ADULT
ALTERNATIVE REVIEW
by John Rose
R.E.M.
(click cd to purchase)
"Reveal" (Warner Bros).
RATING (1-5)
Weakest to
Strongest (+ Push,-Pull)
1. THE LIFTING(4-)
Psychedelic background effects. Nice beat accents Stipes vocals and are
as strong as ever. Nice opener. Possible single.
2. I'VE BEEN HIGH(3) Interesting drum programming.Techno-feel Ballad-like
melody.
3. ALL THE WAY TO RENO (YOU'RE GONNA BE A STAR) (3+) A great Old-West
intro. I love the originality of this song!
4. SHE JUST WANTS TO BE (4+) Hooray for the acoustic guitar work (Buck
sounds great!). I like the changeover into the chorus. May never be a
single but I liked it. Classical finish.
5. DISAPPEAR (3) Reminds me a lot of the "Automatic For The People"
collection. Has a folky bent.
6. SATURN RETURN(3) Dreamy piano. More techno-effect.
7. BEAT A DRUM (5) Here it is! A standout with a '70's feel. This one's
a keeper! I hope it gets radio play. 10.5 on the Goosebump Scale. This
would be my pick for the 2nd single.
8.
IMITATION OF LIFE (4-) "Radio Ready". The first single is reminiscent
of previous work. The song would fit in on any other L.P.in .R.E.M.'s
catalogue.
9.
SUMMER TURNS TO HIGH (3+) Reminds me of Beach Boys'"Pet Sounds".
Another '70's revisited . Break out the Beach Ball !!
10.CHOROS AND THE RING (4) Another original. Nice guitar work. Stipes'
pipes are the bomb
11. I'LL TAKE THE RAIN (3+) Beautiful strings accompanyment. More Acoustical
guitar interlude.
12. BEACH BALL (3) Maybe this should have been the name of The 9th track.
OVERALL
COMMENTS: I thought that nothing would top "UP's originality but
this piece did just that. This album will be a college radio favorite.
"Beat A Drum"is excellent. I like
the retro feel. Another gem for the 20+ year old band. OVERALL RATING:
4-
