Stipe's

Stipe's there yelping basic instructions and mumbling about meteors, Peter Buck's jangling away in the background like your dad fiddling with a pocket full of loose change, and it's a gentle reminder of how much I'd missed them, without actually realising it.

This week's new singles 2011

During recording sessions in New Orleans and Germany, Michael Stipe's lyrics took on an overriding optimism reflected in the album title, a reference to the power of living in the moment.

After 30 Years, R.E.M.'s 'Collapse Into Now' John Jurgensen 2011

Stipe's obscure early lyrics, and Buck and Mills' sharp guitar moves, are both very much in check.2.

The best of REM on video 2011

A lot of the audience that discovered them through Murmur didn't understand the power chords and booming drums not to mention Michael Stipe's newfound enunciation and politicized lyrics that characterized Lifes Rich Pageant and Document.

Tony Sachs: Imperfect Circle: R.E.M. Sums Up A Career In 40 Songs Tony Sachs 2011

The MTV-censored version included black strips across every set of nipples – Stipe's included.

The best of REM on video 2011

Instead of Stipe's awesomely weird lyrics, you have the similarly odd but comparably memorable ones.

Marc Ruxin: The Bestest 2010 -- Tunage Marc Ruxin 2011

Instead of Stipe's mostly hard to decipher vocals, you have the souring and soothing vocals of Meloy and company.

Marc Ruxin: The Bestest 2010 -- Tunage Marc Ruxin 2011

Instead of Stipe's awesomely weird lyrics, you have the similarly odd but comparably memorable ones.

Marc Ruxin: The Bestest 2010 -- Tunage Marc Ruxin 2011

Instead of Stipe's mostly hard to decipher vocals, you have the souring and soothing vocals of Meloy and company.

Marc Ruxin: The Bestest 2010 -- Tunage Marc Ruxin 2011

This is my favourite moment: Stipe's gorgeously shaky soprano doing Syd Barrett's greatest song justice.5.

The best of REM on video 2011