R.E.M: "Boy In The Well"

[Deleted]

This is the second single.

[allow that]

(Still hoping the first will catch on even slightly)

[mst3k]

Hehe... the title reminds me of that one episode of "The Simpsons"...

"We're sending our love down the well..."

[singingsparrow]

Bad choice.

"Aftermath" would be the best radio-friendly choice.

This album, however, is pretty lifeless and I believe their worst album ever.

Sincerely,
Noah Eaton

[Nick]

I agree. "Aftermath" would be a much better choice.
"Boy in the well" is even slower and less commercial than "Leaving New York".

I think this REM album will debut in the Top 10, then fall off very quickly.

[Miguelín]

"Aftermath" is by far the most radio-friendly single of the album, and a great track. I hope it will be released as the third single, but I have listened that "Wanderlust" will be the third single :(, which is still better and more radio-friendly than "Boy in the well".

[Nick]

The album is very downbeat, not radio friendly at all. REM are not a pop group really. The album still has to grow on me.

"Boy in the well" is alright in my opinion, just not what I would see being a track sent for radio airplay consideration.

[singingsparrow]

Nick said:

The album is very downbeat, not radio friendly at all. REM are not a pop group really. The album still has to grow on me.

"Boy in the well" is alright in my opinion, just not what I would see being a track sent for radio airplay consideration.

I agree.

I think this is their worst album ever for these following reasons:

1) Once their Greatest Hits package came out and "Bad Day" generated a bit of excitement as did their first major tour in four years, it seemed R.E.M could very well begin to capitalize a major comeback.

But I've heard even disappointment among R.E.M fans about "Around The Sun" and increasing doubts they may further themselves from the spotlight, unlike U2, as a veteran band.

2) With the exception of a few songs, including the state-of-the-union address "I Wanted To Be Wrong" and the experimental off-key Stipe vocals on "The Ascent Of Man", it sounds like the youth has been sucked out of R.E.M's music and from Stipe's lyrical heart.

Also, note for the first time ever, the title of the record is ALSO the title of a song on the record. Now this shouldn't really be a big deal, but it also seems to suggest Stipe is running low on ideas, despite still being one of the best songwriters around.

Stipe uses more platitudes and cliches than ever before. The "I love you" repetition in "Leaving New York" shows Stipe may be running dry on lyrical integrity and consistency, as does "There's love at the end of the line" in "High Speed Train" etc.

3) Finally, the album clearly lacks melody.

Despite R.E.M still going 24 years without producing a terrible album, this is the closest to mediocre.

There's no hooks on any tracks, and barely any upbeat moments. In that respect, this album will clearly be forgettable no matter how many Triple A #1 singles R.E.M gets here.

Sincerely,
Noah Eaton

[Slinky]

Jersey said:

(Still hoping the first will catch on even slightly)