I bought R.E.M.'s Reveal the day it came out. “I Disappear” and “Imitation of Life” are really growing on me. It took me a while to warm up to Up, but it’s now s staple CD that I keep in my car. I also carry Automatic for the People and Life’s Rich Pageant, so I can put on “Try Not to Breathe” or “Begin the Begin” whenever I get the urge.
So what does everyone else think of Reveal? I was surprised to see four used copies in the new arrival bin at my local CD Warehouse. A friend of mine praised it as “a return to old REM” but I have serious problems with that statement. It’s a good CD, but is it really that similar to Fables of the Reconstruction or Out of Time.
I like this much better than R.E.M.'s last album; they seem to integrate the electronic textures more comfortably into their sound. I quite like “The Lifting,” “All The Way To Reno,” “Beat A Drum” and “Imitation of Life.”
I kind of wish they wanted to rock every now and then. Maybe they would if Bill Berry were still around; from what I read, he was going to quit before “Monster” if they didn’t turn up the volume.
I love Reveal. I think it’s great that R.E.M. continues to grow and change so much after 20 years. But unfortunately, most people like consistency and repetition, rather than brilliance and innovation. R.E.M. has experienced a steady decrease in sales since their peak in the early to mid 90’s. Sad, but better to put out great music and be unpopular than to put out crappy music and top the charts. FWIW, I love She Just Wants to be, Disappear, and I’ll Take the Rain.
REM’s least imaginative and interesting work (though still with several good tracks) were Out of Time and Monster. The early 90s were a definite slump, even though their work from that era lifted them from alternative icons to pop superstardom. IMHO, it will be tough for REM or anyone else to ever make a better album than Murmur.
“Beachball” is the only song that’s jumped out at me so far, but the album’s not nearly as bad as Up. I don’t know, I listen to them more for nostalgiac reasons nowadays than because I think they’re making great music anymore, but I’ll give it a bit more of a chance before writing it off.
I wonder if R.E.M. will ever hire a permanent drummer or just keep chugging along with session pros.
Hey, woodstock, Grant Hart could use a job, huh?
Oh man, Snooooop, that would make my day. He could contribute to the songwriting too, which Bill Berry did though rarely got credit for.
He’d probably try to outsing Michael Stipe on the backup vocals, though.
I think its ironic that REM named one of their songs after a metallica song (a bad one at that!)
but im sure they album is good… i havent heard it yet though.
Actually, the title is simply, “Disappear.”
I think R.E.M. did. It’s called Reckoning :P.
You’re both wrong. It’s called New Adventures in Hi-Fi. 
I’m listening to Reveal as I post. It’s a good album, but as soon as I finish listening to it, it’s not memorable, as I can’t remember any of the songs. I hope it’s just a matter of needing time to grow on me. (The new Tool album has the same effect.)
I think New Adventures in Hi-Fi is an underrated album. I never really warmed up to Monster, though “Bang and Blame” is a great song, and I was pleasantly surprised with New Adventures. I think they should have released “The Wake-Up Bomb” or track 12-I can’t remember the name but I love the song-as singles instead of “E-Bow the Letter.”
“E-bow the Letter” is a masterpiece of a song, but a terrible choice for a single, IMO.
And, except for “Nightswimming” (which I’ve never cared for), Automatic for the People close to New Adventures in Hi-Fi as the top R.E.M. album.
Hey Montfort, glad to hear there’s someone else out there who likes New Adventures. It’s definately their best album after murmur & Automatic for the people IMO(tied for no.1)
As for Reveal, I really like it. It’s not as good as Up and I really hate imitation of life (ranks alongside Near Wild Heaven as one of their worst songs IMO) but everything else on it is top quality REM. My personal favourites are Saturn Returns and I’ll take the rain.
Overall 8.5 out of 10
BTW - Regarding REM’s declining sales IIRC it’s been at no1. here in the UK for 2 weeks and is going strong for a 3rd. Where is it in the US charts?
Count me in!
I haven’t bought Reveal yet, but it sounds like you all are quite reliable judges of quality REM. I hated Up so I’m glad this record seems to be getting better reviews.
As long as Mike Mills has stopped wearing those garish costumes he picked up sometime around “Monster” – he was wearing one in the “What’s The Frequency, Kenneth?” video – I guess I’m pretty pleased.
What could have gotten into his head?
Well, it worked for The Beatles…
Or maybe the Beatles worked in spite of it.
I just listened to it about an hour ago, and I really like it. Few of the songs really leap out at me as fabulous, but the album as a whole is very enjoyable. I particularly like Imitation of Life.
I think I am the only person who really liked Up. It was kind of a departure, but some of the songs were great. IMHO, Monster is their worst - not that I don’t like it anyway. Maybe I should say ‘least good.’
Montfort, I am so disappointed in you. I love Nightswimming. One of my favorite REM songs ever.
Best to worst
- Automatic For the People
- Murmur (I honestly can’t decide between these 2 for the top spot)
- Up
- New Adventures In Hi Fi (again, really close between 3 & 4 )
5) Reveal - Document
- Life’s rich Pageant
- Reckoning
- Out of Time
- Fables of the Reconstruction
- Monster
- Green
What are yours?