I have had the opportunity to read your comments regarding this site. And by your definition I am probably going to be disrespecting the band some more and most likely at some point you might question whether I am a real fan in the first place.
I really do not give a crap what you call me other than the fact that your response is a failure on my part. My failure is not on the aspect that you do not agree with me but the mere fact that you are not thinking about what I am writing about and responding back.
If there is something that I like and someone writes a criticism about it, it's much easier to criticize the author than actually try to figure out why you like it in the first place. I am just a lost R.E.M. fan in a forest of big trees hoping to hear the siren calls of Mr. Stipe to lead me out of danger.
But you will not see any circle jerks appearing here. I am not a secret wing of the Warner Bros. machine, just a jackass that wished he had a snuggie typing on his computer screen.
Thank you.
Comments
the new record
Wow this is a really negative place, and why is everyone trying so hard to sound wordy and clever ? its a bit cringeable really. Just to say, I've heard the whole record , and it appears most of you havent , and I dont work for warners either.
For what its worth I think its a really great record , the sound /production is excellent, as are the band performances , the melodies and the songwriting . There lots of variety , interesting themes and lyrics , and a nice blend of new , balanced with the sounds that define them as a band.Its a healthy 40 mins long and the sequencing is excellent, right through to the discoverer reprise on the last song Blue. It was the most enjoyable listening experience to a record i've had in years.
I just think the most negative amongst you need to hear the whole record before writing them off, and I would have thought their 30 year career had at least earned them the right to be listened to before you make such sweeping and premature judgements. The two songs released so far are not even singles and so you certainly haven't heard them in their context as album tracks.Theres nothing wrong with constructive criticsm but nasty ,ill informed bullshit is horrible, and pseudo intellectualism is just so crass.
re: The New Record
I just think the most negative amongst you need to hear the whole record before writing them off, and I would have thought their 30 year career had at least earned them the right to be listened to before you make such sweeping and premature judgements. The two songs released so far are not even singles and so you certainly haven't heard them in their context as album tracks.Theres nothing wrong with constructive criticsm but nasty ,ill informed bullshit is horrible, and pseudo intellectualism is just so crass.
I am listening to 2 songs with the band and record companies express purpose of trying to get me excited about the music. They didn't. (Or should I say that one was pretty awful and the second was somewhat ok but I am surely not urinating all over myself over it).
As far as 'Sweeping and Premature Judgements' are concerned, based on your definition, anything positive or negative spoken by anyone regarding these three songs is premature unless you are one of the very few that has actually heard the album. Maybe the internets should have a rule that we should not discuss anything that has been released early without the full context of the album first. Maybe we should shut down Murmurs for the next three months, stop all the discussion good and bad because obviously there are going to be those making wild generalizations on what is contained on the new album.
If there are better tracks maybe they should have released those. But if I am a business owner and I am trying to sell my product I would sure as hell try to make a good first impression.
Singles? This is the 21st century.
In defense of Mr. Zimmermann
First off, I reject the notion that the two tracks we've heard are not "singles." Both have been released, pre record, by the band, either as a free download on their official site, or as a free download with a pre-order on iTunes. They've also done lyrics videos for both. What more would they have to do to be singles? Does anyone actually listen to the radio anymore? Because when I downloaded It Happened Today on iTunes, I had to manually change the album artwork to Collapse Into Now -- because it was listed as the It Happened Today single.
Second, if you can at least accept the fact that Eric doesn't like the two new songs, I'm sorry, but they ain't gonna get any better within the context of the record. Unless the context of the record is 10 great songs and 2 pieces of shit, I don't see how suddenly they will turn into gems if you don't already think they are gems.
- Matt Marrone
recordsibuy.com
well all im saying is instead
well all im saying is instead of just focusing on the negative aspects of REM, why not talk about some of the positives?? there's still alot...
thomas
If there is something positive to talk about . .
So basically what you are saying is that you agree with everything that I said, just mad that I wrote about it.
When R.E.M. pays me a salary I will suck their cocks like a pro, but until then I just say it how it is.
Racing Like a Pro...
Eric, I like your site but your last response to Thomas makes you sound like you are desperate for a job at Warners and, er, eager to sell your professional services to the band.
I think I know where you are coming from though, since an attitude such as the one you denounce is frankly unbearable.
~J.N.
re: Racing Like a Pro...
No, what I am saying is that you should not talk shit about your employers. That is just common sense and has nothing to do about being desperate for a job and or selling my services.
re: re: Racing Like a Pro...
Not talking shit about your employers may be common sense (or survival instinct) but sucking their cocks is completely unnecessary.
-J.N.
re: re: Racing Like a Pro...
re: re: Racing Like a Pro...
Not talking shit about your employers may be common sense (or survival instinct) but sucking their cocks is completely unnecessary.
Well I guess if I was sitting here on a blog devoted to R.E.M. and employed with them at the same time, it would be the only thing I could do. What's your point?
1) The lack of political correctness bothers you? Sorry I am not going to change for you. This is why I have a blog in the first place so I do not have a bunch of Administrators talking about ways to ban me.
2) This sites primary function has never been to promote the band. There are plenty of other news sites to hear about the news.
3) I would imagine there are plenty of other sites that look at R.E.M. via rose-colored glasses.
Hello
Just want to say I really enjoy reading your site. Usually well written and while I don't always agree, the points raised are valid and interesting to read. Up is possibly my favourite album of all time and since then REM has been on a steep slide unfortunately. Here's hoping the new record is a goodun. I enjoyed the new trailer, so fingers crossed.