At the center of every album is a musical thesis. R.E.M.'s "Around the Sun" feels like a long goodbye. It is a goodbye from a band who has played soundtrack to my entire life. It is also goodbye to those moments we create together in time. In a lot of ways, they aren't meant to last forever. Art is only art when you know its done. R.E.M. is done. And that's okay. This album is a final chapter. It belongs to those of us who count ourselves as fans, but it also belongs to those who comprised this musical trio. All we can do is say thanks and then offer a salute to what has been. Now, we are left with a job to do. We are to ensure that what this band stood for is heard by those future generations who need it most.
Thanks for entering my world,
-Nathan