R.E.M Live
by R.E.M.
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    70
    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.'
  2. Pitchfork
    58
    What makes Live so disappointing isn't that it offers too few shots of the band they were, but so many glimpses of the band they could be, if they were more adventurous in hi-fi.
  3. Rolling Stone
    70
    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.
  5. AllMusic
    60
    Fans of the frenzied early R.E.M. rock & roll will find this too anthemic--but this big, big sound on R.E.M. Live speaks to the band's core strengths in a way no post-Bill Berry studio album does.
  6. Blender
    50
    It’s strange and sometimes fascinating to hear R.E.M.’s oldest songs played so differently, though vintage tracks are rare in a set concentrating on 2004’s mostly inert "Around the Sun."
  7. Austin Chronicle
    67
    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.
  8. Delusions of Adequacy
    70
    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.
  9. The Boston Phoenix
    50
    Unless you’re a diehard fan, wait for their new album in the spring.
  10. Mojo
    80
    The CD reveals R.E.M. still have plenty of fuel to throw upon their smouldering career. [Jan 2008, p. 100]
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  11. Spin
    60
    It's reliably beautiful, if staid. [Dec 2007, p.124]
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  12. Entertainment Weekly
    50
    Whenever they shift to tracks from 2004's leaden "Around the Sun," you can practically hear the audience slink toward the concession stand. [26 Oct 2007, p.69]
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  13. Billboard
    70
    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.
  14. Trouser Press
    60
    A solid enough set from the Around the Sun tour but not particularly revelatory, it’s exactly what one would expect from a late-period R.E.M. live album, with no surprises in performance or setlist.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 20 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 20
  3. Negative: 2 out of 20
  1. ricco94
    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 »
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