REM's Mike Mills
 

What do you think of Mike Mills of REM?

I used to really love their early stuff. But listening back again (after playing bass myself), his playing kind of surprises me. There is something unusual about it. His tone is kind of unusual too, being kind of high and prominent with his Rickenbacker.

His approach is something I don't understand. But I think it probably had a lot to do with their greatness in the early days. I can't put my finger on what it is about his style. I know that he was undoubtedly the most skillful musician in the band, and probably a better guitarist all around than Peter Buck. I'd appreciate any thoughts about his playing.

I think he's rad. My punk rock band is maybe going to cover Orange Crush or The One I Love. Both weren't as hard to play as they were hard to learn. His playing just isn't like most people's and I think it's awesome.

he's always been one of my favorites his lines have always had a ton of movement just below the surface without being flashy. he's a great example of a melodic bassist.

"Melodic". That's the word I was looking for. Thanks

"South Central Rain" was very melodic. But it was the bass in fact that provided so much of the melody. The electric guitar with the exception of a couple of basic riffs, pretty much played straight chords throughout the song. That was kind of unusual.

I'll jump on the descriptive bandwagon and agree that I've always appreciated Mills' melodic approach. REM songs are tons of fun to play and cover, and of course to listen to.

what's the frequency Kenneth is another killer, creative line if you pick from the later stuff.

Yep, definitely a very melodic player. Particularly on the ealier albums it's his notes that really define what the chord is, when the guitar lines were more sparse.

I think Old Man Kensey remains my favourite line of his - such a haunting intro.

Yes. "Fables of the Reconstruction" was my favorite of their albums. And that bass line is great.

Sidebar, but I got to play one of his old Rickenbackers on an album I did in the early-mid 90's. The bass was heavily modded (Bartolinis, Badass) but played really nice. The studio we were in was half way between Atlanta & Athens, and they had a letter from Mike authenticating the bass. Cool experience.

loendmaestro, that is a very cool story.

Nothing wrong with his playing I recon.
I think he did a good job with them.

No doubt. He was a primary melodic force in the band.

very good player, quite distinctive and really helped define the REM sound. I find a lot of my favorite players from the greater Atlanta area (Mills, Goddard, Oakley) all like/d a very forward, melodic and treble-y sound, Todd Smallie being the exception as he's more like a latter day Carl Radle on steroids :cool:

MM is the reason I took up bass. Again, (like the rest of us, it feels) the melodic playing on the early albums is soooo musical without being obnoxious.

My favorite MM lines:
Radio Free Europe
Sitting Still
Catapult
1,000,000

"Sitting Still" is one of their best:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKepduhmEcM