R.E.M. have soundtracked my life.
I make no apologies for saying that had Pixies not existed R.E.M would happily sit atop the list of my favourite ever bands. Over the course of their 30 years together and my discovery of them a few of albums into their journey we've been pretty much inseparable. We've had some astonishing highs and lets be honest some heartbreaking lows.
So it's always with some trepidation that a new R.E.M album is anticipated and listened to for the very first time. I'm not sure the band would admit this but recently, and I'm talking about the 4 albums they've released last 10 years here, their albums have been hit and miss generally. Including some great pop songs but also indulging in lengthy unmerited exposition and lacking the editorial strength to weed the chaff from the real heart of each record.
'Collapse Into Now' then is instantly recognisable as a leaner, keener animal. Harking back to a more vibrant period. With vigour and drive. They don't lose the tender moments but balance the mix well. With the upfront rockier 'Discoverer' kicking things off you might expect a 'Monster' like vibe to pervade but as the album unfold with all the subtle beauty of songs like 'Oh My Heart', Walk It Back' the fantastically singable chorus of 'Mine Smell Like Honey' and the shimmy where you stand delight of 'Uberlin' the first half of the album skips by reminding you of all sorts of careers peaks - more akin to 'Out of Time' and 'Automatic For the People'.
It's an absolute triumph of an album and although there are some dips here and there, notably 'Alligator Aviator Autopilot Antimatter' (good title, so so song), the album rings out with the 'Country Feedback' gnarly vibe of 'Blue' aided by Pattie Smith to great effect.
If I was ever out of love with the band - I wasn't we just didn't talk that much in recent times - then I'm happy to re-stoke the embers and tell them I'm sorry. Can we still be friends?
