teenagelobotomy

DeRank ™: 5,19 • DeAge™ : 5675 days

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Here since 7 january 2010

CD Audio I have it ★★★★★

6 may 16

Without taking anything away from the marvelous saga of IRS, the poignant Automatic for the People, and all their other beautiful creations, time and again, when it comes to R.E.M., this is the masterpiece of their discography, the peak of their journey. One might argue that perhaps something could have been left out, that it has an excessive duration, but it certainly also holds a symbolic significance for many reasons, not least because it is the last with the complete lineup featuring Bill Berry. This album truly represents the summa and the best of every phase they have gone through. (...)

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teenagelobotomy
6 may 16

(...) Both the electrifying moments post-Monster, where all the influences of the era were sublimated, and the more melancholic and intimate ones that have always characterized them and reached deep within. Above all, the pairing of E-Bow the Letter/Leave is a deadly blow, perhaps the highest point they have ever achieved. The '90s were coming to an end, and this, although it may not have changed the course of music history (some might say), is one of the most beautiful episodes of an unrepeatable decade.
madcat
7 may 16

While I prefer others, I must say that your definition is spot on.

CD Audio I have it ★★★★

R.E.M.: Fables of the Reconstruction

5 jan 17

Strangely, incomprehensibly, this is one of the most underrated R.E.M. albums and the most undervalued of the I.R.S. era. While it's also reasonable to prefer the others (which, after all, include the likes of Murmur, Reckoning, Document...), I believe this one doesn’t have much to envy its more celebrated companions, quite the opposite. A collection of eleven (plus the CD extras) splendid tracks for their lyrics and music. Always great.

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madcat
5 jan 17

For instance, I at least prefer Reckoning, and it still remains one of my favorites from R.E.M.
hjhhjij
5 jan 17

I agree with madcat. Um... Lately I've almost started to prefer it over "Murmur"... This one has that slightly "dark" vibe that drives me crazy, and then the melody of "Wendell Gee," come on...
teenagelobotomy
5 jan 17

I haven't listened to Murmur in a while, my favorite I.R.S. is always Document, but right after that, this one fits perfectly.
madcat
5 jan 17

With Murmur it's really tough, but I understand why it might be preferred, both for the atmosphere and for the sound. Personally, I think I prefer Murmur overall, as I find it more "complete," even though Fables moves me more.
madcat
5 jan 17

that then I already include Life's rich pageant and Document, ideally, in their second phase; the first, in my opinion, ends with this.
hjhhjij
5 jan 17

I am for Life's... Look, I've always preferred "Murmur" to this, but with the latest listens, I don't know, they're all great albums anyway. The only one I haven't listened to in a while because it didn't convince me is "Reckoning."
madcat
5 jan 17

Yes, Reckoning is also my least favorite, although there are great tracks (Pretty Persuasion above all, and by the way, how indicative was that song for the future path of the four?!)
teenagelobotomy
5 jan 17

Indeed, Murmur-Reckoning-Fables form an ideal trilogy of the early R.E.M. In any case, each of their works is a goldmine; they are among the few bands from my adolescence that I still like just as much.
madcat
5 jan 17

By the way, they also ended with Collapse into Now, which I find their best since New Adventures!
teenagelobotomy
5 jan 17

Reckoning has these two that make me love it regardless :D
hjhhjij
5 jan 17

Alright, hi beautiful people, I'm into Wilco, Motorpsycho, and Dead Can Dance. I have things to do today, so I'm off :D
teenagelobotomy
5 jan 17

Mad Collapse immediately seemed to me the best of the recent period; in hindsight, they ended in the best way possible :'(
madcat
5 jan 17

Exactly!
De...Marga...
5 jan 17

An album that opens with the enveloping yet threatening harmony of "Feeling Gravitys Pull" can only be rated top-notch; and we’re only on the first track. Then let's add the restlessness of "Driver 8" and "Can't Get There From Here," the folk elements of "Green Grow The Rushes," and the sonic wonder of "Maps and Legends." This album was produced by R.E.M. while they were on location in London in less than idyllic circumstances; in this regard, I recall a phrase from Peter Buck about the recordings: "When it wasn't raining, it was snowing; it resulted in a pessimistic, psychotic, complicated, and deep album." Wise words, my good Peter.

CD Audio I have it ★★★★★

R.E.M.: Document

17 apr 16

After many years, I re-listened to this album, which I can consciously consider the pinnacle, the climax, and the definitive manifesto of the IRS era. Superior, for me, albeit not by much, to the beautiful Murmur and Reckoning. Among so many gems (starting with the opening track Finest worksong) and the famous The one I love and It's the end of the world as we know it, my favorite is Welcome to the occupation.

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De...Marga...
17 apr 16

My favorite from the Athens band. I discovered them with this album, and it's been years since then.
teenagelobotomy
17 apr 16

my favorite has always been New Adventures in Hi Fi, Document is certainly on the ideal podium. I still listen to them today with emotion.
De...Marga...
17 apr 16

Thanks to your definition of the work, I'm listening to it again now; aside from the songs you rightly point out, I would like to draw attention to "Fireplace" with that wild sax that concludes the piece, leaning on Peter's guitar. And then the final and dark "Oddfellows Local 151." Such high emotional sensations even today.
madcat
17 apr 16

It's extremely difficult for me to choose one from the IRS era (after that it's easier: I'd say Automatic and New Adventures). Here you can definitely sense that they've reached an important point of evolution from which to further begin anew.
madcat
17 apr 16

Ah, welcome to the memorable occupation, I also mention Disturbance at the heron house and King of birds, among those that stick with me the most from the album (besides the more famous ones already mentioned).
De...Marga...
17 apr 16

So let's also mention the cover "Strange" by Wire, and we've said it all. When it comes to the post-IRS era, I have no doubts: "Green"...Orange Crush...
teenagelobotomy
17 apr 16

In the post-IRS era, Automatic is certainly an indestructible pillar, but I must say I’ve always had a soft spot for the often underappreciated Monster. So, to complete the podium I mentioned earlier, after New Adventures in Hi-Fi and Document, I would definitely choose Monster, which features the poignant "Let Me In."
De...Marga...
17 apr 16

Let's try to create a ranking of the top five: Document, Lifes Rich Pageant, Green, Murmur, Automatic... What a damn band!!!!