Up (Up - R.E.M.)

Member Name: davepridd

Product:	Up - R.E.M.
Date:	01/08/00 (13 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very elegant, unique

Disadvantages: Few

Everyone thought that REM would be finished after Bill Berry left the group after 'New adventures in hi-fi' had been released. Instead they came back even stronger with a drum machine, a group of extra musicians and a radical change in sound; the two previous albums were full of loud rock guitar, but on this album Mike Mills decided that he wanted to play piano instead of bass, and Peter Buck took over playing bass on a lot of the tracks. Therefore most of the tracks have very little or no guitar, and when it does appear it is distorted and effect laden to the point where you're not sure if it's a guitar or a synth, or there is gentle acoustic guitar on tracks such as the single 'Daysleeper'.

Unlike other groups such as Suede who have also changed to a more keyboard led sound, this album does not sound synthetic or 80s, it has a warm, organic, almost comforting air to it. The changes are evident from the first track 'Airportman' which is very relaxed, led by piano and chimes improvising about one chord for the whole song. Beneath this Stipe sings a hushed lyric about 'great opportunity'. The second track is the single 'Lotus', it is the most up-tempo track on the album, but could hardly be described as rock; the guitar lead soon gives way to synths, vocal effects and a discordant string section.

Although the album is probably best described as experimental, it is not as weird as some of their albums from the early 80s, and it is always pleasant to listen to, even on the most unusual tracks such as 'Hope'. The mood is not totally cheerful but there is a quiet optimism which runs from the 'great opportunity' of 'Airportman' to the 'Me, I am free' of 'Falls to climb'. The highlights of the album for me are 'Daysleeper' which is another one of REMs fantastic pop singles, 'Why not smile' which is very gentle and has quite a positive lyric and &
#39;At my most beautiful' which is probably one of Stipe's most emotional, understandable and beautiful lyrics it is set to an almost classical backing of pianos and cello.

I would definately recommend anyone to buy this album as it is very unique and it becomes more and more beautiful each time you listen to it.

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