U Talkin’ U2 To Me? - R U Talkin' R.E.M. RE: ME? - Around the Sun with Todd Barry

Episode Date: July 11, 2018

Stand-up comedian and actor Todd Barry joins Adam Scott Aukerman as they roll up their sleeves to discuss R.E.M.’s thirteenth studio album, Around the Sun. Todd talks about sitting in with bands like Yo La Tengo as a drummer, when he first heard of R.E.M., and the times he rubbed shoulders with the band. Plus, they dive into In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003, open up the ol’ mailbag, and Todd shares his Top 10 R.E.M. songs. This episode is brought to you by Leesa (www.leesa.com/REM), Hello Fresh (www.hellofresh.com/rem30), and LightStream (www.lightstream.com/REM).

Hey everyone, thanks for listening to Are You Talking R.E.M. Re. Me. Before we get to that, we want to tell you about Lisa. Hey, Lisa. Adam, you got your mattress yet? Yeah. It's terrific. You unbox that thing? Yeah.

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And now on with the show. From chronic to collapse, town and into now, respectively, that is, this is Are You Talking R.E.M. ReMe, the comprehensive and encyclopedic compendium of all things R.E.M. This is good rock and roll music. Welcome back. Welcome back, y'all. Welcome back. We were off for a week. music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music music

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in the uh the the back and forth the repartee the verbal fireworks certainly certainly yeah no i yeah speaking of verbal fireworks you like uh the usual suspects yeah classic film i love film but uh i don't think this is an episode of it. No. No, certainly not. Certainly not. Welcome back to the show. We're here.

Obviously, this is the program where we talk exclusively about the band R.E.M. And even the last week we were off, and the week before that we talked about Stained. But we're back and getting back to it. Getting back to it, rolling up our shirt sleeves a bit and my pants legs as well. I rolled mine up. Look. Yeah.

I'm basically wearing, yeah, you look like a member of France, Ferdinand, or a- Edie Brickell in the new Bohemians. Or Cabin Boy. I'm not sure which. When I was leaving the house, I was like, I feel like I'm in Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians. So you made that joke twice.

Interesting. Well, I told the joke and then I... We're going to reiterate with a real fact. I talked to you about where I first thought of the winning joke. Oh, a glimpse behind the curtain. And it was on the way out of the house. The process. You look very summery.

You appear to have a hair's cut. A hair's cut. Yeah, are you done filming your other thing, or is this the same hair's cut that you... It's the same hair's cut as before. I say hair's cut because I don't want you to trap me with that I got a mom cut business that you love to do. That's really funny.

Really funny. But you look very summer. You're wearing sort of not a deep V, but certainly it's not a crew neck. It's not a V at all. Well, it's more like the U in the W, the U that's been doubled. Maybe you're just pulling on it. It's an opening that the head goes through. Yeah, but I think you've been pulling on the bottom part of it so it looks like a V.

Well, that's just because it's like summer and I'm so relaxed and stuff. Itchy and itchy because of all the sun rays. The bugs constantly crawling all over you. Summer bugs. Summer bugs. I want to introduce the man with whom I'm talking as well as myself, I guess, because I don't think he's going to do it for me. You know him from such roles as Biff on Parks and Recreation, the Hellraiser in Hellraiser.

Which Hellraiser were you in? Stop it. Why? You don't want people to watch it? No. Listen, people can watch whatever they want. It's a free country. It is a free country, and thank God for that.

And that's what we were celebrating last week on Independence Day. But you don't think that that extends to hearing about which Hellraiser movie you were in? Listen, I only want to promote the shit that I can make money off of. So you don't make any zids off of Hellraiser? I'm not going to get any zids from the Razor. You've maxed out your zids on the Razor? Oh, yeah, I'm sure. I mean, come on.

That thing came out years ago. They're not throwing me zids. Do you still get the checks, the zids, from anything that old? Or are they like a penny? I'm sure it's probably down, pennies on the dollar. So what do you get zids from currently? Do you get them from parks? You must get a nice, healthy monthly stipend.

Just a little walking around money from parks. Honestly, I don't know. I truly don't know. This is how successful Adam Scott is. He does not take a look at any of the checks coming in. He doesn't pay attention certainly to any of them going out. It has nothing to look at any of the checks coming in. That's not. He doesn't pay attention, certainly, to any of them going out. It has nothing to do with any of that. I just don't know.

You just don't know because it varies so much or because you don't pay attention to it? I don't pay attention. That's what I'm trying to get to. Okay. It does not impact your life in the least. Where the zids are. Where the zids are, how much money you cut. Do you get your zids, personally?

No, of course not. Okay, so fuck you. I'm just making fun of you. Yeah, no, I get it. Adam Scott is here. Hello. Hey. And of course, I am Scott Aukerman, and very exciting show today.

We are going to be talking about the Hiram record, Around the Sun. Yeah, we're diving in. Have you had this experience when you talk to people about the show and they're like, when are you doing Around the Sun? Yeah, people have been eagerly anticipating what we're going to say about this record. Are we going to like it? Are we going to defend it? Hatchet job?

Are we going to metaphorically throw it into the ash can or waste paper bucket? Or the ocean of critical reception? I don't know what that means, but yes, we're going to definitely talk about it. We also have a wonderful guest. Comedian Todd Berry will be joining us. Oh, yeah. A man who, I don't want to say he auditioned to be on this show, but he certainly. He sent us a demo reel.

Yes. He did a self-tape, essentially, where he slated. And he talked about different artists. He gave us profiles. Yeah. And he just gave us a preview of what he would be doing. It was a good audition. The kinds of things he would be doing. It was a good audition. The kinds of things he would be saying.

It wasn't all that natural, you know? It was okay. It was like I could tell he was like in his head and acting. He was pushing a little bit. Yeah, he was pushing it definitely. He's currently yawning. But we'll get to him. The reviews are in.

I was about to say he wasn't relaxed enough, and then I looked over and Todd was yawning. He's even more relaxed. I got to ask him one of my first questions. Have you ever yawned during a role? Oh, yeah. Because not enough actors yawn, because when you get the job, and maybe you relate to this,

and you're all excited like, whoa, what are they going to think of me? Do they think I'm going to do a good job? Am I going to show everyone that I'm a good actor? People yawn all the time. And people don't yawn in movies for some reason. You barely ever see real yawns or real sneezes in movies. Yeah, people go, or whatever.

That's not real. Wow. Yeah, they sneeze like that all the time. Wappy bappy! Ah, so guys, snozzy snoozy! Ah, pfft. Yeah. They sneeze like that all the time. I did yawn the other day on camera, and I was wondering, I thought to myself,

I wonder if this will ever be used. Was it, also, I would think that if I were doing it on camera, it would be like an indictment of the person with whom I was doing a scene. Like, if you're on screen with Meryl Streep, you just let out a, ah, in the was doing a scene. Like if you're on screen with Meryl Streep, you just let out a,

in the middle of a scene, that is the dream. That would be so awesome. Yeah. I don't think I was in a scene with any, I think it was, I'm trying to remember what I was doing. It was a single or something?

I think it was me like grabbing something in the kitchen, like by myself. I don't remember why I was yawning or what I was doing, but it wasn't. It wasn't with another. I was not worried about offending anyone. Insulting someone. Do you ever think when you're acting with Meryl Streep that you're like, holy shit, this could wind up in like a package of, you know, a clip package of her work, you know? That's all I want. That's all I want.

This could wind up in the in memoriam. Whenever I'm doing anything, all I want to do is wind up on different compilations, reels. That's all I want. Exactly. You know, I used to I grew up loving the Academy Awards. There is no higher honor when it comes to art and artistry than the Academy Awards.

And some would call them The Oscars. No, no, no. What do you mean? No. That is a nickname that I think is denigrating to the Academy Awards. I disagree, Scott. It's like calling Christmas

Xmas. It's like putting a big X over Christ. Okay. Because you're getting rid of the Academy and you're saying that, oh, no, the Oscars. There's no one fucking named Oscar in the Academy Awards. This is a fucking bullshit. I get what you're saying that, oh, Oscars, there's no one fucking named Oscar in the Academy Awards. This is a fucking bullshit.

I get what you're saying. I know, but this is fucking bullshit. And under normal circumstances, I would agree with you because I hate Xmas and everything it stands for. You hate Xmas? Yeah, of course you hate Xmas. Scott, calm down. I'm sorry.

The Oscars is a nickname, yes, but it's commonly used even by the academy itself they they're posters around town sometimes it says the oscars well i you know i i hope you notice that they they they they made everyone stop saying and the oscar goes to they now force them to say and the academy award goes i mean when you're presenting an award it's time to use the real name but when it's you know leading up to it's like, are you going to the Oscars? I don't know. Are you going to the Oscars? It's fine.

What do you call your awards that you've won? Oh, I call them empty shelf. The shelfies? Yeah, the shelves. Have you actually built your awards trophy shelves in anticipation? It's empty. You'll get there. You'll get there. You'll get there.

How about you? Where do you keep all of your awards? You know... Is there one room that's big enough to hold all of your awards? I don't think there is.

I mean, the accolades that I've accumulated over the years are just too enormous. We're talking about REM on this show and except for last week when we had off in the week before when we talked about stained but uh we do get a lot of letters from fans here and uh

it's time to open up the old mailbag adam the old rem the old cast mailbag podcast mailbag we got some nice stuff here uh we want to thank john uh aka lost and found he's in a band called lost and found l-a-u-s-t-e-n uh one word and then found and he's done plug themes for my show comedy bang bang uh over the years and uh he is uh stationed in naples italy um previously fixing submarines in guam uh now he's stationed in Naples, Italy, previously fixing submarines in Guam. Now he's stationed in Naples, Italy, and he's a big fan. He says after a long day of dealing with goons, it sure is nice to be able to get a chuckle from us. And he wanted to give us some T-shirts, so he has some. Oh, wow, this one has me on it.

He gave us some T-shirts for his band Lost and Found oh that's great and so thanks to John for that and he says that he has

music on Apple Music and Spotify including an REM song and a U2 song so go check that out we also got some

postcards from Jenny Berggren who gave us individual postcards from Jenny Berggren, who gave us individual postcards. Didn't give them to us together, which I appreciate. I got my own individual one. My postcard is the lyrics

to How the West Was Won and Where It Got Us from the fan club. Oh, mine is So Fast So None, which is one of my favorites. Which is one of your favorites, she says. She's a super fan who could never throw anything away regarding REM, so filled these out and sent it to us. So cool. Very, very cool.

Thank you, Jenny. Thank you so much. We also, this is maybe of interest. We got from... I remember this. I remember when the fan club package had... Don't interrupt me. Fan club package had...

Don't interrupt me. You're being fucking rude. Stop it. Is this an episode of you're being fucking rude. Stop it. Is this an episode of You're Being Fucking Rude? I think so. Oh, we, oh, we, rude vagabond again. Hey, everyone. Welcome to You're Being Fucking Rude.

This is Scott. And this is Scott. And I got to say, Adam, you're being fucking rude. I apologize profusely. I'm sorry. Hmm. Even though I don't agree with you, I apologize profusely. I'm sorry. Even though I don't agree with you, I apologize. What do you mean you don't agree with me?

Well, there was a natural lull in whatever stupid bullshit you were doing. And it was time for me to step in. You're being even more fucking rude. Wait, is this an episode of you're being even more fucking rude? I think so. More than the simple words Scott. And this is Scott. And welcome to another episode of You're Being Even More Fucking Rude. Adam, you're being even more fucking rude. I disagree, but I apologize. Because I apologized before, even though I didn't agree. And all I did was add a little color commentary about what I thought you were doing when I jumped in.

And I thought that what you were doing was stupid fucking bullshit. Fuck you. Fuck you. Fuck you. Okay. All right. See you next time. Bye.

Bye. Bye. All right. See you next time. Bye. Bye. Ooh-wee, ooh-wee, Rudebog on a jam. So, what did you want to say?

Oh, just I remember when these postcards came out in the holiday fan club package and it had the lyrics from New Adventures songs, and this is before they were putting lyrics in their album so it was a big deal. So boring. What's the

what is the podcast we're doing? What are we here to talk about? Boring bullshit from Adam I guess? You want to retitle it? That's right. Stupid shit I thought of?

You know what? You're being fucking rude. It's a snap. I think so. Ooh-wee, ooh-wee Rude bug on a jam Is this an ep? I think so. Everyone, welcome to You're Being Fucking Rude. This is Scott. And this is Scott.

And what did you want to say, Adam? Well, you know, I was talking about, I was kind of archiving a memory, if you will. What are you, from Westworld? Yeah, maybe. Archiving a memory. All right. No, you know what Westworld? Yeah, maybe. I thought you were archiving a memory. All right. You know what? You're being even more fucking rude.

Is this an episode of you're being even more fucking rude? I don't know. No, it's not. Anyway, great ep of this one. See you later.

Thanks, bye. Bye. I apologize. Thank you. It was interesting, I guess. Thank you. It was interesting, I guess. So this is like the first actual confirmation of what these lyrics were to you. It's fine. All right.

This comes to us from Christopher N. Christopher N. was helping his parents clear out their attic for an impending garage sale in their neighborhood. And he was rifling through his stuff. He looked at papers from his college days. And he came across a binder pre-internet of printed REM song lyrics, postcards, clippings, and stickers. And tucked into the back pocket of that binder is something that has not seen the light of day in 25 years or more. This is a comic book, Rock and Roll Comics, R.E.M., that he bagged and boarded. Oh, cool. So this is an actual comic book starring the lovable lads from the band Hariem, including the people who are in it.

Who's in the band? Those guys that are on the cover of the comic. Yeah, these guys, yeah. What year was this put out? This was put out. Let me check the Indica. Check the old date on there. Yeah, it looks to me like first printing October 1991.

So this is around out of time era. Yeah. And I don't know whether it's all in black and white. I can't tell whether it tells the story of the band or whether it's a fictional story. I can't believe I've never seen this before. I'm going to pass it over to you. I love it. So thanks to Christopher for that.

That is very nice. I also want to thank Rick Bailey who I guess I shouldn't thank Rick Bailey because he basically sent us something to autograph. Although there were some nice words in there. So, alright. I'll thank him. Anyway, thanks Rick Bailey. What do you got? You got anything for me? Because I

opened up the mail bag and I you know. Is that it? Is that all the mail? That's all. Well, we got four pieces of mail this week. All the notables? That's actually everything. And in totality, we got four pieces of mail. I am excited about this comic book. Okay, great.

Go read it, you know, under your covers with a flashlight tonight. I'm going to. With Naomi. By the way, I saw Naomi the other night and your wife, Adam. Yes. And she said she's been getting a lot of messages about go on the pod, go on the pod. And I said, Adam must be like when he – you must love the days that we record or the nights after we record because Adam must come home just like refreshed. Like someone's listening to him.

Someone's talking to him about his interests. He must like sleep 13 hours like a baby after we record but uh would still love to have her and cool up on the pod could be really funny could be last time you said that it'll never happen but now you think it could i doubt it'll ever happen but i think it would be really funny i think it would be fun um What else? What did you get up to over the past couple of weeks? Oh, boy. Scott? I've been... Excuse me? Oh, boy. That's not

how I sound. That's exactly how you sound. Why do you have a Lyserich pageant there with you? This is the thing that Rick Bailey wanted us to sign and send back to him. Oh, okay. Yeah. Will you do it? Do you promise right now to sign it for him and to send it back to him? I can't make any promises about anything. I'm not allowing myself to.

I learned that lesson long ago. Really? Which lessons did you learn long ago? Because you were telling me you learned 10 lessons. Don't write any checks that you can't cash. At least your butt can't cash. Exactly. Don't write checks with your mouth that your butthole cannot cash.

Why? That expression I've always wondered about. Me too. Like, why are people's buttholes cashing? Like, what are they trying to say? Like, if you say some harsh words to me, me i'm gonna kick you in your butthole yeah so if you can withstand that yeah then go ahead and say these harsh mean things to me yeah if your butthole if like you have an iron cast butthole that will withstand my kicking of it

then then feel free to say to metaphorically write these checks with your mouth is that what i was trying to say? Yeah. Well, I'm just trying to, I've never seen a butthole in a bank cashing a check. Have you? I've never, I've seen, I got to be honest, I've seen human beings in banks. Oh, yeah. And most of them have buttholes. Well, as far as we know, they have buttholes.

As far as we know, I think if they didn't, then. But did you ever see any of them use their actual butthole to cash the check? I mean, there was a gentleman who was sort of my left footing it because he didn't have arms that worked. But he certainly wasn't sticking the pen, the bank pen, you know, on those little chains. You ever notice—you ever notice— Yeah, you ever notice. You ever notice you go into the bank, and they're always like, they always got those pens on chains and the pens are always out of ink and you're like, who's going to steal this pen? Listen, that's a good chunk.

Is this an episode of That's a Good Chunk? I think it might be. Hey everyone, welcome to That's a Good Chunk. This is Scott. And this is Scott. And we're talking about our favorite chunks. Oh, good chunks. What are your favorite chunks?

Oh, I like big, big chunks I can just put my fists around. Yeah. Just hold in my hand. You want to know what my favorite chunk is? Tell me. From Goonies. Oh yeah, he's a great chunk. He's a great chunk.

He's one of the better chunks. You know what chunks I like? What's that? The chunks that are in Rocky Road ice cream. Oh, you know what chunks I like? What? I? The chunks that are in Rocky Road ice cream. Oh, you know what chunks I like? What? I like the chunks that are in Rocky Road ice cream. Wait, I'm having deja...

Wait, is this an episode of Wait, I'm Having Deja Laugh? Yeah. Hey everyone, welcome to I'm Having Deja. This is Scott. And this is Scott. And you were saying something. Yeah, I was saying, wait, I'm having deja. All right.

See you next time. Bye. Bye. All right, see you next time. Bye. Bye. Man. Good, some good ass. Can I tell you a bumper sticker I once saw that kind of is in this universe?

Sure. I guess this is the level we've sunk to. It said, and this was 12 years ago. What universe are we talking about? MCU? The Marvel cinematic universe? Marvel and Star Wars

all in that. Got it. Disney universe. It was like 12 years ago in Canada and I saw a bumper sticker that said, you just put a stop payment

on my reality check. And I still can't figure out what are they trying to say i don't know who everyone i i don't society it was on the back of the car so i think they're saying like hey listen if you're gonna if you're thinking about honking at me or if you did honk at me you you just put a stop payment on my reality i Hold on, hold on. I know. But when someone says, hey, you need a reality check, that's saying to someone like, you need to recalibrate your thinking. They're saying. So the honker would be saying like, you need a reality check. But then the person is saying, no, you put a stop payment on that reality check.

The person honking just put a stop payment on the reality check of the person that's driving the car with the sticker on it yeah but that's what i don't understand they were seeking out they were reality they were like fuck i'm i'm driving around here like an asshole i better get a reality check and then someone beeped at them put a stop payment it was like okay fuck this i'm not i'm not gonna undergo this reality check anymore because you're being such an asshole i guess i have to wait to like get home to have my reality check. That's one of those things where I think like, we'll figure it out in heaven. Yes.

You know what I mean? Like, like that's one of those things that I'm going to ask God, like, you know, okay, who dumped the bird seed on my porch, you know, eight years ago? Was it my neighbor? Yeah. Did she do it? You know, like these things that you just never know. And you'll finally get to ask God about.

You'll finally say, like, what was going through that person's head? Or where did all the socks go? You know, in the dryer? You ever notice how you'd be taking a load out of your dryer and you'd be, like, counting your socks. You'd be like, okay, one, two. All right, there's a pair. Three, four. Oh, there's another pair. Five, four, oh, there's another pair. Five, six, oh,

there's another pair. And then, you know, eight, ten, twelve, fourteen, sixteen, eighteen, twenty, twenty-two, twenty-four, twenty-six, twenty-eight, thirty. That's a lot of socks. Thirty-two, thirty-four, thirty-six, thirty-eight, forty, forty-two, forty-one, forty-three,

forty-six, forty-three, forty-three, forty-three. And then you gotta go to work with two socks that don't match. And you gotta wear like eight pairs because you're like, I have too many socks. I gotta, what am I doing with all these? And everybody at work is like, what's wrong with you? Who's socky over here? Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed? The side where there were socks sticking straight up and you just swung your feet over the bed

and put your feet in the socks and fucking... Oh, fuck. Oh, fuck. I'm fucking losing it. Scott. Fuck! Scott. What? Are you okay? Fuck.

Scott. I started doing a comedy bit and it fucked me up. I feel like you just went into some sort of comedy black hole. It fucked me up. I feel like you just went into some sort of comedy black hole. You fucked me up, bro. Now it sounds like you were just doing cocaine.

Is that how people sound when they're doing cocaine? I don't know. In movies? You don't know? Oh, yeah. It's like a Bright Lights Big City over

in this bitch. Shit. That was fucking intense. Yeah. Are you all right? Yeah. Yeah, it's just when you do it, that was fucking intense. Yeah. Are you all right? Yeah, it's just when you do it, I was shouting and then I was like sniffing and then I was breathing heavy.

It takes a lot out of you. It's when you ask questions about like where do all the socks go, the bird seed thing you brought up, which was super weird. I think you have no choice but to really go deep like that. Exactly, thanks.

Thanks for appreciating my work and my process. And you know what? I think that you just put a stop payment on my reality show. I think I might have. I think that I will be appearing in your In Memoriam clip package. I guess so. With that performance right there. Wouldn't that be weird, by the way?

Okay, you might make it in the Oscars In Memoriam. Maybe. Right. If you're lucky. They don't really have an uh clip package though yeah well they do for some people if they're like you're not going to make it in the oh my god he was so famous that we had to see him do one line in one thing but they don't have like a series unless not everyone does a line yeah someone huge always so you're never going to make it there

but but uh you know god willing you'll be in the Emmys one wouldn't it be strange if like all of your loved ones I guess you'll be watching from heaven maybe yeah

but so you're watching from heaven and you're like oh boy what clip here it comes what clip did they pick from my in memoriam

and it's a clip from this which wasn't even filmed it's not filmed it's just audio with just black black screen and everyone in the audience is like what the fuck is going on are we watching and it's not even me it's just you having that weird right

oh man that's that would be amazing i'm gonna make sure it happens yeah call the television academy make sure it happens okay um okay you got anything else for me or do we uh need to go to a break here you got anything let's go to a break let's go to a break here. You got anything? Let's go to a break. Let's go to a break. When we come back, we are going to have, Todd Berry is going to be here and we're going to be talking about, amongst other things, we're going to be talking about

the Harium album, Around the Sun. We will be right back with more Comedy Bang Bang. No, what show am I doing? Are you talking Harium? Free me. After this, we'll be back.

Hello, Adam. Hi, Scott. Hello, Fresh. What? Yeah. Hello, Fresh. That's not something you say every day. Not every day, but today.

Today, it's definitely something we're saying because support for today's show comes from HelloFresh. HelloFresh is a meal kit delivery service that shops, plans, and delivers your favorite step-by-step recipes and pre-measured ingredients so you can just cook, eat, and enjoy. Just C-E-E. just cook, eat, and enjoy. Just C-E-E.

Just cook, eat, and enjoy. Oh, my favorite letters in the universe when put together like that and standing for those things. Mm-hmm. Okay, so let's talk about the plans that you can choose from with HelloFresh. You got classic. Right. I mean, come on.

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Even a dummy like me can put it together. Cool. It's amazing. It's great. What's your favorite one you've made so far? I love the, there was this chicken thing that I made. I got to look up the exact title of it. What was it?

It was oh my god, it was so good. Well, first of all, there was this pesto pasta that I did, which was incredible. And then there was a chicken thing. Anyway, it's great. It's great, great stuff. Sounds great. And for $30 off your first

week of HelloFresh, visit HelloFresh.com slash REM30 and enter the code REM30. That's right. HelloFresh.com slash REM30. Enter the code REM30. You're going to get $30 off your first week of HelloFresh. It is incredible. We'll see you there, and goodbye, Fresh.

It is incredible. We'll see you there, and goodbye, Fresh. Bleep, blop, bloop, blop, bloop, we're REM. Welcome back. If Weird Al were to do a parody of this, it would be like Night Awaker. Oh, yeah, because it's different than Day Sleeper. Yeah, that would be so funny. It's really funny. Welcome back. This is Are You Talking to R.E.M. Remy, Scott and Scott

here, and it is our pleasure to introduce the guest on our current episode. He is a stand-up comedian. He is an actor from such movies as The Wrestler and what else he got that's pretty much it but a great great role in that aronofsky ever put you in anything else or was that like a

one and done deal i feel like you're trying to compliment me and then take it down like scott does that you did the one aronofsky movie. No second one? Which takes the glory of being in one of his movies right away from you. Look, a lot of directors, they're like, no, no, I can't use that person because they were in my previous film. Like, I don't want to blur, you know, much like Robin Thicke, I don't want to blur the lines here. I think you want to spread the wealth. Yeah, exactly. That hasn't, you know, been officially spread over on my side of the table. I'll put in a word for you.

I really wish. You ever been in a Soderbergh film? I was in The Nick. You were? Yes. On The Nick. You were on The Nick. That's what I was getting at.

I love The Nick. Yeah, because he loves to use comedians. He does. And again, I have not received the call, but I'm very happy that a friend of mine has. I think you could probably get cast in a show that's no longer on the air. What was that set like? Was it as cool as it looked? It was like a hospital, I think.

It was in like a townhouse in Brooklyn, and I was told that he likes to hold a camera himself, and he has one of the cameras, and that you won't know when you're done. That's what I was told. So at some point – Did he follow you home and just – home and just no no no you didn't know you were done and you're like eating breakfast the next day and you're like no it's just this fucking thing that thing like we're rapping on todd berry and then everyone applauds you kind of just go oh we're not shooting anymore then i go i'm am i done yeah suddenly you find yourself outside and you're like what but it was not in this anymore he was nice and he worked very quickly. Yeah. I was out of there by like 10.30 in the morning.

What time did you get there? 10.30. Normal. Three days prior to that. Okay. Well, that doesn't seem that quick. By the way, Todd Berry is here. Hello, Todd.

Hey, Todd. Hey. I'm kind of wondering why I wasn't allowed to be in that first segment you guys did. Because it was so great? Look, I warned you you were not allowed to talk. I know that. And you wanted to show up. I obeyed it.

I obeyed it. You obeyed it? I respected it. Thank you. And now I'm bringing it up, though, which I guess is kind of unwise. Because that's just part of our Dom-Sub relationship, where I gave you orders and you said, yes, master. I don't try to creatively control anyone else's creativity. But I can't imagine how tough it must be not to have been a part of those killer bits we were doing.

Those KBs. I feel like at least once I could have chimed in and said something. Would you have been mad if I chimed in? I would have, yes. I would have been furious. I would have been annoyed, but I would have been fine with it. Oh, you're trying to play it off like you're so much more chill than me? That would have been super cool.

By the way, that is not true. As we have found out several times on this show, Adam is not a chiller. He is an uptight... He's more of like if this were the odd couple, he would be like who was that one dude from the odd couple? Felix? Yeah, you're a

Felix. I'm not a Felix. You're a total Felix. All about certain things. But I would have been super chill about you. When you say certain, like 99.9% of things, you're a Felix. Yeah, but that things. But I would have been super chill about you chatting. When you say certain, like 99.9% of things, you're a Felix. Yeah, but that's certain. That's not everything. That's true, the.1%. Do you think this falls within the.1%?

Yeah, yeah. If you were to talk... I'm like a Louie about that. Oscar. Louis C.K.? No, no, no. What are you going to do to Todd over here? I thought the other guy in The Odd Couple was a Louie for a second, but it's Oscar. Speaking of Louie, you were No, no, no. What are you going to do to Todd over here? I thought the other guy in The Odd Couple was Louis for a second, but it's Oscar. Speaking of Louis, you were in Louis, too. I was in several episodes. Recurring character.

Welcome, Todd, and it's so good to have you on the show. You're a wonderful comedian, and you happen to be in L.A. on tour, I would imagine. Is that what you're doing here? I did a few shows, which I can't promote because they happened already. Great. You missed them. They were good. You can still promote them.

Yeah. People may have time machines. Last weekend, you could see me at – Is that how you pluralize that? Time machines or is it times machine? Oh, like attorneys general. Yeah, or Whoppers Jr. Yeah.

Centers for Disease Control. Yes, Yeah. Centers for Disease Control. Yes, exactly. Center for Disease Control. How many Centers for Disease Control are you going to, Todd, that comes up for you so quickly? I believe there's only one, and if you watch the news occasionally, you'll hear it. That's true. So that's something that cannot be pluralized. It's not like a private walk-in clinic or something.

It's something that cannot be pluralized unless you're talking about a fantasy world or a world in the future of someday there may be two centers for disease control. But I believe that is what it's called. Maybe someone could look it up in the research department. Who knows? That's not Ryan's job. Have you noticed people have stopped saying an historic moment? They're back to saying a historic moment. I say it as often as I can.

It bothers my father so much. But on the news, they don't say an anymore before historic. Well, I think that all came from when we all had halfway English accents where people were like historic. They would pronounce it like that. An historic evening. Ah. You know what I mean? But now everyone says historic.

So there's no an necessary? Yeah, yeah. It sounds strange. What do you do, Todd, when you talk about historic moments? Ah. You know what I mean? But now everyone says historic, so there's no point to it. So there's no end necessary? Yeah, yeah. It sounds strange. What do you do, Todd, when you talk about historic moments? Now I'm trying to think how I would do that. What are some of the historic moments that you can think of throughout history? When I was in The Wrestler, that was a few years ago. Yeah, it was historic.

That was an historic moment for me. Okay, but I guess widening the circle past yourself. Can you name – this is a good challenge for you. We had Todd Glass on a couple of weeks ago and trying to name R.E.M. songs. Can you name three things that have happened in history? Yeah. Hit me. The election of one Donald Trump.

Right. Sure. That's number one. The election of Barack Obama. Okay. You got two. I don't think you're going to be able to get three though. Can I get back to you on that?

Yeah. Okay. Yeah. We'll find out later. Todd, we're going to get to the album. We're going to talk about Around the Sun and various other things. But before we get to that, there's a question that – look, I put it out there on all social media platforms that you were going to be on the show. They were so excited and everyone had, they were like, you got to ask this question. You got

to ask this question. And they, they all agreed. How did I miss all these tweets that you did? There, there was one question that they all said, you got to ask Todd. And it was, um, when did you first hear of REM? Oh, that's, uh, I actually, when I was living down in Florida, South Florida. When were you living in Florida, my good man? Between 19- As they call it, America's droopy dick.

I think between 1972 and 1987. 72 and 87, that's a good chunk of your life. So you were born in South Florida. I was born in the Bronx, actually. Oh, okay. Hey! I know you. Oh! Yeah, it's the- Oh! Pizza! 72 and 87 that's a good chunk of your life so you were born in South Florida I was born in the Bronx actually oh okay hey I know you oh

pizza oh ravioli hey oh fettuccine alfredo oh let's go let's go

New York tortellini man you guys I hope you guys get the accent work you deserve yeah that was our VO audition

by the way I think you nailed it that was a perfect oh we try to tape all of our VO auditions the way I think you nailed it that was a perfect oh we try to tape all of our VO auditions during the show as to not waste time people usually don't even know

we're doing this yeah so around then like right after Murmur came out someone made me a cassette of it ooh and I loved it

and then that's piracy I know comb taping is killing the music industry that was an old expression it certainly did kill that music industry. Comb taping.

But, yeah, so then in 1984, right before As Reckoning came out, my friend Rich and I drove 12 hours to Atlanta to see them at the Fox Theater. Whoa, baby. Who's this friend Rich? I was in a band with him called The Chant, which was like kind of a jangly guitar. C-H-A-N-T-S or C-E? Neither of those. The Chant. Oh, the singular chant.

Singular chant. Oh, okay. Now, is that C-H-A-N-T or C-H-A-N-C? I don't know how I'm supposed to answer these questions. I thought this was a straightforward R.E.M. podcast. Oh, was The Chant R.E.M. influenced? It sounds answer these questions. I thought this was a straightforward REM podcast. Was the chant REM influenced? It sounds like it was. I think so, yeah.

Sort of like Rickenbacker guitars and 12-stringy. Do you remember any of your songs? Oh, God. I get all embarrassed. Were you singing as well? No, I was doing bad. I was a bad drummer in the band. Oh, cool.

Do you still play drums? I sit in once in a while, and I get to sit in with – like if I open for a band, which I've done occasionally, it's sort of a condition that you have to let me sit in. Really? Or else I just go, I'm not open to drumming. Really? Which bands have you opened for and sat in with? Super Chunk. In December, Yola Tango was doing a show, and I sat in with Jeff Tweedy and Spencer Tweedy and Yolo Tango, and we played a T-Rex song.

Whoa, which one? Shit, what's it called? Bangagong. No, no, no. Droopy Dong. Florida. What was it? I forgot what it's called.

I'm embarrassed. Is it? Oh, Jeepster. Jeepster, yes. I played that with him a few years prior with Alex Chilton and Yolo Tango. Whoa. Oh, shit.ola Tango. Whoa. Oh, shit. Yeah.

Crazy. Yeah. And he said, after I was done playing, he goes, you're a hoss. And I had to look that up. What does it mean? What does it mean? I think it means, like, cool guy. Cool cat or something.

Oh, okay. Yeah. Okay. That's cool for Alex Chilton. And I also remember another Alex Chilton thing I said where I was very self-conscious because, like, I know the Yola Tangoango but I didn't know Alex Chilton and it went just like comedian playing drums

right and I said I go I just let you know I'm not a real drummer and he goes those are the best kind wow

that's very nice yeah who else have you played with can you give us any did you guys play big star songs with him

no they may have done that but you just played Jeepster. I just – they were like – I did an opening set and then they said, Todd, let's bring Todd up here. And everyone leaves and then they miss out. No. Did you play with – did you play that Billy Joel? Were you in that band that did the Billy Joel thing?

Oh, yeah. I was in a Billy Joel cover band called A Matter of Trust. Yes. And we played a few – it was me, John Benjamin, John Glazer, James from Yola Tango, and Tom Shalhoub on backing vocals. Yeah, we played a couple of times. And you played A Matter of Trust. That's all we played.

And sometimes we played it twice. Yeah. So you go, a one, a two, a one, two, three, four. Exactly. And then I kick it in with a cymbal crash or something. Wow. Yeah, man. That like Phil Ramone

big Billy Joel sound. Yeah. Just pretend to know what he's talking about. Is it Phil Ramone? Phil Ramone produced all his like Well, he produced

I don't know that he was producing in the 80s. I feel like you're combining Phil's Is it Phil Ramone? No, Phil Ramone, yeah. Okay. Well, I can't

I thought he produced all his stuff. I could be wrong. He may have. He did Ramone? No, Phil Ramone, yeah. Okay. Well, I can't. I thought he produced all his stuff. I could be wrong. He may have. He did a lot of, he definitely did the 70s stuff. But I remember once we did, I think the first time we played,

we were at the Bowery Ballroom. I forgot who we were playing with. I think it was Maggie Olatunka. And they were setting up the drums and they're like, well, we have like a two foot riser, but you don't want that. We have like a half a foot.

And I go, no, we're going to be doing the two foot riser. Give me't want that we have like a half a foot and I go no we're going to be doing the two foot riser give me the two this is going to be ridiculous it's going to be really ridiculous I love it yeah

so you were in this band with your friend Rick you say? Rich oh I thought you mentioned Rick and Bacher no that was my

that was the duo I was in called Rich and Bacher you were Bacher hi I'm Bacher not even Rick and in called Rich and Bacher. You were Bacher. Hi, I'm Bacher. Not even Rick and Bacher. Rich and Bacher. Is Rich here?

So you and Rich were in this band called The Chant. Yeah. And was he the one who gave you the tape of... No, I think it was a friend of ours named Tracy. Tracy. Who's this Tracy? I haven't talked to her. She's a woman. Okay. I have no idea where... of ours named Tracy. Tracy. Who's this Tracy fellow or woman? I haven't talked to her. She's a woman.

Okay. I have no idea where she is. It's not Tracy Letts. No, it's not actor and director. You get surprised winning writer of August Osage County. Okay. It's not him. No, I don't think so.

Okay. Got it. It's not Tracy Ellis Ross. Not Tracy Morgan either. Okay. Got it. Got it. Okay.

I think we're out of Tracy's arm. I think we're plum out of Tracy's. Okay, so what did you think when you first heard – I mean, it really – it's just how you had that feeling where you're like, oh, this is – I found something here. And what was it – what was unique about it to you? here. And what was it, what was unique about it to you? Paint the musical landscape of 1983-ish

or so, when you first heard this. I mean, I became cool musically in 79 when Blondie and Rockpile played the Sunrise Musical Theater. Very good, Bill. So I went from like Boston and Styx, nothing against those bands, but I sort of shifted gears a little bit. You went from AOR

to a slight, I mean really there's not a lot of difference between those those bands, but I sort of shifted gears a little bit. You went from AOR to a slight – I mean, really, there's not a lot of difference between those two bands other than what radio stations they were played on. Okay. That's a whole other podcast. What, Boston and Blondie? I mean, Boston and Blondie, you're not talking about like, oh, my God, these two bands are so different. They all had drums, guitar. They were played on FM radio. They had bass guitars, too.

So you're describing basically every band. Yeah. Every band, guitar. They were played on FM radio. They had bass guitars too. So you're describing basically every band. Yeah, every band is the same. Every band is the same. Look, this is something we've run into with this show. Every song is basically the same. You think so? Yeah. It's been really tough.

Vocals, guitar, bass, drums. And also drums. Yeah. Have you ever seen like a cover singer play like the same chord progression and then they sing four different songs to show you that, oh, well. Yeah, that they're all the same. Yeah, yeah. I've seen like a cover singer play like the same chord progression and then he'd sing four different songs to show you that, oh, wow. Yeah, that they're all the same. Yeah, yeah. I've seen that.

I've hung out at the Universal Studios City Walk, if that's what you're trying to ask me. That's where we met, I believe. We're always there, the three of us. It's an underrated place to hang. It's great. I actually – we go there a lot because Kulop, a nice fan of hers, sent us an AMC card to get into movies for free. And the closest AMC to our house is Universal CityWalk.

And you can go park for $10. If you go see a movie, they give you five back. So it's basically a $5 trip to the movies for us. Oh, I go there to see movies all the time. And anytime I'm there, Casey Wilson hates that I go there to see movies all the time. Anytime I'm there, Casey Wilson hates that we go there. I take a picture of Kulop somewhere at CityWalk and I text it to her and Casey

writes us back, stop going to that garbage place. We eat at a Bubba Gump and we're happy the rest of the night. Go over to, what's that? Bucca di Beppo. The Bronx Fettuccine. And we're happy the rest of the night. Go over to, what's that? Buca di Beppo. Buca di Beppo.

Get some authentic. Fettuccine. The meatballs. The Bronx fettuccine. Parmesan cheese. Oh. Shredded. Parmesan cheese, that is.

Shredded cheese. Oh. If I had stayed in the Bronx longer than my first five years, I would be talking like. You probably would. What do you call your accent? Is it Floridian? I'm a little congested right now, but I don't know what. You could call it congested.

Congested. Congested neutral. Much like the traffic in Florida. And Los Angeles. Oh, yeah. That's better. Hell, yeah. So you were a fan right from, not from the first EP, Chronic Town, but from Murmur On.

Yeah, I did. And it was because it sounded different than everything else. I don't know. It just kind of moved me emotionally. Emotionally? Yeah. I don't know if this is a podcast where you get emotional. We certainly do.

Well, I'm going to start crying. Oh, shit. Immediate tears are streaming down Todd's face. That would be if I... You have problems. Yeah, so it just kind of hit me the way... What was it emotionally about the band that were you able to pick out lyrics or were –

You know, the thing with me is I never know lyrics and I never know what they mean and I never even try to know what they mean. And it just sort of – I let the song flow all over me. Yeah. I think that's something that we've talked about it on this show. I think REM is a big reason why i don't really pay attention to lyrics because they were they were indecipherable and so they were just sounds yeah and so i kind of listen to music that way in a way of just like everything's just sounds do you sing along at concerts like i've never understood singing along at concerts oh my god

there was this one concert i went to i went to to see Slayer with this woman that I had feelings for. And she was a big Slayer fan. And so she got us tickets. Really? Yeah, yeah. That was actually Brian Posehn. Yeah, I'm in love with Brian Posehn. No, but I remember shouting and singing along.

I was like, rain of blood, rain of blood. And she turned to me at one point and goes, it's rain in blood. And I knew it was over. Last date, in blood. And I knew it was over. Last date, huh? Yeah, I knew it was over. I hope I'm getting those details right, by the way, because I don't know enough about Slayer to say whether it was vice versa or not. But yeah.

But I ended up seeing R.E.M. live several times. How many times? I mean, I can try to name. Let's name the albums and you can say how many times you saw that tour. No, that'll just make it even more difficult. Okay, sorry. Did you see them in their later years as well? I saw them at Bumbershoot in Seattle maybe 10 years ago.

Yeah, I am. I forgot whether – I don't think Bill Berry was in the band anymore. Probably not, 10 years ago. Okay. But I saw them at the University of North Florida with the Minutemen opening. Whoa. I believe they're called Minutemen, not the Minutemen. Right, yeah.

So that was an interesting thing. So that must have been pre, because Dee Boone, was that his name? Yeah, yeah. Passed away in what, 87? It was shortly, it was like, I think it was a few days after that show, actually. Oh, I thought you were going to say you saw him a few days after he passed away. No, I did not. How is that possible?

I wish I could have. Was it like 84, 85? Yeah, probably 84, 85, yeah. What a great show to see. St. Petersburg, I saw them with this, you remember Let's Active, the band? Yeah, yeah. They opened, and then I saw them in, I don't know.

Was Let's Active with Mitch Easter? Mitch Easter, yes. Did you know Mitch Easter? I've never met Mitch Easter, but I saw him. I sent you that picture of me. Yes, okay, this is how Todd got on the show, and I sent you that picture of me. Yes, okay. This is how Todd got on the show, and let me explain this for the listeners.

A lot of people want to be on this show. There's no surprise. No shit. Hey, no shit, Sherlock. Keep digging, Watson. Yeah, yeah. But Todd had to prove his bona fides, and so I was like, Todd, a lot of people want to be on the show. What do you got for me? Let's see his bona fides. And so I was like, Todd, a lot of people want to be on the show. What do you got for me?

Let's see your bona fides. And you texted me a picture of, at first I looked at it. I was like, yeah, REM. Great. Who cares? Sure. Yeah, of course this is a picture of REM. Sure.

And then I looked closer. And I had to put the entire phone screen up next to my eyes, and I looked at it, and I was like, I'll be goddamned if Todd Perry isn't standing next to the band. Harry M himself right there. It was standing with Mike Mills, Peter Buck, and the aforementioned friend Rich. And this was around 86 it looked like maybe? Life's Rich Pageant-ish. You were holding up a calendar that said 1986. I don't remember.

With the date circled. Circled saying, this is how I will always remember the year. I showed Peter Buck a picture. It was like a flyer which had the concert calendar for my band, The Chant, and he stuffed it in his pants, and that's what the picture is. Oh, yeah. He has something in his pants. Wow. So you showed him picture is. Oh, yeah. He has something in his pants. Wow. So you showed him this thing. He took it.

And put it in his pants. Put it in his pants. I mean, just being playful, yeah. And how did you – were you backstage? That was – somehow there was like a party at someone's apartment and they showed up. They just showed up? Yeah. All four of the guys showed up or those two guys?

I think it was just those two. I think it was just those two. Okay. And did everyone freak out when they walked in the door? just showed up yeah all four of the guys showed up i think it was just those two okay and did everyone freak out when they walked in the door i i mean i don't know what the connection was whether it was someone just took a chance that we're having a party in my apartment they said all right we'll go or if there was like a friend i don't remember yeah but is this the only time that you ever as they say rubbed shoulders with well when uh i have two rubbed shoulders with the band? Well, when... I have two rubbed shoulders stories. They're not really stories.

So one per shoulder? But after the first show, the time I saw them in Atlanta, somehow we just wandered to a backstage area. I don't know how we were able to... Yeah, how old were you at this point? Oh, God. 1984, is that when it was?

Yeah. Okay, so... So were you over 18? I was 20 years old. You're 20 years old. Okay, so you look like an adult, so it's not weird that you're just stumbling backstage. No, I wasn't like a baby who was being, you know, like a two-year-old. This wasn't like that movie Boss Baby, where it's like, oh, my God, this is a baby.

Or Baby's Day Out. Yeah, it's not like that where you're like, oh, no, this baby is. It wasn't like Home Alone either. Okay, it wasn't anything like this. But then I remember I saw, I got Michael Stipe's autograph, which I lost. But I remember I stuck my hand out to shake his hand, and he seemed annoyed by that. And he kind of went – he kind of just grabbed it. I was like, oh, I guess he's not a handshake.

Well, still, were you meeting him or were you just like, hi there, Todd Berry? People were gathered around him, and he was signing autographs, and I stuck my hand out. Right. Because I feel like that's a better story to be like. Right. It's disconnected to say I got an autograph. It's more connected to be like I shook his hand. The electrons passed between us. After he swatted your hand away, you opted for the autograph?

Is that what it was? I think it was autograph. I think the order was autograph, handshake, reluctant handshake. I mean he did grab my hand, but he could see that he didn't necessarily want to. Wasn't his favorite thing to do. Yeah, and I respect that. But one time, this is another, in a desperate, after the Boca Raton show,

I asked, they were, somehow we ended up outside near their bus or something, and I just, and you know those things where you're trying to connect with a celebrity, so you just say anything? Right. And I said, who are you voting for? And goes and anyone but reagan and i and it's like of course like who did i think he was right ronald reagan i'm a big i'm michael stein believe it or not i know what if you were like just searching for something to say and you're

like hey whatever you do please don't ever work with anyone from led zeppelin that the reason i say this is because Adam was doing it in a similar situation with the band and trying to think of anything to say. And you were like, so what's John Paul Jones like? What's John Paul Jones like? I once annoyed Glenn Tilbrook at the Galleria Ball in Fort Lauderdale. Yeah. What did you say?

Well, I was young and naive and I was just walking around for some reason. And I saw Glenn Tilbrook at the information booth. I was like, it's the Fort Lauderdale Gallery. It's not like going to the Grove or something here. You see celebrities every time you go there. So you're not seeing a lot of celebs. So I followed him. Not followed him, but he walked into a bookstore.

I guess that I did follow him. Yeah. This sounds like a complete follow. I kind of went into a store that i saw him go into and i followed him in there but i didn't follow and then he was kind of looking at a magazine i go hey and i said i thought he was chris differed oh and i said chris he goes glenn and he shook my hand real firmly ah that's nice yeah he was corrected you in a nice way yeah i mean it was just a thing like i wasn't a jerk i was like, you know, when people linger a little bit. And I kind of tried to connect with him by – there was a story that David Lee Roth stole a magazine from this bookstore.

That's allegedly, I guess. Right. So I brought that up. He's like, gosh. Then he stood up and he's like, cheers. Goodbye, son. Goodbye forever. Now that I'm a massive celebrity, I get it.

You're like, all right. I was just – I mean, it was more, oh, this is just an awkward kid. It wasn't like – Did you mention to Glenn Tilbrook that in the future, in 2018, on Memorial Day, I would read his band member Chris Difford's autobiography? Did you read that? I did. I didn't know he had one. This year? Yes, just a scant months ago.

I feel like they're an underappreciated band in a way. For a band that's done well, yeah. Squeeze, we were talking about him with Edgar Wright a few weeks back. Oh, yeah? I met Edgar Wright the other night. He was nice. Yes, we were at – Big time.

Oh, yeah, he was at the party. Yeah, we were all – look, everyone, we were all at a party the other night. Listen, not a big deal. NBD. Which stands for no basketballs for David. You were talking about squeeze with Edgar Wright?

We were. We were just talking about singles 45s and under and how great it is. Or is it singles going steady? I think it's singles going steady. Singles going steady, 45s and under. They're so great. Yeah.

But so how then – what is your history? How long did you like the band? Were you just a fan their entire time that they were – I think I slowed down a little after the Bill Burry – Bill Burry left. I mean, not – You're like, hey, hey, hey hey let's pump the brakes here guys no i i would never i've got to be clear that i

would never be like you guys fucked up like i would never tell a band what to do but personally from my emotional connection i sort of had them as like this is one unit yeah

when something changes did you buy that for up that first album without bill burry just to see you did buy it yeah yeah and uh also bill burry todd burry you kind of i met him in jacksonville he was nice bill burry without Bill Barry just to see? I actually did buy it, yeah. Yeah, yeah. Also Bill Barry, Todd Barry, you kind of like that.

Oh, I met him in Jacksonville. He was nice. Bill Barry? Yeah, yeah. I met him after the show. Oh, cool. The University of North Florida show. Mm-hmm.

Yeah. A lot of fans from Florida are thrilled with all these references you're dropping. Yeah, I went to the University of Florida just to be, to give you a full picture.

Sure, yeah. And I drove to Jacksonville to see him. Did you go to Emerson too or were you just in that – No, I didn't go to comedy college. Did you move to Boston though? Were you in the Boston – I've never – you're like – you know, it's interesting.

People – I've met other people who think I'm from Boston. For some reason, I view Boston comedy scene. I don't know. That's what people think. I just – I don't know why they think I'm from there. Oh, wait. No, no, no. To be fair, it's probably happened twice.

You're not David Cross. I am not. Okay. You're Todd Berry. Okay. I got it. All right. Wait.

What did you call Florida earlier? America's droopy dick? Yes. And Maine is its erect penis? Yeah. Oh, my God. You really got some cutting insults. All right.

So, Todd, that's how you first heard of REM, and those were fascinating stories, and I appreciate every single one of them. But we have to get to the music here. And, by the way, a little later, you've brought in your top ten R.E.M. songs, so that's very good. So we're going to get to the music. Before we get to Around the Sun, which is the album we're here to talk about, we have to, our last REM record was Reveal that we listened to and something happened

in between Reveal and Around the Sun, which was REM put out a best of record from the Warner Brothers years called In Time, the Best of REM. In fact,

they had to interrupt the recording of Around the Sun to put out the greatest hits and then do their biggest world tour ever to support the greatest hits album.

So they did a tour for this, but not for Reveal. That's right. Interesting. That's right. Well, I think that they were feeling like they needed to... To get a little boost in the old adrenaline. Yeah, and do some good for the record company. I think according to that book we are reading,

they felt some pressure to kind of, you know, Like, hey guys, your last couple of records didn't sell all that well. You're not touring. Let's get out there.

I mean, Reveal was huge overseas, just not as much in the city. But they went on a huge tour for this greatest hits album. Okay. So we're going to play this song.

Yes, Todd, you wanted to say something? No, I'm just, what year was this that they did the greatest hits tour? Oh, three. Really? 2003. Maybe that's when you wanted to say something? No, I'm just, what year was this that they did the Greatest Hits Tour? Oh, three. Really?

2003. Maybe that's when I saw them at Bumbershoot. I don't know. Probably. They did a lot of festivals. Yeah. It was a great, great tour. It's weird that they did a tour for a Greatest Hits album.

Did they mainly play Greatest Hits? When Bowie came out with the Sound and Vision Tour, he was like, I'm playing my popular songs and I'm never going to play them again. That's a good David Bowie. You got it, man. Excellent. I'm never going to play them again. Which he totally did. Oh, yeah.

Like three years later. I went to that tour. That was amazing. I wish I had gone to it. Jane's Addiction opened for him, which was incredible. The devil, you say? Really? They played, well, it was to support the Warner Brothers best of,

but they played, for the first time, tons of really early stuff, like they did Sitting Still. Really? For the first time since the 80s, they started playing all that early stuff. Oh, cool. All right. It was a great tour. So we're going to go through the new songs that were released on the best of record

because I think we need to get to those before we get to the next record to give give you a little context so uh let's hear this is the first single off of the best of uh this is bad day A public service announcement Followed me home the other day I paid it, never mind Go away Shit so thick you can stir with a stick Free Teflon, whitewash, presidency

We're sick of being jerked around When they're out on your sleeve Broadcast me in joyful noise into the times. Lord, count your blessings. We're sick of being shirked around. We all fall down. Have you ever seen the televised? Invite a subcommittee prize.

Investigation dance. Those ants in man's glances I look behind the eyes, it's a hallowed hollow anesthetized Save my own ass, screw these guys, smoke and mirror lockdown Broadcast me a dreadful noise, retune the times Look, count your blessings, the papers wouldn't lie I sigh sign not one more. It's been a bad

day. Please don't take a picture. It's been a bad day. Please. It's been a bad day. Please don't take a picture. It's been a bad day. Please.

All right. Bad day. Obviously, we played an early version of this. This is a song from their early years, circa Life's Rich Pageant-ish somewhere. Yeah, it's a Life's Rich Pageant. We played the demo of it when we covered that record, but the demo at that point had not been released. This is the first time the Ricks weren't quite finished. Which album was that song we just heard

what was that on this is off the the best of but wasn't it that particular song we just listened to was that on another album or just

this is off the best of welcome to the show Todd it was it was recording for Life's Rich Pageant but not used okay that's that's what I needed to know

well I just said it but I like the way he said it better he said it without the hostility and back then back then it eventually turned into It's the End of the World. Yes. Oh, I was going to say it reminded me of that.

Precursor to It's the End of the World, as you know, which was interesting when you hear it on the best of, of like, oh, holy shit, REM is sort of doing their, like something that sounds like their early stuff a little bit. Yeah, I was really excited when this came out because it sounded like, it felt like Life's Rich Pageant-y.

Yeah, so I liked it too. And coming off of, coming off of The Great Beyond, which I had really liked, and then The Imitation of Life and the songs that I had heard on Reveal, I hadn't heard the whole album, but I was like,

wow, R.E.M. is, maybe they're back. Yeah. What do you think, Todd? You like that song? I like that song. It's pretty good. And that was the single,

it didn't really do much here, right? Yeah, I actually, I'm not, I don't think it was huge or anything, but I remember people like knowing that song.

Yeah, a little bit. Especially when they played live, everyone was freaked out. It was like, yeah, okay. So this is the other new song that they put on to the best of this is called

Animal what do you know about the well we'll hear a little bit of it in here is this the which mix is it this is the one

from the actual best of I have the other one if you want Hey, what's the big deal? Tell me how to feel I know where I threw a ring and fell from grace Pointing to the stars, I'm up for the chase I know where we fell on our face

Jump with me, you jump with me Hey, what's the big deal? I'm an animal The insolent and all-powerful top world The future and the truth and my rooftop world It's calling me to work it out It's calling me to work it out Kind of Tomorrow Never Knows, drum beat a little bit.

I don't believe I've ever heard that song before. Really? Yeah. I'd love to turn you on to new music. It wasn't a big hit. No, it was just the other... I don't even think it was released as a single. It was just like the other new song.

It was. It was like a video and everything, but I don't think it really went anywhere. Right, yeah. Do you know anything about the background of that song, Adam? I mean, I know the single they released was a different mix, which is believed, is thought to be much better. This is the new mix. I don't remember how different it actually is.

That sounds the same. And just a little bit different, but the guitar is a little more out in front. Yeah. You know what? It actually sounds a little cleaner, like less grungy maybe. Yeah, it's a little cleaner. Do you like it?

I did like it. What did you think, Scott? I liked it. I got this. I remember getting this best of because I liked best ofs and I would make my own best ofs. And I really liked bad day and i thought this was okay um but i like it i don't know i was i was never like i never loved it but listening to it before today i listened to it and i was like oh that's that's it's pretty good yeah

i it's a strange sentiment to be called an animal. Yeah, it's actually, some people would consider it to be an insult. Yeah, like, hey, you filthy animal. Or you fucking animal. I don't think that's the kind of language you want to use. Foul language with it. Yeah. Foul, that's another animal. Chickens, yes.

Mm-hmm. Has anyone ever called you an animal, Todd? Has anyone ever said to Todd, like, Todd, fuck me like an animal? Yeah, a lot of, a lot of, Todd, fuck me like an animal? Yeah. A lot of, a lot of, I've heard that a lot. Jesus Christ. Word for word, what you just said, I've heard a lot. All right.

This is the other, you know, this best I've had a whole CD of like sort of previously released B-sides and stuff on it. But this is the other kind of, it was previously released but it's new to us this is um from the vanilla sky soundtrack this is all the right friends which we also played an earlier version of it but at the time that earlier version was not released this is like the only fully produced released version of the song it's right because the other one is all demos yeah so demos and stuff. So let's hear a little bit of it. I know you say Maybe someday I need never be alone

I know I say It's the right way But you'll never be the one I've been walking alone now for a long long time I don't wanna hang out now

with the friends who just aren't mine party do yeah good shit it's interesting that Animal and Bad Day, it's clear that they knew what they should do. They knew what people wanted them to do. Right.

But it would take Around the Sun and another few years for them to actually do it. They're like, we're not going to write a new song like these songs. Let's just write it. Let's use an old song because I don't even know why. Well, I think they were just still

in this place of not ready to be a full band yet and wanting to just experiment. I don't know what it was, but it's interesting because that's sort of where they ended up going like four years later.

Spoiler alert. Jesus. But this is great. This sounds good. Yeah, they also like in this version use that kind of timpani sound where it's like, I know you know. Boom!

That's sort of like Roy Orbison. Anyway you want, you got it. Boom, boom. Yeah, yeah. That Jeff Lin-y thing. Yeah, yeah. I like it. What do you think, Todd? I liked it. I'd have to listen to it a few times. Did you know this song from back in the day? I didn't know. No. Is that

only on the Greatest Hits or is that another B-side from an earlier? It's from the Vanilla Sky soundtrack, but they put it on the Greatest Hits record. But it was, it was an old, like, it almost was on Reckoning, then it was almost on, it was almost on Chronic Town and then Reckoning. Yeah. Like they kept recording it

and then never put it on any album. Did you ever, am I allowed to change the subject? Yeah, sure. What do you want to talk album. Did you ever – am I allowed to change the subject? Yeah, sure. What do you want to talk about? Did you ever hear Richard Thompson's tribute album where they play Wall of Death? Yeah, Wall of Death. Yeah, that's great. Thanks for listening to this show, by the way.

I'm busy. No, that's a great version of Wall of Death. Yeah, it's really good. Let's go through some of the B-sides from The Greatest Hits just to cover them. This is Favorite Rider. In a car In a crash Died in a fire Imagine that In a car What do we think?

I love this song. Do you? What is it? Is it a cover? I think it's a cover. Yeah, who is it? I think it might be from a tribute album.

I like the hi-hat technique. Yeah. See, this is great to get the drummer's perspective. Because we don't talk about hi-hat technique enough. No, it takes getting a drummer in here, getting his fanny in that seat. Getting his little butt, his little tushy. His little butt cheeks.

And you have a tiny butt, by the way. I do, I have the smallest butt in comedy. Yeah, I feel like it's a cover. I'm sorry I don't have the info at my fingertips of what it is yeah I forget what it was this is another B-side this is Out cover too isn't it yeah yeah of something i'm sorry we're not as comprehensive and as encyclopedic as we should be

you literally could use that rectangular thing. Instead of searching through the papers that are not devoted. Like, if you wanted to look up information

about something that someone brought up, would you look at your phone or at whatever papers were in front of you? Well, these are papers about this album. About the next album.

Maybe he got a few faxes from the research department. I just love that it's your first. Okay, this is the other B-side that came out. This is Adagio, parentheses, unused tune. What is this? Adagio. Oh, yeah.

B-side. I'll just put it on the background. It kind of is like an Angelo Badalamente, Twin Peaks kind of... Favorite writer was written by Linda Hopper and Ruthie Morris. Oh, Linda and Ruthie. That name sounds familiar. Oh, Magna Pop. Oh, it's a Magna Pop song.

Yes. Were they an Atlanta band or an Athens band? I believe they were, weren't they? Were they? I'm not sure. It's a great song. You ever listen to Pylon?

Yeah. They're really good. Again, thanks for listening. You talked about it. You did four episodes about that song. Well, they did, REM did a cover

of that Pylon song, so we talked about them. Oh, which one was? Not Superman. No, that's an song, so we talked about them. Oh, which one was? Not Superman. No, that's an even older song. No, no. It's on Dead Letter Office. I can't remember.

But they're touring right now with the – just the woman is – I can't remember her name. Really? Yeah, they're touring currently. Out in the country is a Paul Williams song. Ah, Paul Williams, the – my friend's brother-in-law. Did you see the documentary on Paul Williams? No. Why are you laughing?

It's true. I don't doubt that that's true. That's Adagio, so enjoy that. So those were all B-sides from the singles from The Greatest Hits. Yes, exactly, yeah. So those songs come out and an R.E.M. fan gets excited about the greatest hits. Yes, exactly. Yeah. So those songs come out and an R.E.M. fan gets excited about

the next record. Gets totally excited about like, oh, holy shit, R.E.M. is back to basics. This is rad. What's the next record going to be?

Very, very exciting. And that's how I felt when I approached this record. We have to take a break. When we come back, we're going to be talking about Around the Sun and also Todd Berry is going to give us his top 10 songs.

Hey, Adam. Yeah. Hey. Oh, I forgot what I was going to say. Oh, cool. Oh, wait, I remember. Yeah. No, I forgot it again.

Hmm. Oh, I remember. Yeah or do you want to know an easy way to save some money that's what i was gonna say do you want to know an easy way to save some money yeah well wait no you don't want to know no No. Wait. I'm itching to tell you. No, please. Yes. Oh, okay. So you want to know an easy way to save money.

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This is the first song on Around the Sun, the record we're talking about. This is Leaving New York by R.E.M. It's quiet now, and what it brings is everything. it brings is everything comes calling back a brilliant night I'm still awake

I looked ahead I'm sure I saw you there you don't need me to tell you now That nothing can compare You might have laughed if I told you You might have hit hidden your frown You might have succeeded in changing me

I might have been turned around It's easier to leave than to be left behind Leaving was never my proud All right, Leaving New York. That's a good song. I agree. Let's talk about Around the Sun. This came out on October 5th of 2004. Adam, what were you doing October 5th, 2004?

That's a good question. Hey, I'm a professional interviewer. Yeah. Those are the only types of questions I ask. I was, boy boy oh boy why don't you go first and i'll try and remember you know what i was trying to figure it out because i think we were both at a at a stage in our careers where we're like you know doing okay and the projects blur together or whatever so i was like what was i doing in october of 2004 so i started

thinking of things i was doing and i weirdly enough, I know exactly what I was doing in October of 2004 because this was a Tuesday it came out on. The Friday before, the movie Shark Tale came out. And I co-wrote the movie Shark Tale. That's a big deal. And I was at the premiere the week before where, you know, in my career I'd worked on Mr. Show and the Mr. Show movie and a bunch of stuff that my parents hated.

In fact, my dad told me at one point he was never going to watch another episode of Mr. Show again. Oh, my God. And I was like, wow, I finally have something that they can be proud of me for. Something that's acceptable and clean. And so I invited them to the premiere at Man's Chinese here in L.A. the week before and saw the movie and went to the party afterwards. And the credits happen and my name comes up and I'm like, man, these guys are...

We're walking over to the party and my dad's like, well, that was not so good, was it? Oh, come on. Really? Come on. Oh my God. You know, I agreed, but... Really? Yeah. That's not okay. Well, take it up with him, Adam. I will.

Because I'm too cowardly, too. But I plan to. And he won't listen to this show. He won't listen. Well, take it up with him, Adam. I will. Because I'm too cowardly, too. Oh, man. But I plan to. And he won't listen to this show. He won't listen. No, of course not. But, yeah, I was doing, I started the Comedy Death Ray show in late 2002. So that had been going for now two years over at the M Bar. I was in the middle of, I think, what ended up being a three or four year stint at DreamWorks Animation where I did Shark Tale 1 and I was working on the sequel, Shark Tale 2, which never came out.

And I worked on Puss in Boots. And so just kind of in there at the DreamWorks compound, eating their free lunch every day and around three o'clock in the afternoon every day going to get free yogurt, which packed on the old pounds for me. Sounds like a great life. I guess. For a few years there. If you like the movie Shark Tale, which my dad did not. So that's, and I was in my new condo.

Big hit, big hit movie. Yeah, it was not enough to make the sequel at the time, unfortunately, but. Don't always get what you want, but you know, sometimes. Get what you want. But, you know, sometimes. Get what you need. Yeah. Well, that's a great way of looking at it.

And what you needed was one Shark Tank movie. Shark Tank. Or Shark Tail. If it had been called Shark Tank, I think that would have been very cool. Well, then you would own a part of a long-running TV series. So, you know. You could sue them.

So that's kind of where I was. Kulop and I were living in the valley, and I still had my – I actually looked up when did I get iTunes and when did I get an iPod and stuff. I still did not have a computer that had iTunes on it. I still had the two 300-disc changers that I talked about last episode where I was ping-ponging back and forth. changers that i talked about last episode where i was pinging ping-ponging back and forth and i was still making cds on my bird with my burner cd instead of burning it in a computer like a lot of people would do oh this is interesting i was maybe i was in a uh club

with uh friends maybe some friends uh some mutual friends of ours uh tall john was in it and uh alex reed and a bunch of people and we were in a club where we would – every month we would pick a theme. The person who was curating this would pick a theme. Oh, I remember hearing about this. And then all of the 12 or 13 people in this group would pick a song that related to that theme. So the first one was Childhood. Mine was Breaking Up. There were like Sex was one.

And everyone would pick a song, and then it was the curator's job to make a mix CD. And sequence it. And sequence it and then make album art and all that and then mail it to everyone who had contributed. Sounds exhausting. And I slaved over mine, because everyone else basically did what you would do now

when you make a playlist in iTunes and just burn a CD with it. But I mixed all the levels. You remixed some of the songs? You got to get all the master tapes. Although I will say that on mine breaking up, someone had submitted Duran Duran's Ordinary World. What? And it just ruined the whole flow of all these heartbreak songs.

So you had to use the songs. But I had to use it, but what I did was I went out and found an acoustic version that they had recorded for a B-side that sounded a little more like the— And did that person get pissy about it? No, no one cared. So what do you— No one even listened to the things. Did the club sit around and like, let's have a listening party once this –

No, we wouldn't listen to it together. And what would be frustrating is when you would send it out and everyone was on an email chain usually and people would go like, oh, this is amazing. But I remember like I think five days went by and no one said anything. And I was like, anyone get this yet? And people were like, oh, sorry, I've been busy. But it was cool. It was like a cool idea that we did for about a year until we all realized. It was like a book club.

Yeah, until we realized it was way too much fucking trouble. I had something similar around that same period of time, and we called it the Glendale Men's Association. It was just a group of guys. A GMA. And we would go around to each other's house and drink beer and listen to the mix CD that whoever's house we were in had made for that month. Interesting.

It sounds like mix CDs were kind of a new thing that everyone could do around that time. Yeah, because people were making mix tapes up till, you know, maybe. Tate 90s. Yeah, people had tape players yeah people had tape players in their cars and suddenly now everyone had a CD player in their car

and you could easily burn a CD now and so it was really cool and fun so that's how I was listening to music Todd do you remember what you were doing

in 2004? in 2004 I was 7 years into my moving back to New York City okay which is ironic because the song

we just listened to was called Leaving New York that's pure the opposite is ironic because the song we just listened to was called Leaving New York. That's pure irony. The opposite of what you were doing. That's the fucking ultimate example of irony.

I don't remember what I was doing. Cool. I, you know, but it's a long time ago. Adam, do you, I was, I had just done,

Look up your filmography. Yeah, that summer I had done Monster in Law with, and I got to know Will Arnett and I got to know each other on that. We both had small supporting roles in the movie, so that was fun because he was on it. Were you married? No, you weren't married yet?

No, we were planning our wedding because it was the following spring. Oh, okay, so you're deep in cake tasting. Yep, and the Aviator was coming out in December and I had a small part and it was a small part, but I was super excited to be in. There are no small parts as far as I'm concerned. You know, there's just actors

who may or may not be remembered during the in memoriam. Exactly. So you had just been working with Marty. About a year earlier. And I had just been working with Marty. Yeah. year earlier. And I had just been working with Marty. Yeah. In Shark Tale.

I think I remember being in the backseat of a small car talking about, because I think Shark Tale had just come out. And you and I were squeezed into the backseat of some car talking about Shark Tale and the aviator. Oh, yeah. And talking about Martin Scorsese stories. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Because, yeah, he and Robert De Niro were both in that film. Yeah. And they did the only, they did the only recording sessions that we ever did together.

Because normally when you record an animated film, you can only get the actors one at a time. Yeah. And so everyone does all their parts with a person reading. And I was that person a lot of the time where I would be reading with like Michael Imperioli or whatever. I would be doing the other lines with them and trying to feed them enough

while they were recording. But Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese did the only recording sessions together. So when you see their scenes together, they're like improv-ing and talking over each other. And it added a certain level of, because you're like, hey, these guys work together so much, let's just get them talking to each other.

They're old paisans. Yeah, they're old Bronx fettuccines. I've never worked with Marty. Really? But Darren Aronofsky. You're the only one of the three of us. That's weird. It is strange.

So, okay. Okay, so this album comes out. This album comes out. We, after the last few years of R.E.M., which I was really into their output, not really into in the terms of, I'd never listened to Reveal all the way through. Until now.

But I liked all the singles that I heard. Yeah. That is the first single off of the new record and first taste of the new record. Do you remember this single? No. Yeah. I do not. I did not buy new record. Do you remember this single? No. Yeah. I do not.

I did not buy this record. Yeah. It came out and all it got was bad reviews and I might have heard this single. Yeah. And I was like, oh, well, we're back to kind of chamber pop. I think it's an okay song though. You guys like it.

Yeah. I like the strummy chorus. Yeah. It's like Jimmy Webb-ish. I kind of like that. It definitely is like the the strummy chorus yeah it's like jimmy webbish i kind of like that it definitely is like the first time i heard it when i first listened to this last week i was like that's an okay song and then i looked it up and i was like first single so and then then this is maybe the most more or one of the more catchy songs on the record, which is interesting. I think it's really good. Yeah, I like it.

I think it's a really kind of nice, big, anthemic chorus. I like it. You like choruses that are anthemic. We have heavily established that over... Is it anthemic or anthemic? It could be either or either. Well, so do you, though. I do.

I like a nice chorus. Yeah, I like a big chorus that kicks in like that one. Like, and it was all yellow. Yeah, just like that. Love it. Coldplay, very big around these years. Yeah, really getting huge. Really?

I remember going to see Coldplay. They played Jimmy Kimmel's first episode. Yeah, I was there. You were there? Yeah, yeah. Me and John and Kulop, and we were all there out on the street. Yeah, we were all there together. Yeah.

Did Naomi work at the show at that point? Ken Marino met his wife that night. Really? Yeah. I don't know. Maybe Ham introduced her. Interesting. Actually, I have no idea.

I have no idea either. I don't even remember being there with you. I don't remember if I maybe Ham introduced I don't know actually I have no idea I have no idea either I don't even remember being there with you but I don't remember being there with you but I apparently we were all

there together yeah there were a lot of it was a madhouse Todd were you there no alright well moving on to the next song this is

this is track two this is Electron Blue. Electron Blue. The ocean's near, the light has started to fade Your highest time, you found the climb It's hard to focus on more than what's in front of you Electron blue, adventure rings with the page I love you. It's all you want to do. You. You know where to run. You run electron blue.

Okay. He mentions Wayne in there, a previous guest on this show, David Wayne. Oh, yeah. He also mentions Buzz from Toy Story. Yeah, Buzz Lightyear. That's crazy that he mentioned David Wayne. Is it weird? It's cool.

He tried to shout out a lot of our friends during several songs. David Wayne's a big REM fan, too, so it probably meant a lot to him. Yeah, probably. What do we think of Electron Blue, gentlemen? I liked it. I liked it. I like the boop, boop, boop. You know, at the same time, we don't like anything.

We're going to ask you first. Oh, okay. No, I like Electron Blue a lot. Do you? Yeah, I like it. You don't like Electron Blue? Scott? What it is I don't really like about...

Maybe you don't like the little kick drum thing that I like. I like that. That was the one thing that I did like. Oh, okay. Yeah, so... I thought you would like this because it's like reveal-y. You know what? I was trying to think of why the songs on this record

are not that great to me when I liked Reveal so much. And I think it has to do with they're not – the songwriting isn't as poppy to me, I think. And I also think that there's some weird thing with his vocals where I just – all of these songs sound like he recorded it eight months later than everything else. It all feels very disconnected and I agree.

Although that song to me feels the most sort of fused together and like they were all on the same page for some reason. Interesting. I don't know what it is. It's not really sticking out to me, but Todd loves it, and he loves that kick drum. I like it. Yeah, I like it. My favorites on the album are coming up. Okay, great. Well, let's see if this is one of them.

This is a song based on the S.E. Hinton novel. This is called The Outsiders. That sounds like he was responding to someone telling him a boring story. Mm-hmm. You shot crowbar upside my head I got caught with the stop of Tick-tock, tick-tock clock When you told me what you knew Lost in the moment The day that the music stopped And I do remember you

Drawing patterns with a cork on the tablecloth Promising broken and changing blood Where will this lead us? I'm scared of the storm The outside is a gathering And the day is born Okay, The Outsiders. I'm going to leave it going because there's a Q-tip feature a little later. Oh yeah, Q-tip comes in at the end. That we're going to, we want to listen to. Adam? I love this song. You love this song?

Adam? I love this song. You love this song? I do. And when I listened to this album for the first time, leaving New York, I knew and liked. It wasn't like my favorite single of theirs, but I liked it. And then Electron Blue was cool.

And then this is really a new sound for them, and it's really spare, and it's just different um and i love the melody and the chorus and stuff and so i was like wow this album is gonna be amazing uh so i i really like this i know the q-tip thing's real shaky for people i don't yeah i want to hear the q-tip feature what do you think uh todd what do you got um i it it does sound a little... It sounds less like a band playing than it does like a band playing with maybe a drum machine. Although I don't know if that was a drum machine. Just the... I don't know. Disconnected.

Doesn't feel like a band recording necessarily. Is that a shitty thing to say? No, nothing is shitty. Say whatever you want. Say whatever you want. We get deep into it and we... If we don't like something, we say it. I've said things about R.E.M. songs on this show that I feel terrible about the next day.

Really? Yeah, for sure. Where you've apologized to the songs. I have. I think you should apologize to the band. I think I will. No, you've put on the CD, and you've apologized to it as it was playing. I'm sorry.

Okay, is this it? It might be. Kick it! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!

Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!

Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah!

Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! Ah! I mean, Q-Tip's awesome, but it's not like the song has to have this. Q-Tip, one of the most unassailable discographies, I think, of modern music. The last Tribe album, the one that came out a year and a half ago or so, is one of the best albums of that year. An incredible musician. I watched the Tribe documentary recently and I was like, I guess I'd always assumed that the DJ had

put together most of the songs, but learning that, oh my god, Q-Tip did all the samples and like, what a genius. I saw him at a restaurant once. Cool! I went to Michael Stipe's Christmas party this year, happened to be in New York, and somehow got an invitation to it. Was this at his apartment? No, it was at some restaurant. It was huge.

Yeah. And we were there for the Aviator premiere, actually, and so I somehow got an invite to it and was so excited. 2004, so excited to be at Michael Stipe's Christmas party, and Naomi and I were hanging out near the DJ, which was Q-Tip. Whoa. And so I was standing right there watching him DJ, and I was just, like, way too drunk, and I was talking to him and telling him how awesome.

Hey, what's John Paul Jones like? And he was so nice, and I was talking to him and telling him how awesome. What's John Paul Jones like? And he was so nice, and I remember at one point I put my drink down on one of his turntables. No, no, no. Because I was just way too drunk, and he was really nicely asked me not to do that, not put my drink there at all. You put it right on the turntable?

No, it was on the table that the turntables were on, but still, you don't want anyone. It's a little crowding a space. He was super nice, and I was a total idiot. But you had enough awareness to remember it and be like, God, I'm an idiot. Oh, yeah, and I felt like a real dingleberry. Which, if you don't know what that means,

it's like a poop nugget that's hanging to a hair on a butthole. You felt like one of those, right? What, Todd? I just, you know, he found my personal sensitivity. Really? This is your kryptonite. Dingleberries. Not poop.

Yeah, I'll poop. Anything poop. Anything poop, really.. Dingleberries. Not poop. Yeah, poop. Anything poop. Anything poop, really. And the word poop, actually. And the word poop. Okay, so this song asks the musical question, is it possible to have a hip-hop artist do a feature on a rock song and it be any good? Yeah, what do you think?

I don't know. We have two songs in the canon of REM here that say that it is not possible. The radio song. Is that one of them? Yeah. Okay. I think this is more successful than that one as far as – I like radio song as a song more, but I feel like this is more successful in blending the – What is it about, though – why does it sound corny?

What is it about, though? Why does it sound corny? Like something that if you put a hip-hop beat and production behind that, it would probably be good. What is it about hearing it over traditional rock instruments that's like A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P? I think it's just because it's a corny thing to do more than it actually sounds corny. So it sounds corny because it's a corny thing to do. I don't know.

I don't know. It's interesting. What do you think of Michael's type guest appearances on like 10,000 Maniacs? Then it's great because they're singing hooks usually, right? I don't know. What's the Indigo Girls song? Yeah.

Oh, yeah. We're going to talk about the Indigo Girls on a future rep, I believe. Oh, 10,000 Maniacs. That's right. I got to put that on that list as well. Yeah, yeah. Do it. Okay, this is-

No, but what did you think of that song? I think it's all right. I probably- Like other than the Q-tip appearance? Yeah, do it. Okay, this is... No, but what did you think of that song? I think it's all right. I probably... Like, other than the Q-tip appearance. Yeah, yeah. I'm not into it. Okay. Sorry.

It's not... No color to that commentary? This record was difficult for me. Yeah, yeah. This one's difficult. I listened to it once and was like, I don't think I like any of the songs. And then I listened to it a second time.

I was like, oh, I like three of them. I think that's about where I'm at now. So you've listened to it twice? No, no, I've listened to it like five times at this point. Yeah, I feel like I don't have. I mean, I've listened to it because you assigned me this album. It's homework. I'm so sorry.

And it's one of the albums that flew under my radar a little bit. Yes. So I don't have the exhaustive list. I feel like some songs don't kick in for me until like the 10th listening. Yeah, yeah. So I feel like almost not qualified. I have to go.

Wow. But I do have a few favorites. There's a top berry-shaped hole in the wall. No, this is widely recognized as their one true dud. The record. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And I went into it thinking like, fuck it, I liked Reveal. I'm probably going to like this because a lot of people don't like reveal either so i was like maybe i'm

just a contrary person yeah but i'm probably gonna like this and i don't know what it is about any of the songs but a lot we're not well one thing that's weird about the album that i noticed right off the bat is you don't hear mike mills singing at all this That's true. Not even a la la la warming up. I wonder why that is. Or why is he not doing the rap? That would be awesome. My name is Mike Mills and I'm here to say it's fun to rap

in an R.E.M. way. Q-tip, don't give me no lip. Gonna give me the slip. What do you think? That sounds great. Okay, we gotta keep moving. Here's Make It All Okay, track four. You threw away the ballast and you

rode your boat ashore. Didn't you now? Didn't you? You made your ultimatum Too big to ignore Didn't you now? Didn't you?

So you worked out your excuses Turned away and shut the door The world's too vast for us now and you wanted to explore It's a long, long, long road And I don't know which way to go If you offered me your hand again I have to walk away

When I saw you at the street fair I thought it was real promising until then it didn't go anywhere. It reminded me a little bit at the beginning of Here Comes a Regular, the replacement song. Yeah, yeah. Weirdly enough. anywhere it reminded me a little bit at the beginning of here comes a regular but the replacement song yeah yeah or it reminds weirdly enough i'm noticing on this album one of my favorite things that i musically i like is that snare it coming in a little late and then it kicks in oh yeah kind of a drummer's perspective wait does it have a chorus yes i think i like this one

i'm gonna give a thumbs up on this one you do yeah i think there's this I like this one I'm gonna give a thumbs up On this one You do? Yeah I think there's a real weird Chord change This is okay And then if it were to

Bust into Or something Yeah I've never been a Fan This one Wait no This one. Wait, no. This one.

This one right here. Why descend? Like, keep going up. Keep going up. You guys are armchair quarterbacking in a way that I would never do. Yeah. Look, we should have been in REM. We've talked about it several times.

We don't know why they didn't bring us first of all bring us in to sequence an album at the very least did you re-sequence this one? I actually think I am qualified to sequence an album I let the mastering and mixing go to the pros I re-sequenced this and I think it's solid okay we'll talk about that

I don't like that song I've never liked it very much. It's weird. I feel like it had promise, though. Really? It was the first one where I was like, oh, this could be a big anthem, like, and everybody hurts. And then it just, at the part where it should go up and da-da-da-da-da, or something, it

just kind of goes back, and then it goes back down, and then we're back. Yeah, I just... There must be a musical term for that. No chorus. No chorus. Yeah, that might be what it is all right let's hear final straw as i raise my head to broadcast my objection that little sound effect there sounded like mail being sent on a Macintosh. Whoosh!

Yeah, there it is. Who died and lifted you up to perfection? It's in a weird time signature. I think it's like 7-8 or something. It sounds a little like New Adventures in Hi-Fi-ish. Uh-huh. Am I wrong? No. It's a really cool time signature. I think it's like 7-8 or something. It sounds a little like New Adventures in Hi-Fi-ish. Am I wrong? No.

It's a really cool reference I just did. Wow, deep pull. But there's also not as discernible a chorus as in one of those songs. I'm not sure that I could face you. Not again. Not today. They released this as like a free single right at the beginning of the Iraq War. It was on a compilation,

a different mix on a political compilation, which I had. But they also put it out, didn't they just release it on the internet the day after they recorded it? Yeah, I don't know. And then this is a much cleaner produced version. Yeah.

What do we think, guys? I'd have to listen to it like 10 more times. And then you'll have an opinion? Yeah, so will you wait? Yeah, no problem. We play it 10 straight times. Come on back. Flight's on me, hotel, everything.

I will say live on this Around the Sun tour, that song was pretty great. Yeah. But it's not a favorite of mine at all. I also don't think I like those kind of western-y, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding. I was going down the road and I did, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding, ding.

I do, though. I mean, you like New Test Lepeper, and Try Not to Breathe. Yeah, yeah. No, I love So Much on Hi-Fi. That one, again, not really a chorus that I can discern. Let's go to I Wanted to Be Wrong. Oh, I think this is one of the songs I like on this record. Me too.

songs I like on this record. Me too. You know where I come from You know what I feel You're your Brenner Westworld reporting from the field I threw it into reverse made a motion to repeal You kicked my legs from under me and tried to take the wheel I told you I wanted to be wrong

But everyone is humming a song That I don't understand That was nice. I like this. Yeah. Is that a tambourine that's keeping the beat? Probably. Sounds like it.

A little tambo action? Yeah, I like that. Yeah, you're into it. Big time. You're a big time tambo guy, right? I like it. Well, yeah, I like a tambourine. Yeah.

You like that song? There's a song about a guy who plays it a lot and someone trying to get his attention that I think, who did it? I think this guy Rob Zimmerman did it. Oh, you're talking about Mr. Tambourine Man. I like that song. That was one of my favorites on the record. What do you think, Todd? I liked it. Again, I'd have to listen to it. But yeah, I do like what I heard. Valuable favorites on the record. What do you think, Todd? I liked it. I'd still, again, I'd have to listen to it. But yeah, I do like what I heard. Valuable guest on this show. I think I'm doing a good,

I had all those great stories earlier. Yeah, well, you're doing a fantastic job. You're doing wonderfully. I can't imagine anyone doing a better job than I'm doing. That's true. All right, let's hear Wanderlust. Very true. Uh-oh. Oh, this is in 7A time, I think.

1, 2, 3, 1, 2. Oh, and then it goes, yeah. Looks like I pulled a fast one Looks like I pulled a fast one Looks like I went to town Looks like the world revolves around me Looks like it's falling down I thought I'd get the traces I thought the wheels would spin

I thought I'd jump, fence and bolt Looks like I'm back again I got my signals crossed It's overwhelming because I'm all alone and I can't get back Back with my wonderlust Okay, Todd, you want to say something? The beginning of it reminds me of

The Loved Ones on the Imperial Bedroom album. Oh, yeah. Cool. Elvis Costello. Yeah. Reminds me of Jellyfish. I know I keep bringing them up. I don't know anything about Jellyfish.

But this is a very Jellyfish-y type song with weird chords in it. Adam, what do you think? It's fine. I don't think it sounds like an R.E.M. song. I feel like they're always pushing themselves to, with each album, do new kind of different things. And I feel like this is something they could do. They could just write and do it in their sleep. Yeah, I feel like they could write this. They could record it and go and have for themselves in their sleep yeah i feel like they

could they could write this they could record it and go hey guys good job and shake hands with each other and then walk away and not put it out i mean i i don't think it's bad at all and and it's not yeah i just don't think it's exciting on on an album with other exciting things on it i think it would be fine but this as uh and it's just kind of a lazy album. I think that might be. It sounds like they're sleepwalking during a lot of this. They made it in the Bahamas

and they weren't really getting along. Oh, the Bahamas. Is that true? Yeah. Yeah. And Bahamas and Miami and Peterbuck Bale. Peterbuck says that

for him, Around the Sun, quote, just wasn't really listenable because it sounds like what it is, a bunch of people that are so, Around the Sun, quote, just wasn't really listenable because it sounds like what it is, a bunch of people that are so bored with the material they can't stand it anymore. And I don't feel bad about being critical of it.

Yeah, I know. You're being so tame compared to Peter Buck. He wasn't even around for the mixing because he was just tired of being there because it was taking so long. They worked on it for like two months, then the Best Of World Tour, then came back to it like a year and a half later

and worked like months and months on it. People should just put out stuff. That's how I feel about, like don't take three years in between records. Do you think that... Just put out shit. Bands getting wealthy affects their music in a negative way? Sometimes.

I read something, someone was saying that recently about how you'll never be able to reconnect with the person that you were when you were not wealthy, so you'll never be able to think of those types of things

that were coming into your head, you know? Yeah. But I don't know. I'm not sure about that. Because I feel like maybe if a band has to burn it out in 10 days,

and that doesn't take two months off or whatever, I don't know. Put yourself back into... That's what I'm talking about. Well, that's the thing. I mean, we've talked about it

with the band Hue too of, you know, taking seven years sometimes in between records. Just like put it out. Just put, you know, don't be like Prince where you're just

shitting out. You have no quality control by the end of your career but, you know, like put out stuff a little more regularly. I also think this is a pretty deep thing

I'm going to say right now now i think almost imagining a band rich makes me not like them quite see we've talked about that though really i don't i think people should not who cares if like like people people want everyone to be successful until they're successful and then they're like fuck these rich assholes well i, I mean, I'm not quite like that. Yeah, but so when you imagine a song, when you listen to this record, you imagine Michael Stipe like with a pipe

and burning $100 bills in the fireplace. Smoking $100. I imagine, I try to think which American Express card he has. He has that platinum one. The platinum one.

I'm shutting this baby off. All right, we got to get to Boy in the Well. Abbey Road was pretty great. They were super rich. A little more mid-tempo action from R.E.M. Yeah, but this is a good song.

Yeah, I like this one too. Yeah, we know it's you. We bought your record. Drowning On display Every time I've dropped by I've tried to say The water is rising

You don't wanna stay It starts sinking Yeah. Feeling I like this one. That's what you sinking. Yeah. I'm feeling it. I like this one. That's what you like. Yeah, I like this song. Yeah, it's good.

Might as well say it. I see it. I feel it. This town is going. This chorus is pretty great here. Oh, boy. Can't wait for it. Kick it! Oh yeah, the chorus.

It's good. I think you're right, though. When it starts, it's like, oh, another acoustic mid-tempo. They needed to just mix it up here. And do some catchy stuff. Yeah, it was... I mean, that song gets to a catchy place, but it's just all kind of a mush of the same sort of sound.

Can you imagine spending three years... I can only imagine Peter Dollar Bill, like, spending three years listening to plodding, you know, mid-tempo stuff. Working on these songs for years. All right, here we go. Sorry, Todd, did you like it? You liked it. I did like it.

That was one that I had a mental note that I liked it. I think production-wise, they could have spiced it up a little bit. Yeah, even... The whole thing's just... That song is five minutes and 22 seconds, by the way.

Do a four-minute version. I feel like the whole album, there are some really good songs in here. They're just all produced in kind of this haze and mush of yeah alright here's Aftermath this is

I like this one me too this is their tribute to the Dr. Dre label that's right yeah this is pretty good. Yeah, it's a good one. Pretty catchy. The demo is even better.

Demonstration tape? Yeah. We got to breeze through some of this. I know. Okay, so this one's pretty good. Well, wait, we should hear the chorus, right? Yeah, this is a good one. This might be my favorite on this album.

Me too. Yeah, this part's great. See, this one, yeah, this one's moving me emotionally. What emotions are you feeling? I want to cry in front of you guys. I want to hold you. This is all working out, though. I remember when this album came out, this song put a lump in my throat for some reason.

Yeah, there's something. Yeah. It's really good. Very good. All right, this is High Speed Train. I like this one as well. Do you ever have the experience of being on a high speed train? This guitar is sort of simulating it.

I've been on a train. This is like, woo-woo. I've been on a really slow one. One that was stopped for've been on a train. This is like, woo-woo! I've been on a really slow one. One that was stopped for... Slow speed train. Yeah. For obstructions on the railway. Mm-hmm.

You like this one, Todd. I do remember liking this one, yes. More mid-tempo with weird chords. Adam, what do you think? It's not my favorite. But Todd, you like it. Yeah, I want to hear the chorus. Yeah, we'll get there.

The chorus is cool. What do you think? I like this one. I don't remember it. I'm trying to remember what it... Like, good songs to me, when you hear the verses, you know the verses pretty well, because the verses are catchy too.

This is another one which is just like... Here it is. Oh, yeah, I like the chorus of this. It's weird. They worked on them for so long, and they do like the chorus of this. On a high speed. It's weird. They worked on them for so long, and they do feel unfinished in some way. And sort of, like, put some of these choruses with other choruses together,

and you got, like, and make those the verses. Yeah. I don't know. Yes, Todd? I feel like we all don't know this album so well. We all should have gone to the Bahamas and had a listening podcast. Yes, that's... Where we listened to it 20 times. That would be We all should have gone to the Bahamas and had a listening podcast. Yes.

Where we listened to it 20 times. That would be really fun. Then we would just go out and get drinks. Let's hear the worst joke ever. Now they're working our side of the street. Yeah. It's almost like the song before it. Yeah.

They wrote this right after they left the Brendan Wall show. I saw you tweet that, by the way, the other day. I know. I'm quoting one of my own tweets. I was going to say, I wrote it after traveling to the future and listening to our show. This episode in particular? Is this any good? But it doesn't feel right.

This is just stuff that I don't— It's not my fave. Yeah, I don't really that I don't... It's not my fave. Yeah, I don't really... I don't like this. All right. Okay, here's one that I sort of like, The Ascent of Man. I love this. So hesitation pulled me back

I'm stronger when I don't attract In your eyes I'm a lamb without a rack And I'm getting confused You like this hi-hat action? I don't know if I listen to this song. I didn't do all my homework. When the chorus kicks in, you might. It's a long album. Yeah, we don't blame you at all sounds like three songs put together that said i like each of the individual elements That yeah is so unexpected.

I like it each time. Me too. It's like, I shouldn't like this song, but I love it. It does sound, but critiquing it with the exact thing I said they should do with other songs, put a few of them together, it sounds like three disparate things, but I like it. And speaking of emotional moments in the music, when they return for the final verse at the end, there's something very moving about it,

and I have no idea what they're talking about. Yeah, let's listen to that part. If I cry, then I know that you're right about that. Okay, let's see. Oh, yeah, it's after that organ solo is this here it comes sounded like you added an extra yeah yeah So hesitation Is the song almost over?

Yeah, I think it's almost over. Yeah, then that's it. So I like it. Yeah. This is the album closer. This is the first time that the title of a song has been the title of an R.E.M. record. Oh.

This is the titular Around the Sun. I want the sun to shine on me. I want the truth to set me free. I wish the fire lies with me With a voice so strong it could knock me to my knees Hold on world, cause you don't know what's coming I like this one. Hold on, world.

Is this like Stop the World, I Want to Get Off? A little like that. Adam's reading the comic book. Adam's reading the comic book. Take another trip around the sun. Kind of like a Broadway song, a little bit. Take another trip around the sun. Like Ethel Merman singing it.

Adam, do you like this song? Not really. I can't tell if the lyrics on this record are any good. I think Aftermath is my favorite on there. Yeah, Aftermath and Boy in the Well are my favorites. I like Leaving New York

sort of and I like I Wanted to Be Wrong and I sort of like The Ascent of Man. Oh, can I play the demo of Aftermath? If you must, let me find the dongle.

Where, let's see. Where in the fuck did we put, oh. There she is. There she is. Oh, boy. Oh, boy. Here we go. Thanks.

I got it. You got the dongle, but not the actual cord. I'm holding the dong. The droopy dongle. Speaking of Florida. Okay, so this is the Aftermath demo. The demo when it was better. We got to get to Todd's top 10 R.E.M. songs.

Oh, yeah. You got those queued up? I do. This is a big tease for Todd. I basically asked Todd. Oh, here we go. It's faster. Oh, yeah.

Oh, I like it a little faster. Me too. Almost all R.E.M. songs are better faster. Although, hold on. That part sounds like a commercial. Like it... I like that. Folgers wakes you up.

Okay, the chorus is different, too. More catchy. Wait, is this Aftermath? Yeah. Okay, yeah. Huh. Oh, that's pretty good. And you see it all. And you want to shout. How you see it all. Oh, that's pretty good. It's better, right?

Yeah. It does sound like the best part of waking up is Folgers in your car. I know. It's great. It's so catchy. Because that's your favorite song. Yes. Okay, top ten songs.

Top ten songs. Now, I came up with 15. You don't want all of those, do you? No, I want the top ten. Oh, this is going to be hard. because that's your favorite song yes okay top 10 songs top 10 songs now I came up with 15 you don't want all of those do you no I want the top 10 oh this is gonna be hard but uh I'll just

I'll take a stab someone keep count because I okay uh wait who wants to do this Adam is this gonna be you or is this

I don't know how to count try just if you had to count what would I'll count on my hands just try to can you count to one five six yeah I don't think Adam's the guy count on my hands. Just try to... Can you count to... One, five, six.

Yeah, I don't think Adam's the guy to do this. I'm going to try to do it, though. All right. These are in semi-chronological order. From the Chronic Town, Carnival of Swords. Speaking of chronos, Chronic Town. Carnival of Swords, parentheses, Boxcars. Boxcars.

Love that song. Great song. That's on everyone's top ten list. Is it? Boxcars is so fucking good. Let's hear just a little bit of it while you... Come on, iPod. Here we go.

While we hear what your next song is. All right, so this is... Oh, yeah. This part is the best. When the rest of it kicks in, I'm not as into it. Oh, really? No, of course not. This is so good.

This is good. Let's keep moving. Yeah, what do you got? From Murmur, Shaking Through and Pilgrimage. Shaking Through and Pilgrimage. Here's Pilgrimage. Great songs, of course. So that's three songs.

That's three. Yes. Harborcoat. Harborcoat, so good. Great song. Harborcoat from, of course, Reckoning. Good Advices. Oh, yeah.

Good Advices. Really? That one makes me cry. You don't hear Good Advices on a lot of people's... I know, but that's an incredible song. Which one is that from? It's on, like, Stables. Oh, so good.

I'm sorry, I'm looking for it, and I. I'm sorry. I'm looking for it, and I can't find it. But anyway, it's great. What's your next one? I really like What's the Frequency, Kenneth? Great song. So this is chronological? It's not chronological anymore.

I was going to say you skipped over a decade. I know. Now it's like you're me. Well, I'm panicked because I'm trying to get the 10 out of 5 because you guys are so rigid with that rule. Yeah, I'm panicked because I'm trying to get the 10 out of 5. You guys are so rigid with that rule. Yeah, sorry, man, but we only have time for 10. What's the frequency, Kenneth, I love?

How many is that? I don't even know. Okay. Well, then I can get them all out then. Finest work song? Which mix do you like? Album mix? Yeah.

Because that's the only one you know. We've had a disagreement about which. Oh, yeah. Scott likes the best of remix. Me and Honey? Oh, yes. That's a favorite of mine. I'm out of time. Electrolyte.

Oh. Electrolyte, Find the River, Begin the Begin, Fall on Me. Great songs. Electrolyte played at Adam's wedding or just on the mix CD?

It was on the mix CD, yeah. Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight. Oh, okay. That's an interesting choice. I think that's... These are good, like, real fan picks. I like that you went beyond the IRS years, which is what a lot of people kind of... A lot of the fans who have been with them from the early days,

sort of like all of their top 10 are from those years yeah i do apologize for muscling in all 15 but i thought i like it i think it's this is another episode of you're being fucking rude actually yeah i think you're right we don't have time for it well this is um it's always interesting to hear from another rem another REM fan. If you had to sum up, Todd, what the band means to you currently and back then, what would you say? Well,

they are one of the bands that I still will go back and listen to any of their albums. It's not like I burnt out on any of them, which is a huge thing to say. Yeah, right. I'm sure they're very flattered

if they're listening. They are listening, definitely, and I'm sure they're probably planning their backyard barbecue that they're going to reform and play at in Adam's backyard. You're expanding your pool right now in order to make the backyard. Yeah, because they're going to play in a swimming pool. In the actual pool, yeah, yeah. Have to dig that.

I think they also are an emotional trigger for me because I feel like I – I don't know what – I grew up with them. I had a, I don't know, a breakthrough or some sort of – they affected me to where I – They put you in touch with certain emotions or – I guess so. I just feel like I listened to them at an emotional time in my life before I became cold and callous like I am now. Right. So, when I had feelings, this was an important band. Well, you know, a lot of people, when they're young, they have very passionate feelings

and they're trying to sort out how they feel about them and how, what does the world mean? And music becomes the soundtrack to those. And so when we hear the songs, we flash back to, oh my God, I was so confused then, or I was so angry, or I was so in love I was so in love or, you know. Indeed. Is this an episode of Indeed? I think it is and it already ended.

Oh, shit. Yeah, that's, that's me too, like I feel the same way about, there's so many other songs that make me feel like wistful and nostalgic and emotional.

Yeah, like Fables, Fables of Reconstruction, I have a very vivid memory of putting that vinyl on in my $160 a month Gainesville apartment at the University of Florida. But, yeah. And so you spent an extra six or so on that record? And so your budget was approximately $156 a month? My rent was $160 a month for my own place oh okay in gainesville florida got it and so you spent an extra six oh yeah every month for that one freed up some disposable

income to buy a record yes right okay um well they're uh uh if you if you could say anything to them what would you say to them thank you for the music. I know that's a pretty, they weren't seeing that coming. Thank you for the music. A lot of fucking great songs, man. Like an incredible amount. Like putting together a top 10. I could have done a top 30 easily. Oh, yeah.

Or a top 50. You should check out the two albums that came after this because they get great again. Oh, at... I'm excited for that. Yeah. I have... You're talking about Up? No, Accelerate and...

Oh, Collapse Into Now. There's a song on Accelerate, I think. What's it, Discoverer? That's on Collapse Into Now. Oh, Collapse Into Now. That's a really good song. Yeah. I don't want to, you know, spoil this,

but I have heard Accelerate. Yeah. That was the first R.E.M. record I truly bought because I was excited about it. So that'll be – I know this album is maybe not our favorite, so it could have been a bummer episode. Accelerate's the first R.E.M. album you bought? No, since not buying them. Okay. He fell out around Automata.

I thought you were like a Johnny-come-lately. I was going to rip into you, man. No, but what I was going to say is is this while this record maybe wasn't one of our favorites you Todd have been one of our favorite guests

thank you you really brightened up what could have been a slog for us so I really appreciate it

thanks for doing the shitty album with us hey that wasn't me saying it's shitty guys I know you're

very worried about public perception so we're at the end here next time I see you or we see you Hey, that wasn't me saying it's shitty, guys. No, you're very worried about public perception. Yeah, I'm not. So we're at the end here. Next time I see you or we see you, I'm not sure what we're going to do, but we'll be getting to Accelerate soon. So until then, thank you to Todd Berry.

And until then, we hope that you have found what you're looking for. Bye. Hey, Queeros, it's me, Cammie Esposito. for! Bye! Query explores individual stories of identity, personality, and the shifting cultural matrix around gender, sexuality, and civil rights. Plus, it is fun. We have had some incredible guests. Emmy winner Lena Waithe? Yes, definitely. Congressman Mark Takano?

You bet. L Word creator Eileen Shakin? Yes. President and CEO of GLAAD Sarah Kate Ellis? We definitely have. We've got celebs. People like Trixie Mattel, Evan Rachel Wood, Tegan and Sarah, the band, and the people separately on two different episodes. We also have activists and change makers in our community. I think it's a one of a kind show full of chats you have never heard before. It's identity, it's community, it's query. You can find query

every Monday on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.