R.E.M.

The unimaginative title of this set from a 2005 Dublin show suggests a quickie cash-in from a lazy band or label, but the muscular performances are revelatory, connecting the rollicking early-period R.E.M. and later, more restrained tunes such as "Electron Blue." In the process, it makes a more convincing case than most of their recent studio albums that these guys remain vital. Admirably free of any obvious post-gig tinkering, Michael Stipe's full-throated (and perfectly enunciated!) vocals drip with energy and excitement, and it's pretty thrilling to hear the crowd respond in kind.

R.E.M.'s first live album — a CD/DVD combo recorded on their 2005 tour — is, if you are a real
purist, two decades late. The band never released a full concert record with original
drummer Bill Berry. But while this set goes back to 1984's Reckoning, Live is as much about
forward motion as the records singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck and bassist Mike
Mills have made since Berry left in 1997. In fact, songs that seemed overpolished... More >