The Best Albums of R.E.M

"To our Fans and Friends: As R.E.M., and as lifelong friends and co-conspirators, we have decided to call it a day as a band. We walk away with a great sense of gratitude, of finality, and of astonishment at all we have accomplished. To anyone who ever felt touched by our music, our deepest thanks for listening."

-from the band's official website

Honestly I think it's a shame they are breaking up because with their last few albums they truly sounded rejuvenated; having gained back something they lost years before. When drummer Bill Berry left the band in 1997 after suffering a brain aneurysm while on tour, the remaining three band members sounded like they were in a period of mourning which started with the album "Up" and lasted all they way through "Around the Sun." We al began to wonder why they were still together as a band. Many of us were sick of them complaining about things they could never recover as it took away from who they were as a band.

R.E.M. was one of the first alternative rock bands to experience commercial success in the 1990's as this type of music experience increasing popularity. They were also one of the few bands that enjoyed both critical and commercial success simultaneously which remains rare even today. Their influence on the world of music is still deeply felt so many years later, and it will carry on for generations I'm sure.

I share with you my favorite albums the band ever recorded regardless of whether you agree with the choices or not:

"Murmur"

The band's debut album from 1983 perfectly captures their unique sound that would define them in the following years. It didn't matter if you couldn't fully understand Michael Stipe's lyrics because he was quick to get us entertained with his vocals. The rest of the band was on the same page as they reveled in creating music that wasn't your usual mainstream radio bullshit. Songs like "Radio Free Europe" and "Talk about the Passion" showed how eager they were to break free of the shackles that held society at bay during the 1980s.

"Automatic for the People"

Their 1992 album saw the band challenging themselves to create music which was significantly different from anything they created previously. The songs are beautiful in both their meanings and compositions, and it earned a rare 5 star review from Rolling Stone magazine. They ended up creating one of the most memorable anthems of the 90's with "Everybody Hurts" which has become timeless in its encouragement of enduring the pain and of not giving up. Other songs like "Man on the Moon" and "Sweetness Follows" wonderfully capture the whimsical and undying nature of love which we keep thinking died out.

"Monster"

While "Automatic for the People" is considered their ultimate masterpiece, this is the R.E.M. album I listen to the most. "What's The Frequency, Kenneth?" sees Stipe and company getting back to the sound which made them famous in the first place. "King of Comedy" has them fighting against being turned into a product like so many bands are easily manipulated into becoming. Among my favorite tracks are "Tongue" which is great to fall asleep to, and "Let Me In" which was dedicated to Kurt Cobain. With its simple structure of a guitar, organ and tambourine, "Let Me In" left a strong effect on me and is one of several reasons why I never get sick of this album.

"New Adventures in Hi-Fi"

R.E.M. worked on this one during and after their world tour in promotion of "Monster." Songs like "How the West Was Won and Where It Got Us" and "Bittersweet Me," illustrated the disillusionment we go through where we lose focus on our goals in life. Other songs like "New Test Leper" have a beauty to them that few other bands can accomplish with their music. I also love the song "Leave" and how it has a strong beat which combines with a wondrous melancholy feeling. It says a lot about any band that they can create music while simultaneously doing a world tour which has to be beyond exhausting.

"Accelerate"

After Bill Berry left R.E.M. amicably back in 1997, the band released three albums which (despite their moments) sounded like they were in a never ending mourning period. So it was exhilarating when they released "Accelerate" in 2008 because they sounded completely rejuvenated and ready to have fun again. This was made clear on the album's biggest track "Supernatural Superserious" which has a great upbeat rhythm that eluded these guys for far too long. The rest of "Accelerate" followed suit as it showed them as being truly excited to make music and not dwelling on the past which isn't coming back anytime soon.

R.E.M. had a unique sound that is not easily duplicated by any others, and they will be missed. Many fans may feel like they are losing their religion, but everybody hurts sometimes. The odds were against them when they started as many felt their odds were the same as putting a man on the moon (and that's even after NASA did that).

Through it all they had all the right friends and they didn't sleep, they dreamed. They didn't play that game of bang and blame and kept going even after they seemed a lot less like shiny happy people holding hands. R.E.M. didn't just stand in the place they lived, but they talked about the passion, created the finest worksong, and they kept on with their music even as the sidewinder slept and after feeling gravity's pull. This is not the end of the world as we know it, but there is a lot to feel fine about. Thank you R.E.M.!