I Look Good in a Glass Pack

New Adventures in Hi-Fi - 1996

The bulk of New Adventures in Hi-Fi was recorded while R.E.M. was on tour in support of Monster. This was mainly done during soundchecks, but a few basic tracks were recorded in front of a live audience. The band later adjourned to a studio in Seattle after the tour, and recorded overdubs where needed, as well as four other songs. As a result, Hi-Fi is a bit of a mixed bag.

The material that was recorded on the road tends to be more rock influenced (this was the Monster tour, after all), while the studio tracks leans a little more towards R.E.M.'s older, jangle-pop style. Most of the songs are really strong, despite this variance. However, the record clocks in at over an hour and five minutes, which is about twenty minutes too long for a satisfying listening experiences for me.

By the end of the eighth track, a glorious return to classic R.E.M. form called "Bittersweet Me", Hi-Fi starts to wear out its welcome and the dip in quality is noticeable. "Be Mine" and "So Fast, So Numb" are rather unexceptional and the instrumental "Zither" is well played but unnecessary. Luckily, this second half of the record is saved by the fiery "Binky the Doormat" and the very charming "Electrolite".

Length becomes an issue for certain songs, too. "Leave" clocks in at over seven minutes. This includes a one minute acoustic intro which gives way to a blaring siren that continues throughout the entire piece. I give R.E.M. props for trying out something totally different, but six minutes of a klaxon becomes grating.

It sounds like that I'm really coming down on this record, but there is still plenty of great material on it. Underneath the extra bulk lies a really solid R.E.M. record. "E-Bow the Letter" may be a strange choice for a lead-off single, but it contains vocals by Patti Smith and some of Michael Stipe's best stream of consciousness lyrics since "Country Feedback". Unfortunately, later attempts to use the sing-speak delivery he employs on "E-Bow" pale in comparison. There's a rendition of this song performed at the Tibetan Freedom Concert with Radiohead's Thom Yorke filling in for Patti Smith that's simply captivating.

One of the themes that Stipe dives head first into with Hi-Fi is religion, or his lack of a need for it. This is evident in the one-two punch of "New Test Leper" and "Undertow". Not that these ideas are shocking, but it is worth noting as a topic that Stipe never addressed this boldly before.

Another major significance of New Adventures in Hi-Fi is that it signals the end of the third era of R.E.M. which began with the tremendous success of Out of Time. This would be the final record produced by Scott Litt, who ran the boards since Document. Also, drummer Bill Berry would soon decide to retire, leaving R.E.M. as a trio.

6 out of 10