Nice intro, droggy middle shakes up R.E.M.’s latest single

On the precedence of their much-anticipated (No. 15 and counting) Collapse Into Now LP, alternative rock band R.E.M. are releasing “Discoverer” as the album’s lead single. It’s not a major disappointment since the opening contains Peter Buck’s hearty guitar riffs and enough action to rock out a Guitar Hero import, but this Jefferson Airplane revival number gets slothful halfway into the mix. On the tag, the band chants a loopy “Dis-coverer” with fist-pumping action at the end; leaving listeners with the impression that more was to come. Instead the band holds their last note and a single guitar chord fades away. Maybe the next single will grab us.

J MATTHEW COBB

LISTEN TO:
R.E.M. – DISCOVERER

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