Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. Mojo
    80
    The CD reveals R.E.M. still have plenty of fuel to throw upon their smouldering career. [Jan 2008, p. 100]
  2. We're treated to none-too-shabby performances of the obvious lighter-wavers as well as several lesser-known wonders, including a rocked-up take on 'Green' favourite 'Orange Crush' and an airing of the sublime 'Cuyahoga' from underrated 1986 release 'Life's Rich Pageant.'
  3. Live is as much about forward motion as the records singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck and bassist Mike Mills have made since Berry left in 1997.
  4. Recorded in Dublin, 2005, the 2-CD/1-DVD set bores through nonhits but paints a vivid picture of legends in a post-9/11 world.
  5. Attention does seem to wander during some of the post-millennial songs, and the insistent clapping on the wrong beat during 'Drive' is irritating, but the crowd's love is audible and the band more than earns the affection.
  6. Taken as a whole package though, R.E.M. Live is a flawed but respectable enough addition to the canon of three men who can still conjure up a bit of magic, albeit in spite of themselves.
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 20
  2. Negative: 2 out of 20
  1. Aug 31, 2012
    9
    R.E.M. have always been a great live band, and the Around the Sun songs cannot change this. They also sounds better in this live performance,R.E.M. have always been a great live band, and the Around the Sun songs cannot change this. They also sounds better in this live performance, and the old hits are still great, especially Man on the Moon and Orange Crush. Michael's voice is not very clean anymore, but it sounds great during I Took Your Name.
    R.E.M. live is an excelent release. If there were less Around The Sun tracks it would 10/10.
    Full Review »
  2. Jesse
    Nov 5, 2007
    8
    it's a pretty good time. i could do without some of the newer stuff but the dvd sound is great, and the old songs still sound as good as it's a pretty good time. i could do without some of the newer stuff but the dvd sound is great, and the old songs still sound as good as they did when i was growing up. Full Review »
  3. RLB
    Nov 3, 2007
    4
    Why a live CD now, and why another DVD? "Road Movie" and "Perfect Square" satisfied my requirement for live REM many times over! And Why a live CD now, and why another DVD? "Road Movie" and "Perfect Square" satisfied my requirement for live REM many times over! And there's nothing monumental here, the best selections being the ones originally out before '87. Full Review »