(Go to this link for the explanation of the review format)

Highly publicized as R.E.M.’s return to ROCK, in the tradition of Monster (although the material is much better).  This is the veteran modern rock bands 14th full length release.  Stipe wrestles with varying subject matter including gay rights in America in several songs and the Michael Richards racist tirade.   Overall a pretty solid release, although I didn’t find as many great tracks just a lot of decent tracks.

Check it out below, if embedded content does not appear follow this link.

Click the link above and you will be taken to the playlist hosted on this website.  Click once on the first song and the playlist will start.

1 ) “Dawna” by Morphine (0:43)
2 ) “The Aspidistra Files” by Stars (3:53)
3 ) “November” by Azure Ray (4:27)
4 ) “Blackout Curtain” by Now It’s Overhead (4:17)
5 ) “She Will Have Her Way” by Neil Finn (3:56)
6 ) “I’ve Got A Feeling” by Ivy (3:02)
7 ) “Change My Life” by Spoon (4:29)
8 ) “That’s What I Know” by Josh Rouse (3:31)
9 ) “Reveal Love” by Ken Stringfellow (5:07)
10 ) “Mad World” by Gary Jules (3:09)
11 ) “I’ll Be Around” by Nourallah Brothers (3:01)
12 ) “Let’s Take A Trip Together” by Morphine (3:00)
13 ) “Nightswimming” by R.E.M. (4:18)
14 ) “Tongue And Heart” by Anomoanon (3:56)
15 ) “Exercise” by Clem Snide (3:34)
16 ) “Random Homes” by Twin Atlas (2:05)
17 ) “Island Garden Song” by Mountain Goats (2:27)
18 ) “I Am A Rock” by Red House Painters (5:32)

Just like volume one, this playlist was put together as a mix CD which I have now resurrected in digital format.  I put it together sometime in 2004.