The Big Mates discuss death threats, protest songs, milk toast, and Around the Sun by R.E.M.

Adam, Steve, and Lucas continue their deep dive into the career and discography of R.E.M. by concluding their analysis of the band's thirteenth studio album, released in 2004. They talk about the writing and recording process, the context surrounding the songs, and offer up analysis, opinions, and thoughts from three differing perspectives on music, from being deeply into analysis and music, to not caring for art or critique, and everything in between.

They continue with their track-by-track analysis of the album and explore why the record is often considered the band's weakest. They then sum up how they feel about Around the Sun, how it was received at the time of release, and how that perception may have changed in the intervening years.

What do we think of Around the Sun? Why is it different to Everybody Hurts? Is it a melodica? Find out on this episode of What Is Music?

Our next episode is out on Monday January 20th!

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