Strange Currencies / Drive / Funtime [Single, Import]

R.E.M. | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 18, 1995)
• Original Release Date: April 18, 1995
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Single, Import
• Label: Warner Bros UK
• ASIN: B000002MC0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #126,774 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Strange Currencies

2. Drive (Live)

3. Funtime (Live)

4. Radio Free Europe (Live)

Editorial Reviews

REM Strange Currencies (Deleted 1995 UK 4-track CD single includes live versions of Drive Funtime & Radio Free Europe recorded in the groups birthplace Athens Georgia for Greenpeace on 19 November 1992 picture sleeve W0290CD)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Single from Monster, October 28, 2000

By 

Brian Stuart (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Strange Currencies / Drive / Funtime (Audio CD)

Hands down, this is the best single from "Monster". The lead track is my favorite, and the B-Sides offer a lot more than the other Monster singles, which are generally pretty straight-forward live tracks.

"Strange Currencies" is a beautiful down love song with a great hard edge. Instead of sounding just loud, like some "rock/love songs" do, it sounds deeply earnest and passionate. The lyrics are fun, and Stipe has a great time with them. The arrangment is also excellent and dynamic and is very much worth paying attention to.

The live version of "Drive" here is totally different, and signifcantly superior if you ask me, to the version found on "Autmotic for the People". It is rocked out, energetic, and powerful. I feel it suits the song much better than the slow and plodding album version. They do this song so well live, and this recording captures that perfectly.

"Funtime" is a genuinely fun Iggy Pop cover. Also much better than a studio version the band also released, if only because Stipe's vocals have more energy, and the band has the kind of energy you can only find with a live concert recording. Its messy, feverish, and a great listen.

From here, the band plays around for a few seconds while transitioning into "Radio Free Europe", the bands first single. This may be the best verion I have heard of it. Stipe usually seems disinterested in doing the song, but not here. Yeah, he screws up the lyrics badly, but he has made a big deal out of giving the lyrics of R.E.M. songs too much weight. Besides, it sounds like they are having fun, and I'm sure the audience was loving it, too. I'm sure you will, as well.

5.0 out of 5 stars $1.99? Goodbye, Currency., April 10, 2003

By 

JohnnyDoolittle (United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strange Currencies / Drive / Funtime (Audio CD)

A lot of people dislike R.E.M. because of Michael's voice, but, to me, it (along with the laid-back southern-style instruments) is the band's heartbeat. Its soothing, honest beauty is unique and charmi--... okay, I think I made the point well enough. I love R.E.M.

1) Strange Currencies. To me, the lyrics are that of a direct relationship song... and mixed with the soft playing, it's soul nourishment. "I need a chance, a 2nd chance, a 3rd chance, a 4th chance, a word, a signal, a nod, a little breath, just to fool myself, just to catch myself, to make it real". The humanity of those words is beautiful.

2, 3) Drive (Live) and Funtime (Live). Both seem more light-hearted than usual R.E.M., overall... they're somewhat catchy, and the live atmosphere kicks it up a notch (bam!). Throw in everything else we love the band for, and they're art.

4) Radio Free Europe (Live). Ah... youth. Not exactly the most complex song, but it's fun to listen to... R.E.M.'s social fascination is always a good thing. Fine way to end the single... with a blast from the past.

Michael's vocals, the southern instruments, the live atmosphere, the never-dying integrity... a great band, and a great single. I can't believe that I got it for [so little money]

5.0 out of 5 stars This Is One Of My Favorite R.E.M. Songs, June 20, 2000

By 

"penguin1875" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Strange Currencies / Drive / Funtime (Audio CD)

The "Strange Currencies" single, originally off the "Monster" album, is one of my favorite songs. There is a bootleg of this that says (roughly) "You're young, pimply, and left-out, this is your song." It's sweet, slow, and desparate, making it, in my mind, a true hit.