R.E.M. / Collapse Into Now [2011]

R.E.M.'s 15th and final album, Collapse Into Now seems to act as sort of a final revisit to the many musical areas they've visited over their plus 30 year old career.
Even though the band doesn't visit any territories on Collapse it's all good as their skill is so finely crafted with such casual passion and grace. Good time post-punk rockers, mandolin-fueled ballads and feedback fuzzy country songs are all present and they serve as a reminder as to just how good a library of songs R.E.M. have left behind them.
It's R.E.M. in fine form and a nice album to end a bumpy career. They will be missed but it's nice to go out with a great album and not linger till they didn't have it in them anymore.

4 The Return Of Patti Smith's out of 5

Songs Of Note: It Happened Today; Blue

R.E.M. / New Adventures In Hi-Fi [1996]

While on on a successful, yet physically grueling, tour in support of their Monster album, R.E.M. recorded 1996's New Adventures In Hi-Fi. Battered and beatdown, Hi-Fi captures those feelings perfectly without sacrificing any quality.
Pacing back and forth between the grungy rock style of Monster and the softer, solemn side of Automatic For The People, Hi-fi merges both styles flawlessly. While the hard-rock sound on Monster sounded forced and over-bloated, here they sound more grounded and organic.
In a era where Britpop, Girlpower and gunned down rappers were dominating the charts, New Adventures In Hi-fi went largely unnoticed. Over time, it would become the classic album it deserved to be. A welcome addition to my desert island discs.

5 perfect road albums out of 5

Songs Of Note: E-bow The Letter; Leave