"I Will Dare"

[threemonkeys]

Interesting to see the announcement that R.E.M. have announced that they have split. Really not so much a split as a retirement. Particularly interesting because I have just finished reading a book about The Replacements. R.E.M. and "the Mats" had very similar paths during the '80s. The both came through the American alternative scene and knew each other, both had critical acclaim and solid fan bases, both got signed to major labels and by the start of the '90s were at about the same level poised for serious success. R.E.M. were happy to embrace that success and take the step up. They were even able to do so without serious artistic compromise (a fancy way of saying they didn't sell out). The Replacements on the other hand were not comfortable with success. In fact they actively aggressively rejected it. The term "self destructive" could have been coined just for them and so they broke up just as they were about to break out.

The contrast between these two bands makes an interesting life lesson. And yet, on any given day, I will always prefer to listen to The Mats. I'm listening to them right now.