“This is generally regarded to be REM’s worst album (or least best, if you’re feeling generous) and it’s easy to hear why. That said, REM’s least best is usually better than most of the ‘next big thing’ indie pop albums that may be storming the charts, so these things are always relative. Relatively speaking, this album is a cousin’s marriage between Reveal and Up. . The main problem with it, is that it’s too polished and over-produced, give me the rawness of Monster (their other oft-reviled album, though I can’t understand why). It sounds bland, not just the songs and musical arrangements, but the overall sound is bland, and that’s bad, particularly for a band at this point in their career. I’m sure there are some great songs and a good album buried underneath the blandness which could re-emerge into the daylight with its integrity intact – it’s REM’s equivalent of David Bowie’s Never let Me Down...” . FOR FULL REVIEW & PLAYLIST CLICK LINK IN PROFILE: https://randomrecordreview.wordpress.com/2019/03/05/1095-r-e-m-around-the-sun/ . #rem @rem #aroundthesun #leavingnewyork #electronblue #indiemusic #americanrockband #cdreview #nottheirbestalbum #nowplaying #nowlistening #randomrecordreview https://www.instagram.com/p/Bunp91VA0LU/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=181evn2rp39v2
