Michael Stipe is often "corny" now (but no one will tell him).

Twenty years ago, the consencus among critics and fans alike was that REM were collectively the hippest, bohemian, post-punk, alt-rock, jangle-guitar, whatever-words-you-want-to-apply group around. That's why the next question and subsequent observations are so difficult for me, a career-long REM fan.

First the question: Is Michael Stipe so insolated that nobody will tell him his lyrics are often corny now? I'm sadly aware that he avoids the DaDa-esque Stream of Consciousness approach he popularized on early REM recordings (Stipe: "No, there is no moral kiosk!") but come on, "..sit and spin" (from "Living Well")?! How could it come to this, Potsy?! How embarrassing! I've listened to the eleven rehearsed songs from Dublin (several times) and their weakness is too often his direct, linear and unfortunately too often, sappy at worst, ordinary at best choice of words, delivered in increasingly familiar cadences.

Forgive me for the nastolgia but the absence of punctuation, weird unexpected vocal inflection and unusual but interesting words found on IRS-era REM recordings, created images for listeners that fit the swirling sounds of the group and lifted them to a higher level. Songs were evocotive and resonated with listeners without any of us having more than a vague idea what they were about. We might not have known their meaning, BUT THEY MEANT SOMETHING TO EACH OF US.
Perhaps Michael Stipe should reconsider that forsaken "opaque" verbal approach.

On a positive note, I love the harmonies that Mike Mills lays over many songs and, despite Peter Buck becoming too good a musician to play arpeggiated riffs anymore (good pops songs really should have hooks, though), the new songs still kick ass compared to anything REM have created since Bill Berry split.

It will be interesting to hear what comes out of the studio when the group and Jacknife Lee are done. Maybe someone within Stipe's inner circle will also question the "Emporor's New Clothes".

Keeping my fingers crossed but not holding my breath.