I remember when r.e.m. played this song live. There was a brief story before the song started about a man who divided his house in two. He lived in one side until he needed a change and then moved the the other side... until he needed a change, etc., ad infinitum.
i pictured the guy looking something like their folk art friend Howard Finster. He could have looked like anyone I guess as it seems there's no shortage of eccentric southern gentlemen in the r.e.m. fold.
I love the song, the earnest vocal delivery, the hooky interplay between bill and mike and the driving guitar. a great album cut.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Driver 8
One of the best. This is a classic REM tune that embodies all the great marks of their eighties/IRS-era stuff. It became the minor key, driving guitar, southern-themed standard so many lesser REM tunes tried to copy (I'm looking at you, Texarkana).
This song is about trains. Now, I should just stop right here because that alone is cool. But there's more - this song is about the rusted romance of things like trains and towns and treehouses and love after they have lived out their usefulness.
Would that all REM cuts had the production that Driver 8 has. The distinct give and take between the electric and acoustic guitars is right on. The vocals are clear, but still retain the mysterious Stipe quality. And when the harmonica creeps into the bridge, it's as if the train is straining to come alive. Perfect.
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