…from 1989, and then the more well known 1992 version…
Posts Tagged ‘Jangle Pop’
R.E.M. – "So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)" (1984)
2011/02/08
I heard an excerpt of this on TV, the weather channel in fact, and I needed to hear it all. To me listening to R.E.M. is like going home.
Song Recommendations
If you like this song, I also suggest:
I also suggest the music genre:
Click here for more info on R.E.M. – Reckoning – "So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)".
The MP3 may be purchased here… R.E.M. - Reckoning
10,000 Maniacs – "These Are Days" (1992)
2009/06/06Music Video: http://mediaservices.myspace.com/services/media/embed.aspx/m=12969810
This song is great. A celebration of the present. "Our Time In Eden" is a great album too. It is really the apex of Natalie Merchant and 10,000 Maniacs, together or separate. I recall it being a bit of a scandal when she left the band, especially just as they "made it" and were on MTV Unplugged and all. The songs I've heard by either after the break up do not measure up, though I cannot say I've heard the latest albums at all.
Song Recommendations
If you like this song, I also suggest:
I also suggest the music genre:
Click here for more info on 10,000 Maniacs – Our Time In Eden – "These Are Days".
The CD may be purchased here… 10,000 Maniacs - Our Time In Eden
R.E.M. – "Daysleeper" (1997)
2009/05/17Music Video: http://www.mtvu.com/video/?title=R.E.M._-_Daysleeper&vid=9793
G has a really bad cough at night. Only at night though. Basically it has meant no sleeping for either one of us. I feel like Michael Stipe looks in this music video. I am all zombified today.
Click here for more info on R.E.M. – Up – "Daysleeper".
The MP3 may be purchased here… R.E.M. - Up
Album of the Week: R.E.M. – "Out of Time" (1991)
2009/05/17Track 2: Losing My Religion:
I am biased. This was the first album I bought. I clearly remember riding in my brother's car as we were driving through the mountains, this album playing on tape, when it hit me: I loved music and I needed this album as soon as I could get my hands on it. It was not long before I had acquired all the albums R.E.M. had produced and to this day I think of R.E.M. as "my favorite band", though I must admit I am partial to the pre-"Up" albums.
Lots of people do not like R.E.M. and it usually falls one of two ways:
1. "all their music sounds the same" – They definitely have a sound that is common to multiple songs, particularly on their albums before "Out of Time". Also Michael Stipe's voice is not hard to pick out. I suppose to the casual listener, yes, it all sounds "the same" but the same could be true of most musicians then from my point of view. If you like that sound, as I do, then I fail to see how this is an issue. If you do not like the sound, I can't help you there. Listen to something completely different I guess, like this, that, or maybe even this
2. "shiny happy people, everybody hurts, and emotional themes" – I use to work with this big tough guy who was indeed a big and tough guy, and we would discuss music on occasion. He basically could not get over the overt happiness or sadness expressed in these songs without the cover of a heavier rock or country sound to make it sound more masculine and tough. For these men in R.E.M. to write these revealing and compromising emotional songs is part of what is endearing to me though. I feel I have always been able to relate to the awkwardness and uncertainty in life they portray. I suppose they are not a band for those who cannot handle it, relate to it, or would rather hide a facade.
I suppose there is probably a 3rd complaint regarding the ambiguous sexuality of some lyrics, and of Michael Stipe himself over the years. (May I suggest some reading so you can understand your problem: http://www.bidstrup.com/phobia.htm
Moving on…
In my book they're one of the best bands out there and my eyes teared up when I saw R.E.M. up on the big screen in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Here are my 5 favorites from the album, with "Losing My Religion" being my favorite.
Track 2: Losing My Religion
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB3VTX0pxoE
Track 4: Near Wild Heaven
http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/near+wild+heaven/video/xrkwy_rem-near-wild-heaven_music
Track 6: Shiny Happy People
http://www.dailymotion.com/relevance/search/shiny+happy+people/video/xkkud_rem-shiny-happy-people_music
Track 8: Half A World Away
http://www.myvideo.de/watch/6400630/R_E_M_Half_a_World_Away
Track 9: Texarkana
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP–MxYzTuo
PS: Check out "Texarkana". Everyone has heard "Losing My Religion" and "Shiny Happy People", but "Texarkana" is so cool and yet unknown.
Click here for other album suggestions!
Click here for more info on R.E.M. – "Out of Time".
The CD may be purchased here… R.E.M. - Out of Time
Album of the Week: Belle & Sebastian – "If You're Feeling Sinister" (1996)
2009/05/03Track 6: Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying:
When I first heard Belle & Sebastian via this album it spoke to my uncertainties about who I am, what I believed, and whether I'd be able to accept it all or not. There is a delicate nature to the album that I connect with. Being "sensitive" and "male" is not "cool" so when I heard this album I loved it, embraced it, and waved it like a flag.
This album is clearly not for everyone. I would imagine most people would not understand "Belle & Sebastian", but I implore you give them a chance. I would not want anyone to miss out on this album or their other excellent works.
Here are my 5 favorites from the album, with "Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying" being my favorite.
Track 1: The Stars Of Track And Field
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XgohBw0hL-k
Track 2: Seeing Other People
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPEy3K-5R_Q
Track 6: Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yS_DcqPkEYM
Track 8: Mayfly
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HudzT7dS10
Track 10: Judy And The Dream Of Horses
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BEUCisD-Q8M
It was tough to pick the 5 because the whole album is so ingrained in my mind and picking a favorite was even tougher.
Click here for other album suggestions!
Click here for more info on Belle & Sebastian – "If You're Feeling Sinister".
The CD of the album may be purchased here… Belle and Sebastian - If You're Feeling Sinister
