UP: AIRPORTMAN

  One of the more lucid openings to an R.E.M. album, but certainly not unexpected after 'How the West Was Won ... ' on NAIHF. What's great about the opener is that it sets the tone for better or worse as fans discover the album and grapple with the direction the now three piece will take. The band chooses to undercut expectations, and at this point Radiohead's OK Computer is over a year old--a turning point in rock and roll to be sure. The importance of its influence lies in the building of the tone and emotion of an album, honestly R.E.M. were starting to rely so heavily on the pop hook before UP that the experimentation was at a minimum. However, if you really pay attention to NAIHF the seeds are definitely sown in songs like Leave and E-Bow. Radiohead proved you could create great ambient sound from electronic noise, so enter Airportman with a vengeance, an opener that says: buckle up and settle in for a scenic tour. In the liner note lyrics, Michael has added the line 'recycled air' ... I don't hear it, so out it goes!

AIRPORTMAN

He moves efficiently
Beyond security
Great opportunity awaits

Airport fluorescent
Creature of habit
Labored breathing and sallow skin

Moving sidewalks
Great opportunity blinks
Great opportunity blinks

Great opportunity blinks

Great opportunity blinks

The people mover
The people mover
Discounted

   Below are some thoughts on playing keyboard on guitar, but also some actual thoughts on playing the song with an actual guitar. Feedback goes a long way on this song.

AIRPORTMAN

G# Chord crunched throughout

e|-----|

B|-----|

G|-----|

D|-6---|

A|-6---|

E|-4---|

Repeated vibraphone notes for guitar

e|-13-11--------------|--------------------|

B|------11-11-13------|-13-----11-13-------|

G|--------------10-8--|---13-13-----10-8---|

D|--------------------|--------------------|

A|--------------------|--------------------|

E|--------------------|--------------------|

Feedback notes (taken off G# barre chord at 11^th fret)

e|-----11-----|

B|---12-------|

G|-12---------|

D|------12----|

A|--------13--|

E|------------|