The Stig
12-06-2004, 04:25 PM
REM -- Life's Rich Pageant
Released 1986
Michael Stipe: Vocals
Peter Buck: Guitar
Mike Mills: Bass/background vocals
Bill Berry: Drums/cool unibrow action
For Pageant, REM has thrown out the muddledness of Murmur and Fables. Now, REM's musicianship is put in the forefront in what I think is their best album to date.
Begin the Begin -- This guitar-driven song is amazing. The riff is very simple, but Peter Buck tastefully applies his skills to make it fit perfectly. One of the best opening tracks on any album ever. 5/5
These Days -- Another fairly heavy song for REM. Michael sings a fast vocal line that goes into a chorus where chords crash down. The song almost sounds urgent for some reason. 5/5
Fall On Me -- One of the more famous songs on this album, this starts with a wandering clean guitar line, then quickly goes to a minor chord progression that REM seems to love in their early days. While it's a good song and famous, it's not my favourite on the album. 4/5
Cuyahoga -- This is a pretty song where REM have shown us their new political slant, talking about an area that has changed over time. It's a good song, but relatively mundane. 4/5
Hyena -- This song is another fast-paced song, but this time, the verses are driven by a piano. I honestly don't know what this song is about, as Michael mumbles a bit on this one. Still a good song, though. 4.5/5
Underneath the Bunker -- This is an instrumental bit that almost has me believing the guys were goofing off for a bit. It has a bit of a Latin feel to it, and provides a nice segway to the next half of the album. 3/5
The Flowers of Guatemala -- This is a slower song. Nothing really stands out too much on this one, but Peter's arpeggios are well-done. 4/5
I Believe -- This one starts with a banjo, but the, it quickly gives way to Peter Buck's famous arpeggio pattern (if you have any early REM album, you've heard the same picking pattern). The arpeggios are perfectly nailed, and a second layered guitar complements the droning arpeggio very tastefully. My personal favourite. 5/5
What if we Give it Away? -- Slower than "I Believe," but still upbeat. The verse gives way to an almost mournful chorus where Michael suddenly rationalizes "What if we Give it Away?" The guitar still complements Stipe's voice very well. 4/5
Just a Touch -- This is almost at a level where one could consider it a punk song. It is very fast, and Stipe just yells the vocals half the time. What brings this to the next level is a rocking piano/organ bit that comes in during the chorus and outro. 5/5
Swan Song H -- This is mostly an acoustic song, almost reminding me of a combination of "Drive" and "Try Not to Breath." Stipe's vocals are very moody, but they compliment the tone perfectly. 5/5
Superman -- Ironically, this little bit where Mike Mills gleefully sings his heart out is one of the most famous moments of the album. The track starts off with some noise, then a lone clean guitar. Then the bass slides in and it's off to the races. A gem of garage rock, this song is the perfect closer to a great album. 5/5
While not the most thought-provoking album out there, Pageant is extremely easy to listen to. Almost all of the songs are good; most are great. To me, this is a perfect album to introduce yourself to the earlier works of REM. That's why I will give this album a 5/5
Released 1986
Michael Stipe: Vocals
Peter Buck: Guitar
Mike Mills: Bass/background vocals
Bill Berry: Drums/cool unibrow action
For Pageant, REM has thrown out the muddledness of Murmur and Fables. Now, REM's musicianship is put in the forefront in what I think is their best album to date.
Begin the Begin -- This guitar-driven song is amazing. The riff is very simple, but Peter Buck tastefully applies his skills to make it fit perfectly. One of the best opening tracks on any album ever. 5/5
These Days -- Another fairly heavy song for REM. Michael sings a fast vocal line that goes into a chorus where chords crash down. The song almost sounds urgent for some reason. 5/5
Fall On Me -- One of the more famous songs on this album, this starts with a wandering clean guitar line, then quickly goes to a minor chord progression that REM seems to love in their early days. While it's a good song and famous, it's not my favourite on the album. 4/5
Cuyahoga -- This is a pretty song where REM have shown us their new political slant, talking about an area that has changed over time. It's a good song, but relatively mundane. 4/5
Hyena -- This song is another fast-paced song, but this time, the verses are driven by a piano. I honestly don't know what this song is about, as Michael mumbles a bit on this one. Still a good song, though. 4.5/5
Underneath the Bunker -- This is an instrumental bit that almost has me believing the guys were goofing off for a bit. It has a bit of a Latin feel to it, and provides a nice segway to the next half of the album. 3/5
The Flowers of Guatemala -- This is a slower song. Nothing really stands out too much on this one, but Peter's arpeggios are well-done. 4/5
I Believe -- This one starts with a banjo, but the, it quickly gives way to Peter Buck's famous arpeggio pattern (if you have any early REM album, you've heard the same picking pattern). The arpeggios are perfectly nailed, and a second layered guitar complements the droning arpeggio very tastefully. My personal favourite. 5/5
What if we Give it Away? -- Slower than "I Believe," but still upbeat. The verse gives way to an almost mournful chorus where Michael suddenly rationalizes "What if we Give it Away?" The guitar still complements Stipe's voice very well. 4/5
Just a Touch -- This is almost at a level where one could consider it a punk song. It is very fast, and Stipe just yells the vocals half the time. What brings this to the next level is a rocking piano/organ bit that comes in during the chorus and outro. 5/5
Swan Song H -- This is mostly an acoustic song, almost reminding me of a combination of "Drive" and "Try Not to Breath." Stipe's vocals are very moody, but they compliment the tone perfectly. 5/5
Superman -- Ironically, this little bit where Mike Mills gleefully sings his heart out is one of the most famous moments of the album. The track starts off with some noise, then a lone clean guitar. Then the bass slides in and it's off to the races. A gem of garage rock, this song is the perfect closer to a great album. 5/5
While not the most thought-provoking album out there, Pageant is extremely easy to listen to. Almost all of the songs are good; most are great. To me, this is a perfect album to introduce yourself to the earlier works of REM. That's why I will give this album a 5/5