hello

If there's only one thing I love most about having favorite bands, and it is hard to pick one, it is when the opportunity arises to see that band outside of just the light that they usually allow. Fame is a tricky thing, and while people in the spotlight tend to lead far more public lives than most of us would want to, it's amazing how much they can put forth and hold back. I've always respected the people who find that balance the most.

This is why I love Hello.

Hello is a book of photographs chronicling one of my favorite bands, REM, on the road over the past few years or so. I am no photography expert, but I am in love with the shots of the band that David Belisle has provided in this journey behind the scenes with this band. His photos, which run the gamut from hilarious to beautiful to touching to mind-blowing, combined with hand-written captions by band members Michael Stipe, Peter Buck and Mike Mills (plus a few assorted guests) make this book a total joy to experience. I've had it for days and find myself just going back to it and looking through it again, discovering more each time.

REM is one of the bands that feel like mine, even though they're huge. I've always loved looking at photos of them because I find the dynamic of the band so fascinating. So often, rock bands have this underlying drama and while I know that the road has not always been paved with gold for these guys, the image they have put forth over the past 26 years has consistently been appealing. They've always just seemed like regular guys who happen to make music to me. People who have learned to embrace their fame without exploiting it, who have used it to their advantage in the best ways possible and who seem to be able to put it aside when need be. This book let's those ideas live on while giving even more of a glimpse into each individual member. Mike, standing on a stage with his arms crossed over his chest, his bass hanging off him and a satisfied smile on his face. Peter mid jump-kick during a live show. Michael standing shirtless on a speaker over at least hundreds of fans. It's a great glimpse not just into the band but the men who make the band, on stage and off. And because this band has found such a great balance in their careers, it's also a treat.