They’re Gonna Break My Heart Again
Reports are coming in from the first two of R.E.M.’s live rehearsals in Dublin. The band is playing through ten completely new songs, plus a song that debuted on the Around the Sun tour called “I’m Gonna DJ.” They’re also throwing in songs from their catalog that are said to be similar in tone to the new material. Reviews of the two shows have been strong, with Rolling Stone saying the songs have the potential to make up the “most bold R.E.M. release in years.” The old songs that have been played include some of my favorites, like “These Days” from Lifes Rich Pageant and “New Test Leper” from New Adventures in Hi-Fi. I’m even hearing that Mike Mills’ backing vocals are more prominent these days.
If they spend the next year and a half fiddling with the material and sucking all the energy out of it, I’m gonna go curl up in the fetal position with a copy of the aforementioned New Adventures.
About Dave Thomer
Born and raised in Philadelphia. Studied philosophy at Fordham University in the Bronx, where I made many great friends and met my wonderful wife. We moved back to Philadelphia, where I studied philosophy some more and became a teacher. Online and off, I'm looking for ways that we can be better citizens and build stronger communities.
Tuesday, July 3rd 2007 at 1:57 pm |
Yeah, but let’s keep the focus on what’s important – are they going to be too busy to call Neil Finn while he’s in the States?
(For those wondering what this constantly recurring in-joke about R.E.M. and Neil Finn is: in Chris Bourke’s book “Something So Strong”, there’s a mention of Crowded House playing tour dates in Georgia and Neil Finn being down in the dumps because “R.E.M. didn’t call him” – though there’s absolutely no context of how/when/why they would’ve called him. I mean, did Stipe not get a memo or something? “My God, Neil Finn’s in town!”)
Tuesday, July 3rd 2007 at 6:06 pm |
I think they might be in Ireland or elsewhere overseas working on the album when Crowded House hits the States. Clearly they’ve learned to get out of town when need be.