R.E.M.
Around the Sun (Warner Bros)
Reviewed by Sherman Wick

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Around the Sun is another disappointment by one of the great bands in rock. Intended as a social commentary for lousy political times for the Left, the record sounds like an overproduced Michael Stipe solo album. Peter Buck's guitar and Mike Mills' distinctive bass playing are largely situated in the background or create arrangements that would fit in well on contemporary adult radio.

The record is largely a mish-mash of turgid and dull music, with a few notable exceptions. The boring pop of "Final Straw" won't inspire anyone to get off the coach. The songs are too often uninteresting mid-tempo tunes like "Wanderlust" or "Electron Blue." Occasionally, the pop songs shine because of their melodic hooks such as on "Boy In the Well" and "Leaving New York." And the final track on the record, and the title song, "Around the Sun," is the best song the group has written in several records; a beautiful song about idealism and perseverance. Let's hope it's a harbinger of things to come on the band/s next record. But, for the most part, the latest by R.E.M. is a far cry from previous masterpieces such as Murmur and Automatic For the People.

© 2004 - Sherman Wick