R.E.M.: Imitation Of Life

R.E.M are a strange phenomenon. Immediately recognisable they seem to have written the same song over and over yet I never really seemed to get bored of them. There's always that little twist on their art; The lower-fi raw of What's The Frequency Kenneth? to the fluffy open arms of Shiny Happy People. Recently though, I'd grown tired of what I thought was a suddenly ageing format. The last few singles swept over my head and I was almost resigned to confirm R.E.M long gone into an era of The Who-like comeback tours and repeats of Sesame street. Then they released a new single…and it brought back memories.

Imitation Of Life is what I think R.E.M do best. Pop. Sometimes pop with a twist or a twirl and maybe with a smile or with a tear. They just make really singable and accessible songs that have enough substance to be taken seriously and enough tune to jump onto your stereo again and again. This song probably could snuggle up in Green'sfamily patchwork quilt and turn up to breakfast unnoticed as they tuck into toast and jelly. All the trademarks are there…We have Peter Buck picking his guitar away as Mr Stipe's trying-to-be-upbeat holler tunefully lifts you into R.E.M little world of tulips growing from suburbia and old Grampa's swinging on rocking chairs outside wooden American shacks. I'm not sure how much longer this little band can keep on writing these naïve little ditties but how can anyone resist moments like Mr Stipe's "Come on, come on I don't want to hear you cry"? And the fact they've managed to pen another song that is better than half of the young bands trying to emulate them and their kind is proof enough of why they are now wearing the gold gilt pants in the living hall of pop'n'roll fame.

R.E.M are a spent force. Everyone knows that, and I doubt the band believe they can rule the world again like U2 might, but with another nice song with another near-classic moment they can surely count themselves as the most sensible of pop stars. Don't believe the hype, R.E.M are not gone yet…they're just a little older.