R.E.M.'s Legacy

As I am writing this post, R.E.M. is play streaming live from Austin, Texas on 93.1 WXRT and has been interviewing with the band all day...

R.E.M marked the point where post-punk changed into alternative rock in the 1980s. This new genre opened up new doors for the music I (and people my age) listen to. R.E.M has been a cultural phenomon, and has influenced many others. However, I do not believe they make a statement about our culture one way or another. Many of their lyrics have no linear connection and the often sing about random things and create their own stories to sing about. Other times, they do talk about stuggles and love and other related themes, but again they don't come right and say it, rather create a story to represent these ideas.

Their music has been the roots for most of the music my generation listens to. They rarely change their sound, but as Bill departed from the band, they made changes and still are a hit today.

Elvis Changes America

While watching the Elvis documentry in class, it hit me that Elvis quite literally changed America. He was the innocent rebellion, that made girls scream and cry and taught women that it is okay to move your body and to have "sexual desires". Elvis is also known as the "white face on black music" which, I think, is awesome that for once blacks are not looked down upon from white America. I think this is pretty cool that it was music that changed so much of the American Society; it wasn't the government or a war but rather music. I also liked how he challenged the American people so much. Once Elvis discovered the power of Television and gave himself a spot in everyone's family room, he was considered "dirty" because of his dancing. The "wiggling" was forbidden by law in many parts of the United States. Elvis in the end gave the youth power, women power, changed attitudes and overall relaxed America and broke down the traditional values... all of this with his music.