R.E.M.
Monster (Warner Bros.)
Reviewed by Sherman Wick

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After Nirvana's Nevermind (1991) and the mainstream success of guitar heavy grunge, R.E.M. decided to make its own aggressive rock record. However, that plan was quickly jettisoned when the material began to take shape for the melancholic classic Automatic for the People. So the band waited until 1994, shortly after the suicide of Kurt Cobain, to record Monster, a collection of largely loud bombastic guitar based songs for their first tour in six years.

The record's lyrics examined fame and fortune post-Cobain's suicide, while adopting punk and grunge feedback and aggression to convey considerable angst and ennui. "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" showcases chugging and distorted layers of power chords as vocalist Michael Stipe disaffectedly sings from the point of view of the crazed wacko who beat up (now retired) CBS news anchor Dan Rather while jogging in Central Park. Similar themes are repeated throughout the record, most notably on the hyper-paranoid anthem, "Star 69." To break up the aggressive sonic consistency there's the ballad, "Strange Currencies." "Tongue" is the real oddity on the record, it's a blue-eyed soul ballad that doesn't fit in on the record as Stipe sings in a high-pitched falsetto.

"Let Me In" is one of the record's biggest highlights. It didn't receive much radio play - but it should have. Of the numerable tributes to Cobain, this is probably the most well-written and beautiful: a trilling dissonant guitar line, and the lyrics are almost totally composed of the simple and appropriate repeated refrain of "let me in." The arrangement is a simple guitar riff played by bassist Mike Mills on one of Cobain's guitars with simple ethereal organ fills. It's a great song; unfortunately the entirety of the record is not as outstanding, but R.E.M.'s foray into guitar rock is a decent record in their oeuvre. The documentary on the DVD adds insights about the making of the record.

© 2005 - Sherman Wick