R.E.M.: Reveal

THIS IS THE SECOND ALBUM REM have made since the departure of drummer Bill Berry, and (on disc at least) it finds them settling into a convincing identity as a trio. Where its predecessor, Up, came precariously close to being the soundtrack to a band falling to pieces, Reveal exhibits a coherence the combo haven't often achieved. The puzzle is how to fit the born-again REM into their own 20-year legacy. While Reveal undoubtedly reveals an REM, it might not be the one you thought you were looking for.