It's the end of the world as we know it...
Time

31 years together, gosh. I feel so old. I saw them when they were youngsters - they were sweet and humble, Stipe had a full head o' hair.

they did alright. Kinda lost me on their recent albums, but they had a fierce groove, interesting songs, and seemed to be really cool people.

they have a great bunch of work, nothing to cringe at. I love the fact that they played some of the dive-y-est bars, all along knowing they had something good.

Charlotte NC figures prominently in their early career. Glad I saw them then.

They will re-unite in 5 years.

Quote
TooTough
They will re-unite in 5 years.

They're already in talks about a possible reunion

Ethan Kaplan, owner of the R.E.M. fan community Murmurs and former Senior Vice President of Emerging Technology at Warner Bros. Records, says that the band's decision was influenced in part by label politics. "I suspected this was coming last fall," Kaplan tells Rolling Stone. "If you remember, they weathered a lot of storms in this business, and have always operated on their own terms. [Warner Bros.] changed starting last September, and I think the demands on a band now to get a record out were more than they might have wanted to commit. I can understand that after how hard they worked for how long, the thought of going back to 'paying dues' with new label staff, in a very weird industry, was too much."

Didn't know they were still together

I thought Around the Sun (contained Leaving NY) was brilliant, but guess I was in the minority. probably Wouldn't pay to see them live again, and haven't followed them closely for 20+ years, but it is sad in a way to see them breakup.

Seriously bummed about this. One of my all-time favorite bands, they (along w/our beloved Stones of course) got me through some tough times as a teenager. I am even more bummed because their newest album is their best in 15 years and had really, really hoped for a tour behind it.

Well, I gotta give them props for ending on a high note and knowing when its time to call it a day. They're each individually true lovers of music in their own right, something I can always respect.

Quote
Glam Descendant
Ethan Kaplan, owner of the R.E.M. fan community Murmurs and former Senior Vice President of Emerging Technology at Warner Bros. Records, says that the band's decision was influenced in part by label politics. "I suspected this was coming last fall," Kaplan tells Rolling Stone. "If you remember, they weathered a lot of storms in this business, and have always operated on their own terms. [Warner Bros.] changed starting last September, and I think the demands on a band now to get a record out were more than they might have wanted to commit. I can understand that after how hard they worked for how long, the thought of going back to 'paying dues' with new label staff, in a very weird industry, was too much."

you'd think they could make any record they want at this point, and a label would put it out. If they still wanted to make records together.

Loved them through the 80s but they struggled to find an identity in the 90s and noughties. Ironically their last album Collapse Into Now was the best thing they'd recorded since Automatic For The People.

Rapid eye movement

Saw the singer on TV today and he said that there were no plans to tour next year

Never liked them.

i think a greatest hits package is due late this year to close out their career

What´s The Frequency, Kenneth? is good

That is correct Keefriffhard, they are supposed to have a career-spanning set this year w/more new songs.

I suspected that the new album would be the last for a lot of reasons - much of the lyrical content hints at it, the decision not to tour, the fact that tried to make it sound so much like a 'classic' REM fans - giving the fans what they want.Heck if you look at the cover, Michael Stipe even appears to be waving goodbye. I suspect they knew it would be their last as well.

Remember when they were playing fraternity parties in Athens back in 81. SAE and KA in particular. At the time most folks felt Pylon would be the next Athens band to break out. Liked the EP and the first 4 or 5 albums REM put out.As they moved from clubs and theaters into basketball arenas, I felt the band lost something.Plus around that time TGR&RBITW started touring again and I kind of lost interest in "local" bands.

If this was the only hit they ever had, it was enough........

Disappointing news. A genuinely great band.

Quote
Jesse1960
Remember when they were playing fraternity parties in Athens back in 81. SAE and KA in particular. At the time most folks felt Pylon would be the next Athens band to break out. Liked the EP and the first 4 or 5 albums REM put out.As they moved from clubs and theaters into basketball arenas, I felt the band lost something.Plus around that time TGR&RBITW started touring again and I kind of lost interest in "local" bands.

very cool Jesse, thanks. I like the whole frat party part, I was there too. They were the only ones in those college towns who paid the bands fees and included the benefits! Lotsa beer. Kegs and Kegs of cold beer. peace.

I am getting old.. that was my first thought at the second I heard the news on the radio (about 20 minutes ago).

20 years ago "Loosing my religion".. 20 years ago Nirvana's Nevermind Metallica's Black Album and RHCP's Blood Sugar..

And for a about 2 minutes I was afraid that I would start to cry.. but I decided to drink a coooold beer.

I remember a Keef interview in the late 80s, I think, where he dismissed REM as 'wimpy cult stuff'.. ha!

Quote
rangerdave
I remember a Keef interview in the late 80s, I think, where he dismissed REM as 'wimpy cult stuff'.. ha!

lmao, Yeah that was before wimpy cult stuff and geeks became cool. REM is still kinda wimpy cult stuff. But songs like NightSwimming are so good I actually transposed the whole piano part to mandolin. Play it still. Besides Peter the guitar player took bands like Uncle Tupelo and recorded them properly and pushed them to become Jeff's Tweedy's Wilco and Jay's Farrar's Son Volt. Both these bands are spectacular live and still play what the Stones always wanted to play but couldn't because they were English, American Rock and Roll! peace.

x



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015-11-21 16:02 by vudicus.

Quote
Naturalust

Quote
rangerdave
I remember a Keef interview in the late 80s, I think, where he dismissed REM as 'wimpy cult stuff'.. ha!

lmao, Yeah that was before wimpy cult stuff and geeks became cool. REM is still kinda wimpy cult stuff. But songs like NightSwimming are so good I actually transposed the whole piano part to mandolin. Play it still. Besides Peter the guitar player took bands like Uncle Tupelo and recorded them properly and pushed them to become Jeff's Tweedy's Wilco and Jay's Farrar's Son Volt. Both these bands are spectacular live and still play what the Stones always wanted to play but couldn't because they were English, American Rock and Roll! peace.

don't think those divisions ( American / British) matter much if it rocks.

They'll be back together in a couple of years. Everybody gets burned out. But if your a musician. You play music. If they're worried about labe l politics Iwould think they'd be able to put out an album on their own.

Quote
duke richardson

Quote
Naturalust

Quote
rangerdave
I remember a Keef interview in the late 80s, I think, where he dismissed REM as 'wimpy cult stuff'.. ha!

lmao, Yeah that was before wimpy cult stuff and geeks became cool. REM is still kinda wimpy cult stuff. But songs like NightSwimming are so good I actually transposed the whole piano part to mandolin. Play it still. Besides Peter the guitar player took bands like Uncle Tupelo and recorded them properly and pushed them to become Jeff's Tweedy's Wilco and Jay's Farrar's Son Volt. Both these bands are spectacular live and still play what the Stones always wanted to play but couldn't because they were English, American Rock and Roll! peace.

don't think those divisions ( American / British) matter much if it rocks.

Certainly not. Although I am bit peeved it took 4 skinny english lads from Liverpool and 5 from London to teach me about the music of my own homeland. Actually charged me for it. peace.

yeah me too!!
,

Quote
Silver Dagger
Loved them through the 80s but they struggled to find an identity in the 90s and noughties. Ironically their last album Collapse Into Now was the best thing they'd recorded since Automatic For The People.

Loved Murmur and Life's Rich Pageant..
Lost me after that, but these were some great songs:





My favorite, "Flowers of Guatemala" is not available....but its a great political song.
Amid the dreck of the 80s, REM was a bright light of real music with real meaning.