Quote:
Originally Posted by Sarah_Fleshlight
R.E.M. are my favorite band. When the news broke, I was at the Ynott awards in Prague and my FB and phone nearly blew up.
They are rather simply the soundtrack to my life. One of their songs played its part in saving my life as a teenager. This is a sad thing to have happen to me. I have a hard time thinking of there not being an R.E.M.
However, I appreciate that they went out on a really strong album because even those of us that love them will admit they hadn't had such a solid album in a LONG time. So, when they did do it, why not make sure the start and end of your journey together as a band is flanked by great songs.
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I'm kind of the same way. I have been a fan since I was a kid and many of their songs as soon as I hear them they take me back to a place and time in my life.
I feel like they haven't been the same since Bill Berry left. They have had moments of brilliance since and have had some really strong albums but I have always felt like they have been adrift since he left.
Still 30 years is a a hell of a run they have a lot to be proud off.
Back several years ago I had a South Park Moment with Michael Stipe. If you have ever watched South Park and saw the episode where MechaStrisand attacks and they get Robert Smith of The Cure to kill her, at the end as Smith is walking off one of the kids yells to him, "Disintegration is the best album ever."
So several years ago I go up to Seattle for Bumbershoot their annual music and art festival. REM are the headliners closing out the show. The day before I go to the art museum to see the Picasso exhibit they have. I walk into one of the rooms is Stipe and another guy (assuming it was his boyfriend, but maybe not) are there. We glanced at each other and had that odd moment where he realized I knew who he was. I didn't want to bother him so I checked out the room and as I left I turned around and said, "Michael, can't wait to see you tomorrow night." He nodded back and as I left I said, "And New Adventures in Hi Fi is he best album ever!"