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Soundcheck

R.E.M.'s Shiny, Happy New Album

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

Soundcheck Smackdown: Music critic and author Michael Azerrad claims R.E.M.'s fourteenth album, "Accelerate," is their hardest-rocking ever. Chicago Sun-Times music critic Jim DeRogatis is not convinced. In the first of a new weekly series of musical debates we have both on to discuss the return of one of the most dynamic bands in rock history. And we talk to R.E.M.’s guitarist Peter Buck.

Tell us: What do you think of the new R.E.M. album? Are you ready for a "comeback?"

Jim DeRogatis on "Accelerate"
Michael Azerrad's Spin article on R.E.M.


Comments

  • [1] bilkl from wbrg April 01, 2008 - 02:07PM

    John is the show called "SNARK CHECK " now?

    Come on man.. it's about making art -- making anything --

    we don't have to love everything every artist makes and we can be critical with out these ironic snarky mean spirited trustfunded hipster intelligencia yuppies criticism.

    xox
  • [2] Brad from Bronx April 01, 2008 - 02:22PM

    I hope this is an April Fools joke.


  • [3] Zak Rouse from Brooklyn, NY April 01, 2008 - 02:23PM

    DeRogatis, no wonder you write for the Sun Times and not the Tribune. You're minor leagues, man. New Adventures in Hi-Fi is one of the best albums of the 90s and THAT came after Automatic for the People.
  • [4] Brad from Bronx April 01, 2008 - 02:23PM

    April Fools?
  • [5] Chris April 01, 2008 - 02:27PM

    Both of these guys are right. REM is a corporat band with nothing new to say. These songs sound like the same old stuff, But that doesn't mean it isn't good stuff.


  • [6] John from Inwood April 01, 2008 - 02:27PM

    How about a future segment about the relevance of rock critics?

    P.S.: Long live R.E.M.!
  • [7] Zak Rouse from Brooklyn, NY April 01, 2008 - 02:33PM

    Bad Zooropa comparison. U2 has stunk since Joshua Tree.
  • [8] Sal DAddezio from Long Island April 01, 2008 - 02:33PM

    I just bought the album (dating myself there) and in my humble opinion this is REM back to their roots! I have been an REM fan for a LOOOOOng time...... And it is about time Pete put the the mandolin away and got his Ric cranked up!!!

    My wife and I are looking forward to the concert at Jones beach this summer!!!!

    I'm getting tickets tomorrow!!!!
  • [9] David from Brooklyn April 01, 2008 - 02:36PM

    Does anyone else hear "Working Class Hero" throughout much of this album?
  • [10] Chris O from New York April 01, 2008 - 02:41PM

    I loved REM and continue to love Malkmus. The new album is good, I am still learing and listening. But 2003's Pig Lib is brilliant.
  • [11] Ted Shred from Atlanta April 01, 2008 - 03:04PM

    look - as an Atlantan / long time friend of the Athens sound, for many years REM was my FAVORITE band, Period. However, I have been unable bring myself to buy any of their past decade of (relatively) uninspired stuff. I do miss Mr Berry; though each of REM are geniuses, I think the splintering and let's face it - aging had taken the life out of the material. This new album really sounds like the one that will renew the thrill. I sampled a few cuts on iTunes last night and can't wait to go get it ASAP... now if only I can find a CD store...
  • [12] Alexander from Savannah, GA April 08, 2008 - 04:00PM

    R.E.M. have never done anything except what they wanted to do.


  • [13] spine from Boston April 10, 2008 - 01:56AM

    A great idea for a segment, but why, oh why, have DeRogatis? He's completely inaccurate (exactly, "no one ever said the last few albums rocked") and he bases his preferences on what the critics say and that people are only fooled by what critics say? Or because Stipe likes espresso? Give me a break! Why can't he listen to the albums? Because he has no taste?

    "An empty simulacrum" pretending to reach back to a sound from Reckoning? Has he listened to the record? Why invite this guy's opinion on anything?

This thread is closed.


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