R.E.M. - Automatic for the People
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Music CD Cover
Artist: R.E.M.Brand: Warner Brothers
Edition: Music CD
Audio: German (Unknown)
CD Release Date: 1992-10-06
Music Label: Warner Bros / Wea
Soundtracks:
- Drive
- Try Not to Breathe
- Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite
- Everybody Hurts
- New Orleans Instrumental No. 1 [Instrumental]
- Sweetness Follows
- Monty Got a Raw Deal
- Ignoreland
- Star Me Kitten
- Man on the Moon
- Nightswimming
- Find the River
Free Music Notes for Automatic for the People
Free Music Review: Slightly flawed masterpiece
Hit: 4 Stars
In a way, it's ironic that 'Automatic For The People' became REM's most popular and well-known album, because it's not really representative of their typical sound. Rather than the slightly ragged jangle pop of their early years, or the political rock of the late 80's, 'Automatic..' a collection of subdued, introspective folk-rock songs. It's still recognisable as REM, but it is a departure of sorts, particularly after the bright pop of 'Out Of Time'. The risk certainly paid off, with the album becoming a critical and commercial success, and spawning some of REM's most loved songs.
The album begins on a slightly underwhelming note, with 'Drive' being an odd choice for the opener. However, this is immediately followed by the emotional and intelligent euthanasia reflection 'Try Not To Breathe'. The more upbeat 'The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite' is more reflective of their sound on 'Out Of Time', while 'Everybody Hurts' became a massive hit, and is one of REM's best-known songs.
'Automatic...' ends with three of its best songs; the Andy Kaufman tribute 'Man On The Moon' is another slightly up-tempo song that's reminiscent of 'Out Of Time'. 'Nightswimming' is a beautiful ballad, one of REM's most under-rated songs, with Stipe accompanied only by a piano. And 'Find The River' provides a positive but bittersweet closer, and is a perfect summation of the themes of the album.
However, while the beginning and end of the album are some of REM's best work, the middle sags slightly. In particular, I've always found the political 'Ignoreland' a bit jarring and out-of-place among the deeply personal themes on display here. 'Sweetness Follows' and the sly 'Star Me Kitten' are good, but a couple of the others aren't quite to the same standard. While it's impossible to expect every song will be a classic, the outstanding quality of the beginning and end of the album does highlight the slight drop off in quality through the middle stretch.
So 'Automatic...' is not quite the perfect masterpiece some fans claim, but it is definitely a strong album, and one of REM's best. Despite its weighty themes, the album never becomes bogged down in sentimentality and sappiness, and (apart from 'Ignoreland') doesn't resort to lecturing or posturing. In many ways, it's surprising REM didn't continue down this route, since it was a perfect direction for the band to follow as they matured. Their less-than-consistent output since this album means that 'Automatic..' can be considered the peak of their success, commercially and creatively. Unfortunately, it looks like a peak they will not be able to match again.
[4.5 stars]
Automatic for the People Poster
Continuing to specialize in the art of curve-throwing, R.E.M. followed up its 1991 smash, Out of Time, with this fragile album of soft melodies and string arrangements. The sympathetic ballad "Everybody Hurts" must have prevented countless suicide attempts, while the Andy Kaufman tribute "Man on the Moon" (with Michael Stipe affecting an Elvis Presley imitation) and the rock-into-oblivion "Drive" are among the quartet's strongest hits. (The opening line, "Hey, kids, rock and roll," isn't so much a rallying cry as an expression of anxiety.) It takes a few listens for its charms to unfold, but Automatic is the gem between bigger hits Out of Time and Monster. --Steve KnopperAlternative Rock Music CDs
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