BERETS FROM MARS! R.E.M. EAT THE DOCUMENT
It’s dangerous to write about R.E.M. without falling into the Larger-Than-Life trap. Perhaps it’s because so few “Rock Stars” (and that term is used loosely) define themselves not only by music but by principles. That the band tends to come off looking like, well, um, folk heroes, just by being decent human beings, is a rather ironic reflection not only on the music business but on celebrities in general.
BERETS FROM MARS! R.E.M. EAT THE DOCUMENT
FEATURES
Karen Schlosberg
by
It’s dangerous to write about R.E.M. without falling into the Larger-Than-Life trap. Perhaps it’s because so few “Rock Stars” (and that term is used loosely) define themselves not only by music but by principles. That the band tends to come off looking like, well, um, folk heroes, just by being decent human beings, is a rather ironic reflection not only on the music business but on celebrities in general.
ironic reflection not only on the music business but on celebrities in general. Dylan said to live outside the law you must be honest, but even that can backfire, as it could be seen as a sort of canonization-by-default of Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Michael Stipe, who would wince in their beers over things like this. But the seven-year-old band’s career has exemplified the best kind of American D.I.Y. success story and warms the heart by proving that you can be intelligent and still be popular. And that