sexta-feira, agosto 31, 2007

706. 10,000 maniacs - in my tribe


Funny how this band was considered a 'college' band back in the day. "Eden" was a popular disc in our rec room at school, but just for the record this was released 5 years before I attended college. While there are some great moments here (afterall we are talking about Natalie Merchant) the disc sounds a bit too dated - so much that it reminds me of my absurd, New Jersey, stuck in the 80's step sisters (Sherri and Kim) - and "What's The Matter Here?" sounds like it should be playing during the credits for a Lifetime tv movie back in 87. Still, who am I to bitch about 10,000 Maniacs?

6.4 out of 10

quinta-feira, agosto 30, 2007

705. R.E.M. - Unplugged 2001


I remember seeing bits and pieces of REM's first unplugged show (1992 or 94 I think) and being impressed with how much energy they had and how fresh they sounded. This Unplugged session on the other hand has the band sleepwalking through their set which was oddly located in Times Square... Granted the Unplugged series was always commercial, it still managed to feel like a show, where this performance, with its neon billboard backdrop, felt more like a mandatory engagement.

6,3 out of 10

quarta-feira, agosto 29, 2007

704. R.E.M. - remix


For every good remix that comes to fruition there are about 10 pointless ones. Unfortunately these remixes, that were available for free from the band's website ages ago, fail to build, expand or add to the original versions. Instead they meander pointlessly through an exercise that only its author could enjoy or make sense of.

2 out of 10

terça-feira, agosto 28, 2007

703. R.E.M- daysleeper


This single features the odd lounge instrumental track "Emphsema", a live version of "Sad Professor" and an alternate take of "Why not Smile". Why have this is what I want to know.

3 out of 10

segunda-feira, agosto 27, 2007

702. R.E.M. - imitation of life


Two b-sides make this single a worthwhile addition. Demo versions of "The Lifting" and "Beat a Drum" add another layer to already decent songs.

6 out of 10

701. R.E.M. - ill take the rain


Lead single here is backed with a live version of "I've Been High " and "She Just Wants to be"... both are pleasant but unremarkable...

4 out of 10

700. R.E.M. - all the way to reno


You've often heard me mention the going out of business sale that HMV had - well they took a while to actually close down and I purchased a ton of stuff from them... some of it unecessary. This cd single is one example. Contains the lead single, an odd b-side, a cover of Christie's "Yellow River", and a live version of "Imitation Life", which to me sounds like a band trying to sound like R.E.M.

3 out of 10

segunda-feira, agosto 13, 2007

699. R.E.M. - Reveal


Ever since Berry left REM have, to me at least, sounded like a Stipe solo project. It's weird because one would think that if a drummer left it wouldn't be that big of a deal, just get another one. But the songs on the last two albums are missing something - somethimes it's obvious that a drum machine can't replace a drummer, but overall I have to say the band just sounds less rock and roll, and again, less of a band. Reveal has a couple of good songs - but a couple doesn't cut it for band that used to have stellar records from beginning to end.

6.4 out 10

698. R.E.M. - At my most beautiful (mini)


A live version of the lead single is backed with another performance from Later with Jools Holland, this time it's So. Central Rain. Another great performance and song.

7.4 out of 10

697. R.E.M. - Suspicion (mini)


So I got this on one of my visitis up to NYC about seven years ago. It's one of those mini cds you can only use on a front loading tray and it has a live in studio version of "Suspicion" and a live version of "Perfect Circle" from the Jools Holland show. I love this live version of a perfect circle - it's perfect in every sense, granted it will make you depressed, but still it's perfect. I remember being in an apartment by myself on 103 and columbus with no ac in August listening to this over and over again nursing my beer. Pathetic but I love it.

8.3 out of 10

696. R.E.M. - At my most beautiful


Backed with the Stooges "Passenger" and "Country Feedback" the performances are again excellent, and thankfully the recordings are of better quality.

5.4 out of 10

695. R.E.M. - Suspicion


I picked this single upo for the two live tracks, "Electrolite", and "Man on the moon" that were both performed on Later with Jools Holland. The performances themselves were great but unfortunately the quality sucks - it sounds like a tv show playing through your stereo...

4.9 out of 10

694. R.E.M. - Lotus


For an album I wasn't too crazy about you'll notice that I have quite a few singles off the UP disc, mainly because I fell in love with the track "Suspicion". This single contains the odd instrumental "Surfing the Ganges", a more quick tempo'd "Suspicion" plus an odd mix of "Lotus" called "Lotus" (weird mix)m - it sounds like Ru Paul guest vocaled on it.

6.4 out of 10