My first rock concert was REM on the Green tour at the Omni in Atlanta (with opening act Indigo Girls). That Monday was the only day in high school that I fit in—EVERYONE had on an REM tee.
I live in Macon now, and I’m so glad that the 40 Watt is such an easy drive from here. That Chronic Town show was amazing, as was the recent Murmur one. I’d much rather see Mike Mills jump on stage with Robyn Hitchcock there or Bill Berry play with Love Tractor than fathom what the logistics (and ticket prices!) of an official reunion tour would be like.
Curious if you went to the Shannon/Narducy “Murmur” show in Athens earlier this year. All four band members were on stage, but I didn’t see that they played any music with Narducy’s band. (Unlike when Mills surprised Shannon at the original show at The Metro in Chicago and sang harmony.) As a lifelong fan who still remembers the first time I heard Murmur on cassette when I was in 8th grade (1985), the CBS interview was an absolute joy that brought me to tears. The Berry moment, yes, but Buck’s closing observation too.
I saw R.E.M. at a New Jersey club in 1983, around the time they released Murmur. I figured they were going to get big, but I never would have predicted 30 years!
I attribute some of my present level of hearing loss to standing directly in front of the amps at an early R.E.M. show in '82-'83. However, meeting the band afterward was, and is still, a pretty big thrill…
Also, you have no idea what the hell you're talking about.
"My mom and dad liked the sound of it, and so they moved there in nineteen seventy eight when I was eighteen, and I followed them. I was living with a punk rock band in Granite City, Illinois, and I ran out of money and I moved with my tail between my legs. I moved to Athens, Georgia, thinking that it was a hippie cowtown and that I didn't fit in because I was just, you know, urban punk rocker. And it turns out that one of the most incredible punk rock scenes in America was happening right under my nose in Athens, Georgia, and I became a part of it."
Definitely doesn't talk about how much he loves Athens, how he has a home here, how his mom and sisters live here, nope, the story doesn't mention that at all, I must have imagined it.
I don't understand your strange hostility here. New York City is a great town, and so in Athens: I lived in the first place for 13 years and now in this one for 11. I'm not sure what argument you're trying to make is. (Other than that you obviously don't know anything about Athens.)
So today is Paul McCartney’s birthday - he is 82. I’ve seen him perform at Fenway Park twice - two years ago and seven years ago, I think it was. And I will see him again if he comes through Boston again.
Does he have the same vocal range that he did fifty or sixty years ago (just based on my obsessive listening to The Beatles)? No, he doesn’t. But he still plays a mean guitar, bass, and piano. And he sings better at his age than a lot of people who are generations younger, in my opinion. And lastly, his canon is so full of iconic songs that to hear him perform them live was just a gift.
I went to a Tony Bennett concert a few years ago. He was, if I recall, right around 90. I am no expert but I’ve listened to a bunch of his recordings from the height of his career and even at around 90, he was remarkable. I thought that regardless of his age, I should respect his career and go see him while I had the chance. And now that he’s gone, I’m so glad I did.
There will come a day when Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney pass away. And the people who wouldn’t see them because they thought they were too old are going to kick themselves for not seeing them while they could.
If R.E.M. wants to tour again, then they should. And by doing so, they will make millions of shiny happy people.
I was a high school freshman when Life’s Rich Pageant came out, and I was hooked. So happy you used the alternate version of “Leave” - I always play that instead of the album track. Thanks, Will.
I am so, so, so regretful that I never got to see REM live. But I also SO respect them for going out on top and enjoying the rest of their lives. That being said, if they ever did a reunion tour I would just hand over my credit card. :) I have been lucky enough to see Pearl Jam twice at least.
Ha, I don't know about minions, but ya gotta pay for the great work of the staff of NYMag! It shouldn't be too hard ... this newsletter is free, after all!
Great article, and I'm loving the flowers the boys are getting this week. They were in danger of being swept into the musical dustbin, but I love the genuine enthusiasm and apprecation people have been showing.
As a life-long, middle-aged Athenian, and as someone who believes REM are the best band America has produced (also someone also at that Chronic Town show recently!) I feel very qualified to be the Deliverer Of The Album Opinions.
Best:
1a. Lifes Rich Pagent 1b. Automatic For The People (maybe vice/versa)
Worst:
Around The Sun
Underrated:
Reveal (New Adventures in Hi Fi has too many fans to be truly underrated)
Overrated:
Out of Time
As, for the rest, the Murmur -> Document IRS run may not have a parallel in American rock
It’s a great day when I have this newsletter and Tweedy’s Starship Casual in my inbox (with a bonus link to your Boss letter). Also, F the Cardinals. :)
I walked into a candles and sundress and coffee infused maple syrup type store today on Amelia Island and saw a faux Def Leppard tour shirt on sale next to some earthenware. My nineties heart withered at the sight of such fakery. This helped bring it back to life.
My first rock concert was REM on the Green tour at the Omni in Atlanta (with opening act Indigo Girls). That Monday was the only day in high school that I fit in—EVERYONE had on an REM tee.
I live in Macon now, and I’m so glad that the 40 Watt is such an easy drive from here. That Chronic Town show was amazing, as was the recent Murmur one. I’d much rather see Mike Mills jump on stage with Robyn Hitchcock there or Bill Berry play with Love Tractor than fathom what the logistics (and ticket prices!) of an official reunion tour would be like.
Curious if you went to the Shannon/Narducy “Murmur” show in Athens earlier this year. All four band members were on stage, but I didn’t see that they played any music with Narducy’s band. (Unlike when Mills surprised Shannon at the original show at The Metro in Chicago and sang harmony.) As a lifelong fan who still remembers the first time I heard Murmur on cassette when I was in 8th grade (1985), the CBS interview was an absolute joy that brought me to tears. The Berry moment, yes, but Buck’s closing observation too.
I missed the Murmur show I was out of town ... but I heard much, much goodness.
I saw R.E.M. at a New Jersey club in 1983, around the time they released Murmur. I figured they were going to get big, but I never would have predicted 30 years!
Wow, I am VERY envious of that.
I attribute some of my present level of hearing loss to standing directly in front of the amps at an early R.E.M. show in '82-'83. However, meeting the band afterward was, and is still, a pretty big thrill…
If you gotta lose it, that's the way to go.
https://bittersoutherner.com/feature/2021/michael-stipe-is-present
First paragraph states my point.Research skills? Put ‘em on your Christmas list.
Why not give ol Stipey a call? I’m sure he’s at home in Athens right now.
Stipe has been a New Yorker since 1986,referring to Athens as “cow town”. Hard to be queer in fraternityland.
You've clearly spent a lot of time in Athens.
Also, you have no idea what the hell you're talking about.
"My mom and dad liked the sound of it, and so they moved there in nineteen seventy eight when I was eighteen, and I followed them. I was living with a punk rock band in Granite City, Illinois, and I ran out of money and I moved with my tail between my legs. I moved to Athens, Georgia, thinking that it was a hippie cowtown and that I didn't fit in because I was just, you know, urban punk rocker. And it turns out that one of the most incredible punk rock scenes in America was happening right under my nose in Athens, Georgia, and I became a part of it."
https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/broken-record-with/michael-stipe-PzgonvF5ZSJ/
Your research skills are lacking.Reread the NYT Stipe feature from earlier this year (BTW it’s 2024)
Yes, I assume you mean this one?
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/03/magazine/michael-stipe-solo-album.html
(2023, actually.)
Definitely doesn't talk about how much he loves Athens, how he has a home here, how his mom and sisters live here, nope, the story doesn't mention that at all, I must have imagined it.
I don't understand your strange hostility here. New York City is a great town, and so in Athens: I lived in the first place for 13 years and now in this one for 11. I'm not sure what argument you're trying to make is. (Other than that you obviously don't know anything about Athens.)
So today is Paul McCartney’s birthday - he is 82. I’ve seen him perform at Fenway Park twice - two years ago and seven years ago, I think it was. And I will see him again if he comes through Boston again.
Does he have the same vocal range that he did fifty or sixty years ago (just based on my obsessive listening to The Beatles)? No, he doesn’t. But he still plays a mean guitar, bass, and piano. And he sings better at his age than a lot of people who are generations younger, in my opinion. And lastly, his canon is so full of iconic songs that to hear him perform them live was just a gift.
I went to a Tony Bennett concert a few years ago. He was, if I recall, right around 90. I am no expert but I’ve listened to a bunch of his recordings from the height of his career and even at around 90, he was remarkable. I thought that regardless of his age, I should respect his career and go see him while I had the chance. And now that he’s gone, I’m so glad I did.
There will come a day when Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney pass away. And the people who wouldn’t see them because they thought they were too old are going to kick themselves for not seeing them while they could.
If R.E.M. wants to tour again, then they should. And by doing so, they will make millions of shiny happy people.
I was a high school freshman when Life’s Rich Pageant came out, and I was hooked. So happy you used the alternate version of “Leave” - I always play that instead of the album track. Thanks, Will.
In 1995 I was asked to pick two favorite songs for a middle school music class and the first was “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?”
I am so, so, so regretful that I never got to see REM live. But I also SO respect them for going out on top and enjoying the rest of their lives. That being said, if they ever did a reunion tour I would just hand over my credit card. :) I have been lucky enough to see Pearl Jam twice at least.
I've seen them a few times, and my favorite might have been when I saw Radiohead open for them. It was so long ago they just played The Bends!
Will - Can you get your linked articles out from behind the paywall? A high-stepper like you should be able to do that for his minions! :-)
Ha, I don't know about minions, but ya gotta pay for the great work of the staff of NYMag! It shouldn't be too hard ... this newsletter is free, after all!
Well written as always. Thank you.
Thank you for reading!
Great article, and I'm loving the flowers the boys are getting this week. They were in danger of being swept into the musical dustbin, but I love the genuine enthusiasm and apprecation people have been showing.
As a life-long, middle-aged Athenian, and as someone who believes REM are the best band America has produced (also someone also at that Chronic Town show recently!) I feel very qualified to be the Deliverer Of The Album Opinions.
Best:
1a. Lifes Rich Pagent 1b. Automatic For The People (maybe vice/versa)
Worst:
Around The Sun
Underrated:
Reveal (New Adventures in Hi Fi has too many fans to be truly underrated)
Overrated:
Out of Time
As, for the rest, the Murmur -> Document IRS run may not have a parallel in American rock
And I was late enough to the party that Out of Time was the first album I knew. (I obviously then quickly went back.) I'm an Automatic person, myself.
It’s a great day when I have this newsletter and Tweedy’s Starship Casual in my inbox (with a bonus link to your Boss letter). Also, F the Cardinals. :)
We're up 2-0! It's Pedro Pages weekend!
It is indeed. Cubs offense is brutal!
I walked into a candles and sundress and coffee infused maple syrup type store today on Amelia Island and saw a faux Def Leppard tour shirt on sale next to some earthenware. My nineties heart withered at the sight of such fakery. This helped bring it back to life.
Oh, yes, it is very hard not to give the kids in the Cobain T-shirt some history lessons ...