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Live At The Olympia - R.E.M.
Live At The Olympia Image
Metascore
74 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critics What's this?

User Score
9.1 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 17 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Summary: The second live recording for the band features songs from its five-night residency at Dublin, Ireland's Olympia Theatre in 2007.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 11
  3. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. The A.V. Club
    91
    Though it isn't a concept album, Live At The Olympia does tell a story about the remarkable staying power of one of the best rock bands of the past 30 years.
  2. No Ripcord
    80
    It's a bold, enchanting and captivating record that is of genuine interest to hear, as opposed to a long drawn out chore, which an album like this it could have so easily been.
  3. Rolling Stone
    60
    The stitching is tighter now, and drummer Bill Rieflin often holds things together too neatly. But when songs fray--see 'Harborcoat'-- it's the sound of imperfection perfected.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. MiguelA.
    10
    Amazing live album, great set list, good sound and top performance.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. JimmyR.
    10
    A real treat for fans, and a great intro to the band for new fans.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. Ricko
    9
    Although technically a live album, as the sleeve of the album states "This is not a show". Recorded over several nights in Ireland's best venue to see a band, The Olympia in Dublin, this was a mini residency where REM worked on and tested out new songs that were to appear on their forthcoming album Accelerate. Along with work in progress versions of Accelerate tracks, this double album has tracks from throughout the bands career. There are very few of their massive hits on this with Drive and Electrolite the most widely known. The majority of the material comes from their pre Out of Time era. The quality of the songs is amazing throughout, the standard of the recording is excellent and the band are in top form here. A couple of the songs have interesting explanations about their origins as well. The older stuff still sounds amazingly fresh and vibrant. Not so sure it's a record you'd give to someone as an introduction to REM but for the many fans of the band already out there it's a must, have especially now that the band are no more.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

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