An underrated classic.
Probably the band's best album of the 1990's.
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CD Reviews
This one takes a while to appreciate
David J. Riffle | Phoenix AZ | 08/15/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The first time I dropped this into my car player, I just didn't have the patience to listen to the whole thing. I'm hip to the notion that if I want IRS era stuff, I play those discs. Of course, the, "big time", excursion followed, so I have those discs to play when I want. "UP", on the other hand is a whole 'nuther thing.
The way it works for me is to play it on my home system while I'm occupied with something like cleaning up. Here is where you must bring to the table two things--you must really like Michael Stipe's voice, and you have to enjoy aural wallpaper once in a while.
I will be the first to warn you that this album is not for everyone...not even for all R.E.M. fans. But, if you let it, it just might creep into your good graces.
DR"
Up is genius
John E. Mitchell | Houston, TX USA | 07/31/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Some reviewers don't get it. This is pure genius. It is called "Up" because it is so utterly down. There are two types of music in this world. The first is something you get and enjoy immediately on the radio. And you forget it just as quickly while your foot stops tapping and you want to rid your mind of its irritating tune and rhythm. The second is classical, it is an acquired taste, an experience that can only be savored in the moment of realization that you have connected to a genius and you are awed by that realization. Listen again and again to Up and, like Berlioz or Shostakovich, you will get it eventually. If you don't get it, don't worry about this album. Go back to listening to Depeche Mode and you will be happy."
Subliminally Sublime
Christopher Juergens | Portland, OR USA | 02/15/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Just a quick affirmation of the general theme here:
My first impression upon its release was cautious optimism, and I learned to love this record as time went on. After not spinning it for several years, I heard Sad Professor which prompted me to reaquaint myself w/Up. I was quite simply floored by how beautifully it seems to have aged, and now I can hardly pry it out of the player. What a gorgeous, stately and thought-provoking work. In retrospect it is so much more than a punctuation mark between the Berry & post-Berry era. In a word, Up is SUBLIME"
A classic when you give it a chance.
mattwsc | NY | 04/30/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I'll be honest and say that I did not like this album very much when I first heard it a few years back. I thought it was REM's lowpoint and was boring. But through listening to it several times, I now rank this among one of my favorite REM albums. There are several songs like "Lotus", "Diminished", " Falls To Climb" and "At My My Most Beautiful", along with "Sad Professor" and "Walk Unafraid" that are some of my favorites and rank high on the list of REM songs. Don't buy this if you are strictly looking for classics like "Losing My Religion" and "Man On The Moon" or rockers like "Maps and Legends" and "Drive". But definately give this a try if you are looking for something new and want to brauden your sights when it comes to REM."