Aug 2006

The best word to describe 'Green' would be 'contrast'. We start with a song so poppy they actually called 'Pop Song 89'-full of hooks and nonsense lyrics. 'Get Up' follows this, another poppy affair making you start to wonder what's going on? Has the massive deal with Warner Brother changed them? But then we hit vintage REM-'You Are The Everything' is up there with the very best the band have ever produced-dark, brooding with a genuine sense of atmosphere due to some goose bump inducing vocals from Michael Stipe. The music also hints at the increase use of mandolin by Peter Buck in albums to come.

We then jump back to pop with the hit single 'Stand' another throwaway classic, but that's where it ends as we head toward stormier waters. 'World Leader Pretend', 'Orange Crush' and 'Turn You Inside Out' remind you that REM aren't always an easy listen, however, these songs do remind that REM are always worth listening to.

'Green' arguably the best album of REM's career and a killer listen on headphones!

Nick Probert, HMV Customer Service, Head Office

• NME (9/25/93, p.19) - Ranked #39 in NME's list of the 50 Greatest Albums Of The '80s.

The album that found the band sandwiched between being an important cult band on the verge of major success and being the world's most successful rock band of the 90s. A tricky situation, but this album made the breakthrough and mighty Warner Brothers were behind it. R.E.M. were able to get their folky mandolin material like 'You Are The Everything' accepted on an equal footing with great pop such as 'Stand' or 'Pop Song 89' (which could have been written by Jim Morrison and titled 'Hello I Love You'). 'Orange Crush' is already an FM radio favourite, and the rest is all recent history.

R.E.M.: Mike Mills (vocals, accordion, bass); Michael Stipe (vocals); Peter Buck (guitar, mandolin, drums); Bill Berry (mandolin, drums).
Additional personnel: Bucky Baxter (pedal steel guitar); Jane Scarpantoni (cello); Keith LeBlanc (percussion).
GREEN contains an unlisted 11th track.
The album that found the band sandwiched between being an important cult band on the verge of major success and being the world's most successful rock band of the 90s. A tricky situation, but this album made the breakthrough and mighty Warner Brothers were behind it. R.E.M. were able to get their folky mandolin material like 'You Are The Everything' accepted on an equal footing with great pop such as 'Stand' or 'Pop Song 89' (which could have been written by Jim Morrison and titled 'Hello I Love You'). 'Orange Crush' is already an FM radio favourite, and the rest is all recent history.

This Athens band's initial mix of Velvet Underground strum, Byrds-like Rickenbacker jangle, and charismatically oblique singing, became the sound of the 1980s as legions of bands followed suit. But even as imitators codified R.E.M.'s approach into the money-making "alternative rock" sound, the group refused to stand still, constantly changing and developing without ever abandoning their underground principles. Somehow they became superstars along the way, but it's never affected their commitment to their music. In 1997, drummer Bill Berry left the band, but Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, and Mike Mills soldiered on in his absence.