"As R.E.M., and as lifelong friends and co-conspirators, we have decided to call it a day as a band,” the band posted on remhq.com. “We walk away with a great sense of gratitude, of finality, and of astonishment at all we have accomplished. To anyone who ever felt touched by our music, our deepest thanks for listening."
For the past three decades, R.E.M. helped define "college rock," "alternative rock," "indie rock," or whatever your preferred nomenclature was. As they moved from the underground into the mainstream, they sold millions and millions of albums and influenced a generation of musicians. Their last album was this year's Collapse Into Now.
"During our last tour, and while making Collapse Into Now and putting together this greatest hits retrospective, we started asking ourselves, 'what next'? Working through our music and memories from over three decades was a hell of a journey. We realized that these songs seemed to draw a natural line under the last 31 years of our working together.
"We have always been a band in the truest sense of the word. Brothers who truly love, and respect, each other. We feel kind of like pioneers in this--there's no disharmony here, no falling-outs, no lawyers squaring-off. We've made this decision together, amicably and with each other's best interests at heart. The time just feels right."
MICHAEL
"A wise man once said--'the skill in attending a party is knowing when it's time to leave.' We built something extraordinary together. We did this thing. And now we're going to walk away from it.
"I hope our fans realize this wasn't an easy decision; but all things must end, and we wanted to do it right, to do it our way.
"We have to thank all the people who helped us be R.E.M. for these 31 years; our deepest gratitude to those who allowed us to do this. It's been amazing."
PETER
"One of the things that was always so great about being in R.E.M. was the fact that the records and the songs we wrote meant as much to our fans as they did to us. It was, and still is, important to us to do right by you. Being a part of your lives has been an unbelievable gift. Thank you.
"Mike, Michael, Bill, Bertis, and I walk away as great friends. I know I will be seeing them in the future, just as I know I will be seeing everyone who has followed us and supported us through the years. Even if it's only in the vinyl aisle of your local record store, or standing at the back of the club: watching a group of 19 year olds trying to change the world."
The Great Beyond : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_JnCWT-_O8
One of those bands where you can buy their first 3-4 albums and you are good. Those first 3 or 4 were great though! Lyrically some of the best.
Countdown until greatest hits album followed by reunion tour.
I guess that would be ok. How many times did they play Calgary throughout the years? 2004? I have yet to see them live and if they toured and played "greatest hits" might be compelled to go see them. Compared to other bands they never over toured or rammed their music down peoples throats.
I saw them play at Thunderbird Stadium in Vancouver in 2003. It was their greatest hits tour and the concert was awesome. Radiohead played the next night and were watching the show. Thom York came on stage and played E Bow the Letter and It's The End of the World as We Know It with the band.
I saw them again when they came to Calgary in 2004. The concert wasn't as good but but still fun.
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Monster was the last record I bought, but their first 15 years were stellar.
Oddfellows Local 151 is my favorite REM tune and Document is probably my favorite album though it is a tough call.
Huge band.
__________________ I am in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection, but with Montana it is love." - John Steinbeck
R.E.M. Break-Up
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