Really Excellent Music (Automatic For The People - R.E.M.)

Member Name: thejazzyj

Product:	Automatic For The People - R.E.M.
Date:	01/09/09 (21 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Tremendous lyrics, awesome melodies, Cracking album

Disadvantages: None

Quite simply this has to be one of the defining albums of the early 90s. REM have been a favourite band of mine for many years, but for me this is and always will be their stand out album. Nothing they have released since has quite reached these heights.

The tracks are excellent, at no point do you feel that you are listening to fillers. The album includes the classics "Man on the Moon", "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight" and the iconic "Everybody Hurts". The album itself feels rich yet dark, with some tracks verging on haunting. Some of the tracks tackle difficult subjects such as Euthanasia ("Try not to Breathe") With Stipes unique voice being the perfect medium.

The music itself is breathtaking with sime exceptional guitar tunes defining this pop-rock album. Each track leads nicely into the next with the instrumental 5th track adding a glimpse into the musical talent in this band.

This album was playing when Kurt Kobain comitted suicide (personally I didn't find it THAT haunting!).

If you have never really listened to REM then I suggest you get this album, you will not be disappointed. For me this is the finest album I own.

Summary: Buy it. You will not regret it.