Search - Rem :: R.E.M. Live 2CD/1DVD

REM has been so much better live than this

Paul Allaer | Cincinnati | 11/10/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"CDs: 3.5 stars; DVD: 2.5 Stars



This is the first official live album release in REM's illustrious career, and what a curious choice it is. This is released 2.5 years after its recording at 2 shows at The Point Depot in Dublin, Ireland (why now, and not say 2 years ago?), when REM was touring behind the "Around the Sun" album, arguably its weakest album ever.



As to the audio CDs, "R.E.M. Live" (2 CDs, 22 tracks, 103 min.) brings a mix of the newer tunes, mixed with some older tracks. The album starts off with the best track on here, a blazing "I Took Your Name" (from the underappreciated "Monster" album). The problem is there are way too many tracks from "Around the Sun", 6 to be exact, bunched up in the first half of the show. Yet, there are some great nuggest as well: "Bad Day", "Orange Crush", "What's the Frequency Kenneth" and "(Don't Go Back to) Rockville", with a guest appearance from Daniel Ryan of The Thrills (from Ireland), obviously getting a huge crowd response.



As to the DVD (105 min.), well it's almost unwatchable, to be honest. Edited in MTV-style, it changes angles literally every second during most songs, just about causing motion-sickness. I couldn't stand for most of it. There are no extras whatsoever on the DVD, no interviews, or other goodies you might expect from this.



R.E.M. released a concert movie once before, "Road Movie", taped in the mid-90s durng their "Monster" tour, and still available as DVD. While the editing is just as migraine-inducing, the music on it is MILES better than this release, so if you wanna explore REM at their height of a live band (with Bill Berry as their drummer), I would highly encourage you to check that out."

Shut up and sing? I think not!

Rob Gordon | Sparks, NV United States | 10/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Chuck Berry. Beatles. Dylan. Springsteen. Clash. Public Enemy. R.E.M. What do they all have in common? They all infused their music with politics. Sometimes it was to tell you what they thought, sometimes it was to make you think about what you believe, sometimes both.



The most enduring music (with the exception of a few transcendent moments like a-wop-bop-a-lu-bop) has always had a message behind it. Sometimes it's personal (Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell), sometimes it's political. But, when done right, it's always worthwhile.



R.E.M. does it right. You need to exercise your mind now, just like you did with Murmur. We are not all mindless clones, we aren't all happy shutting off our brains and listening to Britney and Garth.



This is great music and represents the varied history of R.E.M. very effectively. The worst concerts I've ever attended have been the ones where the artist just sings one song after another. (Same goes for concert albums.) I want to hear the comments between songs, the interplay with the audience. If not, I'd just stay home and listen to the studio LP. Say it loud, Michael, say it proud.

"

Questioning the format

Ethan Straffin | Palo Alto, CA USA | 10/25/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"While the performances here are solid, one CD with 17 tracks and a second CD with 5 just doesn't seem like the way to go, at least for those who aren't just going to rip it to their iPods anyway. That second CD is crying out for filling up with...oh, c'mon guys, you're geniuses when you can put your minds to it. A double-live CD packed to the brim with 159 minutes of your best songs would have been legendary. This is merely adequate."