2008 Woodie Awards
R.E.M. goes out with bang in US
KATIE ANDREW
Issue date: 6/26/08 Section: Variety
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The opening acts consisted of indie rock bands Modest Mouse and The National. Because of the radical difference in the musical styles of all three bands, Atlanta's Lakewood Amphitheatre was packed with eager fans of all ages and descriptions.
Modest Mouse definitely put on a show worth remembering. The band has a nasty reputation of putting on poor live performances, but the recent addition of former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr seems to have cleaned up its sound a bit. Many avid fans of Modest Mouse's first 14 years are none too pleased with the notably cleaner, slightly "poppy-er" new album "We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank."
But it is obvious the band only now has the means to produce the sounds it always worked toward. The audience seemed pleased with the set list. Modest Mouse made sure to include many old songs, such as "Paper Thin Walls" and "Good News for People Who Love Bad News," along with several tracks off the new album, including "Parting of the Sensory" and "Fly Trapped In a Jar." Short but sweet, Modest Mouse was worth the $50.
R.E.M. was ecstatic to be on stage, radiating during its entire performance. The band delivered a high-energy show that kept the crowd on its feet until the end. As always, Michael Stipe was loud, proud and in complete control of the audience. His high level of interaction with the crowd made for a memorable show.
It's no wonder R.E.M. seemed to be jumping off the walls. Next month the band is scheduled to arrive in Amsterdam to kick off a European tour in celebration of 28 years of being total rock stars. R.E.M. cut no corners on its set list. With tracks from albums all over the timeline, including "Losing My Religion" and "The One I Love," everyone got what they came to see.
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