20040825
Three New Rhapsody Exclusives:
1. R.E.M.: "Leaving New York" - R.E.M. are in no-nonsense mode on this track from their upcoming album, Around The Sun. It's as if they distilled their adventurous sides down to a bare minimum and just focused on writing a melodic pop song. Michael Stipe keeps it simple, writing with an "Everybody Hurts"-style directness.
2. Guster - Live from 6/17/04 Myrtle Beach, SC - This June 2004 concert feels like it was recorded on a perfect night as the sun was going down. The band's characteristic easiness is on full display here.
3. Guided By Voices, Half Smiles of the Decomposed - This is supposed to be the final word from Guided By Voices. Certainly not the last from Robert Pollard, but the last from the massively prolific GBV. Is it a fall from indie rock grace? Of course not. It's exactly the kind of brilliant, anthemic, jangling, riff-rocking pop that Pollard can do in his sleep.
1. R.E.M.: "Leaving New York" - R.E.M. are in no-nonsense mode on this track from their upcoming album, Around The Sun. It's as if they distilled their adventurous sides down to a bare minimum and just focused on writing a melodic pop song. Michael Stipe keeps it simple, writing with an "Everybody Hurts"-style directness.
2. Guster - Live from 6/17/04 Myrtle Beach, SC - This June 2004 concert feels like it was recorded on a perfect night as the sun was going down. The band's characteristic easiness is on full display here.
3. Guided By Voices, Half Smiles of the Decomposed - This is supposed to be the final word from Guided By Voices. Certainly not the last from Robert Pollard, but the last from the massively prolific GBV. Is it a fall from indie rock grace? Of course not. It's exactly the kind of brilliant, anthemic, jangling, riff-rocking pop that Pollard can do in his sleep.
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