How R.E.M. Created Alternative Music
Briefly

In 'Slacker,' the absurdity of its narrative reflects the concept that spontaneity and contingency govern life, particularly in the artistic marginality of the 90s.
Michael Stipe's invocation of Linklater in R.E.M.'s 'What's the Frequency, Kenneth?' highlights a shared ethos of irony and distance that characterized both the band and the film.
R.E.M. became a band that, despite massive success, maintained their commitment to artistic integrity and unconventional approaches, exemplifying a true Gen X spirit.
Linklater's phrase, 'Withdrawing in disgust is not the same thing as apathy,' captures a critical distinction between emotional disengagement and thoughtful critique within creative environments.
Read at The New Yorker
[
|
]