bowie&barrett

4.82? I'm trying to raise my average. Would you help me? :-)

Immense.

I'm still feeling unwell now...

Answer: no.

Round and round... but f*ck off...

...and then he's also funny, which doesn't hurt!

Immense.

Primiballi... would you let me say one more swear word? Just one, it'll take a second...

My God.

Hello, I think the underlying issue with this album is that it aims to be a selection of the most significant works from the latter part of a band's career, the REM, whose production does not lend itself easily to being unraveled in an anthology! What made them great and loved isn't so much a series of chart-topping hits (aside from the timeless Losing My Religion and Man On the Moon) but rather a whole range of small nuances, transitions, ideas, atmospheres, and suggestions that permeate their works. I believe any selection is bound to face at least questionable choices. Even more so this one, which in my opinion aims for easy mainstream appeal, even distorting the band's image. To someone listening to this album as their first exposure, it comes off as much more pop and easy than it really is (and we know...). This album isn't made for true fans of the band, who would have preferred a collection of unreleased tracks or b-sides, or alternative versions. Or perhaps a live album, even "anthological," but capable of capturing the band's real energy and Stipe's magnetic intensity. Therefore, my rating is not directed at the band (obviously!) but at the album, especially in light of the band.