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Rem - Around the Sun (Dvd-A) Audio CD

A fair review of the Rem "Around the Sun (Dvd-A)" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Rem reviews here, or go back to the Rem tabs.

Rem Band: Rem
Title: Around the Sun (Dvd-A)
Rating:
Release Date: 2005-02-15
Media: Audio CD

Tracks:

Still Interesting
E. After twenty years of musical relevance coupled with immense popularity, it now appears as though R. M. might have gone full circle, returning to their earlier status as a cultish `alternative' band. Twenty-plus years of relevance indicate that they became an institution, and as such, they may have lost the ability to surprise their fans. An unfortunate side effect of this is a dwindling fan base - an interesting circumstance, since the album's underlying theme seems to be dismay at the direction of contemporary American culture, politically and otherwise. No matter. Although it is unlikely that they will renew their status as one of the `best (read most popular) bands of the decade', their musical strengths have not diminished. Under the Sun is perhaps the most carefully crafted of any R. E. M. album, which is its greatest strength as well as its weakness. Each arrangement sounds fully realized and well thought-out, giving the album a cleaner, almost folksy sound, without the requisite experimentalism that defined much of their previous work. The result can be described as pretty, if not particularly fresh, but the band is well beyond the point of proving themselves. They may no longer be on the cutting edge, but as far as I'm concerned, if R. E. M. keep making albums as satisfying as this, I'll keep on listening. B+ Tom Ryan.


Why this over the regular CD version?
Either the listener is expecting something R. Around the Sun has been met with mixed reviews. E. M. has done in the past or the listener is expecting to discover yet another facet of R. E. M. , who has shown through the year they are anything but static. There are comprehensive reviews of the album available so I want to concentrate on why you should chose this edition over the standard CD issue, which many of you may already own.

The 5. 1 sound of the re-issues has blown me away. If you are not the type of person to "experience" the music this may not be a must have. If, however, you are like me and enjoy listening to the music with the lights off and candles lit, you must experience the 5. 1 sound as the subtle sounds come through adding another dimension to the album. ATS has not been out for very long and I was tempted to pass, but I do not regret the decision to purchase simply because of the clarity.

As for bonus materials, you get "LNY" and "Aftermath" videos, a very short 5 minute documentary, and live performace videos of "LNY" and "Imitation of Life. "

Because "LNY" and "Aftermath" videos have not been released on DVD this adds to the incentive to pick up the CD-DVD-A.

I think this is a must buy if you do not have the CD and are looking to pick it up, even if you do not currently have 5. 1 equipment. .


You can see a complete list of all Rem discography, or go back to the Rem tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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