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All rights reserved.New Adventures in Hi-Fi - R.E.M. (CD 1996)
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Sadly dissappointing
I loved REM; i remember seeing them in the early 80's at Cat's Cradle in Chapel Hill, and they were one of the bands that led me to a life-long love affair with music. but their output in the 90's was a dramatic decline from their work of the 80's, and this CD is a prime example. almost seems like the guys got together and said "we haven't put anything out recently; we need to get a CD out before we fall into complete irrelevance." unfortunately, this CD will not save them from that. One of the weakest projects by REM; a lot of lyrical wandering without a point. i only rate it average, because "weak" REM is better than "best of" most pop-rock pablum.
Review ID: 10000000006116766
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The Wake-Up BombOne of REM's more creative albums, New Adventures really is a step in another direction. I guess some fans don't like to be surprised each time a new CD comes out and wish for more of the same old stuff. I think those were the fans that really hated this album. As for me, I consider it one of the 5 best REM albums. The only song I don't care for is New Test Leper which has fantastic lyrics but really sounds like one of those bad Christian bands you would hear at camp. I think that's what they were shooting for though. 4 Stars.
Review ID: 10000000004244106
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The Best from REM--Really!Review created: 09/12/06
by:
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.
Maybe it's because I identify with so many of the haunting tunes on this brilliant CD, or maybe it's because this was such a new turn before Bill Berry left the band, but I think that this is by far REM's best. Other fans, like my husband, disagree and prefer older CDs like MURMUR and FABLES.
There is something refreshingly different about this arrangement--and like U2's The Joshua Tree, the American imagery the songs paint for the listener is truly breathtaking. From mention of deserts, freeways, Mulholland Drive, dusty cities and the American West, REM hooks the listener immediately and provides great visual images as the songs go on. There's a lot of pure emotion and raw energy here--"Undertow" is a great tune about not getting exactly what one bargains for, "E-bow the Letter" is a song that makes the listener reminisce about old times, and "Low Desert" paints great visual images of cities around the US while creating haunting feelings of familiarity and regret.
This album just goes on to prove the brilliance of REM. And while I do like UP (which came after Berry's departure), I'm not convinced that things have been quite the same since he left. This album, though, will seem to familiar for fans who've followed REM on their musical journey through the years. It's an unforgettable listening experience. Don't miss it.
There is something refreshingly different about this arrangement--and like U2's The Joshua Tree, the American imagery the songs paint for the listener is truly breathtaking. From mention of deserts, freeways, Mulholland Drive, dusty cities and the American West, REM hooks the listener immediately and provides great visual images as the songs go on. There's a lot of pure emotion and raw energy here--"Undertow" is a great tune about not getting exactly what one bargains for, "E-bow the Letter" is a song that makes the listener reminisce about old times, and "Low Desert" paints great visual images of cities around the US while creating haunting feelings of familiarity and regret.
This album just goes on to prove the brilliance of REM. And while I do like UP (which came after Berry's departure), I'm not convinced that things have been quite the same since he left. This album, though, will seem to familiar for fans who've followed REM on their musical journey through the years. It's an unforgettable listening experience. Don't miss it.
Review ID: 10000000001826132
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Back to what they do bestREM doesn't bore their fans by putting out repetitive material, but the fact that they're all over the place ticks off a lot of their fans, including me. I like variety & different genres by the same artist, but to have an outstanding progressive rock group doing downright bubblegum, which they have done on albums from Up to Around the Sun, is just too much. Most of the songs on this CD are musically challenging and, unlike their early efforts, the lyrics are understandable. Most of them even make some kind of sense if you listen carefully, internalize them, and find your own meaning. That approach to songwriting and performing is what they do best. I listened to Around the Sun one time, and I was tired of it. This one will be played over & over - with something new hitting me every time.
Review ID: 10000000001478497
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R.E.M. Sends Another Wake-Up BombReview created: 10/28/02
by: PacManY2J-- a member of Epinions and Top Reviewer in Music
Pros:
The power of <i>Monster</i> with the usual beauty of R.E.M.
The power of <i>Monster</i> with the usual beauty of R.E.M.
Cons:
Some forgettable tracks
Some forgettable tracks
In 1994 R.E.M. made a bold decision to change their style in an effort to keep pace with the popular "alternative" acts of the day. The album, aptly named Monster, saw the band produce heavy numbers such as Bang and Blame and Star 69, songs that rocked harder than just about anything previously in their catalog. Monster was met with criticism, but it also had enough acclaim to help them remain one of rock's major players. By 1996, the band was almost ready to return to their usual style, but the alternative experiment was not over yet. New Adventures in Hi-Fi gave the rock world a healthy and.
Review ID: 10000000000247334
Practice My T-Rex Moves And Make the Scene...Review created: 02/16/04
by: MattA75 -- a member of Epinions
Pros:
solid rockers, good ballads, some experimentation
solid rockers, good ballads, some experimentation
Cons:
a couple of duds, not a cohesive album
a couple of duds, not a cohesive album
There is perhaps no band with a collection of material out there like R.E.M. that I personally am so hit or miss with. I've listened to all of their albums at various points in my life, although I have to admit my reaction to some of the earlier albums at 14 years of age would be decidedly different than it would be at 24. That being said, at one point back in 1995/1996 I even considered them one of my favorite bands, with no small reason for that being the three album stretch that began with 1992's Automatic for the People, continued with 1994's Monster, and concluding with this album, 1996..
Review ID: 10000000000247325
The story of my life in trying timesReview created: 04/11/08
by: pretzel_logic -- a member of Epinions
Pros:
Some excellent tracks, intriguing lyrical content and musical experimentation
Some excellent tracks, intriguing lyrical content and musical experimentation
Cons:
The rockers are terrible, many tracks are overlong, general lack of cohesion
The rockers are terrible, many tracks are overlong, general lack of cohesion
REM is... Michael Stipe - Vocals Peter Buck - Guitar Mike Mills - Bass Bill Berry - Drums THE OPEN ROAD. It's a place that some find utterly attractive, while others are repelled by it. The idea of experimenting with new ideas, finding new places to go and see...There's an element of foolishness to it all; you could easily remain where you are and not lose a beat, or gamble your time and money for a chance at a thrill. Musicians spend their lives living like this, and New Adventures In Hi-Fi was recorded out on the road while on tour from 1995-1996. The cover says it all, really. Meeting up...
Review ID: 10000000006854671
Wake up to the sound of REMReview created: 12/04/04
by: barongreenback -- a member of Epinions
Pros:
Experimental styles, unique arrangements, incomparable.
Experimental styles, unique arrangements, incomparable.
Cons:
Not an album for REM traditionalists.
Not an album for REM traditionalists.
R.E.M. are a band I have grown up with. From first hearing "Shiny, Happy People" on the radio at the tender age of twelve in 1991 (Where does the time go people?) I have been hooked by their distinct sound and unique music. However, it was the release of New Adventures in Hi-Fi that propelled them through my CD collection to become my favourite band and there they have remained ever since. Released in 1996 New Adventures in Hi-Fi is for me R.E.M's finest hour. It is not in any way a commercial album and as such does not contain instantly catchy songs like in previous albums. You will find no .
Review ID: 10000000000247333
"Binky The Doormat Presents... R.E.M. On The Road"Review created: 12/08/01
by: thevoid99 -- a member of Epinions
Pros:
A Brilliant Effort from R.E.M.
A Brilliant Effort from R.E.M.
Cons:
Inconsistent and uneven due to its variety of styles.
Inconsistent and uneven due to its variety of styles.
(Note: Originally done at Epinions.com on 8/21/00 but now updated and expanded.) Since 1992 s masterpiece album Automatic For The People , R.E.M. had reached a peak not only on a creative level but also on a commercial level. Of course when there s a peak, the only direction you go is down. Their Automatic follow-up, hard-rocking/alterna-rock Monster , released in 1994 was widely considered by many fans as their worst album even though it had some classic songs along with some of their worst stuff. While the album was still successful commercially and to some critical respect, their first...
Review ID: 10000000000247326
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