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Is R.E.M. underrated by new music nerds?

I've been in a R.E.M. phase in late 2018, they kept me going through the toughest period of my life. A lot of their stuff especially in their incredible 1987-1996 run means a lot to me and have been pivotal in growing my music taste but emotion aside I think quality-wise they were one of the greatest rock band of all time, if not one the best band. I actually think this is not a hot take.

What I think is an interesting thing to discuss is how R.E.M. are relevant to new audiences of my age (I'm 20 btw) like all the music nerds that grew on the Internet (RYM or /mucore) or the music channels or profiles on YouTube and Instagram that review or examine music.

I think that in this demographic area R.E.M. are underrated or more specifically they are put inside the categories of "Gen X bands" like U2 or similar. And i think it's a shame because they have one the best musical palettes of all time provided by really skilled musicians and an incredible and eclectic vocalist and songwriter like Michael Stipe. A band that even when they became globally famous they managed to stay coherent to their sound (until at least the early 90s) and political ethic. Their material should get more recognition among younger audiences like mine considering the huge influence they had on a lot of artist.

What do you think?

seola30

Showing 3 responses by clearthinker

clearthinker's avatar
clearthinker
1,582 posts
 

@roxy54 

Yes.  You apparently are confused.  Clear thinking has nothing to do with one's subjective likes and dislikes.

In this case it didn't take much to clear my brain of over-rated, low talent, gimmicky groups whose time is well past.  And before you say I'm too young to appreciate such obvious talent, I was born 5 years before you, if your handle is indicative.

clearthinker's avatar
clearthinker
1,582 posts
 

Who were REM?

clearthinker's avatar
clearthinker
1,582 posts
 

@grislybutter 

Sorry Grisly but I just can't abide Bono.  A small-minded show-off who thinks he's a politician.  There's a great story circulating you may not have heard:

U2 were playing in Glasgow many years ago.  In between numbers Bono started clapping his hands slowly and shouted out in his over-emphasised Northern Irish brogue:  "Every time I clap my hands a child dies"  Immediately the response came from the audience: "Well stop f***ing clapping then".  Love that.

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