  Right at the same time as they released Chronic Town in August 1982.
[/b]
Sorry bags, I've never liked REM. ....that's why I said "the same time" as they released Chronic Town. For some reason, their music has the same impact on me as someone scraping their nails down a blackboard.....Celeste...can I say blackboard without being a racist?
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: Jaguär on September 29, 2003, 05:11:00 pm
I've never liked REM either, so no bother with me about their new album that sounds like their first one.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: Bags on September 29, 2003, 05:37:00 pm
I love REM; I got into them when Murmur was released and I stayed in that whole southeastern jangle pop vein for years.  
 
 But, I got no problems if you don't like 'em.  There's a bunch of stuff I don't like that is pretty roundly admired.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on September 29, 2003, 05:47:00 pm
Wow Jag, we agree on something musically. I was never into REM either.
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by Jaguär:
  I've never liked REM either, so no bother with me about their new album that sounds like their first one.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: mankie on September 29, 2003, 05:51:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by bags:
  I love REM; I got into them when Murmur was released and I stayed in that whole southeastern jangle pop vein for years.  
 
 But, I got no problems if you don't like 'em.  There's a bunch of stuff I don't like that is pretty roundly admired.
Smiley Happy People
 Stand
 End Of The World
 
 Come onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: Bags on September 29, 2003, 06:22:00 pm
Yup, sorry Mank, I like all of it.  And I'm not embarrassed at all!    :p
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: mankie on September 29, 2003, 06:29:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by bags:
  Yup, sorry Mank, I like all of it.  And I'm not embarrassed at all!     :D
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: Bags on September 29, 2003, 06:34:00 pm
Losing my Religion is not among my faves.  Not bad, but I can live without it.  But, that may well be because I heard it so damn much back in the day!
 
   :D  [/b][/quote]
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: redsock on September 30, 2003, 09:45:00 am
It is understandeable you may not like everything REM has ever done, but they are the seminal college rock band. They came before all others and certainly deserved to be given their due. I know some of you like Neutral milk Hotel, who are direct descendants of REM. As are lots of other bands we all like, that I just can't think of at the moment. for sure, their last two albums are shit. Think what you will of monster, but "New Adventures in Hi-Fi" is actually a decent album when taken in its whole. And it shows they were still willing to try stuff. If I had $50 I'd go to the concert next week. Or if they started giving tickets away.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on September 30, 2003, 09:51:00 am
I thought Guster and OAR were the seminal college rock bands?
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: jadetree on September 30, 2003, 09:52:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by redsock:
  I know some of you like Neutral milk Hotel, who are direct decendants of REM.
Because they have a connection with Athens?  It certainly is not due to the music.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on September 30, 2003, 10:23:00 am
No, because we all subscribe to Magnet.
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by jadetree:
   
Quote
Originally posted by redsock:
  I know some of you like Neutral milk Hotel, who are direct decendants of REM.
Because they have a connection with Athens?  It certainly is not due to the music. [/b]
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: Mobius on September 30, 2003, 11:07:00 am
I walked into the dying remnants of Kemp Mill in Dupont yesterday.  And in the depressing scene at what used to be a very cool place, surrounded by pathetic CDs being sold for $0.20, what serves as the soundtrack?  REM's Monster.  Seemed perfectly fitting.  REM has shat the bed so thoroughly its difficult to remember how cool they were.  Murmur and Reckoning put them on a plane above everyone.  But they got some strange artistically self-destructive impulse.  First in the form of shit pop with the likes of Stand and Shiny Happy People and then just misguided crap. Losing My Religion was a great cry for help and Automatic For the People was a great "Hey, I'm  losing my shit for real" CD.  Then they were lost (w/ a brief semi-return to form w/ Adventures in Hi-Fi) Michael Stipe's demise is almost on par with Syd Barrett's.  Talk about aging ungracefully.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: Charlie Nakatestes, Japanese Golfer on September 30, 2003, 11:16:00 am
I'd have to say that Automatic For the People was their closest to being a return to decency in their post-Green output. Adventures in HiFi?
 
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by Mobius:
  I walked into the dying remnants of Kemp Mill in Dupont yesterday.  And in the depressing scene at what used to be a very cool place, surrounded by pathetic CDs being sold for $0.20, what serves as the soundtrack?  REM's Monster.  Seemed perfectly fitting.  REM has shat the bed so thoroughly its difficult to remember how cool they were.  Murmur and Reckoning put them on a plane above everyone.  But they got some strange artistically self-destructive impulse.  First in the form of shit pop with the likes of Stand and Shiny Happy People and then just misguided crap. Losing My Religion was a great cry for help and Automatic For the People was a great "Hey, I'm  losing my shit for real" CD.  Then they were lost (w/ a brief semi-return to form w/ Adventures in Hi-Fi) Michael Stipe's demise is almost on par with Syd Barrett's.  Talk about aging ungracefully.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: sonickteam2 on September 30, 2003, 03:31:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Rhett Miller:
  I thought Guster and OAR were the seminal college rock bands?
I heard OAR try to somewhat cover Bob Marley and i must say it insighted much rage in me.
 
    OAR sucks eggs, and Guster is right behind them.  No one should be allowed to cover Bob, or Led Zeppelin.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: scumpond on September 30, 2003, 03:42:00 pm
I've seen REM around 12 times and will see them next week as well.  Always a great live show.  Loved Monster and its predecessors, never got into anything after Monster,though.  
 
 I saw them in Vegas a couple of weeks ago and now that I am more in a Wilco phase, I liked the Wilco set much better.  REM still put on a good show, but much of their stuff just seems dated now.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: mankie on October 01, 2003, 12:58:00 pm
REM Will be on Today on NBC this Friday morning.
 
 Goddamn, has-been, washed-up sell outs! eh Rhett?
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: Herr Professor Doktor Doom on October 01, 2003, 01:04:00 pm
I think REM lost it at around the time their lyrics stopped being unintelligible.  Once you could hear what Michael Stipe was saying, it was possible to notice that a lot of the lyrics were rather dumb, whereas before it was possible to insert one's own thoughts into the parts that couldn't be understood, thus making it seem a lot more personal.  But musically also, they became increasingly boring and generic.  The last halfway decent album was that one with Kate Pearson on it, and even that is a far far cry from the brilliance of Chronic Town, Murmur, Reckoning, and Fables.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: bungle bud on October 02, 2003, 08:03:00 am
rem are a bunch of ring pirates.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: Guiny on October 02, 2003, 10:23:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by bags:
 [QB] Aw Mank, come on.  I think all of the first eight R.E.M. albums are wonderful.  Up through Automatic for the People.  And I like Monster, but you could do without it.
 
 I couldnt have said it better myself, i loved Automatic for the People and Monster was pretty good. After that........They lost me.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: 2nabote on October 02, 2003, 07:39:00 pm
Are you kidding?  REM was one of the worst blends of C&W (both kinds of music, to paraphrase the owner's wife of Bob's Country Bunker) and pop.  To sell music has nothing to do with talent.  Get a clue.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: stu47 on October 02, 2003, 10:40:00 pm
they lost me kinda of with monster....hi-fi sort of brought me back...the load of crap they released after that...that was it
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: kosmo vinyl on October 03, 2003, 08:37:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by 2nabote:
  Are you kidding?  REM was one of the worst blends of C&W (both kinds of music, to paraphrase the owner's wife of Bob's Country Bunker) and pop.  To sell music has nothing to do with talent.  Get a clue.
not familiar with the byrds, television, soft boys, velvet underground,  wire, or big star...  only one of them having a strong country influence.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: on October 03, 2003, 08:38:00 am
Man On The Moon was a splendid song.  
 
 If you don't agree, well then...I suppose you spend too much time lounging about on soft cushions, forever indulging yourself in the pleasures of the palm.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: Bags on October 03, 2003, 01:47:00 pm
I have a clue and you are selling them way short.  They started in 1982 and brought American jangle pop to the world, and that was a beautiful thing.  The descriptor "jangle" started there, my friend.
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by 2nabote:
  Are you kidding?  REM was one of the worst blends of C&W (both kinds of music, to paraphrase the owner's wife of Bob's Country Bunker) and pop.  To sell music has nothing to do with talent.  Get a clue.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: Herr Professor Doktor Doom on October 03, 2003, 02:04:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by bags:
  I have a clue and you are selling them way short.  They started in 1982 and brought American jangle pop to the world, and that was a beautiful thing.  The descriptor "jangle" started there, my friend.
 
 
[/QB][/QUOTE]
 
  :eek:   DUDE!!!!!  Jangle dates back to the freakin' SIXTIES with bands like the Byrds.  REM didn't even come CLOSE to inventing the genre.  The most that could be said for them is they helped revive the sound at a time when the synth and heavy guitar effects were in ascendancy.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: ggw on October 03, 2003, 02:09:00 pm
REM is also credited with taking "Southern Rock" away from Lynyrd Skynyrd, .38 Special, etc... and endowing it with more "gothic" tendencies.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: Bags on October 03, 2003, 02:11:00 pm
Okay, I'll take that.  But I do think they forged some new territory as well.
 
 You will *never* see me claim to be much of a music historian.  And in the end, everything has roots to something.
 
 
Quote
Originally posted by Doctor Doom:
   
Quote
Originally posted by bags:
  I have a clue and you are selling them way short.  They started in 1982 and brought American jangle pop to the world, and that was a beautiful thing.  The descriptor "jangle" started there, my friend.
 
 
[/b]
:eek:    DUDE!!!!!  Jangle dates back to the freakin' SIXTIES with bands like the Byrds.  REM didn't even come CLOSE to inventing the genre.  The most that could be said for them is they helped revive the sound at a time when the synth and heavy guitar effects were in ascendancy. [/QB][/QUOTE]
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: mankie on October 03, 2003, 02:27:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by bags:
  Okay, I'll take that.  But I do think they forged some new territory as well.
 
 You will *never* see me claim to be much of a music historian.  And in the end, everything has roots to something.
 
   
Quote
Originally posted by Doctor Doom:
   
Quote
Originally posted by bags:
  I have a clue and you are selling them way short.  They started in 1982 and brought American jangle pop to the world, and that was a beautiful thing.  The descriptor "jangle" started there, my friend.
 
 
[/b]
:roll:
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: Mobius on October 03, 2003, 02:37:00 pm
All I know is REM were the original kings of that mythical genre "College Rock."
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: mankie on October 03, 2003, 02:41:00 pm
Did anyone see them on Today on NBC this morning? I was lucky enough to have left the house before they came on.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: Bags on October 03, 2003, 03:44:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Bubba:
  Its been a bad day is on the radio right now.... Its like a bad cover version of one of their own songs.
I heard that song for the first time this morning on The Today Show.  You hit the nail on the head, like a bad cover of one of their own songs.
 
 I'd still have Peter Buck as my husband, though.    :D
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: Herr Professor Doktor Doom on October 03, 2003, 03:46:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by bags:
  I'd still have Peter Buck as my husband, though.     :D  
Even after this?   :p
 
 
Quote
R.E.M. guitarist Peter Buck appeared in a London court on Monday (4/23), where he was charged with several criminal offenses, including assaulting an aircrew and being drunk on an aircraft, according to published reports. On Saturday (4/21), Buck was arrested at London's Heathrow Airport after allegedly causing a disturbance while in transit from Seattle to London on a British Airways flight.
 
 Buck was charged with being drunk on an aircraft, disobeying an aircraft commander, two counts of assault on aircrew, threatening behavior and criminal damage, the latter of which allegedly occurred when Buck upended a service cart containing serving dishes.
 
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: Bags on October 03, 2003, 04:29:00 pm
Oh definitely, even after that.  I saw them at Radio City in 1988 (or 89, I can never remember, I just know it was senior year), and Peter Buck blew me away.  He has SO MUCH FUN, and jumped around and crouched down to play and obviously loved the music so much.  It wasn't for show or to put on a good set, but he just loved the music.  Plus, he's always been out there helping new bands get their music and names out.  I decided then and there I'd love to have him for a husband.
 
 And, he was much the same this morning on Today, still digging the music.  [He did have his mandolin period in there where he seemed to get quite dour, but I think the band was going through some growing pains.]
 
 Plus, then Mike Mills would be my psuedo Brother-in-Law!
 
 Love Peter Buck, love him.     :cool:
 
 Only other I love as much (or more?) is Dave Grohl, and for much the same attitude.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: on October 03, 2003, 04:33:00 pm
Did Dave ever go apeshit on a transatlantic flight and take a dump on the beverage cart, too?
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: Bags on October 03, 2003, 04:35:00 pm
Nope, but he's young yet.
 
 By the way, Buck did not take a dump on the service cart.  That was some unknown business man.  Buck just 'upended' the service cart.  Very different deal!
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: mankie on October 03, 2003, 04:37:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by bags:
  Nope, but he's young yet.
....and married.
 
 I bet Grohl is a good laugh to go out on the piss with. He just looks like he enjoys life to the fullest.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: Bags on October 03, 2003, 04:37:00 pm
Oh, I know he's married.
 
 And he looks *so* fun to go out with.  I agree 100%.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: mankie on October 03, 2003, 04:38:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by bags:
  Nope, but he's young yet.
 
 By the way, Buck did not take a dump on the service cart.  That was some unknown business man.  Buck just 'upended' the service cart.  Very different deal!
Actually the shit he put on the service cart was a couple of REM albums!  ;)
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: Herr Professor Doktor Doom on October 03, 2003, 04:38:00 pm
Bags, I don't know why, but until now I assumed you were a dood.  In fact, in our modern times, you may still be a dood, so I suppose I shouldn't assume any differently.  Although if you're a dood you'd have more of a shot with Michael Stipe.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: Jaguär on October 03, 2003, 04:46:00 pm
Though we have not met in person yet, I have seen Bags and can attest that she is all woman.    ;)
 
 And Dave Grohl isn't all that young anymore. He's just one of those who knows how to sip from the fountain of youth.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: mankie on October 03, 2003, 04:48:00 pm
Quote
Originally posted by Doctor Doom:
    Although if you're a dood you'd have more of a shot with Michael Stipe.
Not without thumb-wrestling Morrissey for him.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: Bags on October 03, 2003, 04:49:00 pm
Yeah, I'm a chick.  Bags is a family nickname -- derived from my "real life" surname...    ;)
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: J'Mal on October 04, 2003, 01:38:00 pm
REM has gone through so many incarnations.
 
 Version 1, the best, lasted through Fables. Mumbly lush jangles. Document and Life's Rich Pageant was Version 2.  A nice bridge to the poppier sound they had with Green and Out of Time
 
 Monster was an abomination. A truly horrible album.  Automatic was also a one-off style but is as good as Monster is bad.
 
 Adventures in Hi Fi started version 6 and is completely underrated.  Up and Reveal are fantastic albums in their own right. But it's stupid to compare them to Murmur or Chronic Town.  Are you the same people you were in 1982?
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: broadkat on October 05, 2003, 05:34:00 pm
related to another topic, i blame the decline on courtney love... or perhaps that damned vixen crush with eyeliner.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: eros on October 09, 2003, 09:36:00 am
REM are not shit quite yet.
 
 GREAT show last night.  They played for over two hours, until almost midnight.  Lots of hits and older tunes that sounded amazingly good in the Patriot Center.  Stipe has really embraced the "frontman" role - lots of crowd interaction and dancing around like crazy.
 
 He even mentioned the 9:30, saying they played there in 1982 and never got paid what they were promised.   ;)
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: mustourdman on October 09, 2003, 09:55:00 am
Here's the set list from last night if anyone's interested:
 
 Finest Worksong
 Begin the Begin
 Exhuming McCarthy
 Drive
 Animal
 Fall on Me
 Daysleeper
 Bad Day
 The One I Love (electric)
 Rockville
 Orange Crush
 World Leader Pretend
 I Believe
 Losing My Religion
 Sweetness Follows/Find the River medley
 She Just Wants to Be
 Walk Unafraid
 Man on the Moon
 
 Life and How to Live It
 Nightswimming
 Final Straw
 Imitation of Life
 Permanent Vacation
 ITEOTWAWKI
 
 Patriot Center remains a terrible place to see a concert, but the concert was pretty good. I liked them better the last time I saw them though (1995).
 
 I thought it was interesting that they're out promoting a 1991-2003 greatest hits album, but so many of the songs came from '86-'89. Don't Go Back to Rockville and Exhuming McCarthy sounded great.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: scumpond on October 09, 2003, 10:03:00 am
Great REM show.  They really seem to like each other and to enjoy playing together.  Not taking themselves very seriously.  They are, no doubt, the best REM cover band that there is.
Title: Re: when did REM get so shit?
Post by: SPARX on October 09, 2003, 10:14:00 am
Quote
Originally posted by eros:
 
 He even mentioned the 9:30, saying they played there in 1982 and never got paid what they were promised.    ;)  
I was at that show,they were actually rather good then.As for these days,I think the Tibetan concert was the last time I'll ever see those guys,way too self absorbed theses days.Not even mentioning the songs have gone downhill.Well,i guess I did mention it huh?