R.E.M.

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The singer's divided career hasn't hurt his music. Reveal is a smooth combination of lush, mysterious melodies and high-tech production. It's like a trip through a rain forest on a hovercraft. On Up, the band overemphasized the electronica; on Reveal, the judicious techno touches contribute to a sense of drama and experimentation. Stipe's lyrics remain characteristically erudite and elusive. On Imitation of Life he croons, "Charades, pop skill/ water hyacinth, named by a poet." On Chorus and the Ring, he sings, "It's the poison that in measures brings illuminating vision/ It's the knowing with a wink that we expect in Southern women." His lyrics may appear random, but they can aim for Proustian resonance. A line on Imitation--"That's cinnamon that's Hollywood"--is meant to conjure memories of eating cinnamon toast in childhood and feelings of innocence lost.

Stipe says he's "phenomenally overworked" but happy. He says he's been "in a relationship with an amazing man" for about three years (he says his partner isn't a celebrity). In the past Stipe avoided questions about his sexuality, but he's now more comfortable discussing it. "I was being made to be a coward about it," he says, "rather than someone who felt like it really was a very private thing." He now readily describes himself as a "queer artist." But not everything about Stipe is open for explanation. When he is asked why he seems to have a blue brick tattooed on his right hand, he just smiles. "Reason?" he says. "This is Michael Stipe you're talking to, young man."