Automatic For The People - R.E.M. > Reviews > Automatically Awesome

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money

Advantages:	Fantastic, great, superb songs !  Love it !
Disadvantages:	None, absolutely none .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Everyone loves the songs of R.E.M - yet all too few people know that it is R.E.M behind it all. I was one of these people - but no more.

Of course I knew the song 'Everybody hurts' and 'Man on the moon' because these are among the most famous and popular. I didn't really associate R.E.M with these tracks until I heard this album at my friend's house (his cheer-up happy song is 'Everybody hurts'!). As the album progressed I realised there wasn't a single track I didn't like. I immediately decided I had to get this album.

And now I have it, and I love it to bits. It is the ultimate in easy listening, background music, mood music, or just listening to normally. Those of you that have read a few of my other opinions will probably have realised I'm a bit of a hifi buff so I absolutely love decent music like this.

The album is a compilation of some of their greatest hits, and also some of their less well-known tracks, which is a shame in my opinion because they easily equal the quality of their more popular brothers.

The CD includes:

1. Drive
2. Try not to breathe
3. The Sidewinder sleeps tonight
4. Everybody hurts
5. New Orleans
6. Sweetness follows
7. Monty got a raw deal
8. Ignoreland
9. Star me kitten
10. Man on the moon
11. Nightswimming
12. Find the river

*****
1. Drive
*****

This song represents much of the album. It starts off quietly, but builds to crescendo, and ends quietly. The hallmark R.E.M acoustical guitar riffs are of course present in the oases of calm in this track. The lyrics are superbly written and performed, guitar is fantastic and the basslines are strong and very pleasing. The inclusion of violin adds to the experience and this track genuinely raises hairs on the back of my neck, because it is so good. The electric guitar, when it comes in, is fantastically placed and really builds the song up. What a brilliant track to start the album with.

*****
2. Try not to breathe
*****

This is a more upbeat song, with fast moving lyrics delivered in harmony with the backing guitar. It doesn't quite match up to Drive in enjoyment factor, but it is a superb song nonetheless. Basslines are not quite as strong, but guitar is well defined, and the lyrics beg to be sung along to.

*****
3. The Sidewinder sleeps tonight
*****

I had heard this song before, but I never would have guessed it was called this. It's a fantastic song again, more upbeat again, fast moving. The performance of the lyrics is really good, very musical and smooth. Basslines are nice and strong, and guitar is again very good. It's almost impossible not to tap your foot along to this - it's so catchy. A really great song.

*****
4. Everybody hurts
*****

Before I start reviewing this song, I am going to say that it is quite oddly placed. Straight after track 3, you are not really in the mood to want to hear this song. However, it turns the tone of the album for the tracks to follow, so in that respect is a dividing line in the album.

Okay, on to the song. It's probably the most famous song R.E.M has ever done. Everyone knows the words to this one. It's a slow, exquisetly performed song. The lyrics are performed perfectly I would say - they have that edge to them that makes them mean so much more. The lyrics really have the meaning to be brought out. It's such a true song! When the song begins to speed up, the violins come in, and so does the lead guitar. Basslines are subtle yet crisp, and the perfect silence between the words all combine to make this indeed one of the best songs ever made - no wonder it is so popular.

*****
5. New Orleans
*****

This track has no lyrics except for a '1,2,3,4' at the beginning. It is basically a guitar riff which is repeated over and over again. The track is all about the bassline, which really brings out another level on the song. I don't know what the other instrument on the track is - I think it's just another synthesizer voice on the guitar amp, but it adds variables to the equation. It's a slow moving track, but it's only 2 minutes long. I find it gives me time to think about the song before!
Not one of the best songs on the album, but definitely has it's place as an interim track.

*****
6. Sweetness Follows
*****

The mixture of lead electric, acoustical and bass guitars creates a medley that can't quite be described. The overlayed lyrics are quite complicated, it's hard to hear them as distinctly as one would like. The bass is a tad soggy round the edges, not quite as sharp as I would like. The lyrics are delivered mainly in a monotone, which again makes them hard to listen to. The song has various patches of rhythm, but unfortunately lapses back into less distinguishable tones. A good track, but not one that I particularly like to listen to.

*****
7. Monty got a raw deal
*****

Now this is a good track. It starts with a great riff on acoustic, then when the lyrics begin, they are superbly delivered with tone and rhythm. The acapella continues for a bit, then when the drums and bass kick in, the real addictive rhythm I love begins. A fine example I mentioned before of a great song that is unfortunately not well known.

*****
8. Ignoreland
*****

It starts instantly, with no build up like previous songs. Lead electric guitar is obviously well present, and bass is strong, but a bit undefined in areas. The lyrics, well, I can't say much about them because they are very hard to listen to. Not only are they high pitched and quiet, but it sounds like there is some sort of synthesised filtering going on. It's more of a song where you listen to the music rather than individual parts. It would be a great song live, I have no doubt.

*****
9. Star me kitten
*****

A slow starter again, but it stays slow, uncharacteristically. There are backing vocals, lonely lead guitar backed only by basslines, which are deeply varied. The lyrics are pretty good, and very well performed. An easy listener for playing in the background.

*****
10. Man on the moon
*****

Another great classic, that again everyone knows. It starts with the acoustic riff, and the vocals and bass and drums kick in together. The lyrics are low key until the chorus, which is instantly catchy and unimaginably rhythmical. The guitar is great, the drumming is superb, and most importantly it is all combined fantastically to produce another great track.

*****
11. Nightswimming
*****

If I heard this song without knowing, I wouldn't say it was by R.E.M. It seems so untypical to me, basically a piano and acapella lyrics. The piano sounds great however, with full rich sound which results in a nice bassline. The lyrics are very well performed, and sound great. It is placed very well near the end of the album, and definitely gives you a song to remember.

*****
12. Find the river
*****

A 'hopeful' kind of track. Some great strumming on acoustical, and very well performed lyrics. It has a certain quality of deja vu, in that it doesn't sound a whole lot different from other tracks, until you reach the chorusy part. Here it takes its own distinct place in your memory, and it's a fantastic song to end a fantastic album. The lyrics are superbly performed, and it leaves you feeling like you have just listened to one of the greatest albums ever, which of course you have.

So, in conclusion, this is one of the best albums I have ever heard, combining the great classics with some new music which many will have never heard before. This album leaves you feeling like you could listen to it again and again, and of course you can. Everyone is pleased when it starts playing - they know they're in for nothing but great songs.

Any comments welcome :)

O