Reviews (page 12 of 15)
One of the most important and defining indy bands of the 80's makes music for morose middle aged divorcees.
One of my favorite albums of all time. For me, this is when REM transitioned from college rock to more traditional rock style. The lyrics are all phenomenoal
duplicate
Uno de mis favoritos!
Meh.
A great album filled with known songs, absolute classics some of them and the rest were some hidden gems too.
This album was very popular when I was in college. It's not my favorite REM album, but Nightswimming and Everybody Hurts are classics.
Slow start, some cool stuff in the back half. Ignoreland is the surprise on this one.
Good album of course, but was a little dreary to listen to the entire thing after a while.
Question 1: why people love this album so much Question 2: how to stop listening to it on repeat
A really must album
Many good songs. Wish I could sing all the words in “It’s the End of the World as We Know It” but he goes so fast.
Best r.e.m. album by far
Brilliant! One of the best albums by one of the best bands ever! I can listen to this over and over and again and never tire of it. Perfect in every way!
REM this album down my throat, dawg.
will listen again but not a favorite
Epic, genre-defining album by R.E.M. that's packed with some of the band's greatest songs. Somehow not even in my personal top 3 of their albums though. That's how good they are
Enjoyed music I seemed to have missed.
Heartbreaking, life affirming, joyous, melancholic and everything in between. One of the very very best records ever made.
favorites: drive, monty got a raw deal
Wow I fucking love REM. I wasn't expecting it honestly. I could never connect with REM when I tried in the past. But this album is really good. I didn't realize 'Everybody Hurts' is on this album and I got kinda emotional when it came on. It's a song that really does sound so sad, but if you listen to what's being said, its hopeful and comforting. I forgot how important that song was for me so this was a nice reminder :') Helped me reconnect with that part of my past. REM has a huge influence on Thom Yorke' s work and I can absolutely see how, especially with early Radiohead. An album that's better when you read along with the lyrics. P.S. I really liked that they kept the laugh in Sidewinder, that's really cute! :)
I enjoyed it, have expected REM to be a downer based on the songs I've heard before. Well structured and some good songs on here I hadn't heard before.
I’m much more familiar with REM’s 80s albums, even went to a concert in 85, so this was refreshing to listen to an album I have never heard. By 1992 I was married with 2 kids, so no time to explore anything but children’s songs😂
Enjoyable!
I liked a couple of tracks - drive, sweetness follows, monty got a raw deal, etc. It’s actually like 3.5 - but I do want to listen again so will give 4
5/5
Not a sound that I feel gravitated towards. But I recognized some of the songs. Lyrics seem very relatable.
Creepy; not friendly; unnerving
I've discovered I can only appreciate REM one song at a time, every once in a while. A whole album of material starts to grate on me and sound whiny.
Radio destroyed it
Love R.E.M. and have listened to some of their albums (Out of time, Document, Life's Rich Pageant) and this one stacks up to the best of them, though wasn't life changing and didn't blow me away
Some classics on this album, Everybody Hurts, Man in the Moon
Gutes Album aber der R.E.M. Sound ist einfach nicht so meins.
I hate REM
REM is a top knotch group for me, but this is a less enjoyed album compared to their earlier work.
A modern classic, flawless from start to finish, and an album I would recommend everyone listen to at least once.
I really enjoyed this album!
Mellow and melancholic. Probably R.E.M.'s best.
A delight! Much different than my usual listening material. I was surprised to pick up on some 80s influence (on Ignoreland and The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight) but it does make sense and helps me to realize the linear evolution of music. Favorite track was The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight, followed by Nightswimming. Loved the lyrics and unique vocals. Instrumentals sounded characteristic of the band. Definitely coming back to this!
lyrically compelling, sonically mediocre
eh. did not finish, sorry
enjoyed some of the darker songs! but the ballads were a little much
Previously rated: Document (4/5) ************************ Man on the Moon is the highlight for sure, and it's the only song I *really* like. The others are fine, they might get better with repeat listenings.
Eh, I guess this was alright but there wasn't anything really memorable here.
It's good but not really my speed. It feels too melodic for the grunge guy in me but too sludge-y for the pop guy in me. Last three tracks close out so so strong though. Good listen
Pas mauvais, plus relax et traite de sujets plus lourds que l'autre album de eux j'ai écouté (Document). Quelques classiques radio (Man on the moon et everybody hurts).
eeevryyyyyyybodyyy hurrrrrtsssss
easy listen not really my type of music. enjoyed drive
Not the vibe
Amazing
Had this album in HS. Good shit.
Amazing start to finish. REM has an incredible ability to go from poppy-happy songs to these dark brooding songs and fit perfectly.
Appropriate band name, shit had me snoozing.
4.8 - I find REM’s lyrics evoke so much nostalgia in me. I absolutely love this album and get’s better every listen for me. Nightswimming is timeless.
Colleen Chad Wakerman? The first four tracks are quite ho hum in my books. I like the turn it takes with the instrumental track and Sweetness Follows. Quite good, but also quite simple. I liked the album more after reading through the full Sidewinder lyrics - respect for getting such legs out of a topic as banal as a payphone. Good work generating lyrical discourse. Fave Tracks: Sweetness Follows, Man on the Moon 3.6/5
Document will forever reign supreme for me, but Automatic is always in contention for my second favorite R.E.M. album. A high 4 stars, as it has been for me for quite some time. 4/5
I wasn't as completely engrossed in this album as much other people, and this may be because a lot of 90's pop culture references and references to living in America obviously do not click with me. Nevertheless there were some stand out tracks (Drive, Try Not To Breathe, Everybody Hurts). Rating: 3/5
To me this is the best R.E.M. record. They had made plenty of great records by this point, but this is probably their peak. Just incredible songs from top to bottom.
Good Album, but I don't like REM, so 3 stars
In my millennial mind, this is dad rock. It’s not terrible, but probably won’t listen again.
Good stuff.
It is interesting to listen to three R.E.M. albums in a row from different points in their career and popularity. This is clearly one of their most mainstream and popular albums, but it doesn't connect with me the way Murmur does. Some good songs on this album but some misses as well. Lyrically it is pretty good. Favorite Songs: Everybody Hurts, Man on the Moon, Nightswimming, Find the River. 3 out of 5
I've read that this era for R.E.M. (early 90s) found them putting touring to the side and focused on their studio work, kind of like what the Beatles got up to in their later years. This focus is really apparent in the sharpness of the lyrics, the themes reflective of the trauma that America had experienced under the Reagan administration for the past decade. While the production can feel a little slick at times, the band is in top form and the pacing of the tracklisting is perfect. Fav tracks: Man on the Moon, Find the River, Nightswimming, Star Me Kitten, the Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight
Listening to three R.E.M. records in a row makes me feel like some people might connect with them the way I do The Smiths, particularly the lean, occasionally jangly music and the idiosyncratic frontman with introspective lyrics and a penchant for drama. I enjoy and appreciate R.E.M., but they rarely move me the way The Smiths do often, despite these apparent similarities. This feels like R.E.M. at the height of their powers but presenting a vision that is a little too polished despite its gestures towards intimacy. The writing and performances are stellar and impossible to fault, but the production leaves me a little lukewarm. That said, when it transcends, it really takes me somewhere (see: \"Nightswimming\"). Favourite songs: Nightswimming, Man on the Moon, Everybody Hurts, Star Me Kitten Rating 3.5/5
BACK TO FUCKING BACK: this is one of the hardest hitting albums I have listened to yet. The way it flowed was perfect with the catchiest of lyrics and progressions. This is some of the finest music out there, just which there could be more records this good.
Good
Very acoustic not so jangly drive tight
Next 5 songs played by my Spotify Algorithm: Pretenders - Brass in Pocket The Smiths - Girlfriend in a Coma David Bowie - Heroes Counting Crows - Rain King XTC - Senses Working Overtime
The softer songs are pretty nice. Overall quite decent.
Not favorite REM album
Strong record, great for rainy days like yesterday was for me
Man on the Moon is a classic I love it. I always forget to put REM on but really enjoy it :)
This was incredible, just really great from start to finish. It's generally at a pretty slow tempo and a lot of the songs are a bit emotional and somber, but it just consistently works. They manage to create really emotional sounds throughout that build so well even when the song is slower. For instance, on the opener \"Drive\" it has this fairly simple guitar riff but then it builds into this full orchestral sound, it's beautiful. Even the instrumental song (\"New Orleans Instrumental No.1\") manages to evoke this like melancholic feeling, I would listen to a full instrumental album just like this one. I also really like Michael Stipe's vocals. I'm getting this real familiar feeling from his voice, but I can't quite place it. I'm not sure if it's because people have imitated his style since then or what, but it's really great. He's really understated, but it comes across powerfully. "Everybody Hurts" is the famous song on this album, so it's worth mentioning. It really is great, it drives home a lot of the things I noted above in one song. It's just raw and emotional and really relatable, beautiful song. "Man On The Moon" seems pretty famous too, and this one stands out because it's actually a bit less somber and a bit more witty. It's an Andy Kaufmann tribute with a bunch of pop culture references. My Pittsburgh is showing here, but the style made me think of "Born Too Late" by The Clarks (though "Man On The Moon" came 8 years earlier and is way more famous). I loved this overall, the only minor downside was I thought the stretch from tracks 7-9 was a bit weak in comparison to the rest, but I'm splitting hairs a bit here. I definitely didn't realize what R.E.M.'s deal was. They're one of those bands that I had heard of but couldn't name any of their songs (though I obviously had heard a few of them before). Honestly in my head they were like an '80s new wave band, clearly I was off here, not sure why I thought this. Really strong album, I'm excited to dig into them a bit more. Favorite song: Everybody Hurts Other: Drive, Try Not To Breathe, The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite, New Orleans Instrumental No.1, Sweetness Follows, Star Me Kitten, Man On The Moon, Nightswimming, Find The River 12/13/23
Beautiful album.
The first album I've encountered so far that was already a favorite! I love REM and I've listened to this album many times, though it's actually been awhile since I've listened to it straight through. It surprised me how moody and slow it is as a whole, as I tend to prefer more upbeat stuff, but it still works so well for me. I already had about half these songs saved to my favorites (Sweetness Follows, Try Not to Breathe, Man On The Moon were top favorites), but I went ahead and added the rest as well.
Michael Stipe: Morrissey but american, and also talented and not a piece of shit.
John Paul Jones did the orchestra arrangements on this record. That's pretty neat 3.5 stars
man on the moon <3
It's vibey so far I kinda like it. I know I'll never listen to it again but it's still nice.
Loved it. Classic album 5/5
This is a great album for when you WANT to be sad. All time classic. Soothing, melancholic, and very VERY occasionally happy and hopeful. Couple times you goof on Elvis.
In 1991, R.E.M. released “Out of Time”, which feels to me like the culmination of their journey up to that point. The band who began as a homespun indie rock unit reached maximum jangle and polish in singles like “Near Wild Heaven” and “Losing My Religion”, finally reaching number 1 in the US and UK and winning three Grammys. For better or worse, Michael Stipe and friends had become “Shiny Happy People”. The story was over… right? Nope… the following year, they came out swinging all over again with this miraculous album. From the start, “Automatic for the People” is caught between the dark and the light in a much more complex way than its predecessor: opening track “Drive” begins with a solo acoustic guitar strumming a D minor chord, Stipe’s ghostly echoed vocal addressing a lost and lonely generation. It builds subtly, majestically into a miniature symphonic rock track: even if it doesn’t quite break me down, the intent is clearly there. Following it, “Try Not To Breathe” is a singalong folk ballad about a quietly contented dying man, and then things reach an apex in the empath’s bible “Everybody Hurts”… undisputed classic, no notes for that one. They’re all great tracks - dark yet beautiful - and in the middle of them comes the only light relief: the cheery sledgehammer of “The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite.” It might be criticised by some (including the band) as too glib and out of place, but for me it’s absolutely indispensable: “Automatic” would not be the same without it. The giddy, near-indecipherable chorus (supposedly “call me when you try to wake her up”), reference to “The Lion Sleeps Tonite”, the sweeping strings, and even Stipe corpsing halfway through… a perfect package. My quibble with this otherwise stellar album comes in the middle, from “Monty Got a Raw Deal” to “Star Me Kitten”. We’re lumbered with three tracks I don’t particularly care for: droning and samey, a little tired, holding the album back from being absolutely flawless. But it’s the closing three tracks which really send out “Automatic” on a high note and secure it as perhaps the band’s finest hour. “Man on the Moon” is an obvious but brilliant grab for chart success, becoming one of the band’s defining hits while managing to be about Charlie Kaufman. “Nightswimming” is a gorgeous track, holding a very special place in my heart. Driven by a beautiful piano line backed with string arrangements from Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones, it’s unlike anything else on the album (or most R.E.M. tracks I’ve heard, for that matter) but it’s easily my favourite song by them. And “Find the River” just about manages to follow it with a soothing, lilting melodica refrain and the final hope-tinged phrase of “all of this is coming your way”. So, while it isn’t pound-for-pound genius, “Automatic for the People” is a wonderful album, and will always be the one I associate most closely and fondly with R.E.M.
Tylsää rokkia. Ei tämä mulla jatkosoitantaan pääse.
5-
Are REM ok? Who hurt them? This was melancholy but beautiful, I think basically all tracks were in a minor key. Favorite track was everybody hurts.
Disappointment is inevitable when doing this. And albums like this make me question whether I should stop coming up with expectations before I listen to something. I had an idea of what this was going to sound like in my head, and with no prior experience with R.E.M., learning that was not what it sounded like was a letdown. This is just so much cleaner and softer than I imagined. I think I saw alternative rock, and zoned in on only that. I don’t hate the pop rock sound. But it just feels a little too mellow, and the songs are honestly slightly boring. There are a couple highlights, but nothing that really blew me away. If this is regarded as the best album from the band, I’m afraid it will only get worse from here. Rating: 5/10
Strong album. Of the songs I already knew, the irresistibly peppy The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight may be me favourite. Conversely, the darker tones of Drive and Monty Got A Raw Deal stood out among the tracks I didn’t know. The instrumental was very nice, too. 4 / 4.5
p690. 1992. 5 stars. Perfect. And Nightswimming is possibly the greatest song ever written.
👍
Honestly I’m think this is a really good album, personally I didnt grab my attention. But I feel this definitely deserves a re-listen, and I can never objectively grade an album just based off on listen
The easiest 5 stars I've given so far. This album shaped my early taste in music, so it's hard to hear it with anything other than biased ears. That said, it did spend a while in the wilderness until I found it again recently and truly realised that Nightswimming is one of the greatest songs ever written. Listening this time, I realise I find the album has a very unusual sequencing. The back half is stacked with an amazing four song run.
great listen
REM is great
The best of the “grownup” R.E.M. albums. We are all alone, together. No jokes today. A really professional production, some brilliant songwriting and spotless execution. Though I usually like my REM less polished and more inscrutable, this album hits hard emotionally. Looking back at it now makes it feel even heavier. This came out in the deepest part of grunge, a pretty rebellious move for a pretty sounding album. Find the River kills me. Check out the video.
I'd never listened to this whole album. It's amazing. Instant fave.
This is the best album of R.E.M. Of course the more obscure collega rock of the earlier albums has a special place in my heart, but this album contains the best of their songwriting. Every song is good, several are very good and some are true modern pop/rock classics.
Lovely melodies and nice vibe. Nice instrumentals, and excellent subdued passion across the album.
Overall, a fairly boring album. Nothing about the song composition anywhere in this album is notable. The saving grace for this album (and band) is Michael Stipe's voice which is unique and memorable. I had heard "Everybody Hurts" and "Man on the Moon" before. None of the songs were notable. "Ignoreland" is a predictable, dull, angsty uninformed rant against Republicans, which is just so classically predictable for musicians and out of touch celebrities. This album isn't difficult to listen to necessarily. It's not Queen Latifah levels of bad. It's just dull and predictable.
Not my preferred vibe, but was able to like a couple of songs. Curious as to what cultural significance this holds.
Still very fine
One of the best albums of the 90s, maybe of all time
Known this album for a while. Went in unbiased and bout halfway through, I thought 4. Every damn time when I get to the end, and it shoots for the moon and gets the 5.
I saved several songs from this album
R.E.M. feels like U2's edgier, younger brother that went to art school. Still has the feel of 80s/90s rock band. This album starts off super strong and ends strong as well. Loses its way a bit in the middle, but songs like Drive, Everybody Hurts, Sidewinders Sleep Tonight, Man on the Moon, and Night swimming are enough to make me feel it's overall pretty darn solid.
Was nice, not too hot not too cold. Had one or two songs I really enjoyed
An absolut classic to define a decade of alternative rock. REM at its finest moment, a flawless album that resist the passing of time.
1. Lyrics The lyrics of "Automatic For The People" are poetic and introspective, showcasing Michael Stipe's lyrical prowess. The album addresses themes of mortality, loss, and societal issues. Tracks like "Everybody Hurts" offer a poignant message of empathy, while "Man on the Moon" explores the enigmatic life of comedian Andy Kaufman. Stipe's evocative storytelling adds a layer of depth to the album's emotional impact. 2. Music R.E.M.'s musicality shines in "Automatic For The People." The band's signature jangly guitars are complemented by orchestral arrangements, creating a rich sonic landscape. Tracks like "Drive" and "Nightswimming" showcase the band's versatility, seamlessly blending rock with melancholic melodies. The music's timelessness is evident, with each track standing as a testament to R.E.M.'s musical prowess. 3. Production The album's production, overseen by Scott Litt, is meticulous. The integration of orchestral elements, arranged by John Paul Jones, elevates the album's sound to cinematic heights. The balance between instruments is impeccable, allowing each element to contribute to the overall sonic experience. The production captures the essence of the early '90s alternative rock scene while pushing boundaries with its orchestral experimentation. 4. Themes "Automatic For The People" explores a range of profound themes, from existential reflections to societal critiques. The album grapples with the human condition, addressing issues like mental health ("Everybody Hurts") and the passage of time ("Try Not to Breathe"). The thematic cohesion adds a layer of intellectual engagement, making the album a contemplative journey for the listener. 5. Influence The album's influence on the alternative rock genre is undeniable. R.E.M.'s innovative approach to blending genres, coupled with Stipe's distinctive vocal style, has left an indelible mark on subsequent generations of musicians. "Automatic For The People" is often cited as a benchmark for albums that successfully merge introspective lyrics with diverse musical arrangements. Pros: Timeless Sound: The album's production and musicality have stood the test of time, remaining relevant decades later. Poetic Lyrics: Stipe's lyrical depth and storytelling contribute to the album's enduring impact. Versatility: R.E.M.'s ability to seamlessly blend rock with orchestral elements showcases their musical versatility. Cons: Sombre Tone: The album's consistently melancholic tone may be challenging for listeners seeking a more upbeat experience. Lack of Uptempo Tracks: While the album excels in its contemplative moments, a few more energetic tracks could have added dynamism. In conclusion, "Automatic For The People" is a masterpiece that transcends its era. R.E.M.'s lyrical and musical prowess, coupled with meticulous production, creates an album that remains a touchstone for alternative rock.
This one wa surprising to me, I know some of their bigger songs, but this album was really good. I will definitely be checking out more REM in the future.
A couple bleh songs. Mostly good. Johnny Cash Everybody Hurts is better.
I like REM. They are solid. Especially for this list.
R.E.M. is not remotely good enough to warrant this many fucking albums on this list.
Everybody huuuuuuurts sometime The song is better than the band :/
Not an R.E.M. fan, but can see why some will like it
Not a huge REM fan, but there are some good, and classic, tracks on here.
Man alive. Scarcely believable number of radio hits for a single album. Impressive, even if it is a bit more MoR then some of their other efforts
Powerful, hypnotic, soul searching.
Ok, got a bit over it.
1st track : pretty dark, like a modern western (7/10) 2nd track : too much soft, not bad (4/10) 3rd track : the chords, the organ, the voice, very good song (7/10) 4th track : a jewel, an anthem, a very very great pop-rock song (9/10) 5th track : a mysterious interlude (6/10) 6th track : A soft song with a great voice (5/10) 7th track : a medieval-western song, with Indians notes, quite good (6/10) 8th track : too loud, to mainstream (3/10) 9th track : a soft and cinematographic song withe great voice (5/10) 10th track : I'm bored with the chorus, the yeah yeah yeah (3/10) 11th track : the meeting of Paul mccartney and Neil young, great song (7/10) 12th track : not good, not bad, normal : is that we want ? (4/10) Total rating 5,5
aw it's ok I guess, been feeling that listening some albums for the first time 30 years after it's realease has it's impact on my perception of it. Seems outdated even though i recognize the importance of it for the music industry. Sooo it's... mid?
Another really great REM album here. Much, much more introspective look than their previous ones, but their talent shines through all the same. Favorite track: Man on the Moon
Great stuff. Another nostalgia trip.
One of the finest records of my lifetime. R.E.M. secured their legacy with this album, it is simply beautiful from the first note of Drive until the fade out on Find The River. Everyone, everywhere played this album during the autumn/winter of 1992/93. It had that rare quality, it spoke to all lovers of music and to all ages. It's harmed by how prevalent it was, suffering from being overplayed to saturation point. But no-one can deny how brilliant this is.
Classic dad rock album. I like.
Eh, it's fine.
- The sidewinder sleeps tonite = Banger -Ignore Land = Banger
Booooooooooooring
I am finding I really like this decade/genre/style of rock more than I realized. Really liked the other REM album I got a few months ago. This one was also good, but not as good as the other one.
A bit too much REM. Drive and Man on the Moon are good. Pretty decent album, overall.
It’s just okay not my fav and the lead singer is mediocre
Some decent tracks but I don't like the vocalist much.
REM kinda blows but this album wasn't awful
I was familiar with some of the songs on this album already. They never stood out to me to begin with, and that remains true for the rest of the album I respect the musicianship and production quality of the record, but their writing style doesn't quite scratch my brain
REM is ok, but not what I want or need.
another rock-pop that makes me wonder, how it made it onto this list. okay, maybe if one was completely unaware of this 'alternative rock', then maybe. for me it really sounds as bland as it gets
3.5 stars. Pretty decent alt rock. More listenable than intriguing or compelling. Standouts are "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite" and "Man On The Moon".
What a journey the whole album was. Honestly from a couple of listens I can tell this is one that will make it's way towards the top of my favourite albums list. The balance between electric and acoustic sounds is used to great effect, making songs go from small and intimate to large and epic at a moment's notice. Add in the orchestral elements (mainly strings) and the musical breadth the album covers is phenomenal
Enjoyable soft 90s alt/art rock
Love this album. Have listened to it so much over the years. Dark atmospheric moody yet also uplifting in a weird way. Beautifully produced as well. Love it!
This album is good, I knew some songs on it already but the others didn't disappoint either. Gud stuff!
One of my favorite albums I've ever listened to - many incredible songs, and the album overall is just very good with great songs like: - Drive is just super catchy and fun in its melody... *tick, tock....* - Try Not to Breathe gives a very "sway side to side slowly" sort of vibe - I genuinely don't know what the hell The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite means but it's fun anyways - Everybody Hurts is a *beautiful*, sad and caring song - New Orleans Instrumental No 1. Is kinda odd with the lack of vocals, but it's still a neat... intermission almost? - Sweetness Follows. Love the riff on this one, its a part of why I love REM - a lot of very solid, catchy musical bits - Monty Got a Raw Deal - same deal here. The musical riff is just *fun* - Ignoreland is a very interesting political song that still works despite being pretty raw - Star me kitten... very different theme and vibe from the rest of album (and slightly explict) but its still interesting - Man On The Moon is also one of the best on the album - And it doesn't even stop there, another great piano piece with nightswimming - Then the album ends with the beautiful song about the journey of life with *Find the River*
Beginnings of alt rock, however comparatively to what comes later in one of my favourite genres, the album is very ‘soft’ with songs such as everybody hurts. Not bad, just again, not many stand out songs. 3/5.
A few songs are so saturated in popular culture, that actually listening to them is impossible. Everybody Hurts is one of those songs. Man on the Moon suffers some of the same fate, but is better to begin with. The third and last song of note, Drive, is memorable but just ok. The fact that they managed to squeeze six singles from this album amazes me. Like so much rock music from the early nineties, it sounds horrible and lifeless. The drum sound is the worst offense. I get the impression that this album is a huge deal to a lot of people. I have no idea why. 2.2
50 minutes of Michael Stipes dancing around the room unable to keep still to seemingly “jaunty” tunes of hopelessness, despair and nostalgia
WOOOOOW
Some great songs
La obra maestra de la banda de College Rock más importante de la historia. Con pasajes sonoros impresionantes, letras reflexivas y verdaderos himnos del rock alternativo, "Automatic for the People" se corona como uno de los discos más influyentes y cruciales de los '90. Un real indispensable de la música.
hated it, couldn't explain why but I was NOT vibing with this one
meh, you know I don't like REM.... This album did not impress me either, sounds very whiny 1*
Beetje depri 6/10
All time favorite
Coming on the heels of the album that made them mainstream levels of famous (Out of Time. 1991) R.E.M. would have been excused if the next album was a bit of a throwaway. This is especially true when you consider just how dull, repetitive, and oft times silly Out of Time was. While the MTV masses loved it, most long time R.E.M. fans gagged at the boring and repetitive Losing my Religion was and only saw a small bright light in the silliness of Shiny Happy People. In other words, we expected a disaster, but Automatic for the People (1992) delivered the opposite. It is packed with thoughtful, tuneful, and downright beautiful songs. The rhythms of Drive, pathos of Try Not to Breathe, outright sadness of Everybody Hurts, nostalgia of Man on the Moon are just some of the highlights. The folk-country influences that always were part of R.E.M.'s music shine through even the remnants of jangle pop that still provide the lilt that keeps things from getting too heavy. Alas, this was not a new direction and Monster (1994) returned to the R.E.M. of Green (1988) and Document (1987) which, while excellent, was dated by the time it was released. Automatic for the People, thus, was not a return to form or a continuation of the past. It was an epic side quest that would only be hinted at in latter albums, especially 1996's New Adventures in Hi-Fi. This was a unique album not only for R.E.M., but for the era.
Automatic 5 for me! Athens, Ga royalty along with Panic! Man on the Moon finds it way to my playlist occasionally. Drive will find its way there now.
Classic album. I remember buying this for a girl I liked in high school 😂. It came in those huge, like two foot long plastic anti theft things. Probably some of Michael Stipe's best/mainstream vocals on this one.
I remember the video premiere of Everybody Hurts. My teenage hormones loving the permission to be sad. I have an unsavory story about Michael Stipe from my time in Athens. You kind of have to love REM if you went to Georgia. This is an amazing album either way.
About perfect for me. This has been a favorite of mine since my youth, and somehow it keeps getting better. A collection of very dark but also uplifting songs. Every song is special, but Try Not to Breath, Sweetness Follows, Nightswimming and Find the River -all-timers, cue all the tears. damn.
I always felt like Michael Stipe is a really serious person who doesn’t let loose often. But he really says some shit in his songs.
One of my favourite albums. Every song is so perfectly crafted, I love it
Alt rock, super melodic and chill… think of a concert where people wave their phones with flashlights on slowly, that’s this album
REM is not flashy but they are tight and the songs are consistently good here.
I had Murmur a few days ago and joked that I expected big things from this up-and-coming band... Well this was them at their peak. A phenomenal album that felt like a seismic shift in the culture, loaded with anthems for weird kids everywhere. Starts with "Drive" and rarely gets you go.
Another instance of packing the list with too many albums from the same artist. Sure, AftP sold a lot of records, but REM's best albums were in the 80's. AftP lacked the energy and spark of earlier records, with a surprising number of lifeless, draggy "filler" tracks. It's not that its a bad album - most bands would be thrilled to have it in their catalog. But it doesn't hold a candle to Life's Rich Pageant, Reckoning, or Murmur. Any of REM's first 5 albums can be considered essential listening; their 90's output like AftP and Hi-Fi are okay for further exploration.
Peak R.E.M. for me. Gotten better with age as I age. Music for adults by adults. But REM always was a more mature band.
Couple ok songs but for the most part pretty forgettable.
We've had R.E.M´s 'Document' album here before which was beneath mediocre, but this definitely stepped up the game a notch or two! After hearing two albums I'm semi-convinced that the base sound of R.E.M. is not really for me - it's more an exception that they managed to create a few really really good songs. This one falls apart a bit at the seams between those strong songs, preventing it from reaching a 5 for me. Favourite songs from the album are 'The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite', 'Everybody Hurts', 'Man On The Moon', the latter two of which are absolute smash hits that everyone has probably heard at least once. Miscellaneous strong points unrelated to this album specifically are that I really like Michael Stipe's singing, very good voice and energy. Also badass band name!
After listening to "Document" a few weeks back I was prepared to write R.E.M off as overrated or just not for me. This album however proved that notion wrong as this album was way better. Just the right amount of ambient and moody ("Sweetness Follows") along with quite a few well known hits ("Everybody Hurts", "Man on the Moon", "Nightswimming"). There was a surprising depth in this album. Just a super melancholic album in a good way, will definitely listen to this more times. A strong 4.
Drive- I liked the orchestral instruments and the vibe Try Not to breath- I liked! Sweetness Follows- that Bari is awesome
10/10 would listen again
It was fine
Ok 2.5
3.5/5
It boggles my mind that this album didn’t reach number one in America. This album was everywhere! And justifiable so since it is very good! Garth Brooks had the number one album that week, by the way. I like REM, they are good, but I don’t consider myself a fan, if that makes sense.
Still remarkable after umpty billion spins. Even the songs that don’t fully grab me (pretty much just Ignoreland) are undeniably pretty damn good. A favorite album by a favorite band
I’ve always liked REM, but they’ve never been one of my favorites. I’ll throw on an album of theirs every once in a blue moon. This is always an enjoyable listen.
its not for me pero i like the ballroom dancey sound of Everybody Hurts
Had a pretty tough day regarding a tragedy in my family, so I feel like this album came at just the right time.
cool
I’m not sure I’ve ever really listened to REM before. At least not in any meaningful way. But I think I like this! It’s pretty sad boi style which isn't always appealing but I’m enjoying their pain.
Not really my mood of music, still like REM though!
Now then do I have the words today to gush about this band and this album. Probably not, and plenty others have gushed to an adequate degree. So I'll just say REM have been my favourite band for most of my life, I was fully primed for this after a friend had shared Green and Out of Time with me in the couple of years prior. While I eventually shied away from this album after a while of delving into their (only just) superior back catalogue, I am still always happy to come back to it after a break. Obviously as their commercial peak (a maudlin album about death at that - so very REM) many songs have been played to death, though I am somehow never ever tired of Drive, Nightswimming or Find the River. Glorious, glorious songs. This is the first time I became aware of the record company cashing in on success by releasing 6 singles off it, but you have to be honest, every single one of them deserves to be. Try not to Breathe and Sweetness Follows are other highlights and always high on my all time favourite REM songs. Wonderful. Also Man on the Moon should have been the first single I ever bought, but in a comical decision I eventually plumped for the techno remix of the Super Mario Land theme tune instead.
The last three songs are beautiful. Album has a nice nostalgia to it, feels very much like it fits in the era it comes from.
Enjoyed the use of strings to thicken up the sound and add an interesting flourish. Instrumentation kept me interested throughout. A pretty amazing range of rock styles, band sounds dialled at this point. I’m sorry that I hadn’t dug into REM sooner
Got some good songs
C’est le parfait album de mélancolie, mais qui te rend un peu plus heureux après l’avoir écouté
No song really stood out to me. Man on the moon was probably the best but not one I think I would listen to over and over. Surprised I didn’t like this one.
Fantastic. A product of my time
surprisingly good vibes, saved it for later listening sessions
So good
Some beautiful songs here
Was unimpressed in the beginning but it hit a few chords I was going through that helped me pause and think
sad and somber this album is a wave of nostalgia for em. i love how the vocals are soft in comparison to the rest of the instruments. the album screams someone trying to get themselves out of a rut and it's not working too well.
Good hits and the rest doesn't fall behind too much. Pretty solid
"Automatic for the People" by R.E.M. is a poignant and introspective masterpiece. Released in 1992, it's a contemplative journey through themes of mortality and the human experience. Tracks like "Everybody Hurts" and "Man on the Moon" are emotionally resonant, driven by Michael Stipe's evocative vocals. The album's production is minimal yet rich, letting the lyrics take center stage. This record encapsulates a profound sense of reflection and melancholy, making it one of R.E.M.'s most celebrated works. "Automatic for the People" is a timeless classic, earning a well-deserved 5/5 rating for its enduring impact and musical brilliance.
Consistent and very well balanced, mature work. The „wildness“ earlier recordings is traded for some more instrumental variety, depth und sound and more than a pinch of pathos. Very straightforward and an album to look forward to listen to. 3.5
You can draw a straight line from this album to The Decemberists and I think that's neat. I stole this CD from my Dad when I was 11 and have loved it ever since.
Really very good! Enjoyed every minute and was sad when it ended
Nice acoustic melodies reminiscent of the 90s. Loved it.
Pretty good and there's some bangers but most songs didn't quite hit for me
Je hoeft er niet veel aandacht aan te besteden, best wel makkelijk te luisteren. Positief verrast.
Pretty nice background music, overall 3 stars due to not popping out generally, but having a few bangers
Automatic For The People is one of the best produced albums you’ll ever hear, there is so much space in the record. Do yourself a favour and listen on headphones. The album starts incredibly strong with Drive, Try Not to Breathe, Everybody Hurts. And closes strong as well. For me, the medium holds the album back a bit, it’s not very dynamic but still has nice songs. Automatic For The People is very good, likely R.E.M. best but I’ve been grading very hard on my project so it falls just short of 5 stars. 8.7/10
Yawn
Great album, not a bad track in here. It's an interesting listen when you notice how stripped back the songs are, only including what is best for the song. There are a fair amount of arrangements here, as was so prevalent in the 90's, but I think they are all fitting and tastefully done. Best Song(s): The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight, Everybody Hurts, Sweetness Follows, Nightswimming Listen Again: Already Owned
Excellent album. Night swimming is a beautiful song among several other beautiful songs.
I, a huge fan of Nirvana and Radiohead, like a classic alt rock record! What a surprise. Seriously though, I really liked this album. For an alternative rock album of the 90s, it's focused on more stripped-back and relaxing acoustic stuff, but there are elements of the genre evident here. Also, what I learned from this album is that string arrangement can work well with alt rock, as displayed on songs like "Drive", "Everybody Hurts" and "Find the River". Highlights include "Drive" (unpredictable song structure and incredibly satisfying tension-and-resolution), "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite" (Fun sing-along chorus), "Everybody Hurts" (Surprisingly pop-y for an alt rock track, but in a good way", "Ignoreland" (Its burst of energy and guitar melody in the second half reminds me of "Electioneering"), and especially "Nightswimming" (beautiful instrumental, haunting melody and lyrics, and the strings kicking in, all combined for a phenomenal song). Overall, I already expected to like it a lot, and I really do like it a lot. Can't wait to check out more R.E.M. records!
already heard it
It has bigger singles but I'm more partial to Monster
Quite a mixed album, a couple classics with some ok songs and some not so great. Some of it sounds quite dated in a strange way but I would still say it was on the better side of average.
Appreciate its a classic. Nightcrawler(?) was a highlight, otherwise not holding up as well as their hits.
Not my genre of music
My favorite of their albums. So many great songs.
Songs I already knew: Sidewinder Everybody Hurts Man on the Moon Nightswimming Good album. Enjoyed listening to it. Would now seek out more R.E.M. material
If I could give a 4.5 stars I would. Insanely good, really puts you in the zone, but a couple of mediocre songs before Man on the Moon break the immersion. Stand-outs: Drive, Find the River
12 years between the last album on our list, Back in Black, and both have songs that talk about the importance of rock and roll. Yet they are very different flavors of rock and roll, and REM is one of the bands at the top of the family tree of music that I listen to these days. In a lot of these songs I can hear influences in alternative music today, or at least generations of influences modulated into parts of today's indie/alt music. Everybody Hurts was a song I listened to a bunch in high school as an anxiety-ridden teen, like one does, so it still has a special place in my heart even if it might be overdone. Nightswimming should have been the closing song of the album.
I love Drive, one of my favorite songs from when I was a teen. Try Not to Breathe is much more unplugged than Im used to hearing REM. Sidewinder feels like they wrote about half the lyrics and had to adlib the rest. That instrumental was not a song, just random noodling. Monty Got a Raw Deal had great guitar picking. This might go on my music playlist. Definitely the most varied album we've had so far, a lot of songs that sounded nothing like any of the others. My favorite album so far.
The second half of the album was definitely better than the first half. If you started the album at Track 8 ("Ignoreland") and replaced "Star Me Kitten" with "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite", it would be perfect. I really loved "Ignoreland", "Man on the Moon", and "Nightswimming," and I think that this style of music is more in line with the music I typically enjoy listening to. Some of the early tracks were a little bit boring though.
this was a slooooooooog for me. i think the least objectionable was either man on the moon or nightswimming, thought the instrumental was a nice break from having to listen to his singing. would give this a 1.5, rounded down bc i am feeling uncharitable
Man on the Moon is just an all timer
the worst Radiohead album, kicked off by the worst Pink Floyd song, thankfully punctuated by Ignoreland and Man On the Moon
pretty good wasnt a rem fan before
In this follow up to 1991's Out of Time, I gave this a full relisten as I heard it but didn't gravitate towards in the same way as the prior album (arguably my favorite in their collection). Whereas Out of Time had a more "upbeat" quality to it (all things relative), AFTP sounds much darker and introspective. It is also their most polished and lush production (thanks to the fantastic string arrangements by John Paul Jones). With out of time practically in my DNA I can overlook some of the weaker points, but I found AFTP a more uneven album. Ignoreland I think was a wasted opportunity where it's a good rocking song but it just seemed to Michael's singing gets lost in a live-stadium-like mix. Try Not to Breathe and Nightswimming are among my faves that are not hits, but Drive, Everybody Hurts, and Man on the Moon alone are enough to give this album 4 stars.
4.5
much better than i thought it would be--solid playing by the band, good songwriting.
Eh, not my fav.
drive. ok, cool orchestral strings elements try not the breathe. reminds me a bit of gaelic folk but with more production. meh. sidewinder sleeps tonite. this is some 90s shit. not much going on, over a bed of organ. everybody hurts. big hit. not a great song. used in every ham-fisted movie/commercial where the word 'hurt' can be applied. new orleans instrumental no. 1. Um, ok. Boring, but fine enough. sweetness follows. everything is just so boring, overproduced, like youre in a cloud of mediocre music. I guess people like this band for the lyrics. monty got a raw deal. cool arpeggio i guess. More of the same, has a little of that gaelic folk. ignoreland. more music cloud, vocals sound far off. star me kitten. cosmic mediocre music cloud. man on the moon. has an actual chorus and clear guitar. best song on the album so far. nightswimming. nice clear piano. vocals with some echo for some reason but at least present and somewhat clear. music cloud comes in and out but piano remains consistent at least. find the river. sounds like an actual song too, album ends strong, background vocal melodies instead of music cloud in other songs, its fine, not great.
Rekindled my love of R.E.M. that I had forgotten I had. So dang good. 4.5/5
This album reminds me of my first boyfriend and my uncles funeral because they just played this whole album so it kinda just made me sad .
Couple of boring songs in the middle there but the rest elevates it. Ditto on the funeral sads front though
Not my favorite. I didn’t like the sound and didn’t engage with the lyrics.
Solid album, albeit a bit boring?
Along with Life’s Rich Pageant, the best REM album imo. This is them at their poppy best, a near perfect blend of anthems with traces of their earlier sound. The production is rich. About as deep as a 90s pop rock album can get.
This album is gorgeously arranged. That reverb! The instrumentals take up biiiiiiig space without being too loud or overwhelming. I love the orchestral details. And my goodness does the lead singer enunciate: I can hear every word out of this man’s mouth clear as day. This is not my particular flavour of rock, but nonetheless I'm glad to have listened to it for the arrangements. Tracks that stood out to me upon 1st listen: 4 - Everybody Hurts; 5 - New Orleans Instrumental No. 1; 10 - Man on the Moon Would I revisit this album: Probably not. But maybe yes, if only for the instrumentals. I really did love track 5.
- The guy's voice is incredible - Soft alt rock vibes, not bad at all - Lacks the energy where I would come back to it over and over again, but still good - Try Not To Breathe and Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite are my favorites - 3.5
- just wasn’t it
Was never a huge REM fan but Stipe has one of the most emotive and vulnerable voices around. I'll still probably stick with Eponymous when I'm in an REM mood but I enjoyed listening to this again.
not quite my vibe. Recognizable songs.
Heard before: No Favourites: Drive, Man on the moon, Nightswimming Know a few R.E.M songs and have especially liked Nightswimming for a while. First time listening to an album by them, I enjoyed it.
Not my favourite.
I got through it and it was OK 👍🏽
I think I wanted to hate this as I have a weird dislike of everybody hurts. But once you passed that it's actually pretty solid. I'm not sure if I would listen to again but I think it's a 4
Classic album, commercially a big success for REM. I like Drive and Nightswimming - favourite tracks. Everybody Hurts is a classic but got played a lot at the time.
Discazo. Buen hit de nostalgia.
4.5/5 Incredible album Fall vibes, very nostalgic, feels like home Nightswimming fav track - reminds me of mom Everybody Hurts - reminds of Oliver Man on the Moon and Try Not to Breathe also great
love it. love stipe's voice, love the songs, love it.
4. Es muy bueno l. Hacía muchos años que no lo escuchaba. Algunos temas low dan ganas de pegarse un corchaso
Takes me back to HS - My bro had this album on cassette. Dubbed this one. Wasn’t my favorite album of all time by rem, but definitely has some gems.
Pretty great
wow I know more REM than I thought! Good listen
One of the first albums I ever truly, truly loved. Many old friends here. Overall, the album is more poignant than I remember - not every song, but many. Sad if you’re happy. Comforting if you’re sad. Take comfort in your friends.
Remembered this album as being a bit overproduced and sentimental compared to their best stuff. Great to listen with fresh ears again. Excellent album, but still don't love it as much as Murmur.
this is probably the album that convinced christina to go to school in athens. thanks REM!
Bangers. Album flowed very well
Regretfully a great album full of bangers
The first step in a long journey, it was fitting to listen to this album over a rental car stereo on the way to New Hampshire. I purchased this exact album for Ciara's dad Christmas 2022 and it was Ciara's own love for REM that first put this album on my radar. It was not my first listen, and it won't be my last. This album is seminal, excellent, and probably the best REM album ever. "Drive" is the sleeper stand out for me, that I don't think got a lot of radio play growing up. "Nightswimming" is the all-timer though, first introduced to me by Ciara and I think of her every time I hear it. Swimming in our pool at the old house in New Jersey with colored pool lights on in the middle of summer.
So many classics! Suprising amount of good songs, solid all the way thru.
A couple of catchy songs but mostly forgettable
Started off okay. Vibey and stuff. But was so repetitive that it bored me to death. I drove out excited for work, and by the time I reached I was depressed af. I can't believe a drummer at that level would play the exact same beat on every single song for decades while touring and recording with a band of that level! Just the same fucking beat over and over and over and over. So monotonous man. I would like to say I really hated this album, even though hate is a strong word and I generally always like REM's most popular tracks. But this album is not for me, at all. Still a couple nice, easy listening tracks in there. Its not all shit. That's why the 2 stars.
Another strong album, discovered nice hits!
Enjoyed that one quite a bit. Maybe it helped that I listened to this staring in the dark through a train window.
Ok album, really like some songs but mostly just ok
Not bad, but a bit plain. Wouldn't remember it tomorrow
I thought I knew this album very well, turns out there is a middle part I'd completely missed until today. It's exactly that middle part which degrades it to 4 stars for me. Still a great album!
7/10
Good stuff. Some great tunes.
Amazing sounds and guitar play!
Early 90's intellectual alt rock
Fegurð, allar tilfinningarnar.
Das ist jetzt das VIERTE Album dieser Band in dieser Liste, keines davon muss man gehört haben. Die „Out Of Time“ durchzuskippen genügt vollkommen, um den Sound der Band mal gehört zu haben, und mit „Losing My Religion“ wäre da auch ein gnädiger Hit dabei. Ich bin bedient.
Rating: 3.5
Album 182 of 1001 R.E.M. - Automatic For The People Rating : 5 / 5 Favorite Tracks : Drive, Try Not to Breath, Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight, Everybody Hurts, Monty Got a Raw Deal, Ignoreland, Man on the Moon, Night Swimming, Find the River, etc. Already one of my favorites. Loved listening to it, once again. Hard to choose a favorite song. Think I'm settled on one and then another pops up. Even the lesser known songs from this album are excellent. It just flows perfectly. Can't say enough good things about it. If you aren't familiar, give it a listen. Highly, highly recommend.
One of my favourite albums of all time, and probably the first album that had a profound effect on me. The atmosphere and ambience the album builds is incredible: it builds such a bleak soundscape which could be overwhelming if not for the careful pacing of the record which builds in just enough hope at the right points to leave you feeling reflective rather than melancholy. Great opener and closer. Sweetness Follows is one of the most evocative pieces of music I’ve ever heard and the instrumental to Monty Got a Raw Deal was a formative song in building my music taste. Tried and failed many times to play Nightswimming on piano. A definite 5.
An amazing album that leaves you feeling like a load of stress has been lifted off your shoulders. The build in Drive is so awesome and mysterious that you curiously follow the white rabbit further down the hole. You won’t be disappointed.
Fine. A bit of a downer
I'm a fan of R.E.M. and I... just don't really like "Everybody Hurts". I have to be in the right mood for it, and that mood is *not* depressed. I don't know what mood that is. I find the track to be saccharine, with it's almost full-throated-yodel from Stipe. That being said, it does fit well in this record, and I forgot how much I love the caffeinated bounce of "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite". It's a gorgeously dark album with some light breaking through the clouds occasionally, and has some nice sound palettes, be they Zeppelin-esque ("Ignoreland") or doo-wop influences ("Star Me Kitten", "Man on the Moon"). Hard not to like the whole package, I guess. Favorite tracks: "Ignoreland", "Nightswimming", "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite", "Find The River", "Man On the Moon"
Classic indie rock album! It’s not 100% in my wheelhouse, but good to hear from time to time, and I’m never upset if any of these songs come on the radio.
Masterpiece.
Este disco tiene tremenda mística, te envuelve.
I understand the appeal, but too me, R.E.M. is just too bland. Sure I like songs as Drive, Find The River, Nightswimming and such. But I can only like it for so long, their vibe starts to wear me down. I wish I could get into them more, but I guess it's not a band that appeals to me greatly. That said, the guitar sounds, bass and vocals are phenomenal. 7 out of 10
I have a lot of time for REM - I like their general vibe, and no one else really sounds like them
One of my favorite albums of all-time. I bought this album on tape (a yellow transparent tape) and absolutely wore it out. There's nothing that I dislike about this album, even the instrumental. The first four songs and last three songs are classics and help make this album as great at it is. I was one of the people who was waiting for the REM rock album, but through this life-changing album I got the REM I really needed. The ruminations on loss, death, Dr. Suess (haha) and one angry screed about politics that has many of my favorite lines in it. What I love most about this album is the ruminations on death & loss are not trite and even the fast songs are tinged with a sense of longing and the feel of aging. I don't like dreary albums as a whole, but this album is an exception. It should drag, but it doesn't. I thought I would feel as exhausted as Stipe sounds on "Sweetness Follows," but I feel energized by each song (even Star Me Kitten). I saw on Wikipedia there is criticism from the band and the public regarding some of the recording and vocals, but for me the lack of perfection only serves to reinforce why I like it.
I am in the car. It is the early 90s. It will take another 20 years before I Google the lyrics to know what he is actually singing about, but this just increases my appreciation for this album.
One of the best R.E.M. albums, lots there for people who only know the singles too
Nice throwback. Awesome opening track.
Fantastic album! An all time great for sure.
C'est sympa à écouter, Everybody hurts rappelle des souvenirs, mais y'a rien de très profond dans l'album.
Pfff... Tellement ventre mou que j'ai la flemme d'en dire quelque chose de construit. Moyen / sans plus.
This would’ve gotten 1 star if it wasn’t for Everybody Hurts
Perfect album to cry and masturbate yourself to sleep.
Best songs: everybody hurts, man on the moon, ignoreland, drive Music for raising hardworking young children
Drive; 7/10 Try Not To Breathe; 7/10 The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite; 8/10 Everybody Hurts; 9/10 New Orleans Instrumental No. 1; 6/10 (Instrumental) Sweetness Follows; 8/10 Monty Got A Raw Deal; 7/10 Ignoreland; 7/10 Star Me Kitten; 6/10 Man On The Moon; 9/10 Nightswimming; 8/10 Find The River; 8/10
Reminded me of simpler times when Losing My Religion was playing on the radio every other day. Quite mellow and nice lyrics
This one really has me confused as to what exactly makes R.E.M. such an important band to so many, as while I usually get the appeal of most of their hits as I hear them, the biggest song here, "Everybody Hurts," is a slog of a song that comes off more dreary and dull than something worth spending time on, and most of the other songs presented on this album are very similar tonally. The singer seems to think his voice is something much more dramatic sounding that it really is, as his voice does not lend itself well to these ballad-type songs, and while musically it is very solid, it needed far more times where the music picked up, such as on "Ignoreland," to not be a repetitive drag. So, you may be confused, why am I giving this a three? Well, it's more of a 2.5, and I'm just rounding up, because that's math for ya. There are moments I like, even whole songs I'd say I enjoyed, it just struggles to be anything I'll remember in a days time. I think I said something similar for Murmur, but in retrospect, that album is a very solid three, while this one is hanging on by a mere thread. Hope other R.E.M. albums on here pick up, because this was meh.
That’s me in the corner, that’s me in the spot-light…trying to figure out why I love one era of REM, but loathe another.
Good album with classic songs. Still REM though. Not a huge fan. But a decent album to listen to
Aldri blitt heilt venn med Stipern
Can't get into it
- Heard this many times before - One of the best albums of all time, no other REM album comes close to this for me - Could easily rate about half of the songs as my favourite depending on my mood - Fav songs: Nightswimming, Drive, Man on the Moon
MEL: Andy Kaufman song! Lotsa radio friendly singles from this one. Learned that Ignoreland is about Ronald Reagan
Top songs from his album Drive, Losing my Religion, Everybody Hurts, Man on the moon
Great album from REM
There might be an album out there to change my opinion on REM (pretty ok, I guess) but this isn’t the one. In the end it’s just a little bland for me. Jangly folk indie rock. Obscure oblique lyrics were very influential to the indie artists of the 90 to the current day. The National Radiohead have cited stipes approach.. The lyrics are the worst when they slide into direct earnestness, which they do quite a bit on this one. No matter how lush the orchestration no one wonders if the songs began with cowboy chords on an acoustic guitar earnest vocal delivery