For many people born during the ’80s, listening to alternative rock was a right of passage. It was during this time the genre exploded in popularity and gathered many fans, whether having been introduced to it by their parents, peers, or discovering it by themselves.
R.E.M. are a stalwart in the genre. Over the last 30 years, the band has set themselves apart from many other alt-rock counterparts by consistently releasing an album every few years. With these frequent releases, R.E.M. has made a name for themselves with their upbeat, energetic tunes as well as their unique, though at times rather enigmatic lyrics.
Collapse Into Now, their 15th release, is no exception, offering up a fresh new blend of sonorous guitar chords supplemented by Michael Stipe’s deep vocals to create a sound that fans already know and love.
R.E.M.’s inclination to write complicated lyrics is as prominent as ever in this new album, which is ideal for the fans who love to dive in and analyze these lyrics- the depth is there. For the rest of us, it is just as easy to lean back and let the music speak for itself.