Rich-UK said on September 18, 2004 14:53:

I saw REM in London last year. The set was great and Stipe was really on form. Apparently they played about 80 different songs on the tour so don’t get a fixed idea in your head what they should play because it will probably be quite different. They missed out Kenneth (one of my favourites) when I saw them which was disappointing but most of the other songs made up for it. They randomly played the first 4 songs of one of their very old albums during the gig which was cool. The next night they played the first 4 songs of the album before it. Interesting stuff and very enjoyable. I’d definitely recommend going to see them. I like the new single too although I wouldn’t say that it was mind blowing. Enjoy :-) Best wishes, Rich

RoxHard said on September 19, 2004 03:46:

Rich-UK: I agree about Leaving New York. It’s a nice song... but it just sounds like E-Bow The Letter. I still can’t wait for their new album tho...

Unfortunately, I can’t see them this year. I seen them in 2001 though...

zaine said on September 19, 2004 15:04:

xarrrr, hammersmith is sold out already?
they only went on sale yesterday I thought

zaine said on September 19, 2004 19:21:

wow thats incredible
I ahte people who buy tickets just to sell them on again at stupid high prices.
Ha, there’s an awesome quote from Justin on that matter ;)

Mari said on September 21, 2004 23:55:

I got tickets, yippiiee!

Rich-UK said on October 4, 2004 14:32:

Thoughts on Around The Sun anyone?

Just heard the first 2 tracks so far and Electron Blue is really good. Cheers, Rich

ally77 said on October 4, 2004 19:40:

I want tickets for Manchester... but they are only on offer if you go in person to collect.... but I might take a trip up this week... see if I can still remember the way, ages since I went Lancashire Cricket Ground!

RoxHard said on October 5, 2004 00:21:

Oh please! Automatic For The People is for 8 year olds who can’t stand experimentation! Try 1987’s Document. It’s The End Of The World As We Know It And I Feel Fine, remember that? Classic album!

And Reveal and Up were fantastic! Better than Automatic or even Out Of Time...

coyboyusa said on October 5, 2004 13:38:

ewitehr way rem aint the same band they were 15 yrs ago its a shame

RoxHard said on October 7, 2004 01:14:

Do you only ever think about ’catchy tunes’? That’s a pity...

There are 2 things wrong with this statement:
1) There is more to music than a tune being ’catchy’
2) Imitation Of Life (on 2001’s Reveal album) is one of the catchiest songs they’ve ever made.

And what were you talking about ’the gay guy’? Michael Stipe is the only gay member of that band, and he hasn’t written a single melody in his life! He is the lyricist, not composer.

Michael Stipe - lyricist
Peter Buck - most guitar melodies
Mike Mills - most piano/keyboard melodies
Bill Berry (retired, 1997) - drums, main man in producing.

And as for REM’s Best Of, I think it’s one of the best ’best of’s anyone has ever made. The only songs I ever skip are Stand (Shiny Happy People should have been on the album instead of this) and All The Right Friends (it’s just rubbish...). I suggest you listen to their best of one more time. I guarantee that there are songs on that album you’ll love, but you might skip because the intro mightn’t be good. What do you think of:
All The Way To Reno?
E-Bow The Letter?
Orange Crush?
Daysleeper?
Electrolite?

I hated all those songs when I first heard them but:
All The Way To Reno is a very classy song
E-Bow The Letter is just unbeleviable!!
Orange Crush - great chorus, very political!
Daysleeper - I thought it was a ’dirge’ when I first heard it, now I love it’s dark minimulism
Electrolite - BETTER than Shiny Happy People!

harriej said on October 7, 2004 20:14:

I have seen them once at Torhout-Werchter, where they were the finishing act.
And it really was good.
Especially their song:
It’s The End Of The world As We Know It is a great ending song for a festival, there was also fireworks afterwards, so it would have been nice if roxette was there as well to perform, playing Fireworks. :)