Automatic For The People (R.E.M.)

R.E.M.'s eighth album lived up to the band's name, as it featured a far more dream-like sound than what they had done before. With deeper lyrical subjects about death, aging, and legacy, R.E.M. challenged themselves, their audience, and created an album that received critical and audience acclaim, often appearing on the lists of greatest albums ever made. The jangly pop guitar sound the band was known for gave way to strings (with an assist from Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones), dulcimers, bozoukis, and piano for a softer contemplative album that stands among R.E.M.'s best work. Featuring huge hits "Everybody Hurts" and "Man on the Moon", Automatic For The People firmly cemented the band as, perhaps, the greatest alternative act of all time, marrying indie depth and mainstream appeal. This album deserves a quiet night.

Please listen along with us. Your homework for next time is "Sounds Like This" by Eric Hutchinson.

Be sure to check out out our other podcasts. There is "Nostalgium Arcanum" (https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/) for more pop culture from the past. There is also our Jim Henson show, "Still Muppeting", which is available at patreon.com/stillloadingpod.

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Check out Kyle's band, Kyle and The Silver Dork, wherever you get you music, or here on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0cxlTh9yM7rSBkZBb5aIKw

Musical Credits:

Playing By Ear Theme - Kyle Lieberman
All songs from Automatic For The People by R.E.M.