Why?: I finally became a fan of R.E.M. through "Reveal", so it was only natural I'd get their next album.
Tell me more!:
Unfortunately it's pretty uninspiring. At the time it even made me question my enjoyment of "Reveal".
On re-listen, nothing is terrible, but nothing is great either.
It's a very flat album.
Perhaps if some of these songs were buried amongst others on a better album it would improve them?
"Leaving New York" has a nice melodic chorus, but it's so plodding and shy. "Electron Blue" starts to soar, but the low-fi electronics ruin it. "The Outsiders" is better, but the rap is misplaced.
"Final Straw" is a nice left-step into politically charged folk... but after that I tune out. It's all so... dull. I like the bad chord start of "Worst Joke Ever" but not the song. "The Ascent Of Man" has "yeah" overload and demands my attention if only for being weirdly "adult contemporary pop".
The album ends on R.E.M.'s first title track, "Around The Sun". Dull, like the rest of the album, but gains a little interest for the bizarre echoy bridge, and organ and bass "nah nah nah" ending, like maybe the band stopped caring by this point too.
4/10
