AlmostAGhost

I think, after REM, they should just shift from focusing on one act and into a general music talk/mini-podcast podcast. Like the whole ep of talking about their favorite 2000s albums is a cool idea. They could easily do something like that every couple of weeks, right? Please? We're only up to like 1998 in REM and there's still a handful of albums left to go, but I'm still worried about this thing ending forever haha.

Cool! I haven't listened yet but I like when Matt dives into some of the history of improv.

Sorry, didn't mean to put words in your mouth. I was just reading through the thread, seeing a lot of critique, and far less excitement than I expected... which is why I felt compelled to post. I do agree with Paul and Amy's points about there not being enough emotion here (when it EASILY could have been devastating). I gather this had a ton of writers but maybe needed one more to fix that, and to as you say, coalesce some of the parts. But I guess my point is, I got swept up in it (esp. the first half). It seems like a difficult movie -- crazy long, religious, old, brownface, outdated acting, etc. -- but I guess to my happy surprise, it wasn't at all. I had a good time with it.

I'm surprised people didn't like this more, in this thread. I recognize its flaws (the '50s style acting bugged me - I'm glad Paul brought this up, the interminable length) but the story was clear and the scope was impressive and it did well to suck me into its world. I lagged in (more than a) few spots but overall I was INTO it. Actually in thinking about this in relation to Citizen Kane, I -- a liberal atheist who far prefers indie auteurs over big spectacle blockbuster-type movies -- probably preferred Ben-Hur. Go figure!

I'm a huge fan of Hi-Fi, and am one of those who think it's an underrated masterpiece. The songwriting throughout is just so very good, and interesting, and unique. I recognize some of Scott's points: it is too long as a whole (a common '90s thing tho), and some of the production isn't quite 100% there. But there's just so very many GREAT songs: "How The West Was Won" and "E-Bow" are brilliant. I've had periods where both "Undertow" and "Low Desert" were my favorite REM song, I love the hypnotic atmospheric melodic riff style of things. I always forget about "Be Mine" but I love it too. "Bittersweet Me." The whole thing is beautifully capped by "Electrolite". If I had to cut anything to make it shorter, I'd probably just cut the "Binky"/"Zither"/"So Fast" run and leave the rest as is. This was an especially thought-provoking episode for me though, esp. with Scott's points. And I'm curious to try rearranging it myself. But generally I wouldn't want to change anything here. There is so many directions and contours and stuff here, it's a jam-packed record. Also, I listened to this whole episode while waiting at jury duty yesterday (have to go back this afternoon ugh). Thanks to Scott & Adam for the well-timed entertainment (as always). Current album rankings: 1. Automatic For The People 2. Fables Of The Reconstruction 3. New Adventures In Hi-Fi 4. Murmur 5. Reckoning 6. Out Of Time 7. Document 8. Monster 9. Lifes Rich Pageant 10. Green

I loved this ep, def getting an end-of-year best of vote from me

whoa this is one impressive line-up!

I have a tough time rating Monster, sort of because of the opposite of April, when it came out while she was in high school and quickly became devoted to it. It came out my first month (possibly even first week) at university, so I was a little distracted and I think because of that, I didn't ever get THAT into it. But I do love a lot of it -- it is full of fairly simple songs (just electric guitar, bass, drums, not much superfluous), that still have a touch of quirk to them. I like quirky REM. Basically I think I rate Monster highly, but then as I rarely return to it, I'm not sure if that rating is real. *shrug* Listening yesterday and now though... these songs really give me a visceral punch of nostalgia. Not in a particularly "this sounds like the '90s" way, more just a "wow that takes me back." My other Monster story is my friend's roommate at college was one of the Asian guys in the "Crush For Eyeliner" video. (Also cannot wait for the fantastic New Adv. In Hi-Fi to be discussed! Though will we be getting the Andy Daly U2 concert episode first?!) Current album rating: 1. Automatic For The People 2. Fables Of The Reconstruction 3. Murmur 4. Reckoning 5. Out Of Time 6. Document 7. Monster 8. Lifes Rich Pageant 9. Green

It's crazy how Wain's humor/delivery/everything was so totally in sync with Scott and Adam. Really enjoyed listening to the three of them. Gonna also echo the comments about the AC/DC thing, lol I still laugh just thinking about it. Can someone put it on youtube or something so I can easier listen over and over?

While there's a few of their albums I flip back and forth on, generally Automatic is my favorite REM record. When I think about it, I think "this is REM... IN CONTROL." They could do anything. They make a generally maudlin simple track sound terrific (Everybody Hurts is not my cup of tea, but they way its recorded--it stops itself from feeling overly sentimental). They bring some songs with muscle (Ignoreland). Instrumentals. Optimistic hopeful beautiful tracks. Sad atmospheric stuff. Absorbing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" into some weird hybrid rock. Slow, fast, whatever. The band was just so impressively in control of their creativity. There's a couple of melodies here and there that don't hit me personally. But that's minor complaint. "Sweetness Follows" is a favorite REM song of mine (if I recall, it's also one of the band's. they LOVE that "Country Feedback" template of acoustic guitar/feedback/soundscape with spoken words.) "Find The River" is an all-time favorite song of mine as well. These are, technically, deep cuts, which is why the album is a classic. Also wanted to add I LOVE that the Scotts kept pointing out John Paul Jones' work here. I've had that discussion number of times with people. His work here is so rich and incredible -- the songs with strings are clear standouts. Especially "Drive" and "Nightswimming." He was a perfect collaborator for them (and anyone who he's worked with, tbh, from Diamanda Galas to The Butthole Surfers), but I digress... Current album rating: 1. Automatic For The People 2. Fables Of The Reconstruction 3. Murmur 4. Reckoning 5. Out Of Time 6. Document 7. Lifes Rich Pageant 8. Green

Putting this here so it doesn't get lost to twitter timeline fade: Scott just tweeted the Drive video screenshot, and it's as amazing as you thought!

I also started with Out Of Time, so I fully recognize some nostalgia here in loving the record. I do recognize some of it is pretty dated, and have similar qualms with "Radio Song" and "Endgame" as Scott did. But generally I'm much closer to Adam on this one, though the point about it lacking a cohesive connective throughline is true. I LOVE "Low" and "Belong," and I find it a little weird that Scott -- who has put out such great weird absurd comedy being confused when bands make different, weird, new choices. I definitely think "Belong" is a top-10 REM song for me. The whole second half of Out Of Time though, I love it. "Country Feedback" is brilliant and evocative. "Me In Honey" is a joy. "Near Wild Heaven" and "Texarkana" are sort of amazing deep cuts. My current rankings: 1. Fables of the Reconstruction 2. Murmur 3. Reckoning 4. Out Of Time 5. Document 6. Lifes Rich Pageant 7. Green I do like what Adam said here about OOT being a transition... it is definitely kicking off the second wave of great REM records that they made through the 90s. Stoked to hear what Scott thinks of those too...

Wow such a cool episode! Loved hearing the rare demos, thanks Lance! Or, someone thank Lance for us. Amazing. That said, Green is one of my least favorite REM albums. I certainly didn't have the reaction Scott did, it never turned me off of them, but I just don't get much from it. It's not awful but I just don't find it special at all. And listening to it now, I like some songs, but a lot of them just drag on. So even when I like a song initially, I end up getting impatient with by the end and being like 'ugh'. I do like "Stand," it's one of my favorites here. Get A Life made me like it more! And I like the absurdity. Also dig "You Are My Everything" and "Untitled" and "Orange Crush." I've listened to this record for 20 years and have no idea what "The Wrong Child" is. Also do not like "Get Up" at all, one of my least favorite REM songs. Current Album Rankings 1. Fables Of The Reconstruction 2. Murmur 3. Reckoning 4. Document 5. Lifes Rich Pageant 6. Green After learning about Scott's reaction to "Stand," I'm very excited for the next episode and "Shiny Happy People"!

A lot of interesting stories on this one, loved it. I saw Filthy Friends last year at the Teragram here in LA. It was really awesome, a smallish venue that wasn't remotely crowded. So I went up to the front and stood beneath Peter Buck and watched him play guitar up close. I did always wonder if Adam Scott was there haha! They remind me more of Sleater-Kinney than anything REM-ish but it's a cool side project for sure. Also it's obvious that the Scotts hanging backstage with members of REM is a prelude to them coming on the podcast, right? (That's what happened with U2.)

This show is on so much fire lately

Jon Hamm still looks adoringly at PFT in every pic last time Hamm was on:

This was superb, and nothing made me happier than the idea they are all gonna go see U2 together soon. In the spirit of things, I threw together my top-10 U2 songs too. I don't particularly care for anything post 2000 so it's slanted to the earlier stuff. A Sort Of Homecoming I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For Hawkmoon 269 One Tree Hill Twilight Drowning Man Even Better Than The Real Thing So Cruel Love Rescue Me Magnificent

Also, I want to thank the White House Historical Association and all of the people that work so hard with Melania, with everybody, to keep this incredible house or building, or whatever you want to call it -- because there really is no name for it; it is special -- and we keep it in tip-top shape. We call it sometimes tippy-top shape. And it's a great great place. https://twitter.com/ScottAukerman/status/980880957086490624

It is very clear that this is going to be the most enjoyable hour of my week every week they release an ep

I've always loved Document a lot, it's such a strange bunch of songs. Especially for a record that kicked a band up a level, some of these songs are f-ing weird. I gotta respect that and do. I probably fall in between Adam and Scott on how much I like it, as I recognize it's weak bits (the stuff Drakkar above and Scott mentioned), but also generally really like the closing tracks (King Of Birds especially is my lowkey favorite). I don't mind the Lightnin Hopkins drums, esp. as a one-time thing. Oddfellows has some crappy lyrics. But there's plenty here that I LOVE. My rankings so far (no EPs) 1. Fables Of The Reconstruction 2. Murmur 3. Reckoning 4. Document 5. Lifes Rich Pageant Really enjoyed this episode too (as always), their opinions of the album were different enough which made it interesting. Looking forward to having some special guests join in though!

This podcast is really interesting - I love REM as much as Scott & Adam, but my tastes seem to be the opposite of theirs. They seemed apprehensive towards Fables and it's my favorite. And while I dig Lifes Rich Pageant a lot, it is my least favorite of the first four 'early' era records. Like, I want REM to tease choruses and twist song structures in weird and mysterious ways. On Lifes, they lose some of that, and I miss it. And it's not as groovy as their earlier things (except Fall On Me and Superman). I put Murmur on and I groove in my chair throughout. I dance around listening to Fables. Lifes just feels much more standard (on an REM scale anyway, it's still more interesting than most musics). I guess, I like strange REM. (Their next album is strange af, even the huge singles! and I love it.) They will soon drop the strangeness and are still pretty great, but Lifes coming in the early era makes the lack of strange stand out more. Current rankings for me (not inc. EPs): 1. Fables Of The Reconstruction 2. Murmur 3. Reckoning 4. Lifes Rich Pageant

I went to the Conan taping, it was so much fun in person! (Also went to the Mantzoukas one last week.) They're so fun to see live. Loved this ep too. I couldn't decide if they were truly baffled by the time jump buttons or were screwing with Paul's rules. Haha Also, that Aukerman/PFT/Lapkus podcast is my new favorite thing ever (I haven't heard it and have no clue when we will).

Damn. It's so absurd and funny all the time. It was definitely an underrated comedy podcast.

Ah man, I'm a few eps behind... are they ending this?

I'm a little surprised at the relative apprehension the Scotts have for this album. I know Adam said it was his favorite for awhile, but he still seemed convinced that it's not that great? I don't get it - I love it. It's an amazing album. They called it sludgey or whatever and that fullness is what I like so much about it. There are great singles that are fun and groovy, mixed with darker more mysterious songs too. I don't find Fables to be difficult or a grower at all, never have (or not any more than is usual for REM). Am curious about shuffling the sequence and I will try Scott's version for sure -- I feel like REM would be all for it. Isn't the title ambigious? Fables Of The Reconstruction is the settled name, but the art can also be looked at as calling it Reconstruction Of The Fables. And as they talked about on Chronic Town, they rarely called things "side a / b" for order. So I think they'd like people shuffling things like that. Anyway, whatever, Fables is the best. Great ep! my current REM album rankings (not going to include EPs): 1. Fables 2. Murmur 3. Reckoning