462: R.E.M., "Document"

Before: I distinctly remember one of my sixth grade friends, Maria, wearing a shirt with R.E.M. emblazoned across it. She had an appreciation for grunge and classic music. I went to a little party of hers in middle school (not just a birthday party-- a party. That was a moderately big deal when recounting the transition from elementary innocence to preteen attitude.) Apparently, at that party, my sweet little high school boyfriend was present, beginning the three year countdown til our next encounter when we'd finally meet for the first time. But back to R.E.M... I respect them but don't know much besides "Losing My Religion" and "Nightswimming". Coming into this a little hesitant, but willing to begin!

After: There's so much to listen to! It's so complex! Each part of the song needs recognition: the metallic guitar, the steady drums, the harmonizing voice shadowing the wavering lead singer whose voice sounds like a string of beads.
"Exhuming McCarthy" begins with a typewriter! DELICIOUS.
I'm such a newbie to this fantastic band, who, in the timbre of their voices and variety of their lyrics, slightly suggests the Barenaked Ladies. Let me reproduce some wonderfully fun lyrics from "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)":

The other night I dreamt a nice continental drift divide
Mountains sit in a line, Leonard Bernstein
Leonid Brezhnev, Lenny Bruce, and Lester Bangs
Birthday party, cheesecake, jellybean, boom
You symbiotic, patriotic, slam but neck, right? Right

Yay!

Stipe's voice has an unmistakable attribute to it. It's so steady on the pitches he prolongs.

Less than 40 minutes long, this album flew by. I don't think I gave it enough effort or analysis, but jeez, it was so short!! Thankful we'll be covering it in my History of Rock and R&B class.