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by R.E.M.

I must confess, this is my favourite REM album. After Bill Berry left the band had to do something different and this a great leftfield turn. There's certainly no rockers on here, it's more of an electronic album. I wouldn't say there's any great individual tracks, maybe apart from at my most beautiful, a wonderful Beach Boys pastiche, but it's got a real album feel. Daysleeper, is about the only song on the album that has that conventional REM sound, but that's a good thing, it's what the band needed to do. Opener, airportman, is probably the weirdest thing the band ever did. In fact, if it wasn't for Michael Stipe's voice you wouldn't know it was REM at all. It's definitely their best without Berry with, you're in the air, sad professor and walk unafraid personal faves. Other good tracks are the lovely, suspicion, the apologist, and closing track, fall to climb. Diminished, and, hope(which features the music from Leonard Cohen's, Suzzanne), are also excellent. Great album if you give it enough spins. Their last great album. (Edited)

Cant believe this is 11th. Like Gary this is my favourite REM album ahead of Automatic Murmur and Fables. For me its flawless and a beautiful sound. maybe not enough energy for some but I think its a masterpiece. (Edited)

From paladisiac TOP 100 COMMENTER 05/14/2012 17:09 | #42307 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Goodbye Bill Berry. Goodbye R.E.M. With Berry's departure, R.E.M. was lost without direction, exploring electronic beats and guest drummers in his wake. Since his loss, each album has been merely "ok" with a couple good songs apiece. This one has "lotus" and "at my most beautiful". Otherwise, you can really stop buying r.e.m. albums as of "new adventures in hi-fi". This album's not bad, it's just not necessary. (Edited)

From ExTeaSea TOP 100 COMMENTER 08/08/2018 18:16 | #219424 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

Love this album! Different than their old sound for sure but in a wonderful way. Might have been liked more if it was a Stipe solo album instead. I've never been against a change in sound just as long as a band can make it work. It's my third favorite REM album. Definitely consider it underrated. (Edited)

When I first heard this album, it was whilst I was still exploring R.E.M.s cateloge. It was I had put aside, as I knew the critics weren't fond of it.
Nor was I when I first heard it. I chopped it up and just kept my favourite songs.
However, recently I've starting listening to it from beginning to end, many times. I have to say, I was wrong.
This album is one of R.E.M.s best.
Lotus, Daysleeper and Walk Unafraid are the highlights, but few songs put me off.
Fall to Climb ends the album in an strangely passionate way. Musically, it's nothing special - but the wails as Michael Stipe sings "I am Free" at the end, as the army like drums start almost drives me to tears.

Don't expect to appreciate the album first try.
But know that there's a hidden masterpiece there.