Released a week before their album REVEAL hit stores, REM's "Imitation of Life" single gave listeners a glimpse of the latest in their sound. After the release of REVEAL, it's almost necessary for one to buy the "Imitation of Life" single to get the full picture on the band's renaissance.

"Imitation of Life" is a brilliant pop tune that just happens to be radio-friendly. It's got a joyousness about it that has been missing from the band's sound for years, and to hear the band hit this second wind is impressive.

The second track is the original version of "The Lifting," which became the opening song on REVEAL. The original version is quite different from the album version, it's more acoustic and subdued, and it misses the electro vibe that the album version shocked listeners with. Nonetheless, it's still a standout track.

"Beat a Drum (Dalkey Demo)" is the third track, a demo of the track from REVEAL recorded in Dalkey Lounge, Dublin. Again, it's more acoustic and surpasses the album version with the sincerity of Michael Stipe's voice

"2JN," the fourth and last track, is much like "Emphysema" from the "Daysleeper" single. It's not terribly interesting, as it's pretty much a repeat of that earlier track and the band's not exactly charting new territory.

As a wonderfuly bonus, the "Imitation of Life" single contains the music video of "Imitation of Life" if you pop it into your computer. The cinematography on this music video is mindblowing, and it's worth the seven bucks just for this.

If you get REVEAL, and I certainly recommend you do, the "Imitation of Life" single is a necessary companion to see the full scope of REM's return to glory.

Michael Stipe has provided us with a breath of fresh air. Finally... I bought this CD today and its been everywhere with me. Its almost odd to think of this song coming from the same band that recorded 'Up'. Its like 'Up' was some sort of blister on the face of R.E.M. 'New Adventures in Hi-Fi' had it right with a refined (but somewhat dark) sound. 'Up' did strange stuff and seems out of place. Imitation of Life... what can I say? Its a new beginning for the band. 'Reveal' will be the second album released by the now three member band but their 19th total. After about 20 years, Michael has not lost his touch, AT ALL. Imitation of Life might be over played on the radio, but I havn't gotten tired of it yet. I think the other tracks on the CD are worth far more than [what] I payed for it. There is a 'original version' of The Lifting on it, which is the beginning track of Reveal. Personally, I think this is a beautiful song that flows like a river of silk. Michael returns to his old style of hiding the lyrics under a haunting melody. This also holds true for Beat a Drum, which is a demo. It doesn't sound like one though. You have to listen to this song. Its just wonderful. 2JN is an instrumental, which reminds me of Emphysema from the Daysleeper single. Its good, and gets better as it progresses. But I think the best part of this CD is the Enhanced Portion. For some crazy reason, the video of Imitation of Life is on there. Just pop the disk into your computer and hope you have the quicktime plug in. Its worth the money just to see Michael dance around in such a strange way. Its a wonderful video, which I watched 5 times through in a row without being tired of it. If this single is any indication of what 'Reveal' has in store for us next tuesday, trust me, we're in for a serious shock. I can't wait. R.E.M. once again proves that they once again have a unique sound, which makes them a true Imitation of Nothing.

If you like Reveal, but feel like it's overproduced, the three B-sides on this single will "reveal" the direction the band was *really* going. The acoustic version of "The Lifting" is gorgeous, although it sounds like Stipe hadn't cemented in his vocal line just yet. "Beat a Drum" is a much better song when it isn't half-drowned in synths, and the instrumental at the end is one of the coolest things R.E.M. have ever done.

The previous review claims to have a video on the CD. Nothing on mine. Just the above stated tracks.

Have you noticed how many space-related bands there are around today ? theres MERCURY Rev, Space, Astr(o)id, and of Course, REM. **REM?**. Yes, REM- the band that sound like they came from Uranus. Ok, excuse the "humour"- this is what I really think of this song... it's funnier than that joke, and you should all realise that. From the stupid lyrics "that sugar cane that tasted good", which then murmur on about "Lima Beans" and "Lemonade" to the overall 'happiness' of the song, REM are a joke that got old halfway through the 80s. Please don't subject yourself to this rubbish, you don't deserve it, whatever you've done in your life.This is truly awful...and if you thought this was bad wait until you've heard the follow up, 'All the Way to Reno'- I'm beginning to think they're competing with their entire back catalogue to achieve the title of worst single ever.