R.E.M. is one of the most revered bands to emerge from the American underground. Singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry helped originate college rock during the post-punk scene of the 80s, with their idiosyncratic blend of brash tunefulness, poetic lyrics, chiming guitars and evocative vocals.
“Out of Time” was the album that catapulted R.E.M. from an indie favourite to one of the biggest bands in the world. Topping charts in the US, UK and beyond, this three-time Grammy Award-winning album remains an iconic title in modern rock history, with hits like “Losing My Religion” and “Shiny Happy People”.
Ranked #3 in Melody Maker’s list of “Top 30 Albums of 1991” – “…A merry breakdown and a mighty breakthrough…”, Included in Rolling Stone’s “Essential Recordings of the 90’s. Peter Buck claimed he was still teaching himself when he stumbled upon the riff for ‘Losing My Religion.’ The single remains the most perfect pop song R.E.M. ever crafted,
R.E.M. came back after a period of self-imposed reinvention, and “Out Of Time” is easily their most eclectic and wildly inspired album yet, although it is still very identifiably REM
R.E.M. has done it again: defied and fulfilled the conflicting expectations of a broad, mainstream audience and a smaller, more demanding, and possessive, cult….This may well be America’s best rock & roll band….surely, America’s most resourceful rock & roll band…” Spin (3/91) – “…More textured, lighter, brighter, and poppier than 1988’s “Green”….This album will nail it once and for all: They’re no longer innovative, original, or particularly exciting in the way they used to be–but they are writing more consistently excellent songs…”, “There is something extremely reassuring about the volatility of this album, its out-of-time-ness, which suggests that the music isn’t simply confined to the past but thrives in the present.”
Originally released November 18th, 2016
The Fat Angel Sings 