Lost amid discussions of R.E.M.'s artistic credibility and relative importance is the fact that the group has consistently produced great singles. Merging sophisticated pop with the literate, starry persona of singer Michael Stipe, R.E.M. provided rock radio with a jolt few other bands are capable of generating. The band's current "Sonic Overview" tour pays homage to these tracks, eschewing the album cuts for singles and crowd favorites.

When the band hit the Palace stage, it became indisputably clear that the group still lives and dies with Stipe's confident howl. Stipe ran around the stage like a class-clown Iggy Pop: ever moved by the music, yet acutely aware of his own icon. Unfortunately, he seemed to be the only living member of the band. Bassist/keyboardist Mike Mills and guitarist Peter Buck stood stone still, while the band's touring partners looked ready to clock out and grab a paycheck. The large, sparkling banners of the group's faces did little to dissuade the notion that this show was a big rock production, featuring big rock stars.

Fortunately, the set list - a veritable mixtape of mid-'90s alternative radio - provided an energy the band couldn't. "Losing My Religion" was flawless, while burners like "Man on the Moon" and "What's the Frequency, Kenneth" catapulted off the stage in waves of melody. "The One I Love" benefited from Stipe's theatrical pandering, and "Finest Worksong" sounded triumphant amid the huge, careening guitars. "Radio Free Europe" provided the only link to the band's rich past, while "It's the End of the World As We Know It" closed the show with anxious exaltation.

Despite the positive vibes, "Nightswimming" was rendered sterile by the stadium atmosphere, and "Everybody Hurts" was reduced to a shameless sea of lighters. "Imitation of Life," the only song culled from R.E.M.'s latest album, Reveal, failed to hold up to their more sophisticated work. Oddly enough, lesser-known tracks like "Walk Unafraid" and "At My Most Beautiful" fared better, allowing the audience much-needed breathers.

R.E.M. remains an extremely talented group of capable musicians, though in the last 10 years they've gone from "hey ... kids ... rock 'n roll" to "Hey! Kids! Rock 'N Roll!" By catering to their admittedly impressive catalog of radio standards, the band downplayed its greatest asset: their ability to produce not only massive sing-alongs, but also entire albums of intelligent pop music. It was a fine night of karaoke, but it lacked the humanizing charm of the band's best work.