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| Artist: R.e.m.
Label: Warner Bros / Wea
Category: Music
List Price: $13.98
Buy New: $9.97
You Save: $4.01 (29%)
New (55) Used (272) Collectible (15) from $0.01
Rating:  356 reviews
Sales Rank: 263
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.9 x 0.5
MPN: 45055
UPC: 093624505525
EAN: 0093624505525
ASIN: B000002MG1
Release Date: October 6, 1992
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 1 to 3 weeks
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| Customer Reviews:
 Grows sweeter with time March 20, 2008
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
It is rather automatic, or simple for me to rate this album high. Automatic for the People is more profound to me now than it was then. With the songs one here, I am reminded of where I was in life and what I was doing, so as many of the songs and albums of our youth go, it takes me on a trip down memory lane.
I decided the other day to dust off the old CD collection and was surprised at how quickly I had forgotten my R.E.M. CD's. I threw in Automatic for the People, but instead of just remembering days gone by, it gave me a renewed appreciation for it in the present day.
R.E.M. was always labeled "college radio" or what have you, but they went so far beyond that. Listening to this album now, I appreciate it just as much now as I did then. R.E.M. sang about social issues and LIFE without soaking one in a tub of rhetoric. The lyrics, the tones and the overall feel of this album proves they could pull heartstrings while pushing the envelope a little, mixing folk styles that had twinges of sadness with catchy hooks that put them in an alternative rock landscape amid the hair rock and punk rock that was still trying to find its place in the world.
Drive is timeless, and Everybody hurts has lyrics that are as profound as ever, still making it one of their strongest songs. Ignoreland has great, rolling tides of optimism and it never slows down. Man on the moon is another classic of course, and with other lesser-known songs that still hold their place like "Monty got a raw deal" and "Nightswimming" with its elegant piano parts, Automatic for the people remains a mainstay that has found new life in my collection. Perhaps not the best place to start when checking out R.E.M., but definitely a great place to wind up at!
-Leo Navarr-
Unabashedly astute and insightful March 18, 2008
An unapologetically honest and - at times - dark peek into the truths that life cradles in it's sinewy arms. This disc never fails to make me look at my life through the dark, blurry lens of stark honesty. These songs rip me from my seat and i'm suddenly 19 again and in love with that girl again. The very one i pushed away so many times ... and i realize just how self absorbed i was.
"Yeah, yeah we were all together lost in our little lives"
"Distanced from one, deaf to the other"
OK, so i realize how self absorbed i still am. Just ask Sunshine.
An automatic choice February 22, 2008
This album highlights some of the best achievements in REM's musical career. This is probably their most consistent work, with most of the songs standing out. They have released a large number albums in the past few decades and there had been times when the music didn't reach the level one would expect from a band like them and judging by the standards they set. However, this album is one of REM's best (if not the best) and is an essential pick for any fan of rock. Here's a sampler:
* Drive - The opening track. Great song. Slow and somber, it sets the tone for the rest of the album.
* Everybody Hurts - One of the most popular tracks from the album. Sometimes it sounds a little whiny to me, but still a very good song.
* Man On the Moon - Another very popular song, and deservedly so. Clever, funny lyrics meet good, catchy tunes. A tribute to Andy Kaufman. If you have watched the movie 'Man On the Moon', you will definitely relate better with the song.
* Nightswimming - The masterpiece. Chris Martin of Coldplay rates this as the best rock song ever. Well, it's surely among the best. Not a doubt about that. It underlines poetic brilliance and great melody, and has a mysterious air surrounding it. And it couldn't have been sung better than in Michael Stipe's trademark vaoice. This is a timeless creation.
* Find The River - Another gem. One of the best songs you will hear and that will make you wonder why it isn't that popular or famous. Once again, amazing lyrics and melody, this song takes you on a soul trip. The perfect closing track for an outstanding album.
Quite frankly, it's the last two tracks ('Nightswimming' and 'Find the River') that elevates this album from excellent to the level of a classic. In summary, this is one of the defining albums in the history of alternative rock. You can't live without it if you are into alternative music.
A quintessential album of American Rock! February 13, 2008
Is there anyone who cannot admit that this is one of the Best American Rock Albums of the 90s?... Just listen to the sad, slow rhythm and lyrics of "Everybody Hurts"...!!!!
Hey, this album is so damn good, that even the amazing Paul Potts decided to make a "Classical" version of this R.E.M. Hit, sung in Italian ("Ognuno Soffre")!!!!... And even in this version, the song is still DAMN GOOD!!!
Actually, I hardly could find bands that are able to produce music so fine, that even going thru such a change of musical style, and then having such a success!!!!
REM - Thier Best Album February 13, 2008
This album is simply the best thing REM ever produced and one of the best rock albums of the early 90's. The band put it all together for this one and came out with an album of widely varied music that used all of the band's strengths to create a sonic masterpiece. Just about every track on this disc is great. The only one I don't really care for is "Star Me Kitten", but even that one is not terrible. For the most part this album stresses more acoustic elements. There are a few good rockers to be found ("Ignorland" being the best), but the album is ripe with acoustic guitar, mandolin, melodic keyboards, and string arrangements (done by Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones). The album produced several hit single all of them excellent tunes. "Drive" opens the album on a high note, "Everybody Hurts" is a song that just about everyone can relate to, and "Man On The Moon" is simply one of the catchiest singles released in the 90's. The rest of the album is all great too. There are no "Shiny Happy People" on this one as the majority of the material is quiet, reflective and at time depressing. "Try Not To Breathe", "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonight", "Sweetness Follows", "Monty Got A Raw Deal", "Nightswimming", and "Find The River" are all solid tunes. If you have ever looked to get into REM I think this would be a good place to start. If you are a fan this album is essential.
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