What kind of feelings does REM's music stir within you ?

[phxlbrmpf]

I'm a big fan of Automatic for the People and Monster was a pretty brave album to make in my opinion. "Automatic" makes me want to chill out and do nothing else but listen to it. I was able to stomach "New Adventures in Hi Fi" and "Up" okay but after that they lost me completely.

P.S.: Everybody Hurts is in D major, they can make songs in major keys.

"Shiny Happy People" actually gives me goosebumps during the transitions between the string and the "normal" parts but overall I don't like Out of Time all that much.

[Jimbob Jones]

It makes me want to grab an acoustic guitar and write a song...but then again a lot of music does that to me...

[theshadow2001]

Blandness

[Vox Populi]

One of my favs. My triad of musical favorites is probably R.E.M., Radiohead, and The Smiths.

I really like the IRS stuff, some later stuff is ok, but like so many bands it seems like they changed their music to boost sales.

[Basshole]

Originally Posted by Vox Populi

One of my favs. My triad of musical favorites is probably R.E.M., Radiohead, and The Smiths.

Holy ****. One long car ride with you, and I'd probably have to commit suicide.

[Matt Till]

I'm actually glad to see REM is hated by so many. Sure that makes me a bad person, but my god... if I ever have to watch Michael Stipe dance to one of their songs again, I will take a bottle of mace and spray it in my eyes to make the pain go away.

So maybe rage would be the emotion REM's stirs within.

[phxlbrmpf]

When did you have the said traumatic experience, Matt? I can safely say they pretty much went insane after Bill Berry left, I'd never pay to see them in concert nowadays even though I used to be a fan.

[Matt Till]

I just hate the music, and every clip I've seen of them, Michael Stipe dances like he's having a seizure, it's one of the most annoying things I've ever heard/seen at the same time.

[GregC]

Originally Posted by James Hart

wow such hate

I am a huge fan of everything up through Green... although revisiting later stuff, I enjoy it as well.

Mike Mills has a lot to offer in terms of note choice and placement... he's got a great sense of melody & harmony.

This post is probably the closest to my feelings. Really liked'em through Lifes Rich Pageant. Murmur and Chronic Town, in particular, stir up wistful feelings about college. I saw them live on the Reckoning Tour and thought they were superb.

Then they started to lose me. However, I really enjoy Adventures in Hi-Fi, the last album with Bill Berry. I think it's an interesting departure.

Also, despite the tons of hate people direct at Stipe, I have to say this for him: Right as REM was getting huge, he produced a 5-song demo for some friends of mine from Jacksonville. They had nothing but good things to say. He invited them to the video shoot for Losing My Religion (they couldn't make it), and waived the fee he was supposed to get for producing them.

[sensible68]

being miserable at college

wanting to shout "stop whining" at the hi fi.

that "this one goes out to the one I love" song killed any interest I had in them. was completely overplayed in the uk.

[Basshole]

Hmmm. Whining. I think you hit the nail on the head. Yes, that is undoubtedly why I hate them the most; the whining. I hate whining. I think REM opened the door for "Whiney Bands". If you must sing, do NOT whine.