R.E.M. - Every Day Is Yours To Win

R.E.M. - Every Day Is Yours To Win

 

 

R.E.M. was an American rock band from Athens, Georgia, formed in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention because of Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's unclear vocals. R.E.M. released its first single, "Radio Free Europe", in 1981 on the independent record label Hib-Tone. The single was followed by the Chronic Town EP in 1982, the band's first release on I.R.S. Records. In 1983, the group released its critically acclaimed debut album, Murmur, and built its reputation over the next few years through subsequent releases, constant touring, and the support of college radio. Following years of underground success, R.E.M. achieved a mainstream hit in 1987 with the single "The One I Love". The group signed toWarner Bros. Records in 1988, and began to espouse political and environmental concerns while playing large arenas worldwide.

Review of the album:
therealricko Jun 18 2012

For me, this was one of the albums of 2011 and such a shame that this was their last. I believe R.E.M only ever realeased one bad/mediocre album (Around the Sun) so every time they released an album of late, they risked their legacy. With this record they put a bit of added sheen on that legacy. Great that the band finished on a creative high. It does fade a little in the 3rd quarter of the album but the first half and finish is as strong as any REM record. It really is a pity we won't ever have another R.E.M record but what a back catalogue we have to remember them by.

Personal review:

R.E.M's song "Everyday is yours to win", have a slow rythm. The lyrics are abouts commons things; like a list. I think that; it can symbolizes that the must commons things; can make a heroe, as if the lyrics were giving a glimmer of hope. I think is like a song wich appears to be simple; but in fact it have a huge meaning behind. The tittle is very positive, to supports the people who are listening the song, like saying that they can achieve their dreams.

Video:

The video is like a sequence of mini videos, made by common people. It refers to the lyrics of the song, showing us that everybody can makes special things. It's like an amateur video, and I think it's for the people; can see themselves.

 

 

 

 

 

Post 5 - THE NOTION OF POWER "Redacted"

Trailers: 

In my opinion, this movie deals with war consequences, like what happened during war, and the outcome after war.With the lack of communication, which causes the ill-being of the soldiers, during and after the war. I think that Brian De Palma, didn't want to shows us a typical movie, but a really realistic, like a documentary. To shows us  Afghanistan and Irak  wars from the Americans soldiers viewpoint, but on a realistic way, not showing the american superiority, or a patriotic point of view. I think that De Palma, really wanted to disturbed people who watch the movie, making some mix of film, and documentary. 

I think that this movie deals with the notion of power, because is showing us that, sometimes some people have too much power, and than they don't use it, as they have to. But, it shows too, that sometimes the soldiers are powerless, like they have to kill people, and they don't want, they just sometimes live really hard situations, like they were liking in hell, and all because of the decision of a government. So it really deals with the notion of power, in this case political power, which is not always good.

Synopsis:

Director Brian De Palma turns his lens on the Iraq War with this "fictional documentary" about the experience of U.S. soldiers involved in the conflict. Based on a news item about the rape of an Iraqi schoolgirl by wayward grunts assigned to patrol a checkpoint, the film depicts a scenario not unlike the one De Palma covered in Casualties of War. Shot on high-definition video, Redacted also addresses the ever-evolving manner in which war is covered by the media by focusing on such journalistic innovations as blog coverage and web reporting.

Review:

This is one truly powerful (for lack of better a word) film. I am left dumbfounded and virtually speechless. Of course we all are aware of the horrific tragedy of war, but this film really showed me that what I had in mind is a "G" rated version. Everyone needs to see this film so we can all truly understand what our men and women are going though. It really brings you there with them and lets you see what they see on a daily basis. Not only does it focus on Americans, but it looks into what the Iraqi's are going through as well. This war is not a pretty picture, and though this film documents the disturbing realism of war, please watch it. It's films like this that make a difference and spark change.

Post 4: IRack

In my opinion, this video can deals, with two notions: Notion of Progress, and Seats and Forms of Power.
For notion of progress, it is obviously on a critical side, showing how much technology, is improving, but sometimes, this improvement doesn't make sens. It shows us that sometimes, humans can not control technology which they created, because in this video the IRack exploded and Steve Jobs cannot does anything. 
In another side, just  the name of this new "electronic device", shows us that, the video is dealing with the implication of the U.S.A in Iraq, making  war, against terrorism. So, it's a metaphoric image, to display the power of America, in the world, so it deals with the notion of seats and forms of power.
We can conclude saying that, this is a critical video, against to much technological progress which is sometimes unnecessary, and against  too much power of America in the world, like making war in Iraq. 

Post 2 - Videos about technology.

Description :

This video is structured around two main narrative voices and a character illustrating what the voice-over says while a singer often merely repeats what's just been said.

The setting is a christian home and church, so this particular context is very meaningful. We can notice on various occasions that the main character is addicted to high-technology products, mostly smartphones. He is shown as a family man unable to communicate with his wife, exept through texting. He is also shown as a church-goer incapable of attending worship  without all his phones vibrating all the time, marking him look like he's full of the holy spirit.Finally, he is depicted as a computer geek whose life has become extremely complicated instead of having been simplified.

Interpretation : 

Basically, this video means that high technology has become a religion for many people, even christians who are not supposed to be materialistic. Then, in a christian lifestyle, quite a few church goers and believers tend to focus more on materialistic issues rather than spiritual ones. We can add that technology reings supreme for many people who revere it as a God enlightening his followers. The question is, is this a real progress for humankind / humanity ? 

Description : 

Two people are stuck on an elevator in a place that seems litterally empty. The man looks upset. He might be an office worker walking to his job.The woman claims that she is already late, so for her, this is the last straw. At one point, she's about to cry and asks for a phone. In short, they both look hopeless.

Interpretation : 

We can relate this situation to a fairly comon one in real life : getting stuck on an elevator. The difference is that, in this situation, people have the right to panic whereas on an escalator, there is no reason whatsoever to be scared. This video points out the increasing dependence of human beings on technology. If it goes missing, it is as if a crutch had been taken away from, so these two people cannot even walk up the stairs which would be the normal thing to do. We could think  that technological progress makes humans lazy or at least less prone to taking initiatives