Collapse into Now by R.E.M. is the Best Album of 2011 So Far

It has been three years since R.E.M. released a full length album. Collapse Into Now is so refreshing that it's worth the wait. Alternative rock has not been very popular on radio in the past few years. Coldplay and U2 manage to break in sometimes and remind us what music sounds like when it's written and performed by a band. The first track Discoverer is catchy yet not overproduced. It's not trying too hard to get our attention however it's dynamic and does get our attention. The rest of the album follows the same pattern with great production by Jackknife Lee and R.E.M. The focus seems to be on excellent music whether or not it's a number one song on billboard. The band's youtube page has homemade videos by Michael Stipe which is a nice touch.

They managed to round up a wonderful circle of talent to guest on the album Peaches lends vocals on the 80's influenced catchy Alligator_Aviator_Autopilot_Antimatter. Eddie Vedder and Joel Gibb give vocal support on the uplifting radio friendly It Happened Today. Patti Smith is heard on Blue which is the last track on the album and Discoverer. Oh My Heart is an ode to New Orleans post Katrina. I love the second track All The Best about aging rock stars still putting out music although their star is not as bright as it used to be. Then again I would love it if every 80's band put as much effort into their new releases as R.E.M. did on Collapse Into Now. Me, Marlon Brando and I has that comfortable feeling about it without sound tired.

The lyrics are not over the top and the melodies and chord progression are well balanced. I even found myself adding harmonies that are not there which makes me respect that the album didn't add anything extra. I'm not a pro but I guess I got used to producers and bands going too far. Restraint and pure talent make this album a gem. The final song Blue ends with '20^th Century Collapse into now" and then fades into Discoverer. How many albums have you wanted to listen to over and over again? Collapse Into Now makes it easy. Thank you R.E.M. for giving us a reminder of what alternative rock was in the beginning and how it can grow and still keep its integrity.