Leaving New York

I've had this song on mp3 for a bit now, it's the best single they've put out since "The Great Beyond," IMO, and possibly since "Monster" era.

With that said, "Make It All OK" and "Final Straw" are mediocre at best, and I really think my favorite band is sliding into AC territory long before I'm ready to accept it.

Posted by: Jeff Raymond at 08/23/04 5:29 PM | Reply
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Narcoleptic crap rehash of every ballady idea they've had since going full-on MOR. The best single since "The Great Beyond"? Have some perspective, there was only one album and a greatest hits comp. since that single (that is, a handful of other songs to compete with). Not much competition, really.

Posted by: Bernardo at 08/23/04 5:47 PM | Reply
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zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.........

stipe has some voice, though. i've slept through worse.

Posted by: ceMG at 08/23/04 6:18 PM | Reply
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Another band that needs to stay the fuck out of the studio and just do tours with greatest hits setlists.

You too, Robert Smith.

Posted by: Justin at 08/23/04 6:25 PM | Reply
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Oh by the way, LMAO at the nostalgia for "Monster"-era singles. You know a band's been bad for a while when its fans wistfully long for the days of "Star 69".

Posted by: Justin at 08/23/04 6:30 PM | Reply
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I'm talking "Crush With Eyeliner," man, none of that "Star 69" 5th single stuff.

Posted by: Jeff Raymond at 08/23/04 7:09 PM | Reply
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Ugh, absolutely terrible and boring, but that's what I expect from this band the last 5 years.

Posted by: Ricardo at 08/23/04 7:19 PM | Reply
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I saw Stipe in my hood (williamsburg round broadway and that McDonalds/JMZ stop) filming the video. It was him holding a plastic bag walking down the street with a few people running around him. Wasn't able to see who the director was...

Posted by: astralgirl01 at 08/23/04 7:35 PM | Reply
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i got a date w/ this song. good work.

Posted by: ishtar gonzalez at 08/23/04 9:10 PM | Reply
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> i got a date w/ this song. good work.

how did you get a date with this song? you're gonna have to brush up on your REM as you haven't bought a CD in 10 years.

Posted by: stereogum at 08/23/04 10:15 PM | Reply
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I'm kinda mixed about this song. In the end, after I've heard it a few times, I'll probably end up liking it. But they're seriously re-treading here.

Posted by: Shawn at 08/23/04 11:26 PM | Reply
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Shit.

Posted by: Lucy at 08/24/04 12:39 AM | Reply
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Bought it off of iTunes this morning after hearing it on Radio Paradise. Beautiful song with an excellent chorus.

Posted by: Jason at 08/24/04 4:04 PM | Reply
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When a KEY member leaves, just effing end IT. if one damn member of u2 left, that would be it and they'd know it. boooo.

Posted by: mr. lohan at 08/24/04 9:08 PM | Reply
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U2? Im sick of hearing people daring to compare U" with REM. Are there a load of U2 fans so sad as to spend their days and nights slagging off REM on websites? U2 wont be remembered as a super-great band in 50 Years time REM will be.

Leaving New York is an awesome song. I like the video, it harks back to early 90s feel but so what, thats what everybody seems to want!

Why does everyone posting here think that REM have been crap since Bill left?

Perspective: the truth is that all rems albumshave been 8.5 to 10 out of 10 while up stooped to the terrible 8 out of 10, reveal was a great album.

Just get a grip or go and follow some other shite!

Posted by: Paul Chappell at 09/13/04 11:30 AM | Reply
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Key member as in Bill Berry? UP was a fantastic album. Sure, it skewed them in a new direction, into the realms of electronic rock, but it didn't diminish the quality of the band.

As far as the new single, I don't dislike it. It is similar to their old stuff, but it's still a good song. If it were by any other band, we'd be worshipping them as the next great band, but since it's by a band already established as great it doesn't recieve the same treatment.

Posted by: KGuinn at 09/16/04 8:59 PM | Reply
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I agree with you KGuinn, REM is timeless and certainly the best band in the world, though that's my opinion. But come on, you can't rag on them, i'm 14 and i've only really been into their music for about a year, but they have hooked me and i just love their stuff. i wasn't even around when they were at their peak and i'm still lovin' them. its so much better than the superficial crap we here now a days. do you think they are gonna produce some total new out there song just to please today's 'britney spears' pop culture. i certainly hope not!

Posted by: SK at 09/19/04 4:46 AM | Reply
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How much negativity spews out of your mouths? R.E.M. Are a great band. Not were a great band. And no the drummer leaving didnt diminish the tunes at all. Sorry the band didnt end there. Have you heard: "Imitation Of Life". Briliant tune.
As for U2 not being remembered in 50 years time and R.E.M. being so. Sorry both will be remembered as the great rock bands they are.
Its not the band thats the problem its the fan bases. U2 have a spanker of a tune coming out in a couple of weeks, it aint that much better than R.E.M. but U2 fans/newsgroups are embracing the new music, not siiting like you lot wishing it was still 1983 playing depressing badly rehearsed tunes to 200 musos in georgia. Stipe is a better lirycist now than 20 years ago. Any great writer is.
Seen R.E.M. 12 Times across the years, great band ,pants crowd, get a life and dance a little. You never know you might enjoy it?

Posted by: Taylor at 09/26/04 3:50 PM | Reply
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LOCAL PARTY!!!

Leaving New York Party! in Mineola.

Leaving New York Party - with DEEJAY BEARD ( featuring Captain Frizzo and the guerilla hype man) hosted by A!bstraction NY [ spinning only the best industrial, new wave, EBM, synth-pop, dark wave, electro punk, post punk, and electro clash ] featuring deejays No Request, Stevie C, LeadGold, etc.

Deejay Beard is a local snaxpert and visionary that is leaving the area for a minute in pursuit of flavor country. Watch this local boy make good as he grinds audio works devised by 2WENTY2WELVE industries (www.myspace.com/2012industries)

The party will also feature:

A BONFIRE (also known as a "BONDFIRE"...get close to your chums)

XmaSafari - senior snacking coorespondant and licensed cheese handler.

Artist Sweets Becker - is a New York artist whose works and 47th birthday we will be celebrating ( www.myspace.com/artistsweetsbecker)

Phi - meat puppetry ( gubafterglitch.com )

Aunt Janet - is bad new for decency

Party located at 267 mineola blvd, mineola ny ( 20min from manhattan, right off the LIRR in mineola,

RAIN OR SHINE! tent in the yard

hosted by A! [ www.myspace.com/abstractiony]
and 2wenty2welve Industries

SNACKTACULAR!

Posted by: undernewyork at 11/13/07 5:02 PM | Reply
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