Music Review

R.E.M. Live (2007)

Details Release Date: Oct 16, 2007; Lead Performance: R.E.M.; Genre: Rock

Recorded in Dublin in 2005, R.E.M.'s first live album documents their slide into arena-rock drudgery. They've never radically altered songs on stage, and R.E.M. Live reprises old tunes almost note for note, with extra-boomy drums and hoarse cries from Michael Stipe. Things perk up with the goofy new ''I'm Gonna DJ'' and bassist Mike Mills' earnest rendition of 1984's ''(Don't Go Back to) Rockville.'' But whenever they shift to tracks from 2004's leaden Around the Sun, you can practically hear the audience slink toward the concession stand. C
DOWNLOAD THIS: ''Cuyahoga''

Originally posted Oct 19, 2007 Published in issue #961 Oct 26, 2007 Order article reprints

Add your comment

The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject or we might delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. An asterisk * indicates a required field.

500 characters remaining
Advertisement