I kind of can’t believe anyone thinks R.E.M. is a great band

I thought that for the longest time, and then one summer about five years ago they just clicked for me and REM was basically the only thing I listened to for months. I hope you come around.

Granted my largest exposure has been through clips on R U Talkin REM Re: Me?, but holy fuck, most of them are baaaaddddd. I like the music sometimes, but Stipe’s voice and lyrics make me want to die

I finally got hooked when I gave them a chance. I had heard the hits everyone had. I owned Automatic and Monster. But when I listened through New Adventures In Hi-Fi I was blown away. Then I dug deeper. I ended up doing the entire catalog except the a couple albums immediately following Bill Barry’s departure. I was overwhelmed with how much great material their was that I hadn’t heard. For probably three or four months I obsessively listened and loved every minute. But seriously, listen to Hi-Fi. It’s great.

There is some great live stuff out there too.

This is great.

I actually loved their last two album too. They went on still writing great songs.

Up is great and Reveal is very underrated. You take that post-Bill Berry shit back right now.

I wasn’t talking shit at all. I just ran out of steam after four months straight of REM. I’m sure they are both good in their own right, I just haven’t even listened through either of them.

I once heard someone call them "the indie Eagles". I can see that, but I really like a lot of their stuff. Murmur is a beautiful album

Hmm sorry guys I’m pretty sure they suck

Yeah, I’m not with that either. I hate the fucking eagles, man.

Yeah, I totally misread that. Sorry man.

I mean, “swan swan hummingbird?” Are you fucking kidding me?

I guarantee there is no REM song as good as “Take It Easy” or “One of These Nights”

Kinda reminds of the characterization of The National as "Coldplay for hipsters." Not entirely untrue, but the key difference is that one band's more enjoyable than the other.

I could see "(Don't Go Back to) Rockville" being their "Take it Easy".

I also really like the song "Try Not to Breathe", and what's funny is that it didn't really click for me until after owning Automatic for the People for several years. Then one day I was sitting in a dark theater listening on headphones and the song cut right through me. I had a full emotional breakdown listening to the song. I was just weeping in the dark. I couldn't control myself. It was a profound moment.

These lines:
"I will try not to breathe
This decision is mine
I have lived a full life
And these are the eyes that I want you to remember"

Like a razor, just opening me wide. It's a strange moment. To feel changed. To finally "get" something you've known for the bulk of your life, to see it in a blistering new light. To feel new. To be in a moment you can actively recognize as breakthrough or change.

gay