Begin the Begin: R.E.M.'s Early Years Kindle Edition

My guess is that this is a generational thing when it comes to R.E.M. fans (I'm juuust squeaking by as a millennial, for reference), but this is the second book about their history in which the author has at length engaged in some eye-rolling about the band dabbling in politics; I don't necessarily disagree with the idea that Stipe has a tendency to get in over his head with ideas (whew- there are some missteps, I concede it readily), but it's just an interesting take for me given that I consider the band's political activism - or what I perceived to be activism, starting with Document - to have laid the foundation for my expectations from most artists I listen to. Document played a vital role in helping to solidify my early left leanings, whether others find it cringe-worthy on that front or not, and I generally tend to appreciate Stipe's (and Mills'!) *continued* political activism. The author engages in a fair degree of push-and-pull on this front; chastising heavy-handedness while taking pains to "correct" perceptions about their political narrative. I'm queer myself, and while I obviously do not know the author's orientation, I felt a bit hurt by the author's implication that Stipe's concerns during the AIDS crisis seemed melodramatic or overwrought; the fears Stipe stated about the Reagan administration and the environment in general are ones I've heard echoed many times by people in the gay community who lived through it (I myself was too young and absolutely unaware of just how gay I was!). Even now, I harbor my own fears about my life as a nonbinary person in this country and the sort of dangers to which we are exposed by conservative agendas. These threats feel very real and very scary for those living through them, and I can completely understand why Stipe was terrified about his health and future. R.E.M.'s music actually serves as a balm for me as I navigate those waters, and I appreciate Stipe's recent statements about moving past binaries.Having said all of that in many, many dense sentences: it would be ridiculously unfair to critique the book on that note for a variety of reasons. The interviews the author has with those actually in touch with the Athens scene are indeed illuminating and interesting, and my sole reason for ticking this at the star rating I've given it is that the writing occasionally feels like it's being padded out somewhat; I clearly do not mind an author relaying their personal connection to a band but at times the conversational tone felt like it might be there more to round out a chapter in terms of length than anything else.I certainly found it far better written than the other biography of the band that I'd read and definitely more in-depth for the time period in which it's focused; still very engaging and enjoyable, just not quite as polished as I'd hoped. I truly appreciated the effort taken to ensure that some names were resurfaced in the band's narrative - particularly women connected to the band as, my goodness, aren't they so often overlooked in the band's mythology! I find the band's mythmaking to be compelling, certainly, but the truth behind it is just as fascinating. I'd put this book more at 4 1/2 stars, but half stars aren't an option, unfortunately.

Well I've always been fascinated by R.E.M., and their mythical early years. Very interesting stuff! Michael Stipe famously said about Kurt Cobain's quote "They've dealt with their success like saints" something along the lines of "We did NOT" and the author seems a little eager to pull back the curtain, with less-than-Motley-Crue results: they sound like any other young men in their 20s would have acted in similar conditions. I wasn't sure where this book would end, it ended right before Green was recorded. The early years, filled with myth and internet snippets is absolutely fascinating. The author is a huge fan, mostly to the book's favor. For instance, he goes through the 3 recordings of "Radio Free Europe" and picks out the best and least attributes of each. He does, I believe, group historical things very well - Stipe's lyrics, from his first attempts with typical lyrics, then just going into gobbeldygook, then approaching a more meaningful, poetic style for each records. I agree with that. He also pinpoints the best period for R.E.M. as a band, which is shockingly early in their career but both Lennon and Harrison said the Beatles were their best in Hamburg so what do I know? It's a great read, but very unauthorized. He hangs out in Athens with some people who "were there", who knew the band at those pivotal early times, but that's about it for his primary interviews. Oh and he interviews the Great Mike Doskocil who saw Michael Stipe once in St Louis in the 70s. Some neat old pictures of the band really complement the book. I read another R.E.M. book which described some of their business practices as 'ruthless' in the early days (reversing the Hib-Tone contract for instance) and I looked at that at the time with the skepticism of a fan but this book makes it perfectly clear that the band - while not ruthless and undercutting - were always pragmatic and looking to the next step. Yeah, I liked this book, it's a good addition to the R.E.M. collection and very interesting to read a biography that doesn't have the 1st Church show on page 2 - it's much farther down the road!

I have been following Lurie's work. read every book. the litmus test is, as always, would it leave the circle of Earth, as part of our collective expansion, or be pedantic and obtuse enough to stay within the gravity field? neither. though i know i am not a fan of R.E.M., i do enjoy some of their songs, as part of the social fabric which molded my character during the early years. despite this fact i was deeply enamored by the depth of wellness that he displays in the conjecture presented. as a writer myself, i took to heart the Stephen King motto. 'To be a writer, all you need to do is read and write.' And so i read. There is a complex tapestry within, woven from a network of circles within circles. The author is versed to depth in a web of connections with their zenith at the heart of the band's core, and the apogee extending to the groupies beyond. So that is what he had been doing all those years.

As someone who was there, this is accurate as far as it goes. But where on earth is Drivin'n'Cryin'? The book goes into, and has great interviews with, so many of R.E.M.'s contemporaries and friends (great to see Billy Holmes get his due), but nary a mention of the band which was probably R.E.M.'s closest competition. The rivalry was highly amicable - PB played many an acoustic gig with DNC's Kevn Kinney and believe me, those gigs were far more memorable than a lot of the gigs mentioned here. There's a real missed opportunity in not comparing/contrasting the two "most commercial" bands with the more art orientated axis. Still - this is well researched and a deserving addition to the catalog. Recommend.

It's incredibly unfortunate that the authors' own ego is such he has to offer his own political stance on at least 500 occasions throughout this very self centred journey through a transformational time for R.E.M., Athens the town, Athens the people and wider American society. He does offer the accurate assessment that segregation remains and that the entire Athens music scene sits almost completely on the white hand side of the divide. His continued relish to publish his right wing views and denigrate absolute bangers like Ignoreland purely for their lyrical content is an almost embarrassing stance for an R.E.M. biographer to undertake. I'd ask fans to look very carefully before buying.