More of a growl than a roar. (Monster - R.E.M.)

Member Name: Rumblefish

Product:	Monster - R.E.M.
Date:	04/10/00 (42 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Four of five standouts.

Disadvantages: Several tracks quite poor.

It is perhaps characteristic of REM that with the world baying for another AUTOMATIC FOR THE PEOPLE, their much anticipated follow-up turned out to be a hard rock album almost guaranteed to alienate half of their newly expanded fan base. Indeed the critical and public reception to MONSTER was lukewarm, and it remains one of their most awkward and unwelcoming albums.

It begins well enough with the storming single 'What's The Frequency, Kenneth' and the bizarre 'Crush With Eyeliner', but as the album wears on it becomes clear that there is no real theme or direction here except a general urge to make a bit of a racket - which was no doubt the point, but results in a lack of depth and clarity.

Of course it is by no means a bad album, since there is no such thing as a bad REM album, and 'Bang and Blame' and 'Star 69' are examples of the harder sound probably paying off. But it is perhaps telling that MONSTER's very best moments, such as 'Tongue' and 'Strange Currencies' sound like out-takes from AUTOMATIC FOR THE PEOPLE.

Much of REM's work on the IRS label contained raw-edged rock, but whereas that was '60s-tinged garage rock, MONSTER is '90s neo-grunge, with dense and distorted guitars and messily produced vocals. It just doesn't quite convince at times, any more than it would likely convince if Sonic Youth (whose Thurston Moore features on this album) were to make a folk-pop album like OUT OF TIME or AUTOMATIC.

Like many of REM's fans, I was probably spoilt by so many fantastic albums, and expected nothing short of a masterpiece. And a masterpiece MONSTER is not. But it still contains enough of the band's brilliance to be an essential album to own, and a fascinating example of a band bravely and enthusiastically over-reaching.

Summary: