Underrated Classic: R.E.M.'s New Adventures in Hi-Fi

Mike Mills is kicking ass in fantasy sports:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/21/s...ar-of-fantasy-sports.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

 

I saw Buck play with Robyn Hitchcock the other night. He opened the show with a solo set. He was milling about the bar when the venue was filling up, but I couldn't think of anything conversation-worthy to ask him.

Michael I believe is producing films nowadays. He had a fundraiser for one of them last year, IIRC.

I read yesterday that Mike Mills, who's enjoying his 6 fantasy baseball teams, is still with the Baseball Project. EDIT: Driver 8's got it covered

 

Nothing at all? Not even a "How's life after R.E.M?" Or "Did you know how bad fans hated the siren in "Leave"?

 

If anything I would've complimented him for that, but probably as part of long and boring list of compliments about particular R.E.M. songs. He was talking with some pals and I didn't want to bother him. I'm too shy to begin with.

 

I follow MS's blog, Confessions_of_a_Michael_Stipe, on Tumblr, which is mostly devoted to visual arts and photography. My impression is that he travels a lot and is having a great time. It appeared that he went to the recent Kraftwerk extravaganza at MOMA and he posted some cool shots of the event. It's a pretty cool blog — seems to be an extension of the sensibility you saw in all the R.E.M. album design.

 

Michael Stipe also sang Good King Wenceslaus (which R.E.M. has also recorded) with Stephen Colbert and Mandy Patinkin on The Colbert Report:

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-co...tipe---mandy-patinkin----good-king-wenceslas-

It can be purchased on iTunes, I think.

 

I bought this one on vinyl and since it was recorded all-analog it sounds tits! Good record, but no REM classic.

 

Dang. I would have been the biggest freak in that situation. I have a 1996 Rickenbacker 360 in Jet Glo Black just because it was the guitar Buck played. And I cover sports for a living and I have never really cared about getting people's autographs after watching people try and kill each other for autographs from players. But I would have turned into a freakshow in that situation.

 

My understanding was that it was a vinyl-only release. Is there a cd now?

 

Could be, but I don't know. I saw the vinyl in 'new arrivals' and snagged it, have not seen one since. I never looks for the cd.

 

Not by me. That would be Green.

 

well many of us on the thread will be discussing that album in a couple of weeks when the deluxe version lands!

I listened to "Leave" again and the siren didn't bother me as much - maybe you have to be desensitized or something.

 

Gave the double LP a spin this morning. Yup, still think it's really good ... but my LP sure doesn't sound very good. Really muddy/fuzzy bass on this copy.

I always liked that siren effect, though I can see why it would be annoying. heh.

 

I was listening to the Bittersweet Me cd maxi-single (WB 9 43790-2), for the first time in a lot of years, and noticed on the cover, a credit "from the film STANCO e NUDO". I don't remember that film at all. Anybody see it?

Other tracks include:

Undertow (live in Atlanta Nov. 18, 1995). Were you in the audience for that one, Driver 8?
Wichita Lineman (live in Houston Sept. 15, 1995)
New Test Leper (live acoustic Seattle studio April 19, 1996)

These are all solid, worthwhile versions. "Undertow" sounds distinctly U2-ish....possibly because I was listening to Achtung Baby earlier today. Shades of "Tryin' To Throw Your Arms Around The World", maybe...

One question I do have..."Bittersweet Me" is said to be the album version here (Memphis soundcheck Nov. 7, 1995), the only additional musician credited is Scott McCaughey - additional piano, but there is both an electric and acoustic guitar playing at the same time--who else was playing with them? Is this really live or a semi-studio/overdubbed soundcheck basic track?

 

My favorite REM album

 

The music video for "Bittersweet Me" is an homage to 70s Italian (porn?) cinema, and intermingles clips of the band playing the song with scenes from an imaginary movie titled "Stanco e Nudo" (i.e. "Tired and Naked"):

 

Love this album. My wife requested some R.E.M last week so I played New Adventures and Automatic back to back. Just fantastic.

 

Thanks Driver8, had never seen that video before.

 

One of their best videos, in my opinion. One more reason I think that "Bittersweet Me" should have been the lead single from this album.

 

Let's face it, they were so in love with getting Patty Smith involved on vocals and Buck's use of the EBow pick that was all it was ever going to be.

 

I had never thought of it that way, but you may well be right.

 

I can't help but wonder if my initial impression of this album was tainted by hearing it on the CD. I guess that the vinyl and DVD-A are likely much less compressed. I first heard Monster on vinyl and experienced disappointment with the CD.

 

Since I got the DVD-A versions of the Warners albums, I never listen to the CDs anymore.

 

It may be underrated. It probably isn't a classic. But this album holds a special place for me because its the last with Bill Berry ... and, not coincidentally, the last REM lp I purchased.

 

It didn't make me stop buying, but I was very disappointed. Thank goodness the last two albums were very good.