R.E.M. revealed their 12th LP mid-May, and as usual, it traveled up the charts, reaching as high as 6th, along with Automatic for the People re-entering the top 20 an amazing nine years after its debut.
The album itself is another journey through the modern, drumless R.E.M. world. Even so, it echos the drum-laden New Adventures in Hi-Fi more than their last album, Up. Each track blends together while remaining distinct even without the innovative drumming of Bill Barry. Reveal puts you at ease, mellowing out any bad feelings. Even the mandolins from the past have returned to replace Up's drum machines and keyboards. Sweet music, but nothing that harkens back to the greatness of Document and Automatic, although Peter Buck says the band is currently focusing to create an album that will be "one of the world's greatest records".
The popular single "Imitation of Life" is certainly not the only good song on the album (radio stations suck), so if you are an R.E.M. fan, this album is definitely one to add to the collection. Did i mention it comes in Vinyl? Very, very nice. Complete track list is below:
1. The Lifting
2. I've Been High
3. All The Way To
Reno(You're Gonna Be A
Star)
4. She Just Wants To Be
5. Disappear
6. Saturn
Return
7. Beat A Drum
8. Imitation Of Life
9. Summer Turns To High
10. Chorus
And The Ring
11. I'll Be The Rain
12. Beachball
