Is R.E.M. an alternative rock band, or a mainstream rock band? The argument could be made either way, but R.E.M. are definitely not an indie band, despite their significant influence on many indie artists during the past three decades.
Clearly, R.E.M. was one of the most important bands of the early alternative rock movement that was in large part spurred by the popularity of college rock. R.E.M. was a refreshing sound in the early to mid 1980’s when there wasn’t much of an alternative to the hair metal bands, commercial rock and the new wave music craze.
Back then, we found out about up and coming bands from college radio stations, friends, hanging out at the record shop, and reading rock publications like Rolling Stone, not to mention a bunch of other ‘underground’ mags and college newspapers that were covering bands like R.E.M., The Replacement, The Smiths, and before they hit it big in the mid to late 1980s, Talking Heads.
Thom Yorke (Radiohead) and Michael Stipe (R.E.M.) have fantastic new albums out now with their legendary bands.
Even though R.E.M. rocketed from underground music fame to the music charts and mainstream rock radio in 1987 with “The One I Love,” and the following year, disappointed many fans by signing with Warner Bros., we still like to think of them as an alternative rock band, and one of the greatest American rock bands of the past three decades. We have to say that we’re excited by the new release, Collapse Into Now, from the band that put Athens, Georgia on the rock and roll map. Since we’ve only spun it once as of this posting, it’s impossible to give a legitimate assessment, but based on a ‘first listen’ impression, it really does sound great, and is what so many have been saying – R.E.M. has returned to their roots.
“Discoverer” – R.E.M. from Collapse Into Now
Moving on, there are other releases that we are excited about this week, most notably Alex Murdoch, Wye Oak, Beach Fossils, Dinosaur Bones and Parts & Labor‘s fifth album, Constant Future. We are still surprised that a lot of people who are really up on their indie are not familiar with Parts & Labor. The three-piece band from Brooklyn have quietly – for the most part – been one of the best trios in the crowded indie scene of NYC over the past few years.
“Rest” – Parts & Labor from Constant Future
“Blue Mind” – Alexi Murdoch from Towards The Sun
Beach Fossils were unquestionably one of the biggest breakout bands of 2010, as our own band poll showed. So far, what we’ve heard of the album, is very promising. We’re also glad to see Dinosaur Bones back again with the release of My Divider. The band The Megaphonic Thrift are popping up more and more in the past year, and we can understand why. At SXSW 2010, the band were voted best show; that’s a pretty big deal when you think about how many shows are at SXSW each year – easily thousands.
“Calyer” – Beach Fossils from What A Pleasure
Download “What A Pleasure” for free via Amazon.
“Royalty” – Dinosaur Bones from My Divider
“Candy Sin” – The Megaphonic Thrift from Decay Decoy
“Civilian” – Wye Oak from Civilian
Because there are so many releases this week, we’re breaking this post into two parts. Check back tomorrow for Part Two of Best New Releases.
