While Garrett is going track by track through Pageant, I thought I'd throw in some more general commentary on R.E.M.'s greatest album. Life's Rich Pageant is pure. As far as their approach to the recording of the album it lands perfectly between the cleverly mixed Murmur and the understated simplicity of Reckoning. Pageant is a rock record that is beautifully stylized while remaining messy in all the right ways. Stipe's vocals are buried in just the right way. This was before he got cheeky, throwing around punch lines like "...and I feel fine". It was just before he realized that he could use his voice as a means to an end. Up through Pageant, the lyrics didn't matter in and of themselves. The words were to be deciphered and toyed with and to be no more meaningful than a guitar riff. This was the beauty of R.E.M. The mystery made the songs new with each listen.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Playlist Interruption
While Garrett is going track by track through Pageant, I thought I'd throw in some more general commentary on R.E.M.'s greatest album. Life's Rich Pageant is pure. As far as their approach to the recording of the album it lands perfectly between the cleverly mixed Murmur and the understated simplicity of Reckoning. Pageant is a rock record that is beautifully stylized while remaining messy in all the right ways. Stipe's vocals are buried in just the right way. This was before he got cheeky, throwing around punch lines like "...and I feel fine". It was just before he realized that he could use his voice as a means to an end. Up through Pageant, the lyrics didn't matter in and of themselves. The words were to be deciphered and toyed with and to be no more meaningful than a guitar riff. This was the beauty of R.E.M. The mystery made the songs new with each listen.
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2 comments:
Two tracks into it, I'm second guessing (see what i did there?) my approach of going track-by-track. I mean, really, what am I gonna say about "Underneath the Bunker"?
I agree with your assessment, Pageant is probably the best album. I used to think it was just my favorite (subjectively) album, but I realize it may actually be (objectively) the best.
haha. actually I'm looking forward to your "bunker" review.
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