Stereogum — Michael Shannon is such an interesting person — a much-loved character actor with a steely persona who lives in Chicago and generally removes himself from Hollywood conversations despite a busy and long-running film career. Also, he’s now the ... more info

Stereogum — Denis Leary doesn’t like R.E.M.’s “Shiny Happy People.” He proclaimed as much way back in 1992, the year after the Out Of Time single came out, when he did an MTV spot based on his standup routine poking fun at the state of rock ‘n’ ... more info

Magnet Magazine — Happy birthday Scott Litt (R.E.M., Replacements, Liz Phair, Nirvana, Juliana Hatfield, Matthew Sweet, dB’s). Adventurer in hi-fi. Read our review of R.E.M.’s essential Litt-produced Automatic For The People reissue: The post Happy Birthday Scott ... more info

Magnet Magazine — Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy And Friends Play R.E.M.’s Fables Of The Reconstruction at Union Transfer, Philadelphia. Photos by Chris Sikich. The post Michael Shannon & Jason Narducy And Friends Play R.E.M.’s “Fables Of The Reconstruction” ... more info

Stereogum — It’s been a good year for power pop. It’s been a shit year for… uh… everything else, but, from Montreal newcomers Prism Shores shimmering their way through sophomore album Out From Underneath to heavy space-rockers Cloakroom channeling a... more info

Stereogum — Minus The Bear and the Beta Band appear to be teasing reunion tours. Whatdya say, R.E.M.? more info

Stereogum — Maybe this shouldn’t feel so miraculous, but it sure seems like the four members of R.E.M. like getting back together, hanging out with each other, and even playing music in public if it feels right. Last year, the actor Michael Shannon and the ... more info

Magnet Magazine — Five Eight has been an on-again/off-again institution in Athens, Ga., for almost 35 years. And while commercial viability has never been the band’s strong suit, its mind-bending pop-punk intensity and surprising resilience has made Five Eight a dar... more info

Stereogum — Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy are currently on the road performing R.E.M.’s 1985 album Fables Of The Reconstruction in its entirety, about a year after they wrapped up a tour covering the band’s Murmur . On that first tour, during Shannon ... more info

Obscure Sound — A moody, emotively gripping rock sound compels throughout “The Crane,” a new single from guitarist and composer Jefferson Pitcher. A brisk bass pulse and lushly chiming guitar/piano interplay arrive into the haunting “find me now,” vocal touc... more info