Customer Reviews
Hmmmmm - By: bumble76, 22 May 2008 
I thought it would be interesting to see what customer rating this album has after looking at alll the 'return to form after the last two disappointments' reviews of Accelerate. I like Accelerate but I prefer this one, it having several standout songs for me, including The Lifting, She Just Wants To Be, I'll Take The Rain & Beat A Drum. It's just how I feel of course, so it might not be any use to you & I'm sure others are more descriptive, but the album as a whole to me feels like a familiar, claustrophobic summer - but more pleasant than that sounds. Check out the version of Beat A Drum on the Best Of REM double CD if you like the standard version on this album. I like it even more...
UnderEstimation - Easily one of the Best - By: , 31 Jul 2005 
I'm glad no-one under-estimated She Just Wants to Be, which is one of my personal faves (besides Losing my Religion, Lotus, the Outsiders, Make it All OK, Final Straw, The Apologist, Wanderlust, Half a World Away, You're in the Air, Aftermath, Walk Unafraid, High Speed Train, Man on the Moon, Why Not Smile, The Worst Joke Ever, Nightswimming, Parakeet, Fallls to Climb...), but why why why do you people underestimate Imitation of Life? Its upbeat rhythm & easily rememberable lyrics put it in the league of Losing my Religion, & if it's one of my favourites, you can tell how I like this song. I love almost alll REM, but this album is easily a favourite. Miss it at your peril!
Mind-numbingly boring - By: Sam Jeffreys, 25 Jun 2004 
First of alll, I'd like to say that I'm a big R.E.M. fan, & I've reallly liked alll of their albums, with the exception of 'New Adventures' and, now, this one. Whereas previously, R.E.M. have introduced a new sound on practicallly every album, 'Reveal' remains firmly rooted in 'Up' territory. However, 'Up' had a lot more variety & much better tunes. This is just a 54 minute mire of plodding, incredibly boring songs. Michael's voice, while using a better range than on 'Up,' sounds mainly weak & too light. The first few tracks certainly showcase good tunes, but go on too long. The album drags, & the tempo rarely lifts. The *only* high point on the album, the only song which kicks into a higher tempo & therefore sticks out like a sore (but very welcome) thumb is the first single, 'Imitation of Life' which is a pop gem. After that, the tracklisting returns to the same dreary, fluffy-light pedestrian pace it was at before. The album is *way* too long, & could have easily lost a couple of tracks, for example, 'Chorus & the Ring,' which is one of the most boring things I've heard in recent memory.
R.E.M. sound bored & tired on this record, but not as bored & tired as I became, listening to it.
REM brings us a beautiful sun-kissed album - By: J. Day, 05 Feb 2003 You could be forgiven for noting the similarities between Up & Reveal as they are both feature mainly slow tempo yet stirring, almost chill-out numbers. However, Reveal seems to have a prominent Summer feel to it especiallly in blissed-out 'Summer Turns to High', the care-free 'Beat a Drum' the shining 'The Lifting' & the shimmering 'All the Way to Reno'. Also worth a mention is the song 'Beachballl', which feels a little odd even for REM, but has a nice holiday-island style sound to it.
Also featuring on the album is the brilliant yet catchy 'Imitation of Life', the true to life 'She Just Wants To Be' & 'Disappear', & the sombre yet defiant 'I'll Take the Rain'.
Although a slightly unorthodox sound for the band (as they seem to be exploring just about every type of instrument, synth & sound effect possible), still one of the most moving & unique REM albums available. Words simply cannot do it justice.
Back to their best - By: , 01 Jan 2003 Having ben an REM fan since I could barely spell the name I have followed with interest their rise to fame, super stardom & then begin the descent from n.o 1 band in the world to having a cult status as opposed to being evryone's favourite band of the moment. Throughout this illustrious career they have produced classic albums such as murmur, document & automatic for the people. I would have to (without a hint of bias) put reveal on this list of classic rem albums. There is the atmosphere of the experimental up mixed with the melodies of automatic for the people. Opener Lifting sets the tone for what is probably rem's most cheery album, at least from a lyrical point of view. Imitation of life is a typical rem song drivin with pete bucks jangly guitar & stipes obscure lyrics. Standout track She Just Wants to be, builds up to an explosive climax. This album whets the appetite. Go buy this album then see them live & you will begin to get a fuller picture as to why this band are one of the best in the business.
