REM Draft Discussion Thread

[Lucky]

Going back through my list, I've found that repeated listening to "You" from Monster elevates that song from an afterthought on the album to a killer track. I would invite you to put it on repeat for about five runs, and see if you agree.

Caveat: You have to like guitars. Also, it reminds me of something the Beatles might have done if they had stayed together.

[Pogues]

So here's a pretty insane playlist of undrafted songs


Walk It Back (Collapse Into Now) ... errrrrr ... and this ... especially this, this is one of my favourites

This song was the one I went back and forth with Blue when I made that selection. I really wanted to take both, and loved this song the first time I listened to it. It's my choice for the hidden track idea we keep throwing around.

[Mithrandir]

My favorite REM tunes:

1. Radio Free Europe
2. Pretty Persuasion
3. What's the Frequency Kenneth
4. Circus Envy
5. Man on the Moon
6. Pilgrimmage
7. Fall on Me
8. Begin the Begin
9. Don't Go Back
10. Stand
11. Swan Swan H
12. Crush With Eyeliner
13. Orange Crush
14. Can't Get There
15. Exhuming McCarthy

[Long John]

My favorite REM tunes:

1. Radio Free Europe
2. Pretty Persuasion
3. What's the Frequency Kenneth
4. Circus Envy
5. Man on the Moon
6. Pilgrimmage
7. Fall on Me
8. Begin the Begin
9. Don't Go Back
10. Stand
11. Swan Swan H
12. Crush With Eyeliner
13. Orange Crush
14. Can't Get There
15. Exhuming McCarthy

Pretty sure all of those were selected. I took Circus Envy. That was probably the latest on this list to go.

[Stephen]

As far as hidden tracks. I'm going to throw out "Tongue" from Monster.

[johnnya24]

This song was the one I went back and forth with Blue when I made that selection. I really wanted to take both, and loved this song the first time I listened to it. It's my choice for the hidden track idea we keep throwing around.

I was planning to take it, but Time After Time was still hanging out there in the 11th.

An undrafted, virtually unknown song like Walk It Back is better than most bands could manage in their entire career. One comment described Michael Stipe's voice here like a 20 year old bottle of scotch ... perfect description.

... but the strangest REM video of them all.

[Long John]

Yeah, Walk it Back is good. Probably one of their better songs on Collapse. It probably didn't go just because of the number of draftees that weren't familiar with anything after New Adventures, myself included.

Edit to add: I'll take Voice of Harold as my hidden track.

[Erik]

My hidden track will be the title track of Around the Sun.

[johnnya24]

My hidden track will be the title track of Around the Sun.

I'm not taking a hidden track, because I used to hate them. It turned out to be 5 minutes of silence when you had the record on repeat.

But if I did it'd be a fairly close call between Walk It Back (Collapse), Man-Sized Wreath (Accelerate) and Final Straw (Around The Sun). Walk It Now would probably win out.

Honourable mention to Man-Sized Wreath though ... it's the 3rd of the rockin' opening trio on Accelerate, and the video is great also ...

[Lucky]

I'll stick with How the West Was Won for my hidden track.

[Fresno Bob]

If Im taking a secret track, its some lost demo tape of "Superman"

[bryanbutler]

sorry i didn't post my last pick yesterday (or earlier today) - i actually spent an entire day and a half ignoring the internet and it was bliss .

old man kensey would probably have been my pick if i wasn't following my one-per-album rule. will post my real last pick in a bit.

[bryanbutler]

went with Bandwagon. could have gone with Ages of You or Burning Down instead, but i love two things about Bandwagon aside from its catchy tune and chord progressions: first, that the band is poking fun of its newfound popularity and how long it will last; and second that stipe is singing in a redneck twang that reinforces the fact that they've moved beyond their original audience.

ETA: Bandwagon also reminds me of Welcome to the Machine. both told from the POV of the managers, handlers, PR folks, etc. in Welcome, it's their pitch to the band. in Bandwagon it's their pitch to the fans.

[Pogues]

Finally completed my album.

Blondie with Angel Eyes

Side A
Superman
Wanderlust
All the Way to Reno (You're Gonna Be a Star)
Shiny Happy People
We Walk
Blue

Side B
The One I Love
Low
Photograph
Bad Day
The Outsiders
Everybody Hurts

*SUPER SECRET HIDDEN TRACK*
Walk It Back

[joncarlos]

I really should have taken Alligator Aviator for my last song, it would have fit better on Side A and I could have moved Sidewinder to Side B.

That said, I'm quite happy with my album. Just finished listening to Pale Blue Eyes. Man I love that track.

I may have missed crossing off the last couple picks but here is what is left on my "list"

Make It all OK (Around the Sun)
Aftermath (Around the Sun)
Burning Down (dead letter)
Discoverer (Collapse into now)
Strange - Document
Wanderlust (Around the Sun)
Imitation of Life (In Time)