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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
rel
224 posts
 

Hey @allenf1963, thanks for noticing my post (I think you’re the only one).

It is pretty interesting how a spam post by what I am now almost positive is a bot got everyone talking about music, and that’s great, but I hope no one “rewards” the bot by clicking on the link.

And the reason I’m sure it’s a bot is that this post, also by a “member” who joined days ago, and whose entire history consists of a single discussion started, and a single response (again to its own OP), but this time about “automatic curtain openers,” which apparently is a topic of far less interest than bands of the 80s & 90s (although Erik seems to have taken the bait).  The clincher?  A link to the same crappy Android app.

 

larsman's avatar
larsman
1,931 posts
 

@dz13 - Totally agree about the Ramones; the first 3 are my favorites and I like 'Rocket To Russia' the best. 'Infected' is a great The The album... As for REM, I don't have any of their stuff in my collection, but most of my favorites are on 'Green'. 

mitchagain
443 posts
 

RE the U2 - Bono urban legend: even if that story is not true, it probably should be.

michaellent's avatar
michaellent
193 posts
 

Nope….. not under rated at all! I never got past Murmurs mumbling and drone. Painful…

simao's avatar
simao
1,819 posts
 

@dz13 Good call on the college radio explosion of the 80's and how that helped so many bands reach an audience hitherto dependent on mainstream radio for musical exposure to the masses. 

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