REM = Best band on planet.

man these guys are sweeett! their music is kkoolll

Sweeeeet

Well, I used to like them a lot. Hey, they put out some great tunes (Orange Crush, The One I Love, ect.), but I think they are passed their time. I did see them live in 95, which was pretty cool, but I think they are losing some of their edge. For those of you who used to like REM and are looking for a replacement, I would recommend Radiohead, or perhaps even a Toad the Wet Sprocket cd.

R.E.M. IS BETTER THAN ALL THE OTHER BANDS.

'Imitation of Life' is the only song that i can tolerate

as for all these comments about R.E.M. being a sellout, i don't equate the fact that they've become monatarily successful with selling out. a sellout to me is a band who compromises their previous sound to adopt that which is the flavor of the moment. i don't see R.E.M. doing that. in fact, i don't think their last record sold a whole hell of a lot of copies which tells me they're not catering to anyone. i first got into them in 89 when a friend gave me a copy of 'document'. i can't say it was love at first listen ( the only thing i'd ever heard from them was 'the one i love' which i was less than impressed with at the time), but it grew on me. and as i went back through their catalog, i was amazed at how hauntingly beatiful the music was and how addicting their melodies were, even though i had a hard time deciphering stipe's lyrics. they went on to provide the soundtrack to my high school years. i admit that since 'monster', i feel their tunes have lost some of their magic. i don't mean to say i want them to rehash their brilliant 80's/early 90's stuff, but i hope their new album brings back some of those catchy melodies and atmospheric music. p.s. i miss you in the band, bill, but i hope you're enjoying "retirement": you earned it!

ranking should not be in the top ten maybe top 100

the Best!

Michael Stipe ROCKS!!! Nuff said!

Most of thier music is very depresing but,I like to listen to it.They are great artists.

Simply boffo musicians. Stunning, sublime music, meaningful lyrics, they continue to improve as they shed their pop beginnings. Worth five stars. But boy, people sure do get a little torn up about rating stuff around here don't they? The best ones are those that start with "I" or plunk on the caps-lock.

To: REM Thank you for all the years, of the great heartfelt and inspiring music you gave me. Truely One of the great rock-n-roll bands to ever live.

I love the old stuff,lifes rich pagent,reconstruction,green.I realy haven,t liked much of their later works though.

Used to be my absolute favorite band, but seem to have sold out recently. I had tickets to see them in 1989, but I got sick and couldn't go. The next time they toured again, in 1995, I finally got to see them, and I was very disappointed. I felt like the oldest person there (I was 24 at the time), and it occurred to me that R.E.M. was now making music for the Powerpuff Girl set. I have trouble understanding why a group (with members now in their 40's) that was once so thoughtful would now be interested in making music for teenyboppers? I guess money changes everything.

HELLO R.E.M. WE'RE TOW GAYS FROM LIBYA BIG FAN OF REM CREZY ABOUT THIER MUSIC THEY'RE COOL DO YOU'V TO LEAREN ALOT OF THING FROM THEM WE LIKE THE KIND OF THIER LIFE AS SEMPEL WE REALY RESPECT THAT WHAT THEY'RE DOING FOR THE MUISC GIVE THEM HIGH PERSONILTY GOOD LOOKIN,SO UOR NAME'S FATHI&ADEL WE'RE FROM LIBYA IT'S IN AFRICA ARABIC THE RESON WE LISETN TO REM IT'S REALY TRUE MUSIC BY THE WAY WE HOPE THEY'RE STILL LIKE WHAT THEY'RE FOREVER SO THAT;S THE GOOD RESPECT TO YOU MICHEAL STIPE MIKE MILLS PETER BUCK&BILL BERRY MASTRE'S OF THE MUISC IT'S ONLY MUISC OF THE CENURY TO HEAR MUSIC SO THAT'S OUR RATING FOR REM HAVE GOOD TIME &GOOD BYE

i really love tht loosing my religion song tht was the first R.E.M song i ever heard. love ya.

I adore REM. Michael Stipe is the most interesting person that I can think of. The talent of the group is overwhelming. Every person who loves music should own an REM album.

I don't think I'd be alive if it weren't for R.E.M. Seriously.

Although a lot of times I can't stand gay people I feel Michael Stipe is one of the best singers to come out in long time. There music also rocks and I hope to still see them rolling for the next couple of years.

REM is as important to me as anything. For 17 years the band's music has been the soundtrack to my life. Having gone through college in the '80's('84-'89)REM was still a "cult" band. Following all the REM satellite bands that emerged from that period was exciting. Cobain repeatedly commetted on the enormous impact REM had on his music. While the "IRS" years will always be very special, the "WB" albums are just as great."New adventures in Hi-Fi" probably their greatest work.

20 years and still running, R.E.M. is the greatest pop-rock group ever. They always got innovative and intelligent lyrics and music. They did a lot of music types (look at the difference between King of Comedy and Why not Smile), reaching many peoples.

I just love them!!

ugh

had 2 or 3 good songs

I LOVE R.E.M!!!!!! I love everything about them! They are THE best band in the world!!! As 4 Michael Stipe... that voice!!!! Heavenly!

eeeh not a bad group but their songs can be depressing!!

My little brother introduced me to R.E.M. recently, and I'm surprised to say that I'm addicted (not that I was questioning his judgment in the first place, of course). I bought "Automatic for the People" about two months ago, and I find myself listening to it constantly. I knew I was becoming attached when one day my husband borrowed the CD from me (without letting me know) and I went through withdrawal until I got it back that evening. I am particularly stuck on "Try Not to Breathe," "Sweetness Follows," and "Nightswimming." I guess it's time to ask my little brother for another R.E.M. CD recommendation!

Beyond description. Murmur and Reckoning are magical flukes loaded with intense feeling and impenentrable lyrics. Enigmatic and warm to the last, they possess strenght, courage, the ability to reassure and enlighten and enormous talent. Document is there first great album - entertaining, introspective, arty and most importantly - tuneful! "I fell asleep and read just about every paragraph..."

Shiny, happy, sell-out suckers, plain and simple.

20 years! This guys have something out of this world. The great band ever.

The reviewer below writes that they have been a devoted fan "since Losing My Religion came out in 1991." Ironically, this was the point that I STOPPED being a devoted fan. I much prefer albums like Murmur, Life's Rich Pageant, and Reckoning to the more recent Monster and Automatic for the People. This band's ability to reach so many people at such different phases of their musical development is amazing.

They've sold out. Their music has lost the feeling that their first 5-6 albums had. Any group today can put out the garbage they do.

There music just gets on my nerves. That song Happy Smileing people must be the most annoying song ever (Song about depression). Even the people in the video should get some sun.

Best CD: New Adventures In Hi-Fi

I have been a devoted REM fan since Losing My Religion came out in 1991-- I was 11 years old when I heard it on the radio and was hooked. While I would say that Automatic for the People is unequivocally REM's best album, theirs is still the best music currently being produced. Favorites: Nightswimming Find the River Losing My Religion Low You are the Everything The One I Love ...I could go on...

I live somewhat near Athens, so I feel a bit of "hometown pride," per sé.

REM consistently makes the best music out there, and anyone who disagrees is mentally deficient.

"Daysleeper". "Nightswimming." "The Great Beyond." Need I say more?

Do you find better & more relaxing music? Maybe, but it doesn't mean that R.E.M. doesn't deserve all the 5 stars! :o)

Greatest band of the late 80s to the 90s, with U2 coming in second. REM explores a wide variety of music without ever leaving the core that makes them great, so their music doesn't get stale and they're able to create songs that continue to be relevant.