Strange Currencies [CD-single]

Editorial Reviews
Album Details
The Title Track is Taken from the Album 'monster' and is Augmented with Three Great Catalog Classics Recorded in Live Performance: 'drive', 'funtime' and their First Single 'radio Free Europe'.

Strange Currencies compiled for UNCUT by R.E.M.
Average customer rating:
Strange Currencies compiled for UNCUT by R.E.M.
Merle Haggard, The Ramones, Townes Van Zandt, Loius Jordan & the Tympanny Five The Band , The Detroit Cobras, Warren Zevon, Ornette Coleman, Joseph Arthur Big Star , Suicide, Dock Boggs, Laura Nyro, Iggy Pop, Tim Buckley Sandy Bull , and Ry Cooder & Manuel Galban, Otha Turner & The Rising Star Fife & Drum Band John Lee Hooker
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000NP0CQY

Product Description

20 tracks

Average customer rating:

$1.99? Goodbye, Currency.
Nothing Strange
The Best Single from Monster
This Is One Of My Favorite R.E.M. Songs
My favorite Monster single

Strange Currencies
R.E.M.
Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | American Alternative | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

Jangle Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

General | Rock | Styles | Music

Pop Rock | CD Singles | Pop | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Alternative Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Rock | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
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ASIN: B000002MC0
Release Date: 1995-04-18

Tracks:

Strange Currencies
Drive (Live)
Funtime (Live)
Radio Free Europe (Live)

Customer Reviews:

$1.99? Goodbye, Currency........2003-04-10

A lot of people dislike R.E.M. because of Michael's voice, but, to me, it (along with the laid-back southern-style instruments) is the band's heartbeat. Its soothing, honest beauty is unique and charmi--... okay, I think I made the point well enough. I love R.E.M.

1) Strange Currencies. To me, the lyrics are that of a direct relationship song... and mixed with the soft playing, it's soul nourishment. "I need a chance, a 2nd chance, a 3rd chance, a 4th chance, a word, a signal, a nod, a little breath, just to fool myself, just to catch myself, to make it real". The humanity of those words is beautiful.

2, 3) Drive (Live) and Funtime (Live). Both seem more light-hearted than usual R.E.M., overall... they're somewhat catchy, and the live atmosphere kicks it up a notch (bam!). Throw in everything else we love the band for, and they're art.

4) Radio Free Europe (Live). Ah... youth. Not exactly the most complex song, but it's fun to listen to... R.E.M.'s social fascination is always a good thing. Fine way to end the single... with a blast from the past.

Michael's vocals, the southern instruments, the live atmosphere, the never-dying integrity... a great band, and a great single. I can't believe that I got it for [so little money]

Nothing Strange.......2001-05-17

"Strange Currencies" is the quietest song on the sonic blast that is Monster. The song add a moment of respite to the guitar frenzy. The three live songs perfectly compliment the track. "Drive" has a quiet power, "Funhouse" is great unreleased track and "Radio Free Europe" is always powerful.

The Best Single from Monster.......2000-10-29

Hands down, this is the best single from "Monster". The lead track is my favorite, and the B-Sides offer a lot more than the other Monster singles, which are generally pretty straight-forward live tracks.

"Strange Currencies" is a beautiful down love song with a great hard edge. Instead of sounding just loud, like some "rock/love songs" do, it sounds deeply earnest and passionate. The lyrics are fun, and Stipe has a great time with them. The arrangment is also excellent and dynamic and is very much worth paying attention to.

The live version of "Drive" here is totally different, and signifcantly superior if you ask me, to the version found on "Autmotic for the People". It is rocked out, energetic, and powerful. I feel it suits the song much better than the slow and plodding album version. They do this song so well live, and this recording captures that perfectly.

"Funtime" is a genuinely fun Iggy Pop cover. Also much better than a studio version the band also released, if only because Stipe's vocals have more energy, and the band has the kind of energy you can only find with a live concert recording. Its messy, feverish, and a great listen.

From here, the band plays around for a few seconds while transitioning into "Radio Free Europe", the bands first single. This may be the best verion I have heard of it. Stipe usually seems disinterested in doing the song, but not here. Yeah, he screws up the lyrics badly, but he has made a big deal out of giving the lyrics of R.E.M. songs too much weight. Besides, it sounds like they are having fun, and I'm sure the audience was loving it, too. I'm sure you will, as well.

This Is One Of My Favorite R.E.M. Songs.......2000-06-21

The "Strange Currencies" single, originally off the "Monster" album, is one of my favorite songs. There is a bootleg of this that says (roughly) "You're young, pimply, and left-out, this is your song." It's sweet, slow, and desparate, making it, in my mind, a true hit.

My favorite Monster single.......2000-06-17

This is easily my favorite single from Monster. Every track has a quality to it to make it stand out from the other singles' live songs. First, the live version of Drive is totally amazing. The music is completely different from that of the studio song, and is fantastic. You need to listen to it if you like the song Drive. Second comes Funtime which is a cheesy Iggy Pop cover (I think thats who it is by anyhow) which is just a fun little song. Theres nothing too special about it except that it is unreleased in the US except for here (a studio version is also on the import Automatic Box) so it is worth hearing. Third comes a live version of Radio Free Europe, which is just great. Stipe has some great "forgets" and one time when he tries to fit some improv lyrics in and ends up with a funny result ("have yourself a very good evening and next day..."). Overall this is the most fun and diverse Monster single and any R.E.M. fan should have it. A great place to start with your single collecting.