auctioneer69

U2 haven't taken a real artistic chance 1997 and "Pop". "NLOTH" sounds like a compromise at best between the album they might have made and the one the thought would shift the most units. First band I saw in 1983 and one of my big early musical passions. The commercial aspect of the band which has always been important to them has dominated anything they have tried to do artistically for a long time in my opinion. Even the environmental disaster that is their current tour (three stages weighing thousands of tons scuttling all over the world - completely hypocritical when Africa will probably

Meaning he's a super-cool, nice person in an industry full of a-holes.

Really like the faster/loudier/rockier stuff on "Collapse Into Now". Something as good as "All The Best" or "Someone Like You" is tough to pull of this late in the game. As for U2 - can you every imagine them releasing and album and not touring.? On the contrary the have a lot more in common with the Rolling Stones now - their albums are just the launching pad for another 2 year tour designed to accrete tens of millions of euro's in their respective members pockets.

Yes it's just a really, really good record. Totally agree on R.E.M.'s career trajectory in the States. But 'eff it. At least they have stayed interesting. Someone like U2 haven't taken an artistic chance in about 15 years. Well not if you don't include the worst single of their career - the execrable "Get On Your Boots".

Exactly. "New Adventures in Hi-Fi" turned on to be the album that Monster should have been. I'd love to have been an insider on the making of "Hi-Fi". Especially re: Michael Stipe. The ultimate product of their recording isn't complete until he comes up with the melody and lyrics. You get the impression that with "NAIHF" he must have been forced to be a lot quicker in producing both. Yet the results are so good.

Have a friend who is journo who interviewed him. Says he is a prince amongst a lot of d-bags.

No afraid I am a luddite on this stuff. Can't wait until Tuesday. Agree on "Everyday is Yours To Win". Find the part where the lead guitar and Mill's backing vocals come in kinda clunky and clumsy relative to the rest of the song. Bot overall. far effin better than I dared imagine 15 albums and 30 years in. Really hope the positive response from fans and critics inspires a tour. Living in Seattle it would be very conceivable to see Eddie Vedder joining them for "It Happened Today".

Agree on the "Life's Rich Pageant" reference or parts of "NAIHF". The trouble with "Monster" is that despite its claim it rarely rocks. Absolutely loving "Collapse into Now" now I have listened to it 10 + times. Again no prizes for originality but lots of energy and more hooks than a butcher's shop

Glad you got to meet your hero. I met Michael Stipe in 1990 when REM were my favourite band by a country-mile. He was playing the Big Day Out in Glasgow (Scotland) with Natalie Merchant and Billy Bragg and I stumbled upon the three of them prior to the soundcheck the day before. I thought he was not unexpectedly somewhat guarded and very definitely an "artiste". It was also my first realisation that lead-singers are pygmies. I towered over him. Natalie Merchant was utterly charming. Very happy to chat for a few minutes and very gracious about photographs.

Here is the the link for the "It Happened Today" http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/03/03/pop-song-2011-the-video-for-r-e-m-s-it-happened-today/ and "Uberlin" http://www.hennemusic.com/2011/03/new-videos-rem-uberlin-and-it-happened.html Was pretty skeptical about this project initially but I really enjoy the results for these two songs.

LOL. My better-half have been chastising me for playing it too much. Time flies. First REM album I listened to when it came out was "Life's Rich Pageant". It's sweet that one of my favourite bands can still bring out the 17 year boy in me. Agree on "Accelerate". I think a lot of fans hated the production and to some extent the focus on shorter songs. I liked it a lot when it came out but guess I'll play "Collapse Into Now" more over the course. Likewise your assessment of the other albums. "Up" might have been a classic if they were on good enough terms when it was about to be released to

Delighted to see that a long-time fan like me feels the same way about "Collapse Into Now". Maybe a little relieved too in case I was gushing too much myself. I think it's really tough to be objective about R.E.M. especially this late into their career. I'd argue that they had such a consistently brilliant run from "Chronic Town" through "New Adventures in Hi-Fi" that they are definitely weighed down by that legacy. As you correctly state it doesn't feel tired or stale. Overall, it's definitely one of their poppiest albums. With the exception of "Blue" there isn't anything remotely chall

Have to say I am loving this.....nothing startling different...but tons of energy, melody and trademark R.E.M. hooks. Likewise not too taken with "Everyday is yours to win" which is a little too sickly sweet for me. Really like the opening three tracks and "AAAA" and "That Someone is You". They seem to have got the mix between faster and slower songs just right. Also great pacing and song-order. Stipe's singing is up there with people like Chrissy Hynde and Elvis Costello for me. Rich,distinctive and compelling but you couldn't imagine them having a chance before new wave allowed slightly

James Franco was either stoned out of his gourd or giving a fantastic acting job of someone who is. I can't recall a worse host for anything.

You can go to I-Tunes (in the States at least) and preview all the songs. Can't wait for it to come out. Based on these clips and the 5 full songs that I have heard this is going to be a really enjoyable album. I don't think it'll be ranked amongst the very top tier of their catalogue but there's lot of melody and energy to enjoy. To bad they aren't touring.

You can go to I-Tunes (in the States at least) and preview all the songs. Can't wait for it to come out. Based on these clips and the 5 full songs that I have heard this is going to be a really enjoyable album. I don't think it'll be ranked amongst the very top tier of their catalogue but there's lot of melody and energy to enjoy. To bad they aren't touring.

I will be happy if Christian Bale gets best supporting actor. An amazing performance. The only shame is that he wasn't nominated in the "Best Actor" category. I wouldn't be surprised if Geoffrey Rush wins for "The King's Speech". The latter was an utterly predictable film that left me completely unmoved. One of a long-line of made-for-the-Oscars type films from Miramax. I will also be delighted but surprised if Natalie Portman doesn't win an Oscar for some of the worst acting I have had the displeasure to see in "Black Swan". For 2/3rds of the film her acting consisted 100% of the same gor

That's a pretty spot on review. The references to Herbie Hancock and Miles Davis circa "Bitches Brew" are very apt. Likewise the connection to Thom Yorke's "Eraser". With a few more listens, I am really enjoying it. (I get really tired of the rating many people feel that they have to give it in comparison to the other albums that the band have released. I know this is somewhat natural but isn't better to just enjoy or not enjoy an album on its own merits without constantly trying to rank it like there was an official league of an artist's releases.) 2 quick final points: I really think w

Nicely put - I often feel this way about Radiohead. That said, I love "In Rainbows". After one listen to "King Of Limbs" I am really struck by the percussion on it - especially the first half. It's definitely a cohesive album for better or worse. Wonder if the sneaky buggers have another album they are going to release this year as well. With over 3 years since "In Rainbows" I'd guess they left a lot of stuff off to make this so cohesive.

Good comments. With names like "Artifice" and "Solace" I half expect you two to be related. They would also make great names for different sides of the same album.

I would beg to differ. Of course, recognising that all opinion is subjective and personal. In addition to the overall quality, Arcade Fire haven't come close to doing something as good as "No Cars Go" and "Keep The Car Running" on the "The Suburbs". "Ready to Start" might, just might be mentioned in the same breadth. When I saw them in October, I couldn't escape the sinking feeling that all the highlights were the earlier tracks. They are still incredible live but compared to when I saw them in 2005 and 2007 they only real progress was in the stage design and lights.

Agree completely.

Is anyone still listening to the "Suburbs"? I don't have time to make a list of most over-rated albums of all-time but this would definitely be up there. Dull, boring and far too long. I was so excited for its release up to the point I heard a few clips. Spending time with the record when it came out left me with nothing but ennui. I don't understand why such a musically talented band (and one of the best live bands of the last twenty years) reduced their musical palette so much for this release. This article from Stereogum is spot-on in my not-so-humble opinion: http://stereogum.com/

To me it's strange that they aren't touring this album. I wonder if this and the fact that this is the last record for Warners Brothers are connected. Are they concerned the promotion and support of the album by WB is going to be be poor so why tour? I dunno. In any case as a fan I am disappointed. They did an extensive tour in 2008 but that was three years ago. Seems like R.E.M. had become a very part-time thing for the members. Or maybe this might be their last record period and they might just do one more tour next year if they feel up for it.

Agreed. Really good version - shame there is no tour - close your ears and you have the opening song of a set.