@TheSimonRowell Honestly most people don't like Up either, personally I think Automatic For the People is really overrated, but almost every R.E.M. album is good.
As a teenager I liked the sound, but didnt fully understand the album. Now that I am older and have more experience with people, it makes perfect sense and I can relate.
@WadabawSleeve Lmao!!! You and me both. I was just going to make a comment about how it sounded like Uncle Man to me, back in the day. I see you beat me to the punch. And I agree! UNCLE MAN!
I fell in love with REM in my teens around the time they released Monster. Seen them 7 times in concert. I don't understand those who hate on Monster so much. A truly underrrated album.
Yes, one of their most underrated songs. Musically, it punches it's way through a sludge of fuzzed-out guitar, distorted vocals and lyrical sarcasm. The whole song burns with repressed anger, violence and erotic tension (like a lot of the songs on Monster).
Personally, B4 Monster came out I never really thought of Michael Stipe & Co as doing "raunch" particularly well, if at all, . But with this album and parts of Hi Fi they really nail it... so to speak. ;)
Close call though, U2 made 5 great albums, Unforgetable Fire, Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby, Zooropa and All that you can leave. REM made Document, Fables, LRP, Out of Time, Automatic, Monster, New Adventure's and controvertially and i do not care UP. |I make that about 7 - 5 to REM.
define "grunge" dick face. there is no such a thing as "grunge". it isn't some thing in itself. it's just a stupid fuckin media creation. lots of so-called "grunge" bands were influenced by r.e.m in the eighties. nice try.
grunge = home grown garage bands that write their own music, with an alternative sound and a southern rock vocalist. did i mention lots of plad? thats about all grunge amounts to. but really i think you hit the head on the nail when you said its a media creation. but even still its a term to define bands with this style and sound. every day new subcategory's of music are being made. so why knock a term. or is it the anti conformist in you speaking out?
but close to the themes he discusses through them: alienation and paranoia in the age of Internet and media saturation, loneliness and inadequateness reinforced by imagery promoted and multiplied by TV, distrust with the government, sex as an act devoid of any deep meaning. Just my thoughts :)
and Let Me In (a song about Kurt's demise, centered around, I think, the impossibility of communicating that human beings often explore, alienation) Even in the latter song, in which Michael puts lots of feeling, there's not a feeling of bareness, the language is still poetic and impressionistic. I think Michael is very distant from the characters
You (voyeurism, fantasies created by a lonely and depressed mind, maybe stalking too) and Let Me In (a song about Kurt's demise, centered around, I think, the impossibility of communicating that human beings often explore, alienation)
What I love about this song is that, musically, it very much has that arrogant swing. Lyrically, though, it's full of doubt and insecurity. Putting those two elements together is really potent, and you see that again and again throughout the whole album. Kind of reminds me of In Utero in that regard.
I agree with you.. it's certainly REM's most paranoid, insecure and sarcastic album. I wouldn't compare it to In Utero, though, there's a big difference between the two in terms of delivery and meaning of those feelings... Luckily for us, Michael is much more detached and cold about them (he's telling stories) while Kurt was at least very near to the pain and angst he described on that album.
Oh yeah, I just meant in the apparent friction between the music and the lyrics. For both, the music is blazing and confident, while the lyrics are full of insecurity. And you're right about Stipe's telling stories throughout the album. So many of the songs have to do with identity, after all. So he's trying on personas, any of whom might be close to the real him, but it's finally impossible to know which one is the realest.
That contradiction, like you pointed out before, turns the song into a very disturbing one. The sarcasm the narrator imbues his story with is just appalling. There's this oppressive feeling that he's enduring his humiliation with a sense of anger towards his humiliator, but also of incredible self loathing and self disgust. Perhaps, one of the most disturbed songs in the whole album, along with I Took Your Name (identity theft, paranoia, a general feeling of late-night gloom)
Right, and that's what makes it such a compelling song. If, I don't know, Noel Gallagher came up with this riff, the song would've been about his dick. I Took Your Name is lyrically interesting, though by that point in the album I kinda wish Peter could have found another effects pedal. I mean, there've been, what, two, three other songs with the repeater at that point?
Such a criminally misunderstood album.
BareBandSubscription 1 month ago
Here's comes that awful feelin' again...
faustbanana 5 months ago
@TheSimonRowell Honestly most people don't like Up either, personally I think Automatic For the People is really overrated, but almost every R.E.M. album is good.
Maisy2987 5 months ago
かっこいいいいいいい！
0yuzuringo0 7 months ago
MONSTER and automatic for the people are what got me into r.e.m :)
dennisjr77 9 months ago
ok, monster has got to be their sexiest album. All their stuff is good, but this is just torture. too. sexy. for. studying.
Melomane19 11 months ago 7
This really should have been a single.
johnnyasteroid 1 year ago
@johnnyasteroid Too off for the times. I always thought of this one and Let Me In and potential singles.
themooddisorders 1 year ago
@themooddisorders sorry for the wording. ....as potential singles.
themooddisorders 1 year ago
grunge !
TheCutbrunob 1 year ago
Could there possibly be more buzzing sound? Irritating.
ScottAln05 1 year ago
@ScottAln05
I got a fever and the only prescription is more buzzing sounds!
BaronM 7 months ago
i have to say this is one of the best REM songs ever and ive been a fan of the band for over 25 years!!
afpmx 1 year ago
Welcome the ugly animal
Tsogobauggi 1 year ago
This song worms its way into your head so badly.
icecreamscuseme 1 year ago
a Zep like riff, super repetitive right into your brain!
BaronM 1 year ago
@BaronM very Monkees, also to me
TheFilthyRags 1 year ago
I so miss guitar-based rock music like this.
Palpatin77 1 year ago 2
Put pepper in my coffee !
mx6lover 1 year ago 2
As a teenager I liked the sound, but didnt fully understand the album. Now that I am older and have more experience with people, it makes perfect sense and I can relate.
johnlovesbridge 1 year ago 4
i love this album plain and simple
johnlovesbridge 1 year ago
boom, boom, UNCLE MAN.
freaking amazing.
WadabawSleeve 2 years ago 5
It's 'On command'
bfdhvcnvvbjdn 1 year ago 3
@bfdhvcnvvbjdn it will always be UNCLE MAN to me.
WadabawSleeve 1 year ago 2
@WadabawSleeve Lmao!!! You and me both. I was just going to make a comment about how it sounded like Uncle Man to me, back in the day. I see you beat me to the punch. And I agree! UNCLE MAN!
shouamabane 1 year ago
This song is sooooo primitive! I love it this way......sounds ancient...... Great music
themooddisorders 2 years ago 4
aww shit, when he says "on command", i thought he was saying Uncle Ben..like the rice dude....lol
txeire 2 years ago 4
I fell in love with REM in my teens around the time they released Monster. Seen them 7 times in concert. I don't understand those who hate on Monster so much. A truly underrrated album.
snakehissken 2 years ago 7
Yes, one of their most underrated songs. Musically, it punches it's way through a sludge of fuzzed-out guitar, distorted vocals and lyrical sarcasm. The whole song burns with repressed anger, violence and erotic tension (like a lot of the songs on Monster).
Personally, B4 Monster came out I never really thought of Michael Stipe & Co as doing "raunch" particularly well, if at all, . But with this album and parts of Hi Fi they really nail it... so to speak. ;)
saffyminty 2 years ago 3
Kind of T-Rex sexy/ raunchy ... "Get It On" ; "20th Century Boy"
bowshock28 2 years ago
On a catalog basis, REM kicks U2's preachy ass
themooddisorders 2 years ago 51
hey man, all my favorite bands are preachy.
tanniknar 2 years ago
@themooddisorders I like REM but you are delusional
RoadWarriorTigerHawk 1 year ago
they're both great to me. i got into music heavily cause of both bands.
KOSMICKEN09 1 year ago
@themooddisorders So True
TheFilthyRags 1 year ago
@themooddisorders not even close
RoadWarriorTigerHawk 8 months ago
@themooddisorders
Close call though, U2 made 5 great albums, Unforgetable Fire, Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby, Zooropa and All that you can leave. REM made Document, Fables, LRP, Out of Time, Automatic, Monster, New Adventure's and controvertially and i do not care UP. |I make that about 7 - 5 to REM.
TheSimonRowell 7 months ago
@TheSimonRowell For me...
R.E.M.: Murmur, Document, Green and Automatic for the People.
U2: War, The Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby and All That You Can Leave Behind.
Tie?
Biggie3057 6 months ago
@themooddisorders no, not even close
RoadWarriorTigerHawk 3 weeks ago
define "grunge" dick face. there is no such a thing as "grunge". it isn't some thing in itself. it's just a stupid fuckin media creation. lots of so-called "grunge" bands were influenced by r.e.m in the eighties. nice try.
TheChoice264 2 years ago
grunge = home grown garage bands that write their own music, with an alternative sound and a southern rock vocalist. did i mention lots of plad? thats about all grunge amounts to. but really i think you hit the head on the nail when you said its a media creation. but even still its a term to define bands with this style and sound. every day new subcategory's of music are being made. so why knock a term. or is it the anti conformist in you speaking out?
kaidedshard 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
grunge sound on rem...nice try...
kurapanau 2 years ago
Sorry for making such a mess
IAmKrow 3 years ago 2
Heh, you haven't. They're interesting comments, thanks for posting 'em
1michelemichele1 2 years ago
yea dude, keep posting such insightful stuff. thumbs up!
txeire 2 years ago
but close to the themes he discusses through them: alienation and paranoia in the age of Internet and media saturation, loneliness and inadequateness reinforced by imagery promoted and multiplied by TV, distrust with the government, sex as an act devoid of any deep meaning. Just my thoughts :)
IAmKrow 3 years ago
yeah,i know what you mean here...i think it's called achtung baby/zooropa--a.k.a----ZOO T.V.! U2 already been there done that.
TheChoice264 2 years ago
I know and love both those albums too.
IAmKrow 2 years ago
you're a good man.
TheChoice264 2 years ago
what? in what terrific way is this even close to U2?
themooddisorders 2 years ago
and Let Me In (a song about Kurt's demise, centered around, I think, the impossibility of communicating that human beings often explore, alienation) Even in the latter song, in which Michael puts lots of feeling, there's not a feeling of bareness, the language is still poetic and impressionistic. I think Michael is very distant from the characters
IAmKrow 3 years ago
You (voyeurism, fantasies created by a lonely and depressed mind, maybe stalking too) and Let Me In (a song about Kurt's demise, centered around, I think, the impossibility of communicating that human beings often explore, alienation)
IAmKrow 3 years ago
Great song... I always loved that arrogant swing it has :)
IAmKrow 3 years ago
What I love about this song is that, musically, it very much has that arrogant swing. Lyrically, though, it's full of doubt and insecurity. Putting those two elements together is really potent, and you see that again and again throughout the whole album. Kind of reminds me of In Utero in that regard.
pr00de 3 years ago 2
I agree with you.. it's certainly REM's most paranoid, insecure and sarcastic album. I wouldn't compare it to In Utero, though, there's a big difference between the two in terms of delivery and meaning of those feelings... Luckily for us, Michael is much more detached and cold about them (he's telling stories) while Kurt was at least very near to the pain and angst he described on that album.
IAmKrow 3 years ago 2
Oh yeah, I just meant in the apparent friction between the music and the lyrics. For both, the music is blazing and confident, while the lyrics are full of insecurity. And you're right about Stipe's telling stories throughout the album. So many of the songs have to do with identity, after all. So he's trying on personas, any of whom might be close to the real him, but it's finally impossible to know which one is the realest.
pr00de 3 years ago
That contradiction, like you pointed out before, turns the song into a very disturbing one. The sarcasm the narrator imbues his story with is just appalling. There's this oppressive feeling that he's enduring his humiliation with a sense of anger towards his humiliator, but also of incredible self loathing and self disgust. Perhaps, one of the most disturbed songs in the whole album, along with I Took Your Name (identity theft, paranoia, a general feeling of late-night gloom)
IAmKrow 3 years ago
Right, and that's what makes it such a compelling song. If, I don't know, Noel Gallagher came up with this riff, the song would've been about his dick. I Took Your Name is lyrically interesting, though by that point in the album I kinda wish Peter could have found another effects pedal. I mean, there've been, what, two, three other songs with the repeater at that point?
pr00de 3 years ago
Is the repeater the same as the tremolo? He really got a fascination with that one on this album.
IAmKrow 2 years ago
Playing this on guitar is better than sex
ToulacAxeHand 3 years ago 4
This song ROCKS! One of my favorite songs ever.
Iamb180 3 years ago 3
Cool Stuff
Lion117 3 years ago
This is one of Monster's best songs in my opinion
AFirmKickInThePants 3 years ago 30
This song is excellent~
silverentei 3 years ago 3
Brilliant. Very underrated
basicskil 3 years ago 7