R.E.M.
Live

After almost thirty years of an illustrious career, Stipe and company decided in October 2007 to finally release a complete live set on CD (previously only DVDs or live tracks scattered as b-sides or to bolster compilations). This is the concert held on February 27, 2005, in Dublin, Ireland.

The double CD plus DVD format of the concert at the price of about 16 euros pushed me to purchase this live set without hesitation (I have both loved and hated this band). Well, the impression is very positive. In general, R.E.M. seem quite in form in this performance, with vigorous and powerful sounds and the recovery of some forgotten tracks, rarely performed live lately, makes the package even more enticing. It's true that Michael Stipe, a true rock icon of recent decades, no longer has the sci-fi vocal range of his best times, but on this occasion, more than others in recent periods, he appears in excellent form. Alongside him, the ever-valorous and competent Peter Buck on guitars and Mike Mills on bass and keyboards offer an evening of absolute interest.

As for the performances, there's the recovery of the thunderous "I Took Your Name" from "Monster" to the equally compelling rendition of "So Fast, So Numb" from "New Adventures In Hi-Fi," to the reflective but very intense "Boy In The Well" from "Around The Sun," to the memories of the always loved and well-executed "Cuyahoga" from "Lifes Rich Pageant." It continues with the perfect performance of the extraordinary "Everybody Hurts" from "Automatic For The People" to the highly underrated "Electron Blue" from "Around The Sun," a somewhat atypical piece for the group but occasionally thrilling in this more "rounded" version than in the studio. Then, the now-essential "Bad Day" performed greatly but not changing my personal opinion that it's the poor copy of "It's The End Of The World." "The Ascent Of Man" also from "Around The Sun," also sharp but passing more unnoticed than others, leaves room for the more convincing "The Great Beyond" and especially the magnificent "Leaving New York" truly graceful and profound.

The direction changes with the retrieval of the grand and powerful "Orange Crush" from "Green," and returns to the gentle notes of "I Wanted To Be Wrong" and the evocative "Final Straw," both from "Around The Sun." The first CD concludes greatly with the stellar live versions of "Imitation Of Life," "The One I Love," "Losing My Religion," and the surprising and juicy performance of "Walk Unafraid" from "Up." The second CD, shorter than the first, starts right away with the peak of "What's The Frequency, Kenneth?" continuing with the sumptuous "Drive" and the always pleasant "(Don't Go Back To) Rockville." Special mention goes to the only unreleased track in this release, the energetic "I'm Gonna DJ," also performed live, a track that would have fit well on "Monster" thanks to the frequent easy-punk references. The concert closes with the much-anticipated "Man On The Moon," which absolutely does not disappoint.

In short, a very interesting live that shows the band from Athens in great shape. I almost forgot, the DVD is also very beautiful, mainly because Stipe is the usual showman and stage animal that history has delivered us, but also due to the excellent direction by director Blue Leach (formerly with Depeche Mode).