Margaret BauerR.E.M
Around The Sun
Warner Brothers
For fans of: U2, The Smiths
Grade: C-
Final word: R.E.M. aren’t just named after a sleep cycle, they induce it.
Song to download: “Leaving New York”
Growing up in the early ’90s, one can never forget listening to R.E.M.’s “Automatic for the People” and feeling completely angst-ridden while listening to their somber ballads and heavy themes, or rocking out with their elementary school friends to “It’s the End of the World As We Know It” (or secretly wishing that you were cool enough to have friends who were at that moment rocking out to that song.) Needless to say, R.E.M. was one of the most well-respected and original bands of the time period, varying their musical stylings from album to album, constantly striving to keep their music fresh and innovative.
So while best remembered as an early ’90s staple, R.E.M. has in reality never stopped producing music and has recently released their 13th album, “Around the Sun.” Unfortunately for R.E.M., this album is not lucky 13. While some songs on the album, like “Leaving New York,” retain the stereotypical R.E.M. sound, most seem purposefully experimental and overdone. From the electronica sound on “Electron Blue” (how creative) and the guest appearance by rapper Q-Tip on “The Outsider,” all of the band’s choices that could seem innovative instead sound forced and unwarranted. Even R.E.M.’s lyrics are surprisingly stale, featuring such gems as “There’s love at the end of the line” on the tenth track “High Speed Train.”
“Around the Sun” is thus surprisingly uninspired and may even disappoint the most loyal R.E.M. groupie or fan.