Michael Reich brings a smile to my face because he answered the question I always had of 'What would a love child between Michael Stipe and Fred Schneider sound like?' It's not such a crazy idea to be running through your head, I mean both the B-52's and R.E.M. ARE from Georgia...

Michael has something going on similar to Schneider's vocals, if Schneider took the plunge and actually sang rather than did that little speak thing that's not quite rap but not quite....speaking? He also has the early indie style music feel that early R.E.M. had going on as well.

I enjoy 'Better Late Than Never,' as it sounds the most like Schneider singing. Also, the music has a nice 'cooler than you' early 90's college band feel.

Reich's music overall isn't as fun as the B-52's, instead retaining only their quirky vocals and occasionally surf rock guitars (see 'Live for Today' for example) and taking the most from early R.E.M; the taking yourself too serious, the apathy, the arrogance, the 'lyrics seem simple to you because you just don't get my art' feel of the late 80's/early 90's...case in point, 'I am like a train, rolling down the track, too involved to worry how I'm getting back...' from "Dare I Complain'.

My god. I'm starting to regret pawning off all my flannel on my younger brother, now. Listen to this album if you like early R.E.M. or any other hipster grandpa bands. Or if you're just getting into indie rock and like Michael Reich, want to pretend that you were there too.