To this day I cannot imagine that one of the groups that appear in recent years are capable of marking 3 generations, very difficult, and even more so when the one that comes to mind first (Coldplay) has released an album as inconsequential as this one. last "Mylo Xyloto" (2011).
REM they are made of another paste, flag bearers of the American alternative scene in the eighties, started out as a good post-punk band that soon found that balance between forcefulness and emotion and delivered a series of albums that penetrated the most savvy listeners, then began another stage, the most glorious, just when his contract with a major record company arrived as Warner. With "Green" (1988) the group began their climb to the crowd bath that would be completed with "Out Of Time" (1991) and the magisterial "Automatic For The People" (1992)
Later, the group tried to live from their music with dignity, knowing that it seemed difficult when they had practically offered the best of themselves, however, when no one expected anything from them, they arrived. "Imitation Of Life" the unforgettable single that he presented "Reveal" (2001) and hooked another generation again. Better and worse records followed, but always maintaining an optimal quality, to surprise again with the fierceness that it presented. "Accelerate" (2008)
And all this comes from the fact that this compilation recalls all this pleasant history of popular music, like gems of incalculable value arranged chronologically, there are practically all the themes that should be (Radio Free Europe, Fall On Me, The One I Love, Orange Crush, Losing My Religion, Man On The Moon, Everybody Hurts, Imitation Of Life ...).
Some albums with greater weight, some notable absences (the ones that come to mind first are “Drive” or “Find The River”) but in general we are talking about the definitive anthology of the group, the testimony for generations to come as to why REM were so great over 3 decades.