If it were possible to create a super-sound, a mix of '60s melodic iconoclasm, '70s introspective roots and add a dash of fun-loving punk, you'd arrive at something like R.E.M.
Avant-garde, but incredibly popular, the group accelerated from college-friends-playing-local to raking in the largest recording contract of their day, all within a ten year period (early '80s to early '90s).
What is so awe-inspiring is that they turned down more lucrative offers, in the mid-'80s, to sign with a recording label that gave them complete control over their music. And this was a hugely successful move. Three cheers for integrity.
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Each band or performer is graded on four things:
1. Innovation
2. Influence in my life--as a typical American
3. Integrity: the band's approach to music (just making a buck or honing a craft?)
4. Immortality--am I, a typical American--still eager to hear their music
9/4/10/6 = 29 out of a perfect 40
1. Innovation
2. Influence in my life--as a typical American
3. Integrity: the band's approach to music (just making a buck or honing a craft?)
4. Immortality--am I, a typical American--still eager to hear their music
9/4/10/6 = 29 out of a perfect 40
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Opinion: The reverb intro. on the 1995 song "Bang and Blame" is an example of sheer genius in the perennial challenge to effectively set a mood.
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