| Name | Artist | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Leaving New York | R.E.M. | 4:49 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
2 |
Electron Blue | R.E.M. | 4:12 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
3 |
The Outsiders | R.E.M. & Q-Tip | 4:13 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
4 |
Make It All OK | R.E.M. | 3:42 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
5 |
Final Straw | R.E.M. | 4:06 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
6 |
I Wanted to Be Wrong | R.E.M. | 4:34 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
7 |
Wander Lust | R.E.M. | 3:03 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
8 |
The Boy In the Well | R.E.M. | 5:22 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
9 |
Aftermath | R.E.M. | 3:52 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
10 |
High Speed Train | R.E.M. | 5:03 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
11 |
The Worst Joke Ever | R.E.M. | 3:36 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
12 |
The Ascent of Man | R.E.M. | 4:07 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
13 |
Around the Sun | R.E.M. | 4:28 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
| Total: 13 Songs |
iTunes Review
R.E.M. once suggested they would not continue as a group if one of its original members decided to quit. Health concerns and other passions led drummer Bill Berry to leave his drummer seat, but the remaining members sought to fulfill their musical destiny with quieter results. They’d never been a particularly loud or heavy rock band, so the shift towards reflective ballads and songs longer on texture than groove doesn’t sound like anything more than an older band maturing into its advanced, wiser ways. R.E.M. rarely composed with grand concepts in mind. The band’s strength has been the small, illuminating moment where the instruments coalesce into a dream-like weave as they do here as the title track sweetly resolves. “The Outsiders,” with a guest spot from rapper Q-Tip, adds a touch of syncopated rhythm, however, it’s the hazy shuffle of “Leaving New York,” the piano-led “Make It All OK” and the mild pop shimmer of “Aftermath” and “Wander Lust” that represent the band’s usual abilities if not the full strength of its usual inspirations.
Customer Reviews
An REM album, through and through
This is an outstanding record, but unless you're an REM fan—one who liked Reckoning, Fables of the Reconstruction, and Lifes' Rich Pageant, rather than just Green, Out of Time, Automatic for the People, and Monster—you won't appreciate this album AS AN REM ALBUM. It's a nice fit with the rest of their catalog, but it doesn't sound like "Losing My Religion." Each REM album brings a new twist. Sometimes it's a new instrument (like harmonicas, accordians, mandolins, etc.), sometimes it's a new direction (jangly-pop to strumming-on-stools to rock-and-roll). Around the Sun brings both. Since the departure of drummer Bill Berry, REM has moved more and more toward electronic sounds, without turning into Dance or Electronica. They're still Rock and Roll, but different. Another progression from early REM is Michael Stipe's lyrics. As he's gotten older, he's gotten clearer (both in meaning and enunciation). Someone who used to mumble that "Your love/Is a two-headed cow," has gotten much more confident and accessible. Unfortunately, the clarity comes at the expense of magic, and sometimes at the expense of beauty. When not measured against the REM catalog, this is a great album. But considering everything else they've done this one only rates as good. There are a few stand-alone great songs, such as Leaving New York, Final Straw, and my favorite, Aftermath, but mostly the record belongs together, sort of a tribute to failures and successes everybody faces. The range of styles can be a little distracting if you're used to a more cohesive REM album (Monster or New Adventures in HiFi), but it's still better than most of the albums that bands put out after they've had commercial success and become musicians rather than just rockstars. REM's trademarks are still present, though. The blend of styles is there. The incredible harmonies are there. The layers of rythym are there, and there's even some jangling guitar! If you're an REM fan, you'll like this one. There's also a good chance you'll like it if you've never listened to REM, but if you only know them and love them from the radio, start with a different album.
Around The Sun
Not among R.E.M.'s best albums, but it is very good. Gentler than their earlier albums such as Document, Murmurs, or Life’s Rich Pageant. Leaving New York has a very wonderful tune, as well as lyrics. The Outsiders is another fantastic song on this album, except for the bizarre rap at the end (when I saw them live, Michael rapped that part, it was very funny). The title song, Around the Sun is very nice easy listening, I think it may have a deep meaning, but with R.E.M. its hard to tell. While this album lacks the power of their first albums, it is definitely worth purchasing, whether you are a hardcore R.E.M. fan or not.
Different enough to be the same
It's nice that R.E.M. is able to shift their focus and style just a little bit each album, keeping everything fresh and yet still very much the same. Like every R.E.M. album to date I thought "Eh, whatever" and then later started to really appreciate it for what it was. One solid album. If you aren't sure about this one, wait a month or so and then look at it again.
Biography
Formed: 1980 in Athens, GA
Genre: Rock
Years Active: '80s, '90s, '00s, '10s
Top Albums and Songs By R.E.M.
| Name | Album | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Losing My Religion | In Time - The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003 | 4:27 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
2 |
Everybody Hurts | In Time - The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003 | 5:17 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
3 |
Man on the Moon | In Time - The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003 | 5:13 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
4 |
Orange Crush | In Time - The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003 | 3:51 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
5 |
It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) | Document | 4:06 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
6 |
Stand | In Time - The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003 | 3:10 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
7 |
Shiny Happy People | Out of Time | 3:43 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
8 |
What's the Frequency, Kenneth? | In Time - The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003 | 4:00 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
|
9 |
Radio Free Europe | Murmur | 4:05 | $0.99 | View In iTunes |
|
10 |
Nightswimming | In Time - The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003 | 4:10 | $1.29 | View In iTunes |
- $9.99
- Genres: Alternative, Music, Rock, Adult Alternative
- Released: Oct 04, 2004
- ℗ 2004 R.E.M./Athens, L.L.C.
