Search - Rem :: Strange Currencies / Drive / Funtime

The Best Single from Monster

Brian Stuart | Boston, MA | 10/29/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hands down, this is the best single from "Monster". The lead track is my favorite, and the B-Sides offer a lot more than the other Monster singles, which are generally pretty straight-forward live tracks."Strange Currencies" is a beautiful down love song with a great hard edge. Instead of sounding just loud, like some "rock/love songs" do, it sounds deeply earnest and passionate. The lyrics are fun, and Stipe has a great time with them. The arrangment is also excellent and dynamic and is very much worth paying attention to.The live version of "Drive" here is totally different, and signifcantly superior if you ask me, to the version found on "Autmotic for the People". It is rocked out, energetic, and powerful. I feel it suits the song much better than the slow and plodding album version. They do this song so well live, and this recording captures that perfectly."Funtime" is a genuinely fun Iggy Pop cover. Also much better than a studio version the band also released, if only because Stipe's vocals have more energy, and the band has the kind of energy you can only find with a live concert recording. Its messy, feverish, and a great listen.From here, the band plays around for a few seconds while transitioning into "Radio Free Europe", the bands first single. This may be the best verion I have heard of it. Stipe usually seems disinterested in doing the song, but not here. Yeah, he screws up the lyrics badly, but he has made a big deal out of giving the lyrics of R.E.M. songs too much weight. Besides, it sounds like they are having fun, and I'm sure the audience was loving it, too. I'm sure you will, as well."

Nothing Strange

Thomas Magnum | NJ, USA | 05/17/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Strange Currencies" is the quietest song on the sonic blast that is Monster. The song add a moment of respite to the guitar frenzy. The three live songs perfectly compliment the track. "Drive" has a quiet power, "Funhouse" is great unreleased track and "Radio Free Europe" is always powerful."