REM's Around the Sun

As a REM fan/fanatic since 1982, the last few offerings since the departure of drummer Bill Berry have been disappointing. Up seemed like an odd experiment that went sideways (too much techo-instrumentation and overly restrained Stipe vocals). Reveal was better, with stronger songwriting and a more let-it-rip feel. I was wondering where the band would go with its latest CD, Around the Sun.

For the first few listens, I confess to being disappointed. But the album is growing on me. The band seems finally to have melded together its more subtile post-Bill Berry sound with its more traditional style. The result is a slightly new style of sound that contains the best of the old and the new, with ample doses of acoustic guitars and vocal harmonies. The pleasure of this album are subtile; they take some time to appreciate.

Most encouraging is the stronger songwriting. Despite some weak tracks, there are seven or eight solid, pleasing songs on the album. Leaving New York is a big, easy opening to the album. The Outsiders tells of the ramifications of an unexpected, unknown revelation. Final Straw expresses heartfelt anger ("Who died and lifted you up to perfection....") at an unjustified betrayal. I Wanted to Be Wrong is a beautiful, quiet, understated protest song. Boy in the Well is about ... well, I'm not sure, but I like it. Aftermath is a song about hope and living after (here's that word again) betrayal. The Ascent of Man is musically interesting, with strong Stipe vocals. Around the Sun is, like the first track, a big, easy ending to the album.

Around the Sun shows that REM still has a great deal of creativity left in them. They are also a better live band. I recently saw them at the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, CA, and they put on a great show, combining new numbers with old. The highlight was a kick-ass rendition of These Days that showed they can still rock rock rock.

Check out the new REM album.