R.E.M. Calling it Quits

[HolidayGuy]

Can't believe there's no thread on this- well, considering it's not about a female act, I can.

news.yahoo.com/end-world-r-e-m-calling-quits-192222646.html

The end of the world: R.E.M. calling it quits
By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY - AP Music Writer | AP

NEW YORK (AP) — R.I.P. to R.E.M.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group announced on its website Wednesday that it has "decided to call it a day as a band."

"A wise man once said — 'the skill in attending a party is knowing when it's time to leave.' We built something extraordinary together. We did this thing. And now we're going to walk away from it," frontman Michael Stipe said in a statement on the website.

"I hope our fans realize this wasn't an easy decision; but all things must end, and we wanted to do it right, to do it our way."

The group, composed of Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck and bassist Mike Mills, released its debut album "Murmur" in 1983; at the time it was a quartet, with drummer Bill Berry. He left the group in 1997, two years after he suffered symptoms of an aneurysm onstage.

The group got its start in Athens, Ga., coming out of a flourishing indie-rock scene in the region. It's credited for helping launch college radio with songs such as "Radio Free Europe." Later, the mainstream caught on, and they became chart-topping rockers, selling millions of albums with hits like "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)," ''Losing My Religion" and "Everybody Hurts."

Even though their hits dwindled over the years, the band continued to create music; the group's last album, "Collapse into Now," was released in March.

But Mills said the band was running out of ideas.

"During our last tour, and while making 'Collapse Into Now' and putting together this greatest hits retrospective, we started asking ourselves, 'What next?'" he said. "Working through our music and memories from over three decades was a hell of a journey. We realized that these songs seemed to draw a natural line under the last 31 years of our working together."

Warner Bros. Records chairman and producer Rob Cavallo said, "To call R.E.M. one of the greatest bands in contemporary music is an understatement. They leave behind a body of work whose breadth, honesty, creativity and power has not only inspired millions of fans around the world, but also has influenced — and will continue to influence — generations of songwriters and performers for years to come."

Warner Bros. Records is releasing the group's greatest hits retrospective in November.

[Nick]

I love their stuff. I just hope it's not due to illness.

The good thing is they are already in the RRHOF, they've had a great run. Lots of critically acclaimed albums.

[franklin]

Heard this on the radio today, really sad to hear it.
But... they'll probably have a reunion or something in a couple of years.

[HolidayGuy]

Indeed- R.E.M. was one of those first-year-eligible inductees into the Hall of Fame. One of the most acclaimed acts of all time.

Some great stuff from the band- "It's the End of the World as We Know It," "The One I Love," "Losing My Religion," "Everybody Hurts," etc.

[Enigma.]

I love them, one of my favourite bands of all time.

But I feel fine about this. They've released great music since this millennium too but undoubtedly their best stuff is from 80s and 90s: The One I Love, Losing My Religion, the divine At My Most Beautiful...

Hope Michael Stipe will release a solo album at some point.

[HolidayGuy]

All bands do come to their end at some point- well, maybe all except The Rolling Stones. :)

[Deleted]

R.E.M. Remembrances: 31 Chart Milestones of Their 31-Year Career

September 22, 2011
By Gary Trust, New York




Life's Rich Pagent Collapses Into Now: Top (From Left), REM's Bill Berry, Michael Stipe, Mike Mills and Peter Buck in 1984. Below in 2011 without Bill Berry who left the band in 1997 (Top: Photo by Paul Natkin/WireImage)



After more than three decades and 15 studio albums, alternative cornerstone R.E.M. announced its breakup yesterday (Sept. 21).

"A wise man once said, 'the skill in attending a party is knowing when it's time to leave'," the band's lead singer Michael Stipe wrote on the band's official website. "We built something extraordinary together. We did this thing. And now we're going to walk away from it.

"I hope our fans realize this wasn't an easy decision; but all things must end, and we wanted to do it right, to do it our way."

In celebration of the band's 31 years, here are 31 chart highlights that narrate the storyline of the group's many successes on Billboard surveys.

Let's R.E.M.-ember:


May 14, 1983
R.E.M. makes its first appearance on a Billboard chart, as debut set "Murmur" enters the Billboard 200. The set would peak at No. 36.

May 21, 1983
A week later, the Athens, Ga., band dents its first Billboard songs chart, as "Radio Free Europe" debuts on Mainstream Rock. It would rise to No. 25 on the chart.




July 23, 1983
R.E.M. makes its unassuming Billboard Hot 100 introduction, as "Europe" starts at No. 90. It would reach No. 78 in a five-week run.

May 5, 1984
Second set "Reckoning" arrives on the Billboard 200. The album would climb to No. 27.

May 26, 1984
"Reckoning" single, and an eventual alternative classic like "Europe," "so. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)," begins on Mainstream Rock, where it would reach No. 43. It would cross to a No. 85 peak on the Hot 100.

June 29, 1985
Another summer, another album that would help build R.E.M.'s loyal following: "Fables of the Reconstruction" enters the Billboard 200 on its way to a No. 28 peak.

July 6, 1985
"Fables" lead track "Can't Get There From Here" begins its ascent to a No. 14 peak on Mainstream Rock. Follow-up "Driver 8" would motor to No. 22.

Aug. 23, 1986
"Lifes Rich Pageant" bows on the Billboard 200. It would go on to reach No. 21, the band's highest peak on the tally to that point.

Aug. 30, 1986
R.E.M. scores its first top 10 on a Billboard chart, as "Fall on Me" rises 12-9 on Mainstream Rock. The jangly melodic rocker, which hinted at the band's pop radio potential, would bound to No. 5 on Mainstream Rock and manage a No. 94 Hot 100 peak. Fellow "Pageant" contender "Superman" would reach No. 17 on Mainstream Rock.

Sept. 26, 1987
R.E.M. begins its rise to its first Billboard 200 top 10, as "Document" debuts, eventually peaking at No. 10, its first top 10 album.

Dec. 5, 1987
A major milestone: Casey Kasem announces on "American Top 40" that "The One I Love" has become R.E.M.'s first Hot 100 top 10, jumping from No. 12 to its No. 9 peak. Long a staple of college rock radio, the band that week is sandwiched between pop/R&B divas Whitney Houston and Jody Watley.



Dec. 19, 1987
Today one of the band's most revered anthems, "It's The End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)," reaches No. 16 on Mainstream Rock.

Sept. 10, 1988
While the group doesn't rank on the maiden listing, Billboard launches the Alternative chart, fueled by the modern rock format's newfound proven viability - which R.E.M. helped solidify. Twenty-three years later, the band boasts 26 entries on the chart, including 15 top 10s and six No. 1s.

Nov. 26, 1988
Perhaps R.E.M.'s most landmark week to that point: "Green," its first album for Warner Bros. after recording for the independent I.R.S. label, enters the Billboard 200. Concurrently, the band celebrates its first No. 1s on Billboard song charts: "Orange Crush" reaches the top of Mainstream Rock and Alternative.

Jan. 28, 1989
"Stand" becomes the then-quartet's second Alternative No. 1. Two weeks later, it tops Mainstream Rock. In April, it would become R.E.M.'s then-highest-charting Hot 100 hit, reaching No. 6.

March 30, 1991
Building upon the success of "Document" and "Green," "Out of Time" bursts onto the Billboard 200 at No. 27. Seven weeks later, R.E.M. completes the journey from the college radio circuit to, for the first time, the Billboard 200 summit. The album would go on to sell 4.5 million copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan, and win the best alternative album Grammy Award.

April 6, 1991
"Time" lead single "Losing My Religion" roars onto the Hot 100, eventually reaching No. 4 - the band's best career performance on the chart. The song produces a best pop vocal/group Grammy Award and, spotlighting R.E.M.'s newfound reach, becomes its only Adult Contemporary chart hit, peaking at No. 28.


R.E.M. - Losing My Religion by Warner-Music

June 22, 1991
After "Religion" logged eight weeks atop Alternative, tying "Orange Crush" for the band's longest reign, "Texarkana" reaches No. 4. The song shows that even a track not sung by Michael Stipe - in this case, Mike Mills (its writer) - can become a fan favorite.

Sept. 28, 1991
"Shiny Happy People," featuring vocals from fellow Athens alternative singer Kate Pierson of the B-52's, bounces to No. 10 on the Hot 100.

Oct. 24. 1992
"Automatic for the People" blasts onto the Billboard 200 at No. 2. At 3.5 million sold to-date, it's R.E.M.'s second-best-selling set.

Nov. 14, 1992
Despite its dour vibe, a departure from the band's catalog of more generally upbeat fare, "Automatic" lead single "Drive" wraps a five-week command of Alternative.

Dec. 19, 1992
"Ignoreland" peaks at No. 5 on Alternative, followed by three more "Automatic" chart entries: "Man on the Moon" (No. 2), "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite" (No. 24) and "Everybody Hurts" (No. 21).

Nov. 6, 1993
"Hurts" peaks at No. 29 on the Hot 100. Now considered one of R.E.M.'s signature songs, the inspirational ballad was remade by the all-star Helping Haiti cast last year (coordinated by Simon Cowell). The charity single features vocal turns by, among others, Jon Bon Jovi, Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus, Kylie Minogue and Rod Stewart.


R.E.M. - Everybody Hurts by Warner-Music

Dec. 11, 1993
A match made in indie-rock heaven: "Photograph," featuring then-10,000 Maniacs frontwoman Natalie Merchant, peaks at No. 9 on Alternative. The track was released on the "Born to Choose" compilation.

Oct. 15, 1994
Sporting a crunchier electric-based sound, "Monster" becomes R.E.M.'s second album to crown the Billboard 200 - and the only one to begin at the summit. The set has sold 2.9 million copies to-date.

Oct. 22, 1994
The hits keep coming: "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" completes a five-week stay atop Alternative. Follow-up "Bang and Blame" would go on to lead the list for three weeks.

Sept. 28, 1996
"New Adventures in Hi-Fi" enters the Billboard 200 at No. 2. Brooding experimental lead single "E-Bow the Letter," featuring Patti Smith, would reach No. 2 on Alternative. The hookier "Bittersweet Me" would rise to No. 28 on Pop Songs; the cut, however, would mark R.E.M.'s last visit to the mainstream top 40 radio tally.

Nov. 14, 1998
"Up" opens at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. With R.E.M. having graduated to a home base at adult alternative radio, the swaying "Daysleeper" would go on to top the Triple A chart for two weeks.

Dec. 25, 1999
As the band feted Andy Kauffman in its hit "Man on the Moon," the movie of the same name about the late comedian is accompanied by a sequel song. "The Great Beyond" begins an eight-week rule on Triple A.


R.E.M. - The Great Beyond by Warner-Music

June 2, 2001
R.E.M. reaches the Billboard 200's top 10 in a third decade, as "Reveal" debuts at No. 6. "Around the Sun" would follow in 2004 (No. 13) and "Accelerate" would charge in at No. 2 in 2008. The lead single from the lattermost set, "Supernatural Superserious," would mark the group's return to the Alternative chart after a seven-year gap, advancing to No. 21.

March 26, 2011
R.E.M.'s final studio album, "Collapse Into Now," jumps aboard the Billboard 200 at No. 5. First track "Mine Smell Like Honey" would peak at No. 8 on Triple A and follow-up "Uberlin," No. 26. In a closing piece of chart symmetry, the band's final single spent its last week on the chart dated May 14, 2011 - 28 years to the day after R.E.M. made its first appearance on a Billboard chart.

[Deleted]

Sept 22, 2011 8:20:01 GMT -5 HolidayGuy said:

All bands do come to their end at some point- well, maybe all except The Rolling Stones. :)

Well they aren't that active anyway. Mick Jagger is doing the Superheavy project now, for example

[Enigma.]

A great article, thanks for posting, 2m.

I will miss R.E.M.

Regarding The Stones, they'll probably be around touring and releasing something until one of the key members - Jagger, Richards or Watts - passes away.

[Libra]

Sept 22, 2011 23:01:45 GMT -5 @2m said:

Dec. 5, 1987
A major milestone: Casey Kasem announces on "American Top 40" that "The One I Love" has become R.E.M.'s first Hot 100 top 10, jumping from No. 12 to its No. 9 peak. Long a staple of college rock radio, the band that week is sandwiched between pop/R&B divas Whitney Houston and Jody Watley.

What's funny about this is Casey wasn't even hosting that week. In fact, that was its sole week in the Top 10, and by the time they were back there again...Casey was out.

[Deleted]

It's a shame that they broke up but they had a great run. "Losing My Religion" and "What's The Frequency, Kenneth?" are classics.

[singingsparrow]

They were one of my five favorite bands growing up, and still are.

*

For those of you who kind of phased out on their music following their stateside commercial decline in the mid-nineties............please do yourself a favor and at least stream their post-Bill Berry albums.........especially "Up" and "Reveal". Those two albums are unquestionably different from anything they released with Berry.........and don't quite stand up to many of their earlier albums...............but just because that's true doesn't mean they're NOT worthwhile listens.

"Up", in fact, was one of the most influential albums in inspiring Radiohead's highly-regarded classic "Kid A". Multiple band members have acknowledged that in their own words. And it takes multiple listens to appreciate in earnestness, but it is quite an interesting listen. I think some of Stipe's most profoundly personal vocal performances can be found on that record, especially on "Why Not Smile", "Falls To Climb" and "At My Most Beautiful".

The songwriting isn't quite as consistent on "Reveal", but given Stipe's lyrics have almost always been oblique and abstract, in a way you'd hardly even notice when you get taken in by the beautiful production on quite a few tracks. It's not as radio-ready either, but much like "Up", it's intended as a listening experience more than a call for commercial arms. "Chorus And The Ring" and "Beachball" are two effective examples of this.

*

Of course, every album (minus "Around The Sun", that one was unlistenable in my opinion).............with or without Bill Berry...............is an enjoyable listen to me. I'd say their best album was "Automatic For The People" just because the songs from beginning to end are solid and also just sounds most complete and poignant............but "New Adventures In Hi-Fi", "Document" and "Reckoning" are all right on its heels for different reasons.

As far as individual songs, "New Test Leper" is what I consider to be the single best song they've ever written, with "Nightswimming", "Electrolite", "World Leader Pretend", "Country Feedback" and "Let Me In" also brilliant classics. You may notice I didn't include any pre-Warner Brothers songs among that handful, and I suppose I have to admit that, while I consider their earlier albums among their very best in that they really are more consistent and tight overall............that in terms of individual songs, most of them deliver but also can't help but sound like delicious blueprints, where you can imagine them being taken to the next level if re-recorded on subsequent releases that expanded their scope of production. So I admit I may have a bias there, but honestly I just feel their mid-career individual songs just stand out more.

*

Namaste,
lisping HIBISCUS

[Enigma.]

New Adventures in Hi-Fi is brilliant although it doesn't contain any "out of the gate" hit material.

From Around the Sun, I consider Leaving New York as a perfect single in that point of their career and it did well in the UK, reaching #4. The album, however, isn't very good.

[TGAC]

I don't think Around the Sun is a bad album per se, but it's definitely a bit dull. "Leaving New York" is fantastic, though.

As for their disbanding, I'm not sad or upset or even surprised. Although they had been in decline for the past decade, I don't feel the last few albums have tainted their legacy, so this was the right time to disband. They were an important band, and they said goodbye before they became a joke.

[singingsparrow]

Sept 25, 2011 8:41:18 GMT -5 TGAC said:

I don't think Around the Sun is a bad album per se, but it's definitely a bit dull. "Leaving New York" is fantastic, though.

As for their disbanding, I'm not sad or upset or even surprised. Although they had been in decline for the past decade, I don't feel the last few albums have tainted their legacy, so this was the right time to disband. They were an important band, and they said goodbye before they became a joke.

I truly didn't like "Around The Sun", and I insist my displeasure with the album didn't come out of conditioning that all the negative reviews it received upon its release produced.

It's just lethargic and largely unlistenable. There's no passion here musically...............they hardly sound like a band here. But even here, I believe there are a handful of songs that individually were well-written and, had they been offered a better production treatment, would have been undeniable stand-outs. "Electron Blue" is one of those tracks, as is "Make It All OK" and "Worst Joke Ever". And "The Final Straw" probably could have passed on as something from "Green" in another time in that it sounds similar to "World Leader Pretend" in certain ways.

Emotionally, the album just has little going for it in terms of accessibility. The one example being "Aftermath", which was still a little too lukewarm production-wise for my taste, but at least was accessible in terms of its message and bittersweet piano and sentimental synth-driven sound. The rest of the album was just flat to my ears, including the aforementioned lead single. And don't get me started on "The Outsiders".

But in truth, I consider that their only critically flawed album of their entire recording career. I think "Out Of Time" is hands down their most overrated album and I honestly rate it their second worst album (even though Peter Buck and many fans consider it their absolute best)............because even though it consists of some classic individual songs ("Losing My Religion", "Country Feedback", "Texarkana")...............it just sounds strikingly one-dimensional compared to both the albums preceding and succeeding it. Just because it was their best-selling album and also consisted of two of their four biggest singles doesn't make it a great album. Almost all of their releases were substantially superior to that one in my opinion................but that's just me obviously.

Even "Monster", which yielded a much more mixed reception at the time of its release, just sounds more interesting and intoxicating even if many of its songs aren't exactly memorable. Regardless if you think the idea of R.E.M. and shoegazer rock is intriguing or disastrous in theory, it's that kind of album you keep turning back to to re-analyze, much like U2's "Pop". And there's more tracks from that album that still stick out to me ("What's The Frequency, Kenneth?", "Crush With Eyeliner", "Let Me In", "Tongue", "Bang and Blame") than there are on "Out Of Time". It isn't like "Monster" underperformed commercially, either, as it matched "Out Of Time" in RIAA platinum certifications in spite of its weaker airplay on mainstream radio.

Namaste,
lisping HIBISCUS