Reveal

by

R.E.M.

Edit

I can't believe there are people out there who consider themselves "hardcore" REM fans and think this album is horrible. Their unwillingness to let go of the past scares me. Look, people, it will never be 1986 again, you will never be a sophomore in high school, etc. Frankly, very few people possess the insight and the knowledge to judge an album accurately right out of the box. Time needs to pass. REM are smart musicians who live in the present and continue their explorations in music. This is where they are, this is the kind of album they wanted to make. So it doesn't rock, so what? Right now, REVEAL sounds like a great album to me-it's beautiful, articulate, and cohesive. (We'll see in 5 years if it's a classic.) There are some gorgeous pieces of melody here: "I've been high", "All the way to Reno", "Imitation of life", "The Lifting", the list goes on. A couple of songs "revealed" themselves to me only after several listens. I find "The Chorus and the ring" in particular to be an effective, haunting song with strange "medieval" overtones to it. I can't think of another song quite like it.

It's too bad REM's time as the "it" boys has passed, because it means that radio will wholeheartedly ignore this album, and most people out there will not be really exposed to it.

Oh, and the Bill Berry dilemma. Similar situation is currently plaguing another resilient band Depeche Mode (in that case, long time fans mourn the absence of Alan Wilder the "sound architect", in REM's case Bill was the "soul of the band"). To an extent, I can see the point in both cases. But I have to ask again, why not let go of the past and enjoy both bands' current vision? REVEAL is the music for now-connect with it, make new memories. In the year 2015 some of you will criticize the new REM album and remember the good old days of REVEAL. Relax, please and enjoy. I do.

This album marks 20 years since the release of the EP "Chronic Town," and 18 since "Murmur" started the career of some the finest musicians the world would ever see. They accomplished a lot along the way; taking new paths, going against the grain, changing styles.

With their niche in the music scene well-worn, you would think it's time to give it a rest; just give the fans what they expect to hear and they'll buy it anyway, because it says REM on the label. But Stipe and the boys show what true musicianship is.

I, for one, expected a repeat of the epic "New Adventures in the Hi-Fi" or the somber style of "Up." But they are changing themselves again. "Reveal" could be played start to finish on an elevator or in a grocery store. And despite the fluffy, mellowness of the tracks, they mesh with REM's unique style. Otherwise it could become quite boring, but REM shows how adventerous quiet can be.

"The Lifting" (opener) is one of the greatest tracks in years for the band. Stellar and creative, with the patented Micheal Stipe vocals. "All the Way to Reno" smells like a single, and sounds a little like REM of the past; would fit on "Hi-Fi." "Imitiaions of Life," almost left off because of its unwillingness mesh with the rest of the record, is one of the best singles the band has released in the last decade. Soft but exciting, and with OUTSTANDING lyrics (Stipe's poetic ability is sadly overlooked). The last track, "Beachball" has got some attention from critics, saying it sounds like it's influenced by the Beach Boys. I disagree. I think they are BECOMING the Beach Boys; but it sounds so good that I don't care. They can go lighter, fluffier, more pop and accessable, and I STILL consider them the best band in America right now.

This album is great, but probably not what you expect. Not, their best ("Automatic for the People," "Murmur," and "Up" are superior) but still in the upper half of REM releases. Despite the "new" sound, you won't be dissapointed.