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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
bigtwin's avatar
bigtwin
1,195 posts
 

@seola30 First off, wecome to Audiogon.  It looks like you just joined today and this is your first post.

Just my take on your question but here goes.  Taste in music is very much tied to generations in 5 - 10 year blocks.  You are 20ish and I'm 68 so the music on "my youth" could be mostly unknown to you.  REM is a solid pop band but by no means would I put them anywhere near the top either by music or by lyrics.  But that's just my take on them based on comparisons to the bands I grew up with.  If you would like to get a sense of what I think is near the top, give several listens to the following:

Neil Young - FREEDOM (1989)

Ry Cooder - Chicken Skin Music (1976)

Rolling Stone - Sticky Fingers (1971)

After you have become familiar with these three discs, see if you still think REM are worthy of top of the pack status.

One generation to another.  Some music really stands the test of time. Cheers.

czarivey
5,946 posts
 

@roxy54 your guess was fully contrary. Losing my Religion isn't one boring schlager song while the rest pretty much are.

tony1954's avatar
tony1954
1,037 posts
 

@czarivey 

I always wonder why some people opt for dumping on someone's personal opinion instead of just ignoring it? Especially when that person states that band "kept me going through the toughest period of my life".

It's just comes off as needlessly cruel and insensitive.

onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,218 posts
 

The band was political from the get go.

mksun
465 posts
 

They were my favorite band from 1983 - 1987 while they were on the IRS label and when Michael Stipe still mumbled his lyrics. “Murmur”, “Reckoning”, and “Fables of the Reconstruction” rank among my all time favorite discs and are still on regular rotation. I lost interest in the band once they became very popular. I’m a tail end Boomer and my Gen Z daughter enjoys some of their older albums when I play them.

 

 

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