R.e.m.

[TeeBone]

I love R.E.M. , but the Athens days and not what they are now. The new album--- is more of the same for the last 15 years or so. For me, it ended when they released 'Document.'

So I ask you, What is your favorite older R.E.M. album?

[Bill Berry]

The new album rocks! You're out of your fuckin' mind!

[WhistlePig]

This is funny because just last week I dug out all my old REM CDs to listen to again. I forgot how great they are.
I think I like Murmur and Reckoning about the same and would put them first. Fables of the Reconstruction runs a close second.
I was thinking about buying the new album but it seems like any new albums I buy by old artists only get listened to once or twice, no matter how good.

[Jujubees2]

I voted for Fables though all of the early ones are great. Then again, I like the two most recent too.

Went to see them at MSG in 2004, two days after the election, and Michael Stipe was so depressed that Bush won. Not that great of a show.

Also saw them in concert when I was in grad school (1985) and they were touring college campuses. Since I didn't want to pay to get in, I volunteered to work security. As luck would have it, I was posted on the side of the stage where the bands enters/exits the stage. Spent some time shooting the breeze with Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Bill Berry. Stipe didn't show up until just before they were to go on and then during one of the songs, he came over to ask a roadie for a harmonica and the roadie asked him which one? Stipe replied, "What difference does it make? I can't really play it."

[TheMojoPin]

The new album isn't as good as most of the reviews are tripping over each other to declare, but it is still pretty decent and much better than the last couple.

As much as I love classic REM, I could never dimiss the stuff from the 2nd half. Automatic For the People is one of the best albums ever, period.