REM | Up

Everybody's reviewing and hopefully many are listening to REM's UP, the most consistent record I've heard this year, but then again I'd expect that of this group. I guess Stipe's lyrics (from "New Adventures in HiFi" on) will remain pretty sad and stay pretty dark. Well, so what? REM is still doing engaging, soul-searching, top quality work.

Originally posted to SteveForbert.com in January 1999.