quote:

Originally posted by _z:

Can't stand Reveal, no idea why.

I will defend Reveal to the end!

For me, there is one classic moment on the album when it all clicks. Once you hear this -- I mean really hear this -- you will never hear the album the same way again.

Put on the first track - The Lifting. Close your eyes and listen to the soaring synths. Then, about half-way through the song, you hit these lyrics:

"Now close your eyes,
And start to breathe.
Allow the noise to recede...
...Allow yourself to drift and fly away."

I guarantee that, when you do this, you'll get the album.

For a site that seems to glorify the ambient (see all the fawning over Person Pitch), I'm surprised that more people don't get Reveal. To me, it's a much more satisfying mix of ambient and rock than Person Pitch.

quote:

Originally posted by The Fall of Troy:
For a site that seems to glorify the ambient (see all the fawning over Person Pitch), I'm surprised that more people don't get Reveal. To me, it's a much more satisfying mix of ambient and rock than Person Pitch.

This is probably why I don't like Reveal-- I have very little interest in ambient rock *shudders* But your point is well taken. I would probably point to the ageism in rock. Unless you are Sonic Youth, aging rock stars don't seem to get widespread critical acclaim for branching out-- leave that for the youngsters. Just like there is usually some backlash at younger acts shying away from experimentalism after being on the cutting edge (witness the backlash on Wilco's latest effort from some of the indie press).

Just to add my two cents to the Fables/Reconstruction topic:

I think the band refers to it as Fables of the Reconstruction. I seem to remember reading some interviews, where someone would ask Peter Buck or Mike Mills about the setlist they played, or something, and they would say that they decided to play some songs off of Fables.

Also, the band has said that they had a tough time mentally/emotionally while recording their third album, because they were overseas, didn't like the producer, etc. Whenever they talk about their time spent recording, they would always refer to it as the Fables recording sessions.

I doubt this clears anything up, but just thought I would throw it out there.

By the way, I really like AFTP, and would rank it up there with Reckoning and LRP.

REM are my favourite band.

Here's how I rank their albums:

1. Life's Rich Pageant
2. Green
3. Fables of the Reconstruction (of the)
4. Automatic for the People
5. Document
6. New adventures in Hi-Fi
7. Out of time
8. Murmur
9. Reckoning
10. Reveal
11. Around the Sun
12. Monster
13. Up

And I'm enthusiastic about Accelerate. Right now I think it would make my top 5. I really didn't think they could come up with something this good at this point in time, seeing that I quite dislike every post Berry album.

Fact: I excised 'Everybody Hurts' from my copy of Automatic For The People. Love the album, detest that song.

quote:

Originally posted by youandwhosearmy:
Fact: I excised 'Everybody Hurts' from my copy of Automatic For The People. Love the album, detest that song.

You should try listening to the live version off their most recent live album. I didn't know I liked that song until I heard it on there. It about made me cry, which would've been embarrassing at work.