R.E.M. - UP (25th Anniversary Edition)

November 10th 2023

Album Review

****1/2

A nice package to do justice to a classic album

When 'Up' first came out in 1998, it hit my record deck and iPod a lot. With the singles 'Daysleeper', 'Lotus', 'Suspicion' and the simple amazing and beautiful 'At my most Beautiful'. This really was an album, that I would rival the bands best works 'Out fo Time' and 'Automatic for the People' both records that I still listen to now (actually listened to the other day). Even though I think quite a lot of people wouldn't rate 'Up' as highly as these albums, but for me it is equally as good... like the infectious 'Monster' which might be my favourite record by the band. The album hit No.2 in the UK and No.3 in the US, but for me 'Up' was always an album that deserved a No.1 spot. You have to also remember, when this album came out in 1998 you had to sell a lot more records than you do now.

The album opens with an atmospheric into 'Airportman', which stangely I don't remember so well. But I do remember the infectious 'Lotus', this is a terribly catchy track that grabbed in so much airplay at the time of release. From the moment the drums and keys hit in, and Michael Stipe's "Hey!, Hey!", I was already hooked. The lyrics from this song are so clever, and showed that even the melody was simple... that was all that was needed. Because the lyrical content was so good, and a chorus that I will never forget. The album continues with the low tempo'd single 'Suspicion', which I actually didn't know was a single. But was always a nice song, I like to put on when I am at home in my kitchen cooking or lazing around in my sitting room.

'Hope' I think should have been a single, it is more up beat to 'Suspicion' and has really catchy lyrics. It sounds how you really want a R.E.M. song to sound like, it has their difinitive sound. And Stipe's tone to his vocals on this track, defines what you expect from them. Which is an Alternative Rock / Indie sound that defined a genration. It has a great steady pace, and really takes you back to years of your life you shouldn't want to forget. 'At my most Beautiful' is a stunning track, and probably my favourite song on the album along with 'Lotus'. It's just so magical and special, and has been added to many a film soundtrack.

The connection on this album between the three key members Michael Stipe, Peter Buck and Mike Mills is just so special, they have such a strong bond. A bond that has produced music, that will be always heard in the future. I can't see the music that R.E.M. produced disappearing, and new generations are always discovering the band and enjoying the songs they currated. 'The Apologist' is a dark horse on the album, it has slightly a more in depth sound to it. But at the same time keeping with the tones the band like to add to their albums. It's strange because this song kind of makes you happy, but unhappy at the same time. But I think this is what they wanted to do with this incarnation, which continues on the really slow 'Sad Professor'... a song I have not listened to as much as some of the others on the record.

'You're in the Air' I like a lot more than 'Sad Professor', even though it is slow and a similar tempo's. It really has some nice up lifts, where you see different sides of Michael Stipe's vocals. And some of the overlayed melodies, make you think of Crowded House or Neil Young. Both of which I really love, so this is another hightlight on 'Up'. Their is some great story telling in this song, and it helps to expanded the feel of the other songs that are next to it. This song also ends what the band call the Upside of the album, leaving the song 'Walk Afraid' leading on to what they call the Downside. I think this is because this was the time, you would flip the vinyl album over. I think you really can't believe that we are only half way through the album, you have already heard so many great songs. And 'Walk Afraid' is another one of them, which has the distinctive R.E.M. style and tone.

'Why not Smile' is a slight downer on the album, in the fact it actually makes you feel a little depressed. But I like the way R.E.M. are kind of controlling the way you feel on the record, making you feel 'Up' one minute, and down the next. 'Up' really is an emotional journey, which R.E.M. have decided to take you on, and I don't think they ever did this in the same way on any of their other records. You actually can't believe that the first single off the album 'Daysleeper' is so late on the record, you would think this would be one of the songs that would be early in the album. But I think the reason for this is that they are setting the mood on the record, and this was the right place for it to fit. I think now 'Daysleeper' is one of the bands most popular songs, which everyone always looks forward to hearing live.They finish the album off in the right way with 'Diminished', which flutters by and fades your 'Up' out with a slight down.

The anniversary edition of 'Up' also includes a previously unreleased eleven track live set from their appearance for the TV series 'Party of Five; and a six song performance filmed at London's Ealing Studios (Blu-ray Only) which is the third disc if you get the right package. which I have to say was really nice to see. And if you are a R.E.M. fan, you just have to see. I would have liked their set from the Glastonbury Festival in 1999 to be included, and I would have paid extra to have this. I have so many great memories that surround this album, like hearing and seeing songs of it done live at the Glastonbury Festival 1999 so if it had that performance I would have been so happy.

I do think at £25 the two disc set is a little heavily priced, but everything seems to have gone up these days. But against other CD editions like this that are around £15, I think I would hold of and buy this when it goes down in price a little. But saying this I am going to buy this, and maybe I am a cheapskate. But I do find a lot of older albums and re-releases in the shop at cheaper prices, unless they are on vinyl where they seem to be more. But I think that is because they are normally on more records, with a nice book or a special coloured vinyl. I know I waited for a similar package like this by Pantera to go down slightly in price, because when I held the package I thought it was a little expensive. So I think if you want to get this, get the three disc set to get the extra performance... it's not much more... actually looked and it's an extra £10. So I guess if you are going to buy that, then go all out and buy the big package.

Review by Dan Devour