Send us a message, so we know what you're thinking!
REM is often viewed by casual listeners as a lighter-style rock band. This is deceptive, with the band offering complex songs with obscure lyrics, brilliant playing, covers, and an incredible refusal to compromise. Mick and Jeff talk through REM's development from their rock cliche start â the singer, Michael Stipe, met guitarist Peter Buck in the record shop where Buck worked - to their becoming one of the biggest-ever bands in the world â all without selling out. Â
MOJO Magazine called them "an ensemble growl adorned with heavenly harmonies"Â which describes perfectly how their beautiful melodies, with disaffected, jaded lyrics, were influenced by The Velvet Underground. In turn they influenced such key bands as Nirvana and Pavement, as well as Radiohead, Coldplay, Pearl Jam, The Pixies and The Smiths. Â
Our âAlbum You Must Hear before You Dieâ is 1971âs âAqualungâ by Jethro Tull. Itâs a special album full of brave variations â from gentle acoustic breaks to Martin Barreâs power chords and Ian Andersonâs tough vocals. The Dickensian quality of many of the lyrics challenges organised religion. Mick & Jeff both have great memories of this album, including the night that Jeffâs keyboard player from his band, Ocean, blew the crowd away with the piano intro lifted from âLocomotive Breathâ during a show south of Sydney. Â
We look at The Stones' new album, âHackney Diamondsâ, their first in 18 years. Jeff thinks itâs pretty good, but Mick still keeps comparing every new Stones record to âExile on Main Streetâ. Â
Jeff brings some bad news. The Bored Ape Yacht Club, famed distributor of NFTs (as credible as digital currency!) has gone belly-up, driving another nail into the digital con artist industry.Â
References:Â Rolling Stones, âHackney Diamondsâ, âAngryâ, âA Bigger Bangâ, Bored Ape Yacht Club, â1001 Albums You Must Hear before You Dieâ, Robert Dimery, Jethro Tull, âAqualungâ, Martin Barre, Ian Anderson, âLocomotive Breathâ, âHymn 43â, REM, Athens Georgia, Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, Michael Stipe, Wuxtry Records, Patti Smith, Television, The Velvet Underground, Dr. William Dement, Mandolin, âOut of Timeâ, Hofner bass, "Monsterâ, âLifes Rich Pageantâ, âDocumentâ, âFemme Fataleâ, âPale Blue Eyesâ, "So. Central Rain", alternative rock, Don Gehman, âThe Flowers of Guatemalaâ, âStrangeâ, âMurmurâ, âFables of the Reconstructionâ, "The One I Love", "Exhuming McCarthy", âFinest Worksongâ, âThe End of the World As We Know itâ, âGreenâ, âWorld Leader Pretendâ, âOut of Timeâ, âAutomatic for the Peopleâ, John Paul Jones, "Everybody Hurts", "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?", "Bang and Blame"
