:: Imitation Of Life

R.E.M.

This is the first single from the forthcoming REM album, Reveal. The lads have been pretty quiet of late - plane rage aside. Since the departure of drummer Bill Berry, we have had only last year’s single “The Great Beyond” to remind us how good they are. “Imitation of Life” continues in the same upbeat pop vein, and like all good REM tracks, leaves you guessing with obtuse lyrics> Harking back to “Out of Time”, you find yourself happily humming along. The rest of the single is typical of more recent REM albums, a more melancholy sound. “The Lifting” features Peter Buck’s melodic guitar providing the intro, this track could easily have been lifted from “Up”. “Beat the Drum” is a piano driven track lightly laced with acoustic strumming and warm Michael Stipe vocals – this could become another classic REM ballad (see “Find the River”). The final track, an instrumental, “2JN” is a good listen with interesting percussion sounds throughout. Another typically classy REM release.