Concert review: No holds barred for R.E.M.

The Georgia band gave the 6,000-some crowd at the Xcel Energy Center its most intense concert in the Twin Cities, with an overlay of politics.

By JON BREAM, Star Tribune

Last update: June 9, 2008 - 10:30 AM

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R.E.M. was caught between Barack and a hard rain. So singer Michael Stipe knew exactly what to do Thursday night at Xcel Energy Center.

“I’ve been busting out to say this,” he told the crowd a half-hour into the nearly two-hour set. “Something historic happened in this building two nights ago. Barack Obama claimed the nomination for president, and you people put him there.”

On a rainy night in St. Paul, the crowd of more than 6,000 roared its approval, and that little ol’ trio from Georgia responded with its most aggressive performance ever in the Twin Cities.

The set had more bite than R.E.M.’s last local appearance, at 2004’s historic and Democrat-endorsing Vote for Change Tour with Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young and John Fogerty. Since then, R.E.M., has joined those giants in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and released its most lacerating and electrifying album, “Accelerate,” in its 28-year history.

With eight numbers from that politicized album dominating the generous 27-song set, the guitars, not Stipe, were the star of the show. Peter Buck never cut loose with any solos that would have landed him on the cover of Rolling Stone with rock’s greatest guitarists, but his fluid, slashing riffs and sideman Scott McCaughey’s relentless rhythmic strumming drove the sound. Buck’s Rickenbacker guitar was stinging on “Man-Sized Wreath,” and the unshowy guitarist found a giddy Who-like groove on “Supernatural Superserious.” Buck finally stepped forward a bit on the encore of the dreamy “Fall on Me” as British guitar hero Johnny Marr, now with opening act Modest Mouse, joined him.

If Buck was the sonic star, Stipe was the visual and emotional hero. He was animated and affected, striking playful rock-star poses, dancing with bassist Mike Mills and tossing souvenirs to the fans (lyric sheets and pieces of glow-in-the-dark tape).

At 48, he stands out as rock’s most self-consciously artful frontman. Although he wailed like Bono and bounced around the stage like Springsteen, he demonstrated a gentle, graceful, almost ballet dancer-like spirit. While his lyrics were often politically outspoken, his spoken political statements came across as more sincere than strident.

Stipe’s spirit helped carry the proceedings during the middle section when things dragged with too many slow songs.

And, of course, he turned the sweet folk-rock hits, “Man on the Moon,” “The One I Love” and “Losing My Religion,” into crowd-thrilling high points. In fact, for “Religion,” guitar hero Buck even busted out his mandolin.

Jon Bream • 612-673-1719