Pros Great voices, great instruments, great tracks
Cons A bit short, one not-so-good track.
The Bottom Line Great album with some amazing tracks.
Full Review
Respect has always come relatively easy to R.E.M. Their critically acclaimed and popular career began over two decades ago in the music-conscious college town of Athens, Georgia.
Back in the dark ages…scratch that…1981, R.E.M. released their first single ”Radio Free Europe” to masses of kids that were ready for a more pop sound in contrast to the burgeoning punk and rock scenes. R.E.M. proved to be the answer. The music wasn’t even known for being genius or for that matter full of new and different elements, rather it was the aura about R.E.M. that has made them special for twenty years. They seemed to have a sense of purpose and a sense of quirky style from the beginning, thanks in large part to vocalist Michael Stipe.
Following the release of their debut single, the band gained some following (especially with college radio crowds) with their 1982 EP Chronic Town. This release was followed by the mid-eighties critically-acclaimed albums: Murmur, Life’s Rich Pageant and Reckoning. Fortunately, the band really made a huge breakthrough with 1987’s album release of Document. The band managed to stick to it’s garage rock signature rock even in the wake of their somewhat surprising commercial success. Document spawned the breakthrough hit ”The One I Love. That song was my first exposure to R.E.M. Also important from that album is the fun, frenzied ”It's the End of the World as We Know It”. Until recently, R.E.M. has been a quartet of guys…Michael Stipe (vocals), Peter Buck (guitar, drums), Bill Berry (mandolin, drums), and Mike Mills (bass, vocals, accordion). Berry left the band in 1997 to be closer to his family and farm.
Green (released in 1988) marked R.E.M.’s major label debut. This album produced the typical R.E.M. sound and riffs that marked their earlier recordings. Despite their lack of widespread success as a result of earlier efforts, Green catapulted R.E.M. to superstardom. The album spawned some really amazing tracks, the most popular of which are the exceptionally upbeat ”Stand”, radio-friendly ”Orange Crush” and lead-off track ”Pop Song 89”. It was also during this era that they gained the support of the all-powerful MTV. The video for the single ”Stand” that featured a user-friendly band and a orange-clad Stipe helped to accomplish this goal.
Green has just ten titled tracks. But, I want to note that the album is just as amazing as other albums with twice as many tracks. It seems to be the perfect length and it seems to also show the ability of the band without going overboard with really strange tracks. This short, concise, and for that matter lovely album, is a great addition to any alternative fan’s CD collection. Why? Stick around to see…
Leading off Green is the aptly tilted song ”Pop Song 89”. The song reminds more slightly of 1960’s surf rock. Buck’s guitars and Berry’s drums are great accents to Stipe’s usual nasally sounding voice. The track embodies many of the traditional sounds and aspects of R.E.M.’s music. It’s light and fun yet tends toward both nostalgia and current events. Stipe’s vocals roll up and down like many of their other songs. It’s a great track, a must listen. Hopefully you remember it from late 1980’s radio. If not, this album provides the perfect opportunity to listen.
There’s no question that ”Stand” is the most popular track on Green. It’s a great track. The song beckons the listener to participate. Tap your toes, hum along, or just sing along. ”Stand” is great and is the second R.E.M. track I remember hearing in the late 1980’s. Despite music like this being the obvious precursor to the light mid-1990’s alternative movement, this track (and many others) have elements of other genres. I feel southern rock and classic rock roots here. Buck’s guitars are superb. I also enjoy the odd instrumentation that includes keyboards among other even stranger instruments. You know the words…
If you are confused check with the sun
Carry a compass to help you along
Your feet are going to be on the ground
Your head is there to move you around
The third track of note is also one of my favorites from R.E.M. ”Orange Crush” feels much like earlier tunes like ”The One I Love”. This track is both pleading and hopeful. Stipe’s voice (whom some may think is annoying) is brilliant. The other three band members back him with great instruments and lovely vocals. This song was tailor-made for radio…it sounds as though it were produced by seasoned radio veterans. Not just four guys from Athens whom only just got their first taste of success. It reminds me of many artists, but I’d like to throw Pink Floyd, Neil Young, The Beach Boys, and The Byrds in as possible influences.
Apparently, ”World Leader Pretend” was the track that R.E.M. felt the most emotion about. Why? You ask? Well, it’s the only track on the album in which lyrics were provided on the liner notes. It’s a soft, folky tune that sounds a bit like the massively successful track from Out Of Time entitled ”Losing My Religion”. This song is definitely meant to talk about politics and to be socially conscious. Here’s a bit of a taste of the song:
It's amazing what devices you can sympathize...empathize
This is my mistake. Let me make it good
I raised the walls, and I will be the one to knock it down
”Get Up” is another sing-along track. It’s fun, it’s fast, and it’s interesting. Don’t miss out on this, the second track of the album. As you listen to this album, it will become apparent that there’s not a shoddy track among the ten on the album. ”You Are The Everything” begins with a mandolin and an accordion. There’s no traditional drums and no traditional guitars. The song proves very interesting as a result. The screeching instrumentation is actually a perfect backing to Stipe’s voice. Don’t hit skip just because you don’t recognize the title. You’d be really, really sorry.
R.E.M.’s tendency toward beauty and sparse instrumentation is apparent with ”The Wrong Child.” This is a very touching track with light guitars and sounds that don’t drown out Stipe nor the purpose of the track. It hurts to listen to the track. It revolves around the sad story of a child who cannot be a child and who cannot go outside yet yearns to be normal. The kids laugh, the child hurts. Very sad, very delicate, and very touching. The subject of alienation works wonderfully in this case.
Hey those kids are looking at me
I told my friend myself
Those kids are looking at me
I love the heavy guitars and driving drums on the hard-rockin’ ”Turn You Inside Out.” The track is perfectly positioned as the followup to the last track. I love it. It’s real rock as interpreted by a southern alternative band. Very nice and very refreshing. A must listen. ”Hairshirt” bores me a bit. I wish there were more to the song. Stipe’s voice is very prominently featured and is accompanied by a light mandolin. Well made boring schlock. Finally, ”I Remember California” is an alternative tinged southern rock track. It’s a good one…mostly as a result of the driving drums (I always am a sucker for good, heavy drums).
But wait! There’s an unlisted, unnamed track at the end of Green. It’s nothing special, and nothing particularly innovative. Rather, it’s just a special little gem of a song. I’m not quite sure why it’s here, but here’s what Stipe has to say about the topic:
This world is big and so-awake
I stayed up late to hear your voice
This light is here to keep you warm
This song is here to keep you strong
R.E.M. was a huge band following the release of this album. They toured in support of Green for an extended period of time. As a result, we didn’t see the band on the road for six years. Although, they released what became their two most popular albums. Out Of Time (1991), and Automatic For The People (1992) churned out lovely rock tunes. Each will be a likely classic. The eighties proved a bit difficult for R.E.M. with the mixed success of 1994’s Monster, 1996’s New Adventures in Hi-Fi, and 1998’s Up. Of course, Up was released following the unexpected departure of Berry. Rather than replacing their friend, the band just recorded an album without Berry or a percussionist at all. It was a novel solution that was met with critical success but not much public success.
Most recently, R.E.M. gave fans 2000’s Reveal. It’s a decent album, but time will tell if the band will ever be able to match their success of a decade ago. Green is a quality album. I don’t want to give it five stars. R.E.M. has done better. But, on the wings of a few amazing songs (like the ones I’ve mentioned above), this is a great CD. Pick it up…if you don’t your alternative CD collection could never be complete. I give this album a strong 4/5 stars.
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