R.E.M.
Reveal (Warner Bros.)
Reviewed by Sherman Wick

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R.E.M. tempered its electronic experimentation on Reveal. The music is not as eclectic. The electronic experimentation is replaced by a consistent mix of R.E.M's past - jangle and guitar rock with orchestral arrangements - and the keyboard heavy style on Up.

The tone of the record is as poppy and song-oriented as any record the group has written. Unfortunately, the songs themselves are not as powerful or memorable. "Saturn Return" is the band's edgiest song on the record. Vocalist Michael Stipe's melancholic singing carries the spare yet evocative song about searching for meaning in life. The arrangement is a simple and effective stately piano riff enveloped in a loop of distortion and a sampled whistle. The drum machine provides the song's dramatic center by building from its simple beat to a polyrhythm.

The record's emphasis is on pop songs, and there are several great songs among other near misses. "Imitation of Life" is a soaring summer pop song with the group's signature guitar jangle on top of a lovely melody. "Summer Turns to High" is a beautiful and reflective tribute to a great Beach Boys' pop, updated with modern keyboards and drum machines. It's a cool song but it missing the little something to make it a classic pop song - but not by much. I'll take this over contemporaries such as U2's contrived yammering any day.

© 2005 - Sherman Wick