File Under Water

It's the end of the show as we know it (and we feel fine). This has been a great deal of fun, revisiting one of our favorite bands and thinking long and hard about what makes them special. We found new favorite songs and learned about the lives and stories of some truly great artists. This finale is a variety episode. We answer a few letters, name our favorite songs from R.E.M.'s catalog, and even bring you a special surprise... but you have to listen to find out what it is.

R.E.M. goes out on a high note with Collapse Into Now, an album that takes a bit of a tour through the band's various styles over the years. It's impossible to say that the upward trend in the quality of their records would continue, but it's fitting that the group busted their ass to make their last effort their best in years.

R.E.M. pulls out of its nosedive with an album whose title also serves as its mission statement. It was lauded as a return to form for the band, compared to Lifes Rich Pageant, and talked up as the album that Monster was supposed to be. But does it stand up on its own merits, or does it only succeed because it follows Around the Sun?

Well, this is it. The nadir. If you're thinking R.E.M. couldn't release an album as bad as Around the Sun's reputation would indicate, then we're sorry to tell you that they can. Up might have had a daysleeper, but this one's a sleepwalker. It's hard to recommend listening to this album, but maybe dip into a few songs to get a feel for what we're talking about. The good news is that this album stunk so bad that the band got their shit together and made two good and fun albums after it.

R.E.M. set out to make an idyllic album about summer, but instead made a product that showed the world just how comfortable they'd gotten. The highs are still high, but the search for what R.E.M.'s voice would be would continue.