R.E.M.’s brand-new clip for “Supernatural Superserious”–the first single off Accelerate, a.k.a. the band’s attempt to bring back the people who abandoned it after Around The Sun–is by no means a groundbreaking clip (although the attendant Web site, which blows out the footage that the band shot at various Lower East Side boutiques and restaurants, is very clickworthy). But there’s something about the student-film feel of it that really makes it kind of endearing, although I’m sure that the song’s possession of a pretty decent crunch is helping my warm and fuzzy feelings toward the entire enterprise. [YouTube / Supernaturalsuperserious.com]
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Michael Stipe Leads His Band On A Field Trip Downtown
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Would people who abandoned the band after its most recent album actually count as abondoning them at all? I mean, honestly, anyone who stuck around after Reveal is probably never going to give up hope.
I like this. Looks like I’m going to buy my first new R.E.M. album since 1992.
I do not want to stoke any kind of ridiculous hype fire, but Accelerate is, honest-to-goodness, great.
I hope it’s great, they’re overdue for a great album by about 16 years.
Second on the hoping-they-finally-did-a-good-one sentiment.
Around was the first R.E.M. album I skipped, like, pretty much ever (not counting comps and live stuff, although most of that junk is later, too).
I reviewed UP for CMJ and actually really like it. It’s a two-thirds successful experiment and just about a three-star R.E.M. album (on a five-scale). I bought Reveal but mostly hated it.
I dunno about 16 years. One friend of mine (an unnamed but prominent critic) claims New Adventures as his favorite R.E.M. album, and while I wouldn’t go remotely that far, that record is pretty seriously underrated in some quarters.
Up wasn’t a terrible record, it just wasn’t Automatic for the People which I think a lot of people use as a measuring stick for R.E.M.
@Chris Molanphy: Agreed on most points, but I think Reveal has a number of great songs. I’m pretty goddamned biased, though. Accelerate is amazing. And talk about succinct!
Not to get all excited about just the video or anything (seriously, I could care less about REM at this point — they kind of lost me, yeah, in the early 90’s), but it’s directed by Vincent Moon from La Blogotheque. Nice! I will give them props there — they’ve always hired great directors for their videos.
@Lucas Jenning: Except for those of us who measure REM on the first two albums. Back when every review referenced that Michael mumbled his lyrics. And he was dreeeeammmmmy.
Judging by this I’m not getting my hopes up.
@Relaxing: this is actually one of the weaker songs on the record.
“abandoned [them] after Around The Sun.”
Jeez, how about after Up in 1998. New Adventures was their last good album, and they’ve been in the most enervating rut ever since. But the greats have a talent for bouncing back, so I’m crossing my fingers for the new release. Don’t let us down, Athenians!
If this track was on Green, everybody would be singing its praises. They have made the album that all of the old guard fans has been wanting them to make. Can’t wait for all of the hypocrites to bitch about this one for the same thing they’ve been clamoring for.
thoughts after actually having a chance to watch when not at work:
1) OMG they totally spend 1/3 of the video in Babeland.
2) If this is one of the weaker tracks, I’m actually interested to hear the rest. It’s good. Big Star Deluxe with a side of fries and cole slaw, but it’s good.
Please let this album be good. Around the Sun just about broke my heart it was so bad. “Supernatural” is best single I’ve heard from this band since “Bittersweet Me*,” and if this one of the weaker tracks, than I have a good deal of hope.
(*Count me as one of those folks who highly regard NAIHF.)