R.E.M.
Reveal

"Reveal" is an album by R.E.M. released in 2001, three years after their previous work, the second with the three-member lineup.

It was introduced as a summer album, and indeed in some passages, it seems the band is on vacation, unfortunately from their best inspiration and artistic flair. It marks, in my opinion, the second chapter in their phase of decline or involution. Even the preceding "Up," although a good CD, showed the first signs of weakness. The lowest point would be reached with the following "Around The Sun." However, rumors for the upcoming album in the making (presumably to be released in spring 2008) suggest a return to rock, definitely preferable to this style. This work still contains some excellent songs, but they are interspersed with weak and uninspired tracks, especially in the second half, which for long-time fans might provoke nostalgia crises. These tracks seem to act as ballast on an album that fails to take off.

Similar to its predecessor, there is a marked use of electronics, which, while previously could be considered a commendable experiment, now starts to have a whiff of "déjà-vu," a kind of reheated soup. Compared to "Up," the guitars and especially the drums, largely replaced in 1998 by the drum machine following the traumatic departure (1997) of the skilled Bill Berry, are used more. On drums, we still have Joey Waronker (son of a big shot at Warner Bros), who will leave the group after this work, replaced by the credible Bill Rieflin. There is also heavy use of strings, already employed in the past, but here, unlike on other CDs where their use was well calibrated, they at times seem too intrusive.

The start, however, promises well. The initial "The Lifting" is a very pleasant song, with a nice build-up that is at times aggressive, almost giving the impression of taking flight, in full respect of the title and lyrics. The main flaw is that it is too weighed down by strings. "I've Been High" is instead a suggestive and melodic track dominated by keyboards and electronics, with a sampled rhythmic base and a wonderful vocal performance. The subsequent "All The Way To Reno (You're Gonna Be A Star)," which would be the second single released, is a more guitar-driven and traditional ballad. However, it is excessively drawn out and can seem repetitive and a bit boring. The level rises with "She Just Wants To Be," one of the best episodes. It is composed of mainly acoustic verses and gains intensity in the chorus and musical breaks, with beautiful guitar solos by Buck, reminiscent of the good old days. Even more beautiful in its live version. The following "Disappear" is more than decent, with a structure similar to the previous one, though at a lower level. "Saturn Return" is a mediocre and pretentious piano song soaked in electronics, where the only good thing is Stipe's vocal performance (his voice is always a guarantee). The atmosphere improves with "Beat A Drum," a slow piece dominated by the piano, with some interventions by the guitar. The eighth track is the famous "Imitation Of Life" (the lead single from "Reveal"), a fast, simple, and catchy pop-rock track. I became attached to it immediately, if only because it reminds me the most of the old-school R.E.M. After the bland and insipid "Summer Turns To High" and "Chorus And The Ring," primarily electronic the first, mainly guitar-driven the second, we reach the highest peak of the work. "I'll Take The Rain" is a long and semi-acoustic ballad with a dark and melancholic mood, very emotional with an excellent and unique musical interlude. It wouldn't have looked out of place in a masterpiece from the past. Truly beautiful. After this peak, however, with the concluding "Beachball" we indeed reach the end of the line. A piece saccharine and maudlin, unworthy of R.E.M. and their style. A song nearly symphonic, with an almost exclusively orchestral accompaniment.

All in all, it is not a dud. A decent work that still manages to score a 6/7, but is really light years away from some past albums. Certainly, "Automatic For The People" and "New Adventures In Hi-Fi" aren't even visible with the Hubble telescope!