R.E.M. Live (2007)

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
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