Reconstructing the Fables - A Tribute to R.E.M.

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
From the mysterious, cryptic sounds that open "Murmur" to the melancholy triumph that closes "Up", R.E.M. have produced music that is melodic and important. Their influence can be heard and felt throughout popular music today. Their integrity, however, is unrivaled. Never bowing to industry rules and expectations, R.E.M. always made recordings that suited them. If they liked it, it stayed. If they didn't, it never saw the light of day.

"Three chords and a cloud of dust" was how Peter Buck described their music not so long ago. That simple mantra can be misleading. Thinking in terms of simplicity can lead one to believe the musical prowess of R.E.M. is overstated. Untrue. It helps if that music is measured for quality, rather than quantity. R.E.M. have proven that the number of chords is not so important as the quality of the work created by their combination. R.E.M. are truly greater than the sum of their parts.

This tribute, compiled through the truly independent spirit that gave R.E.M. its origin, celebrates that quality. It's a celebration of the band. It's a celebration of the music.

Enjoy.

Reconstructing the Fables - A Tribute to R.E.M.
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • A must for fans of R.E.M.
  • Not for most REM fans
  • R.E.M. as You've Never Heard It Before
 Reconstructing the Fables - A Tribute to R.E.M.

ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
Alternative RockAlternative Rock | Compilations | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Alternative Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00003654F
Release Date: 1999-11-01

Tracks:

  1. Exhuming McCarthy (Hubbard's Cupboard)
  2. Life and How to Live It (The Jimbos)
  3. Losing My Religion (Suzanne Glass)
  4. Suspicion (Mark Mundy)
  5. Sweetness Follows (Subterra)
  6. Radio Free Europe (Frocky Jack)
  7. Falls to Climb (Jeff Reichman)
  8. Everybody Hurts (Dan Gray)
  9. Feeling Gravity's Pull (Kelly Pardekooper)
  10. Swan Swan H (Dos Gatos)
  11. It's The End of The World... and I Feel Fine (Goz Inyama)

Album Description

From the mysterious, cryptic sounds that open "Murmur" to the melancholy triumph that closes "Up", R.E.M. have produced music that is melodic and important. Their influence can be heard and felt throughout popular music today. Their integrity, however, is unrivaled. Never bowing to industry rules and expectations, R.E.M. always made recordings that suited them. If they liked it, it stayed. If they didn't, it never saw the light of day.

"Three chords and a cloud of dust" was how Peter Buck described their music not so long ago. That simple mantra can be misleading. Thinking in terms of simplicity can lead one to believe the musical prowess of R.E.M. is overstated. Untrue. It helps if that music is measured for quality, rather than quantity. R.E.M. have proven that the number of chords is not so important as the quality of the work created by their combination. R.E.M. are truly greater than the sum of their parts.

This tribute, compiled through the truly independent spirit that gave R.E.M. its origin, celebrates that quality. It's a celebration of the band. It's a celebration of the music.

Enjoy.

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A must for fans of R.E.M........2005-08-09

A labor of love by independent artists inspired by R.E.M. Fans of the band will appreciate the wide variety of inspiration, from power-pop to alt country.

1 out of 5 stars Not for most REM fans.......2004-12-25

I have a very thorough collection of REM music, including DVDs and B-sides, the whole shebang. As an open-mic type, I have more than a few REM covers in my own gigs as well. And I imagine they are just as horrific as the covers on this album.

Maybe it takes time to grow on you, but this collection -- while I admire and respect the attempts -- is just awful. REM didn't become REM by being easily duplicated. They're a unique band, and always have been, and their music isn't easy to duplicate, improve upon, or even mimic. The musicians featured on this album are obviously pretty talented, and I'm sure their individual work is fine, but as an REM tribute album, this CD is hard on the ears of those who've come to enjoy Stipe's methods of crooning and the melodies REM achieves. Even as a used CD, this is a gamble at best. Very disappointing...and I'm disappointed by THAT in and of itself. It's not even a fun distraction from the usual REM fare. Points for trying, but REM fans might want to avoid this album.

4 out of 5 stars R.E.M. as You've Never Heard It Before.......2000-06-21

This is a great album: the works of R.E.M. redone by independant artists, all of whom list this band as their inspiration. My favorite track on this album is a remix of "Losing My Religion", sung by Suzanne Glass.

Music:

  1. Rockin' The Midwest '99
  2. Signs in the Sun
  3. Skull Ring
  4. Sleep/Holiday
  5. Sound Advice
  6. Spinning Tourists in a City of Ghosts
  7. Stay the Course
  8. The Dirty Boogie
  9. There Is Nothing Left to
  10. There Is Nothing Left to Lose

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