I'll get to the run-up to R.E.M. later. But let's just cut to the chase and get to the marquee attraction on the first full on night of music at SXSW. The outdoor show at Stubb's barbecue joint by the trio of Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck and bass player Mike Mills - augmented by Scott McCaughey and drummer Bill Rieflin - was a text book example of how older revered-as-mavericks artists use the dense-with-media confab to jump start their careers.
In R.E.M.'s case, Accelerate is due on April 1, and it comes at a time in the band's career where they're in danger of disappearing into complete irrelevancy, after the forgettable 2004 album Around the Sun. So the Stubb's show - which was broadcast by NPR and can be heard on NPR.org - was all about answering the question of whether these guys are still worth caring about, more than 25 years down the line.
After hearing the fivesome rip-it-up over a 90 minute, full length set, that was heavy on the punchy, instantly accessible new CD, I'd have to say the answer is yes. If you've heard the single "Supernatural Superserious," you get the idea of what Accelerate sounds like: tight, pedal to the medal stuff that is thankfully without the air of we-can-still-rock! desperation that marred 1994's Monster. "It sounds very R.E.M.-ish," the guy standing next to me happily said as we peered down on Stipe and company from the deck at Stubb's.
There is one solemn sounding slow song on Accelerate - "Until The Day Is Done," which Stipe dedicated to Heath Ledger, and which was part of a trio of political songs that included "Bad Day," which shaven headed singer prefaced with some pointed remarks. He thanked Austin for coming out for Barack Obama in a big way, and directed a shot at Hillary Clinton' red phone ad: "I'm sick to death of politicians telling me what to be afraid of, what to fear." He also took the opportunity to target the Bushes, while in Texas: "Houston" off the new album is a response to the remark made by Barbara Bush after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 that "things are working out very well" for New Orleans evacuees who lost their homes.
But Wednesday night's gig was about music, not politics. It was also a reminder of what a savvy crowd pleasing front man Stipe is, and a chance for the boys in the band to crisply bash out punky tunes like "I'm the DJ" ("Death is pretty final, I'm collecting vinyl, I'm going to be the DJ at the end of the world") and the T.S. Eliot hat-tip "Hollow Man" that emphasizes the bright Byrds and "Within You, Without You"-style Beatles aspects of the band's sound. Once again, they're open for business.
The band's Ninetynites.com is updated with video clips regularly, and their MySpace site is here.
Philly.com discussions are intended to be civil, friendly conversations. Please treat other participants with respect and in a way that you would want to be treated. You are responsible for what you say. And please, stay on topic.
These boards are monitored by Philly.com staff. We reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us in our sole discretion and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. Personal attacks, especially on other board participants, are not permitted. We reserve the right to permanently block any user who violates these terms and conditions.