As their album Fables of the Reconstruction turns 40, we assess REM’s hugely varied discography, from mysterious masterpieces to commercial failures
The REM album that REM appeared to hate: guitarist Peter Buck called it unlistenable, “a bunch of people so bored with the material that they can’t stand it any more”. In truth, the songs aren’t bad, but there’s something lifeless about Around the Sun: its best tracks sound infinitely better on the 2007 REM Live album.
“I guess a three-legged dog is still a dog,” mused frontman Michael Stipe after drummer Bill Berry’s 1997 departure from REM. “It just has to learn to run differently.” Thus Up was heavy on synths and drum machines, muted, crepuscular – and a relative commercial failure. It’s too long and understated to a fault, but the best songs – Suspicion, Hope, Airportman – are worth trawling for.
They had nearly split during the making of Up, and were now steadying the ship. Closer to the sound of “classic” REM (though there’s still a lot of electronics), Reveal is sunny but wistful. It may not be quite a return to peak songwriting form, but the single Imitation of Life is insanely catchy.
REM ended their career with an album that feels weirdly career-spanning. Oh My Heart – recently given a boost thanks to TV series The Bear – recalls their early 90s; Überlin and Discoverer evoke their college-rock years. It wasn’t the triumphant finale they might have hoped for – sales were indifferent – but no disaster either.
