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Automatic For The People
R.E.M.
1992
Wikipedia
Reviews
Like a review? Give it a thumb up to help us display relevant reviews!I unashamedly love this album. A lot of folks point to Document as R.E.M.'s best album but I would argue that it was simply the album that brought them into the mainstream spotlight. THIS is the best R.E.M. album. The songwriting, production, and performances are all on point. Sharp, emotional, layered and complex, it's just a damn good album from every angle. Even on the slow jams, there's an ENERGY that pulses behind the music that is just compelling. Back when I was doing critical listening as part of my degree, this was one of our reference albums—basically, an album that was SO well recorded and mixed that you could listen to it on super high-end audiophile equipment and pick it apart to understand what was going on.
"Find The River" is a song I want to be played at my funeral. And that's probably because "Try Not To Breathe" would be considered in bad taste by some (they'd be wrong, by the way). Although my close friends would understand and appreciate if I requested "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight" instead. For my money, "Find The River" is the definitive album closer. Especially for THIS album, with themes like mortality, suicide, aging, and Andy Kaufman. This is one of those albums that shaped me and got me through a few turbulent moments. I know every song like I do scenes from a favorite movie I've seen multiple times. It's Stipe, Berry, Buck and Mills at the peak of their powers. "Drive" is something of a response to the David Essex classic "Rock On" with incredible string arrangements by Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones of all people. "Sidewinder" is a similar riff on "The Lion Sleeps Tonight. One of the most known songs," Everybody Hurts" is REM's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and destined to be covered endlessly for generations to come. Stipe's moments of clarity and levity flow together seamlessly. The Mike Mills backup vocals standout even more than usual here, again underlying REM's secret weapon. This is one of those Desert Island albums. It's timeless. But it can still take me back to the Fall of 1992, the spring of 1998, or most of 2017. And it's far and away my favorite album of the 117 I've listened to so far on this list.
One of the best albums, all-time. And best closing 3 songs ever. Sweetness Follows is underrated.
Classic roots rock. It sounds big, it really takes up space. And Michael Stipe has such an iconic voice. “I’m not scared, I’m out of here” is a great closing line for an album that spanned so far
Drive is such a great track on this record. The strings add a lot to the feel of melancholy and sadness. One of my favorite REM albums.
4.5/5
For an embarrassingly long time, I thought I didn't like R.E.M. because Losing My Religion sucks. I was right about that song, but I've seen the error of my ways when it comes to the band. This album was a huge part of that. There's something to like about nearly every track. It's just a bunch of thoughtful, well executed jams. Best track: Man on the Moon
Incredible- correlation between the America we are living in currently, my dad loves this band and I think I finally do too
I was already a giant R.E.M. fan when this came out... and this is clearly one of their best. A spectacular album.
The second repeat! Much more welcome than Kate Bush. Going from R.E.M.'s debut to their 8th album is a huge jump. The band is more confident, more powerul, and more in the groove. This album has a bunch of hits on it, and the non-hit tracks still slap. Very, very enjoyable. Hung out for a while listening to live cuts and demos. I'm not sure if this deserves a straight 5, but it's miles ahead of Murmer, which I gave a 4.
This album sounds huge. The strings and acoustic guitars are lush and warm, the electric guitars scream, the drums pop like they're in a cave and everything else (keys, organ/synths, horns) is produced incredibly. Coupled with the vocals, this album is a soundtrack to a revelation
This is another example of a band that I already know about (actually, I like very much R.E.M. songs) but never listened to this whole album in a row. For this experiment of 1001 albums, this is just the third one but is for sure the best until now. It's really worth it!
This album reminds me of my time as a teenager or even my time transitioning into a middle aged man. It is slow and thoughtful
R.E.M. en estado puro. Paradigma del indie norteamericano, lleno de temazos. Uno de los mejores discos de los 90. Básico en cualquier colección.
Обнаружил, что снёс дискографию R.E.M. с винта. И тут даже пожалел. Благо, на плеере осталась. При марафонном прослушивании как-то ухо альбом вовсе не выцепило в своё время. А ныне слушаю - всё по кайфу. Интересные аранжировки, подбор инструментов, композиционные решения, отличный звук, внятные мелодии, яркие вокальные партии. На голову выше дебютника. Тупа стали профессионалами, но не успели скатиться. Вчерась всё по кайфу было, думал опосля слухану, подумаю, и сёнь всё по кайфу. Значит - топ, надо брать.
R.E.M. is an incredible band and this might be my favorite album of theirs. I'm usually quite reluctant to apply labels like "favorite" or "best," or to rank an artist's or group's output, so I use "favorite" here in lower-case letters or parenthetically, mostly to indicate how I gravitate towards it. I don't want to diminish my affection for their other work. All that being said, there's a depth and texture to this album that makes it stand out for me in R.E.M.'s impressive catalog. It's odd to say this, but I actually believe this band is underrated, as are the four individual members as musicians and songwriters. I am particularly fond of Peter Buck (my view: because he didn't rip massive solos, even though he was more than capable of it, he is not talked about as much as other rock/pop/alt guitarists, but he's fantastic) and Mike Mills (quiet and cerebral, so not a limelight guy, he's an amazing bassist, pianist, singer, and writer). What I learned from the Wiki entry that's linked to this album is the John Paul Jones (yes, as in Led Zeppelin's JPJ) contributed string arrangements to four tracks on this album. That is super-cool (JPJ is another way, way underrated musician).
A work of genius and after 30 years I still listen to it regularly. My favourite track has changed several times over the years. Starting with Nightswimming, then moving on to Everybody Hurts (once described by Peter Buck as an example of Michael Stipe "polishing a turd") but lately it's been the amazing and still prescient Ignoreland. And John Paul Jones arranged the strings. This is up there with Graceland and Led Zep II (of what we've heard so far) with a serious claim to be in the top 10 of best albums ever recorded.
R.E.M.'s best, imho, and a formative album for me. My father had it and I hadn't listened to them before. Going thru his collection, I pulled it out while looking for something else (probably Pink Floyd or Van Halen or Depeche Mode (which, boy, that was a weird group for a conservative cop to listen to or Roger Water's solo stuff, you get the idea) and he told me I could have it. It was this album and, oddly enough, Chris Isaak's Heart Shaped World. I asked my dad why he didn't want it and he said it was "faggoty shit". Now, at this point, I was young and still only vaguely aware that my orientation might be different than my peers. Well I took it, only vaguely guessing as to what Faggoty Shit could refer to when he never made the same gestures at Elton John (who my mother loved). What I think he meant by that was 'sensitive'. Automatic For The People is a remarkably empathetic, deeply personal feeling album that doesn't get buried in itself and instead decides to thread those personal anxieties, loves and thoughts through a warm and lived in sonic space. Nostalgia, politics, mortality, romance and sexuality all mesh together in a sweet sort of late summer dusk-to-autumn cycle of Queer Americana. As time would go one, I'd deeply appreciate how much I see myself in this record. The popculture-to-political focus of Man on the Moon. The intimacy, excitement and rush of Night Swimming. The strokes to find yourself in bigger pictures with haunted melancholic undertones of Find The River and Sweetness Follows. The interpersonal spaces of impossible to ignore politics by the way of Ignoreland. It's a chronicle. It's tragic and beautiful. But sonically it's tight. A refinement of ideas explored in early R.E.M. records and represents a culmination of their sound before they'd experiment further. This is their best album. But that's what I love about R.E.M., their best is still equally good as other albums which could call their best (Document, Murmur, Reackoning, Monster, Hi-Fi, you could make a case for any of these).
This album has lots of punch. The band understands the importance of a good riff. Even the acoustic songs have good opening riffs. Two great examples are the acoustic riffs to start Drive and Monty Got A Raw Deal. The vocal melodies make for memorable songs. An example is the catchy melody ("Call me when you wake her) on The Sidewinder . . . It's hard to read about this album for more than two minutes before a name dropper mentions John Paul Jones and his contribution to the songs in the form of orchestration. My only negative comment on the album is that it would be better without him. I like when the electric guitar comes in on Drive and don't understand how making the guitar compete with strings helps the song. Star me Kitten reminds me of the way the set list is put together for a live gig. You want to play something that lulls the crowd to sleep before playing your magical song so it will sound even better. It worked! Man on the Moon is a gem! The band's first album was good. These guys developed into a music making machine. Regardless of the strings and a song or two of filler I still have a 5 for them.
Nightswimming, The River, Man On The Moon, EVERYBODY HURTS. What a list of tracks! R.E.M is just one of those artists that can get you feeling every type of emotion throughout their music, and it's a beautiful thing because so. Incredible vocals of the 80s/ 90s.
One of my favorite albums of all time. I somehow love it more each time I listen to it. Maybe not the most representative of R.E.M. as a whole, but goddamn, what a gorgeous emotional piece of work.
Probably the pinnacle of their production. R.E.M. don't get better than this record, for me.
Probably REM's best album (and that's saying a lot, given the "competition"). Made even better through John Paul Jones' arrangements on some of the songs, which renders them pure magic.
This is my favorite REM album. The lyrics, the acoustics, and Stipes' voice just speaks directly to my soul. It has a very special place in my heart.
I’d never describe myself as an R.E.M fan but this album is undeniable. Classic track after classic track, I don’t really see how anyone could give this less than 5
What a great album! Up until now, I have only really listened to R.E.M when it appears in a party playlist. I think it's a much better listening experience in album form, i.e. not such a mood killer. This album is going on the replay list. 5/5
The album that saw REM confirm their place as global megastars. An album packed full of melancholy and beauty.
Hi: Drive, Monty Got A Raw Deal, Ignoreland, Star Me Kitten Lo: NONE Thanks for eating my review, generator! Anyways, this is an important album, one of the best from '92 (a year that birthed ton of excellent music) and almost 30 years later still holds up. If you don't love this album, you're an idiot.
Awesome album, maybe the first five star that I hadn't listened to all the way through before. My favourites were nightswimming and drive, but even the instrumental was brilliant. I'm definitely going to explore more R.E.M. when I get a chance, to see what other wonders share albums with songs I know!
Oh man. I really slept on this album and can't believe what I missed. Everybody hurts got memed to death but it remains an amazing song. But my fave track remains "try not to breathe." For some reason their work reminds me of the Smiths. Though not sure why.
Absolutely loved it. The first album to melt my emotionless heart and give me goosebumps. I never really looked into R.E.M. despite really liking "Losing my Religion", but now I want to go and listen to their entire discography. Favorite songs: "Drive", "Try Not To Breathe", "Everybody Hurts", "Man on the Moon", "Find the River". I think the worst one would be the instrumental, but I can still appreciate it.
Oni su mi baš sjeli negdje ljeti 2020te kad sam prešao iz Kapele u SPS raditi. Znam da sam putem ujutro njihove albume lupo često, najviše bi to bio Fables of the Reconstruction, Lifes Rich Pageant i ovaj. Ovaj album nije skroz savršen, ali je stvarno jako blizu ko što je sa mnoštvo njihovih (Document, LRP, FotR i Murmur), na RYM sam stavio 4.5, što i je tako, nije četvorka, jače je od toga, a pošto ovdje te jebene pola zvjezdice nemamo, morat ću dat peticu. Također, ovo je njihov zadnji album koji me se tako jako dojmio. Imali su 5 jako jako odličnih albuma u nizu, onda su došla 2 average albuma pa tek onda ovaj, i dalje je historija.
I really like this album, and very much enjoyed listening to it again. I also seem to like REM more the older I get.
I forgot how much I enjoyed REM. Took me back to college days when my history prof would plan this as background music.
4.7 - First, "Everybody Hurts" is a perfectly realized pop song with an impeccable structure, measured instrumental arrangement, universally relatable message and transcendent vocal performance. Second, the more "secondary" hits (if they can be called that) are also incredible. From "Man on the Moon" with Stipe's breathy vocals and the slide guitar pre-chorus, to "Drive" with its dark lyrical repetition, to "Nightswimming" with its gorgeous piano composition. Third, the overall album flow is so artful and balanced, striking the right notes at (almost) every turn. Up until now I've remained a reluctant R.E.M fan, having endured "Losing My Religion" played on merciless repeat in '89. Definitively, this album breaks that reluctance. With the exception of "Ignoreland" that somewhat sours the middle with some generic political bellyaching, this is an exceptional record.
Alright, let's just disclose the bias from the get-go. This album came out when I was just getting into music around the age of 13. So it has nostalgic value. I do not own it but all my classmates who were more knowledgeable of music did. I still remember one classmate (who was a big Beatles fan at 13, so he can't be all wrong) telling me Nightswimming was hands down the best song on the album. Probably 10 years later I was rediscovering the album and I had to agree. I ran into him at a bar once and told him that. It's just a beautiful composition (love Mike Mills' piano) and one I could play on repeat for weeks on end. And I just learned John Paul Jones provided the string arrangements on it and two other of my favorites. I mean, how can you not love that? To me, this album was the pinnacle of their greatest songwriting period (1987-1995ish). I still don't really love Drive or Man on the Moon - both are waaay overplayed - but they don't suck. And there are some great lesser knowns - Try Not to Breathe (a superior brooding song to those two well-knowns), the Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite (super fun), Find the River (a nice closer with a John Denver feel that grows on you). Even songs like New Orleans Instrumental Vol. 1 through to Ignoreland, which are not as good as the others, have a certain edge to them. Some if it is Peter Buck's scratchy guitar work, some of it is the excellent lyrics, some of it is other backing instruments. Funny enough, I have never got tired of Everybody Hurts - something about it affects me every time, especially the crescendo that starts around the 4 minute mark. Listening again, I realize the album's sad and darker tones also likely play a big role in why I'm drawn to it. Still I guess it's like 6 great songs, 4 good songs, and a couple so-so songs. It feels like at least 4.5 and giving it a 4 would counteract my bias but I'm just going to embrace it.
Ens va sorprendre a tots. Ningú esperava això després d''Out of Time'. Semblava que la banda ja havia arribat al cénit de la seva carrera amb 'Losing My Religion' i la resta de singles extasiants que s'havien tret de la màniga... i ens donen no un disc que estava a l'alçada, sinó una obra mestra indiscutible i que competeix de tu a tu amb molt pocs altres per ser reivindicat com a millor disc dels '90. Obscur, melangiós, pessimista.. i increïblement inspirat. No hi ha cap tema que no sigui meravellós i alguns d'ells estan entre el millor que ha donat la música rock
Prior to this release I considered R.E.M. a band that I liked very much but didn’t love. I thought their releases were uniformly good, but not excellent. Automatic for the People changed that for me. The move from jangle pop to more moody and reflective songs resonated with me and I think resulted in their most cohesive and overall strongest work.
This helped us through a very rough period. Wise, thoughtful and empathic songs, performed beautifully. A record for healing
It's funny, I know every note, intimately, of Out of Time, the album before Automatic for the People. It was my constant companion through a rough patch of my life. Not out of love for REM but for purely circumstantial reasons. Which wore a groove in my heart where REM can fit. That said I've never given any time to Automatic for the People; I only know the hits. But I'm happy to take it for a spin. Initial impression is that it is musically similar but a bit sadder and darker maybe a little more sophisticated. Having listened twice this album is absolutely devastatingly gorgeous to listen to. The sound of it, the mood, the completely realized themes. Everybody Hurts is an iconic, seminal work. Try Not To Breath, Sweetness Follows and Monty Got a Raw Deal and Find The River are also incredibly powerful, of course along with Drive and Man On The Moon. Indeed all the songs offer something worthy. A genuine five star album. I regret not having visited before.
A delightful album, evocative and poetic and it sounds beautiful - the layering of the instruments, especially acoustic, is exquisite. There is a style and mood and confidence about REM at this point and I appreciate they’ve switched up the template. The four album run of Out of Time / Automatic… / Monster and my personal favourite, New Adventures in Hi Fi (go figure) is really impressive. Stipe is at his most engaging and emotionally connected with this album and there are some real tearjerkers - Drive, Everybody Hurts, Nightswimming, Find the River are truly moving moments. Throw in a but of levity with Sidewinder and Man in the Moon, pick up the tempo with Ignoreland and it’s really satisfying. A modern classic.
This is a seriously great album with some amazing songs on it. I remember even in 1992 thinking that REM were geniuses. That still holds.
Great album. Singles are amazing. Ahead of its time for the early 90a. Bet a lot of mid to late 90s bands got their sound from here. Listened to it on shuffle (by mistake) hoping to give it another listen as an album. Only thing keeping it from being 5 stars for me is some of the other tracks are just ok and some of the lyrics seem pretentious
Brought back good memories. Loaded with hits and big melodies dripping with pathos and sadness
Had lots of REM going on in the car with dad. Everybody Hurts and Man on the Moon are eternal classics but had never heard Ignoreland or Find the River which were also sick
Lyrically, it’s right up there with the best Michael’s ever done. At the time of release, it was certainly jockeying with Murmur for their best album. Now, I think it’s maybe fallen just a taste because “Everybody Hurts” just doesn’t thrill me. “Ignoreland” feels like an outtake, musically. Of course, we weren’t in the Clinton era yet, so I get it. And I’ve never loved “Nightswimming.” Yet every other song is Hall of Fame, particularly “Sweetness Follows,” “Monty,” and “Man on the Moon.” Its notable status firmly in the grunge era can’t be ignored either. This seems like a classic 4.5 situation if we could do halfsies.
Curiosamente el sábado me dieron ganas de escuhar R.E.M. porque estaba platicando de Andy Kaufman y 'Man on The Moon'. No conocía este disco completo y las que no fueron sencilos o éxitos de algún tipo son también canciones muy buenas. En particular me gustan 'Man on the Moon', 'Night Swimming' e 'Ignoreland'.
Tal vez en algún momento escuché un disco completo de R.E.M. pero seguramente no fue este. No sabía que conocía mas canciones de la banda y sobre todo de este disco, Everybody hurts es de mis favoritas y trae unas joyitas perdidas como drive, find the river Creo que es una banda a la que no se le ha dado el lugar que merece como exponente del alternativo
Very good rock album. Way better than Murmur, R.E.M. feels like a fully realised band on this one.
Had to listen to this a couple of times and listen to the R U Talkin' R.E.M. RE: Me? episode on it to get into it a bit more. Outside of the hits, I started to appreciate "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite" and "Ignoreland" on these listens
Very good early 90s that is able to sound like any era. Favorite songs were Drive, Nightswimming, Find the River, NOLA Instrumental No. 1. Least favorite, probably Marty? Still really enjoyed the whole way through.
Very familiar with this album, listened to it a lot around the time it came out. Great album. 4 Stars.
Me sorprende lo poco que conozco de REM, no tengo idea de sus tiempos, cronología, en qué disco viene qué canción... y a pesar de eso conozco muchas de sus canciones. Siempre se me hicieron como la alternativa al grunge, música de rock alternativo que mantuvo su esencia de sonido agradable y brillante a pesar de cómo todas las otras bandas iban hacia otro lado. Drive y Monty's Got a Raw Deal me gustaban desde hace mucho y ni qué decir sobre Everybody Hurts o Man on the Moon, el hecho de tener sencillos tan quemadísimos y sonados millones de veces, y que me sigan gustando habla harto bien del disco. Varias canciones que no conocía como Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight, Night Swimming o Fight the River bastante decentes, pero también se sienten un par de canciones que terminan medio de relleno sin mucha propuesta y que vienen y van sin pena ni gloria (sobre todo esa instrumental). En general me gusto el disco bastante, aunque sospecho que Out of Time me gustará más... ya veremos tampoco lo he escuchado nunca completo.
I listened to the hell out of this at the time so I clearly loved it, but not my favorite. Just a little too poppy compared to some of their more complex stuff.
The singer has a very unique voice and I think its one of the best 90s band, this album I did not knew well but a couple of songs but it didn't matter I still enjoyed it.
I live REM, but this album is full of sad introspection and I’ve played it a lot so somewhat played out. Lots of really good tracks.
Production: 11/20 Songwriting: 15/20 Innovation: 9/20 Bangers: 20/20 Emotional response: 14/20 =69 Yeah pretty good I guess
“Nightswimming” for me and Billie, but I think that Adubs is partial to “Find the River”
Gorgeous arrangements aided by JPJ, the band at this point has ascended past punk, past alt rock, past pop rock, past acoustic pop, right into an acoustic art album that is as honest as it is grand. Not my favorite, as I'm partial to their more energetic enterprises, but an historical moment for the band and rock music (especially in the distorted, I-hate-my-parents 90s).
Довольно неплохой альбом Рёма, но я осознаю, что он является таковым в основном на реактивной тяге открывающего сингла. Драйв — одна из лучших их песен, и некоторое время для меня была одной из лучших песен вообще. После такого ловишь настолько позитивный настрой, что остальные песни как будто становятся лучше. Но на самом деле ситуация такая же, как я и описывал. Первые три песни — годнота, Ignoreland и Nightswimming тоже. В Everybody Hurts я очень ценю посыл, наверное это реально хорошая песня, чтобы переживать реально не хорошие времена, но мне просто всегда было невыносимо скучно слушать её до конца. Man on the Moon вроде имеет хитовый потенциал, но бля, я просто не могу перешагнуть через факт, что это песня об Энди Кауфмане. Не то чтобы я не любил его, но бля, это же человек с одной из самых ебанутых энергетик на комедийной сцене. А сама песня звучит как сладенький попс с довольно раздражающими «е-е, е-е». Просто что-то не сходится в посыле этой песни и её звучании. Остальное — ну не говно, но и не западает никуда. Добрая половина альбома тянется просто как дженерик РЕМ песни, не вызывая эмоций и практически сразу же забываясь. Альбом не плохой ни в коем случае, думаю англоязычным людям он более понятен и близок. Но я едва ли могу поставить больше 7, хоть Драйв и охуенна.
Brilliant album by great band. Played it to death in my college days. Best track - Find a river
Love R.E.M. you always know it is them, but it is still a great variety of music. Michael Stipe has such a tender and soulful vocal. Perfectly captured in Everybody Hurts. If you aren't moved by that song, you have a heart of stone!
-feels like a jog through a forest, no path in sight. carving your own way over rocks and through trees (as I continue listening this works less) -same vibe as brown stiff jackets -i really liked it! Very pretty
Drive, Everybody Hurts, Man in the Moon, of course. I was prepared for this to be just another boring REM album but am pleasantly surprised. Great feel, great performances. Some same-old guitar licks from Buck, but overall still sounds fresh.
Obviously I know quite a few of the tracks. Drive - like it a lot. Try not to breathe - good too. Sidewinder sleeps tonight - as good as I remember. everybody hurts- yep. instrumental bit - why? sweetness follows - didn't thikn i knew this one, but it is familiar. I like it.! Monty gets a raw deal, passed me by a bit - very polite ignoreland - didn't know this one. Its fine, but nothing exceptional. star me kitten: slightly annoying. man on the moon - immediately recognisable. I like this one a lot. nightswimming - nice if a bit dull. would be nothing without Stipe being so good. Find the river: another one i didn't think i knew, but did. Nice! I really like this. Would have been 5 if it wasn't for the filler in the middle!
Lots of bangers, to be fair Great production, great songwriting Such a well rounded album 4 stars
REM is one of those rare bands where I like pretty much everything they put out throughout their entire career. This album might be their most dramatic. Has some really iconic songs on it. This was one that was in the CD players of the cars I would ride in back in it's day. Favorite tracks are Man on the Moon and Nightswimming.
Chill. Creo que no es para mi. Es como... pos ta bien. Me gustaron Monty Got a Raw Deal, Ignore y Drive.
This album is a huge leap from Murmer which I recently rated a 3. Much more mature writing and performances here with quite a few very solid songs.
Just a great listen and an all-timer right here. The jams are pure gold and the lesser tracks aren't faster behind. Great record.
Having grown up in the 90s, this just about sums it up. It's somehow depressing to listen to, but leaves me feeling hopeful - not sure how they pulled that off. Great instrumentation, really well-produced. Stipe's vocals are haunting and unmistakable. Everybody Hurts gets played a lot, but - dammit - it's a great song.
liked the album favourite tracks: man on the moon, drive and nightswimmming some of the songs lacked 'something special'
An enjoyable album, with some favourites contained in it. Some slow and fairly misery inducing songs. But, that's what R.E.M specialise in.
Good music, good album. Wasn't struck quite as much by this one as by the previous R.E.M. album we've had. It just didn't quite feel inspiring enough for 5 stars. Favorite track: Man On The Moon
Pretty good. There is something here that I missed… definitely gonna benefit from more listens.
They’ve got some good good songs this album had a few nothing bad at all to say would recommend. 4.4 / 5
Twijfelgeval. Ik hoor dat het goed is, maar ik heb er niet altijd zin in. 'Nightswimming' is geweldig.
This is one of those behemoth albums that seemed to be in every record store, and most people's music collections. Insane that it's taken me this long to listen - especially given its quality. But it ain't perfect, not by a long chalk - the music can be quite beautiful, and REM do a fine line in melancholy, but the tempos can feel a little samey. Minor misgivings though!
In homage to a former housemate, who was obsessed to the point of mania by this album, I played it very loudly in a room down the corridor to the one I was sitting in. I can report that the obvious MVP tracks retain their five-star ratings, while the filler remains filler.
The first half of the album kind of blends together, but the energy really picks up in the second half.
I was always aware of this being considered a classic and remember it as an ever-present in the 'buy one get one half-price' section of Our Price in the late 90s. For some reason I never took the plunge and forked out, which may have been an error, as it lives up to its billing. Rich, textured, and lush. Intriguing lyrics which make you want to delve deeper, sung with Michael Stipe's distinctive voice which suits the music perfectly. A quality album with an exceptionally strong first half and brilliant final three tracks. Just a slight dip at tracks 7, 8 and 9 mean this just misses out on full marks. P.S. I am one of the 99% of people who always thought it was "Calling Jamaica". I still can't hear it as "Call me when you try to wake her up". Surely all those syllables aren't actually sung? 4.5/5
Really nice album. I really like Michael Stipe's vocals, and I think all of the tracks provide something unique to the album. Favorite Tracks - Try Not To Breathe, Everybody Hurts, Ignoreland, Find the River
Good album. Not my favorite rem music but still good. Everybody hurts is still one of the bests though. Fav songs: drive, everybody hurts, man on the moon
Track 01 - 4.25/5 Track 02 - 2.75/5 Track 03 - 3/5 Track 04 - 4.25/5 Track 05 - 3/5 Track 06 - 3.5/5 Track 07 - 3.25/5 Track 08 - 3/5 Track 09 - 2.75/5 Track 10 - 4.25/5 Track 11 - 3.75/5 Track 12 - 3.25/5 Overall: 3.5/5 Album Art: 3/5
Another album that saw heavy personal rotation for me upon its release. So much so that I only listened to the tracks here that I couldn't recall, which surprisingly was only 3 of them. I had a ticket to this tour but sold it because I needed the money back. Add that to the long list of regrets.
I like R.E.M. and this is an album I've listened to many times. "Try Not to Breathe", "Nightswimming", "Everybody Hurts", "Find the River", and "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight" are all tracks that have been on repeat, as I try to hear what the song is about or to try and figure out how to play a portion of the song on guitar. The album is full of intreguing lyrics and interesting backing vocals all in support of well written music. I had forgotten how good "Sweetness Follows" is. I would recommend this album to others. Most of the tracks on this album get 4 stars from me. "Monty Got a Raw Deal" and "Star Me Kitten" have always been my least favorite tracks, but they're okay. Maybe I've heard "Man on the Moon" too many times.
This is a great album from R.E.M, certainly one of the band’s best. What I really like is how Michael Stipe has opened up lyrically, with less of the opaque, muddily delivered lyrics he was known for on earlier albums. He goes darker in these songs, touching on themes of death, loss, and growing older. But still, the darkness is frequently tinged with sweetness and hope. "Everybody Hurts" is probably the best on the album. It’s so simply rendered, but still moving to me, even after all these years. I've listened to a lot of R.E.M. over the years, and this is the one song you can feel in your bones. It’s like Stipe is speaking directly to you. On that note, I appreciate that Stipe used two of his songs (“Everybody Hurts” and “Drive”) to address his fans quite directly. I didn’t appreciate it at the time, but Stipe comes off as someone who really cares about his listeners. My other favorite song is “Nightswimming,” a bittersweet, gorgeously composed meditation on getting older. I was 21 when this album came out, and I’ll tell you, that song lands very differently at 50. Anther standout track is the hooky, wonderful “Man on the Moon,” which is simply a delight to listen to. I like to think Kaufman would have appreciated it. Fave Songs: Everybody Hurts, Nightswimming, Man on the Moon, Try Not to Breathe, Drive, Sweetness Follows, Monty Got a Raw Deal
le premier titre a su gagner mon coeur malheureusement le reste m’a laissée de marbre….je mets 4 afin de continuer une série qui mènera j’espère vers la note ultime
Just short of a 5 for me. Nightswimming is one of their best and its's very consistent throughout
initial thoughts: I’m a fan! I don’t think I have any really intelligent thoughts to say on it. And i’m kind of getting phil collins vibes fav off album: everybody hurts or sweetness follows
Not a bad album - I'm on the fence of whether or not I like REM's music but I think this is really solid. Two big hits with "Man on the Moon" and "Everybody Hurts". 7/10.
A great album, one of R.E.M.'s best. Some of the most memorable songs of the 90s, and probably since.
This has one of my favorite REM songs on it. It's a great album but a little to melancholy for an everyday listen for me.
R.E.M's greatest hits was often on rotation at our house growing up, but I've never listened to one of their standalone albums. I enjoyed listening, it really shows the baroque music and unique vocals that might get a bit mixed up in a compilation. My favourite track is 'Nightswimming', but my top pick is 'Sweetness Follows' because that track was new to me and I thought it was lovely but sad.
I never got into R.E.M., but I tend to like everything I hear from them. They just don't make me go "I MUST HEAR THIS!" This album is a good example of what I mean. Everything on it is at least good, but I'm just never blown away. Can't explain why. Most of my favorite tracks are the overplayed ones like Drive, Everybody Hurts, and Man on the Moon, but I also really like Ignoreland, Nightswimming, and Find the River. I'm going to have to go with 4 even though there's really not a weak spot on the album. I'm glad to have listened to it, but I won't lose sleep if I don't hear it again.
I've always thought this band was somewhat overrated. I do like some of the songs a lot though; especially Nightswimming and Drive. I find Michael Stipe's voice to be a bit whiny. I do remember seeing them in the gym at college when their first record had just come out. I don't have any specific memories of the show, but I'm sure I enjoyed it. This another record where the half-star option would be helpful. I would give this 3.5 if I could, but since I can't, it gets a 4 from me as I think it deserves the benefit of the doubt.
Listened to 'Document' before this one and was really impressed! This album, however, blew me away completely. 'Everybody Hurts,' which I knew of but hadn't really listened to in full before, is a haunting, painful, beautiful song that just completely enraptures you. Add onto that 'Nightswimming,' and you have two really standout ballads that elevate this album to something special. A solid 4/5 that is almost a perfect score. I just felt as though some of the songs didn't click this listen, though that might change as I listen to the album again in the future.
don't love the middle of the album (new orleans instrumental no.1, monty got a raw deal, ignoreland, star me kitten) favourite songs - nightswimming, man on the moon, the sidewinder sleeps tonite, find the river, drive
I was alone in my year at school as a casual REM fan. This one surprised me in the re-listen, it fit like a glove. I like it.
Dang they snuck me with Man on the Moon and Everybody Hurts. Still can’t believe they have 3 albums on this jawn
Imogen: some good songs on this album, but I generally prefer REM's earlier work ('Green', 'Document', 'Lifes Rich Pageant' etc.)
Listen to again, probably would appreciate more when you can really focus on it, instead of at work
I love REM songs (including a bunch from this one) but I can't really get into their whole albums as much as I should.
Side A is dull; side B is mostly interesting except for "Man on the Moon". Pop R.E.M. is boring; can't imagine this holds up for anyone but gen-xers.
Tengo un tema con REM... puedo decir que el grupo me gusta en general, y tienen una de mis canciones favoritas (si, Losing My Religion qué mainstream ¿no?), pero a la vez muchas de sus canciones tienen algo que las hace como 'densas' u 'oscuras'. De este conocía 'Man on the Moon' y 'Everybody Hurts', y agregué 'Drive' a mi lista, pero las demás canciones me parecieron X. Podría no volverlas a escuchar y creo que no me perdería de demasiado. Aún así, fue interesante escuchar el disco completo.
Initial thoughts are that they have a very jam band feel to them. Everrrybody hurts did not know that was REM! Never really listened to REM before but I don’t mind it. At times it is a little too jam band for me but not terrible.
Wzf - Ich finds besser als das letzte REM Album, aber eben nur weil ich auf diesem Album mehr Songs kenne. Ansonsten ist ok, doch mir egal. Anzahl der Sterne demnach äquivalent zu der der Anzahl der Neffen von Donald Duck.
I bought this album for my mom. She really liked the radio songs. I am lucky to have parents with open minds. Growing up we always shared cool new music with each other. I haven't heard this since high school and I don't remember all the songs. Very solid album with no real weak songs.
Some excellent songs that define an era but probably not something on the whole I'd go back to. Although I may just be being unfair due to my recent run of fours.
Some good tracks on this - "Everybody Hurts" is severely played out these days but there are some gems. Favourite track: "New Orleans instrumental No.1"
Perus REMmiä. Muutamia tuttuja hittibiisejä ja Nightswimming jäi myös mieleen (en ainakaan tunnistanut hittibiisiksi). Ehkä tähän bändiin on aikanaan tullut yliannostusta, laulajan ääni ja biisien laahaava meno meinaavat vähän ärsyttää. Kolmosta koneeseen kuitenkin.
ok pop rock but i felt this album needed maybe one or two more hits to even help it move along, pretty slow and tended to drag. Man on the Moon is a classic tho
Would actually rate 3 1/2 stars if I could. Tracks 5-6 reminded me of the end of David Bowie album Hero's. Definitely a album you should listen too.
Beste Band, klasse Texte, Wohlfühlfaktor 100. 3/5 Sternen. Dass das jetzt schon das zweite Album von denen ist, damit habe ich nichts zu tun.
The four songs I already knew still hold some quality uniqueness, but nothing from the rest of the album really stuck out.
I knew the hits and not much else about R.E.M.. After listening to the album, none of the songs I hadn't heard before really stood out to me.
I like their previous album. A lot of this is too soft and a bit too easy-listening for me. Everybody Hurts is almost a parody of itself. Man On The Moon is good though.
I’ve been a fan of Man on the Moon, especially since seeing the Andy Kaufman movie, of the same name I think. Overall this is a darker sounding album – the strings contribute to the mood. It gets off to a good start with “Drive”. I guess “Everybody Hurts” was the big single but I don’t remember it.
Difícil de catalogar. En ocasiones más calmado, en otras, con más fuerza. Buenas melodías
‘Everybody Hurts’ is epic but after playing the album 3 times I’m struggling to find anything else I’ll listen to again.
Man, yet another sentimental one. I actually don't love a lot of these songs, but Nightswimming is grafted onto my soul, somehow, like a 90s alt-indie horcrux. Anyway... plenty of catchy stuff here and not at all hard to listen to.
Good. Solid. A bit bland. Couple of truly amazing songs and a few real self indulgent moments.
The first half of the album blurred together - it all sounded vaguely the same (except for "Everybody Hurts" of course). I may have zoned out at times because of this. Towards the end of the album I noticed more variation that I enjoyed. Did I hear an Elvis impersonation? Heard some piano which is always welcomed for me. They successfully sounded doom and gloom but upbeat at the same time.
This has a few really good songs on it but also a lot of duds. I know I'm in the minority but "Everybody Hurts" is a pretty overrated song. I didn't like any of the songs I had never heard before. The good songs make up for the bad ones, but I can't give this more than 3 stars.
Didn't realise this was such a sedate album - kinda passed by without jumping out much
Perfectly cromulent like folk/blues/alternative rock album, but it was pretty musically the same across the album, it never really went anywhere
i'm familar with Everybody Hurts and Losing my religion, so I kinda knew what I was getting into once I hit play with this album but as I continued to listen to it, I feel like the songwriter was going through something at the time and having it vocalized made them show the world they need help with each song that plays.
Enjoyed the first half of the album but the second half seemed to drag on. I can hear a lot of 90s influences from here though it's not my favorite.
I divide up R.E.M.'s career in 3 eras, the I.R.S indie-ish albums, the mainstream (MTV) fame years and the after-fame albums. Automatic is smack dab in the middle of the peak fame years. I started to lose interest in the band after Document, but you can't deny the band produced some great records. This one has some well known hits, but I still prefer the days of Reckoning and Life's Rich Pageant.
Didn't really dig this at the time or now. Song are well written and great lyrics, but far too whiney for my taste.
Kind of mindless on first listen. I can see how this might get into one’s craw, but that would take more listens.
Middle of the road. Some good songs, Everybody Hurts is a classic. Man on the Moon reminds me of a Jimmy Buffett song for some reason, which is a positive in my book.
Honestly, I am not a big fan of R.E.M. I find Michael Stripe’s voice too whiny. But there are a handful of their hits I do enjoy, and one of them was on this album: “Man on the Moon.” Unfortunately, so is “Everybody Hurts,” which is very much on my least favorite songs of theirs. The other songs were okay. But nothing that stood out. Nothing that made me change my opinion on them as a band. So a big meh from me.
Automatic for the People by R.E.M. (1992) This album is a significant shift in direction from R.E.M.’s earlier alternative rock work, Murmur (1983) and Document (1987), and it deserves its considerable success. Somebody made an intelligent production choice by recruiting Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones to provide some very helpful orchestrations on four songs “Drive”, “The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight”, “Everybody Hurts”, and “Nightswimming”—four of the musical highlights of the album. Jones’ string arrangements deepen the soulful feel of already soulful compositions. Lyricist/lead singer Michael Stipe sounds better with adequate reverb (“Everybody Hurts”) and he makes more sense when he’s caring on an individual level, instead of making unreflective declamations of one-dimensional political commentary, like in “Ignoreland”, where he supplies the helpful gloss “I know that this is vitriol—No solution, spleen-venting. But I feel better having screamed. Don't you?”. (Actually I don’t, but I might have in 1992). He does a nice take on nostalgia in “Man on the Moon”, even if his selection criteria are difficult to discern. I like the Andy Kaufman references! Lyrical themes include: a healthy take on death and other forms of loss, a mature, post-adolescent glimpse into the future, a gentle encouragement of those who are despondent, and even a sensitive wish of a suicide to avoid bringing pain to those he leaves behind. On this album there are many examples of melodic beauty and serene instrumental composition by percussionist Bill Berry, guitarist Peter Buck, and bassist/keyboardist Mike Mills. The sound washes over the listener with gentle, down tempo, pulsing steadiness. The folk feel of several of the tracks is friendly and warm. Pondering without being ponderous. And the selection of a variety of instruments, all competently executed, adds to the texture. A very cool album. 3/5
A very mature sounding album that was absolutely no fun to listen too. It was all so serious and morose but without any levity or even percussion to break it up. I think if I was more of a lyrics person I’d appreciate this a lot more but it felt like a slog to get through honestly. It could also because the budget broke my brain and im exhausted.
This album bored me when I was younger. I remember it sticking out as my least favorite known REM album. I got to say listening again that feeling changed. Been there ignore land is one of my favorites. It definitely doesn't touch my top two which ironically aren't on the list at all but much better than I remember.
Un peu ennuyant par moments mais beau la plupart du temps Prefs: Drive, Try Not To Breathe, Everybody Hurts, Ignoreland, Man on the Moon Moins pref: The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite
More REM, mostly good songs but this seems older and more established. Used to be a bigger fan of their sound, but as I’ve gotten older the less I’m into it
Maailman tylsin rockbändi jatkaa valitsemallaan polulla. Avausbiisi Drive oli jopa REM:in kappaleeksi yllättävän puuduttava. Taso ei juurikaan tästä noussut, vaikka tämä levy oli hieman hittipainotteisempi kuin se listan edellinen REM-levy jonka nimi oli niin tylsä ettei jäänyt mieleen. Vahva kakkonen.
Pretty good album - glad I've gotten to listen to a little more R.E.M., but I just don't this as much as Murmur. Everybody Hurts is a good song but it's just too cheesy, and not much else really stood out. A high 2 Saved: Drive, Find The River
Better than the last rem album I had but this one is still not that great to me. Their music seems too outwardly depressing but for no real strong reason. It’s kinda ok. 5.1/10
I've been getting into R.E.M. for the first time, recently. I have their first record on vinyl and I've listened to that a lot. I watched a documentary on the band and gained a new appreciation. I think Automatic for the People is a good record, but it gets a little less jangly and more produced at this point and I'm not sure that's my favorite side of this band. It's nice music to listen too, though. My relatively low score for this record is in the context of the top 1001. Compared to all records of all time, it would definitely have a higher rating than 2/5 stars. Highlights: Nightswimming is a great song.
Pierwsze pojawienie sie R.E.M.a na liscie i pierwsze starcie z ta banda od losing my religion, nie spodziewalem sie, ze bedzie to az tak ciezki boj, bo jednak jest to 90s dodatkowo mocno oparty na akustykach, czyli tak jak lubie, dodatkowo pierwszy trak zrobil robote i w ciekawy sposob otworzyl plyte, ale wtedy nie widzialem jeszcze, ze 9 z 12 kawalkow bedzie brzmial niemal identycznie co pierwszy, bo sa to balladowe kawalki, ale to sa te ballady ktore dobrze lataja w radiu jako wolne kawalki dla smutnego czleka, bo sluchajac plyty da sie fizycznie odczuc, ze motywem przewodnim jest bol przemijania i zwiazane z nim rozterki, co najbardziej oddaje wokal ktory wnosi tutaj pan Stipe, ktory o dziwo nie gra dodatkowo na instrumentalach, co jest dosc dziwne jak na rocka uczelniano garazowego, chociaz lepszym okresleniem na gatunek tej plyty, to gatunek ktorego pionierem byl Gene Clark, czyli barokowy pop, przez swoja balladowosc polaczona z backujacymi wokalami, smyczkami od pana Jonesa z led zeppelina, tylko trzy kawalki odchodza od tego konceptu midowego tempa, z enigmatycznymi tekstami granymi w miniorze, z tego miksu wybralem na plejke dwa kawalki ktore wedlug mnie najlepiej reprezentuja te dwa style, bardziej rokowy the sidewinder sleeps tonite oraz bardziej balladowy try not to breathe, oba pozycje pochodza z poczatkowej czesci plyty, bo im dalej w las tym gorzej mi sie sluchalo, caly czas majac wrazenie ze jest grane znowu to samo, z tego powodu byl to ciezki odsluch, ale przynajmniej juz wiem skad pochodzi banda od tak ogranego wszedzie losing my religion
I’m sorry, i know it’s supposed to be a masterpiece but i found it a little bland to listen to, maybe i wasn’t in the right mood or smth
I had one of those real "show up and do some work you can't quantify" jobs where literally all I did was enter some nonsense into a computer and go home. Turn that into an album and this is what you get. These fuckin dudes got a paycheck.
Look, this is less a "this album stinks" grade and more of a "this really isn't my type of thing." I'm on the record as being into downer music, but the malaise on display here doesn't feel particularly profound. It's competently made and Everybody Hurts is pretty iconic, all things considered, but R.E.M. just curls up into a ball and dies over the course of this record, and I at least want a little thrashing about here and there. Frankly, they sound a little disinterested for the most part, and perhaps that rubbed off on me. Maybe they'll fare better when the generator comes around to Green; Orange Crush is pretty good.
Under hela lyssningen kändes albumet ändå som en stabil 3:a, men efteråt var det inget som hade gjort albumet särskilt speciellt. Albumet är bra, och har genomgående hög kvalitet, men det är för få saker som sticker ut. Låtarna är lugna och fina, jag saknar något med mer fart, något lite rockigare. Egentligen ingenting är dåligt med albumet, men för få saker är bra. En av de bästa sakerna är Michael Stipes röst. Otrolig. Bästa låt: Drive.
R.E.M. have some bangers no doubt, but for the album listen I found it a bit... beige My brain irrevocably links REM to BH90210 so... there's that
I don't really like it. Good production quality, I just don't like this music genre. Reminds me of Pink Floyd.
did not care for this. lol-ed when "everybody hurts" came on and skipped it. enjoyed "man on the moon" as one does...
El tema inicial es una lágrima monótona y los temas siguientes no proponen mucha diferencia. Estoy segura de que Out of time es mucho mejor, aunque no lo escuché nunca. Me hizo pensar en todos los discos depre de los '90 que espero aparezcan en esta lista de 1001.
Soundtrack zum verkatert autofahren am Sonntag Mittag zu Oma Liesel Kuchen essen. Ich hasse alles. UND KOMM MIR NICHT MIT "DA SIND ABER HITS DRAUF". Wenn in einem Eimer voller Scheisse 2 Pralinen schwimmen frisst du die ja auch nicht.
Ich weigere mich, ein weiteres R.E.M,-Album zu bewerten. Is mir jetzt einfach wurscht, hör ich mir nicht mehr an.
Boring. I saw that this was alt rock and got excited, but I actually do not like their style. I had no idea Everybody Hurts was by them
Great album 9/10