The parallels in the histories of these two bands always makes for interesting conversation. And as I find usually true, there are certainly a number of big dual R.E.M./U2 fans here. Maybe it's that I've been listening to a lot of R.E.M. lately, and lately, I've been wondering: which respective member of each band is the more talented? I.e., is Larry a better drummer than Bill? We aren't comparing discographies, not picking the best-looking, etc.
So to start this thread off with some positivity in case I've just made hell break loose, here's a great performance we've probably all seen at least once, of two great bands, arguably at their peaks, performing a song I'll never tire of:
No, Stipe doesn't do the song justice like Bono ever has, but that's because One is U2's song. And lyrically, it's a very strong track as well. But Stipe has experimented with abstract lyricism from the start with Murmur, nailed a unique, unapologetically twangy vocal style by the time of Fables, formed another style by the turn of the decade, and, like Bono, improved remarkably as a proper singer. Here, I'm not sure many would argue that Stipe's baritone, while terrific in its own right, beats Bono's
anything. You have R.E.M.'s singer with lower lyrical doldrums and often superior highs, and you have U2's singer with a purely better voice, period. I'll take Bono here.
Edge is known for his simple playing style and experimentation with effects, delays in the '80s and distortions in the '90s. Meanwhile, Peter Buck is a phenomenal guitar player whose jangly approach was perhaps only bested by Johnny Marr. This depends on how you weigh effects know-how with technique. Inclining myself with technique being of larger importance in this discussion, I'm picking Peter Buck.
Mike Mills is a multi-talented artist, far more than any band's bassist. His harmonies from R.E.M.'s early work was expertly woven into those songs' choruses. A multi-instrumentalist too, I can't see Adam coming close to this man's talent.
I know little about percussion. Larry vs. Bill may be a coinflip for me. I suppose as a matter of preference that Larry's unconventional playing undoubtedly catches my ear as something special, and Bill never much overcomplicated things—though that's not to his detriment; by the rhythms of a song like How the West Was Won..., before Bill's departure from R.E.M., he was unbelievably tight on the kit. I'm choosing Bill Berry.
As a whole, I think most of us would agree that R.E.M. is the more skilled of the two. But on an individual basis, what do you guys think?