By John Reed 09.30.98 Sonicnet R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe may be spending time behind the scenes promoting his band’s upcoming album, but eager fans here are getting their fix of the charismatic rocker by feasting their eyes on his snapshots at an exhibit organized at Boston University. While followers of rock mega-group R.E.M. await the [...]
09.28.98 Dotmusic Rating: 5 The first single from REM since 1996′s Electrolite and also the first since the departure of drummer Bill Berry, Daysleeper finds Michael Stipe on familiar territory. Wistful and delicate, it’s akin to previous single Nightswimmers in tone and colour, and is bound to appeal to the band’s long-term fans. Preceding the [...]
By Dave Veitch 10.25.98 Calgary Sun With the departure of drummer Bill Berry last year, remaining members Michael Stipe, Peter Buck and Mike Mills decided to reshape the R.E.M. sound and the end result, as captured on Up, is startling. Using tape loops, exotic percussion, antiquated drum machines and synthesizers, the band has created a [...]
By Kevin Courtney 10.23.98 Irish Times Hacks everywhere are probably sweating buckets over REM’s latest offering, unsure whether it’s a wonderful new adventure in hi-fi, or simply the self-indulgent noodlings of a band who can well afford to witter away their middle age. Here’s my approach: I treasured Murmur, hated Fables, loved Life’s Rich Pageant, [...]
By Thor Chrisensen 10.23.98 Dallas Morning News 3.5 out of 4 stars Rock bands love to joke about how disposable and replaceable their drummers are – but in reality, they’re a lot more essential than you might think. Consider the Smashing Pumpkins. After firing founding drummer Jimmy Chamberlain and then parting ways with his replacement, [...]
09.23.98 Billboard Magazine Although R.E.M. will not tour behind its forthcoming Warner Bros. set, “Up,” fans will still have plenty of chances to see the modern-rock act perform live. In preparation for the album’s Oct. 27 worldwide release, the band will play “Late Show With David Letterman” on Oct. 22-23; “BBC Live” on Oct. 25; [...]
By Heidi Sherman 10.22.98 Rolling Stone It’s rare to catch a world-class act like R.E.M. playing tiny venues normally reserved for little-known bands slogging their way up the college charts. Indeed, for the past decade the Athens, Georgia-based rock band has been filling arenas with tens of thousands of fans who scream and swoon with [...]
By Gil Kaufman 09.22.98 Sonicnet As they prepare to launch a new era in their career — the first without original drummer Bill Berry — the members of Athens, Ga.-bred superstars R.E.M. are feeling a combination of intense relief and outright joy at having completed their highly anticipated record, Up (Oct. 27), according to their [...]
09.22.98 Addicted To Noise As they prepare to launch a new era in their career — the first without original drummer Bill Berry — the members of Athens, Ga.-bred superstars R.E.M. are feeling a combination of intense relief and outright joy at having completed their highly anticipated record, Up (Oct. 27), according to their manager. [...]
By Lisa M. Moore 09.18.98 Allstar R.E.M’s Michael Stipe Michael Stipe is often hailed as R.E.M.’s creative visionary. These days, he’s been giving fans another way to see his visions — through his photographs. Stipe took some time off Thursday (Sept. 17) from video post production duties for R.E.M.’s new album, Up, due in stores [...]