My Gen X Playlist: New Orleans Instrumental No. 1 – REM

I think minimalism is fine. People who believe in it, you do you. I’m never going to knock it. Personally, I’m not quite as extreme. I don’t need new stuff all the time, but I’m also not going to live in depravity. I’d like to have the option to buy something if I really wanted it. And if I do, then I’m not going to sweat it.

I know someone who buys a lot of shit. It’s fine, because he’s pretty successful and can afford to. He once asked me where I stored all the stuff I bought every month. He found it difficult to understand my spending habits didn’t match his. I know him well enough to understand his endorphins are firing at full tilt when he gets his new purchases delivered. It’s short lived, though. Soon that wears off and he’s looking for the next new high. That up and down ricochet sounds exhausting to me. But again, I say, you do you. I’ll never tell anyone how to spend their money.

I started thinking about songs with minimal lyrics. I remembered REM’s Automatic for the People included an unusual two minute instrumental. The only reason I know this is because I used to play the CD from front to back. The first time I heard New Orleans Instrumental No. 1, I was a little confused. I waited for Michael Stipe’s distinctive vocals that never arrived. Where were the obscure lyrics that nobody understood? Where was the occasional Stipe mumble that required rewind after rewind to try to catch what the hell he was singing. Nowhere. Just this odd instrumental.

The song is minimal in lyrics and length. You’re probably going to hate it with your first listen. I know I did. It didn’t change by the fiftieth time and the jury is still out about how I feel today. I never skip it when it comes on, hoping one day to push it over to the like column. Is it good? I can’t answer that. Who am I to tell REM what’s good or not. I say to Peter Buck, you do you. I’m trying to appreciate it, I really am. And I know REM also released New Orleans Instrumental No. 2, but I can’t take two at the same time. I’m better off admitting I’m not a fan of this minimalist piece and move on. That’s the wiser choice. Yet I’ll linger a little while longer before I decide to cut bait. I’ve already come this far. A little longer won’t kill me.