Exclusive Preview: R.E.M.’s Collapse Into Now

Music News Mon, 28 Feb 2011 Written by Rasha Omer
R.E.M - Collapse Into Now marks 30 years from the band (Picture: Warner Music)

It’s almost nonsensical trying to write an introduction on R.E.M. – because, let’s face it, who doesn’t know R.E.M.? Unless you were born in the last 15 years and only listen to certain crop of vapid pop stars – this is a band that needs no fancy paragraphs written about them to spark any interest, because they’ve been doing just that for the past 30 years. Yes, thirty.

So when you have a group of musicians making music for that long, covering multiple dimensions of many trends and genres, being in, being out, selling out tours and influencing a whole generation of artists – what more can they exactly give on their 15th release?

Judging by the early buzz and interviews, Collapse Into Now is expected to be one of the better R.E.M. records of late – and regardless of whether that signifies a so-called “return to form”, early listens indicate that it has the best of everything. We’re expecting a mixed bag of loud, brash rocking tunes – intertwined with more tender, classic R.E.M. moments.

The record is said to sound like a journey through the band’s discography (of sorts) – not literally and certainly not in a dated or a rehashed sense – but rather a sense of comfortable familiarity of the band that almost coined the definition of 'alternative rock' in the 80's.

Collapse Into Now

This fresh perspective was achieved with the help of trusty producer Jacknife Lee (who worked on 2008's Accelerate) along with a little help from some of their friends – Eddie Vedder and Patti Smith to name a few.

The album was recorded over the span of three months between New Orleans and Berlin.

We can’t wait to hear the LP in its entirety – and give a detailed review on it! For the time being until its release, you can hear a few songs from Collapse Into Now on our Live Stream (hit 'listen live') including “Mine Smell Like Honey,” "It Happened Today," "Discoverer" and “Überlin”. And check below for an exclusive video on the making of the record.

Collapse Into Now will be available across the Middle East early March (March 8th onwards) from Virgin Megastores and all good retailers.

R.E.M Preview Interview - Making of 'Collapse Into Now'

REM Interview about the making of 'Collapse Into Now'