The most difficult challenge for any band to face is topping an
album that has been declared your classic. For R.E.M., their
classic was declared to be
Document. How could Michael Stipe and crew even think about
topping songs like “The One I Love” and “It’s The End Of The World
As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)”?
But in 1991, with the release of their second major-label album
Out Of Time, R.E.M. proved not only that they were capable
of delivering a new classic, but that they also had a sense of
humor mixed in with the melancholy.
This release marked a first for R.E.M.: working with guests who
were major factors in the music, not just part of the background.
For starters, Peter Holsapple became an unofficial fifth member of
the group (even to the point of appearing with the band whenever
they performed live). Having Holsapple with the band freed up
regular guitarist Peter Buck to move to new instruments, such as
mandolin. This resulted in a slightly more acoustic sound for
R.E.M., as reflected in the first single “Losing My Religion”. When
I first heard this track not long before I left the world of
college radio in 1991, I didn’t think it would go far. Admittedly,
the track has to grow on you; I now enjoy the song.
Another first for R.E.M. was the addition of new vocalists. Rap
and R.E.M. might seem like an odd mix, but KRS-One adds a special
touch to “Radio Song,” both with whoops an hollers during the song
and with his ending rap. The song is a surprise slap in the face to
the industry that was helping R.E.M. in major ways, but Stipe and
crew let everyone know they continued to plan their own success,
with or without the help of radio.
Kate Pierson of The B-52s makes two appearances on
Out Of Time, one being on “Shiny Happy People,” a song that
dared to show a new side of R.E.M. – a, well,
happy side. Who woulda thunk it? The song is a tad cornball,
but is infectiously catchy, nonetheless. (The other appearance by
Pierson, “Me In Honey,” relegates her mostly to a backing vocalist,
not as much in front as on “Shiny Happy People”.)
So, had enough surprises? Don’t relax yet, ’cause R.E.M. isn’t
through yet. Bassist Mike Mills takes a new, surprising role as
lead vocalist on two songs, “Near Wild Heaven” and “Texarkana”. No
offense against Stipe, but should he ever find himself unable to
sing (say, laryngitis), Mills proves he is a talented singer – in
fact, I wouldn’t mind hearing him belt out more songs. A spoken
word piece (“Belong”) and a mostly instrumental number (“Endgame”)
tend to round out the surprises.
Other songs on
Out Of Time, such as “Half A World Away” and “Country
Feedback,” seem to abolish the old rockin’ band we all knew; this
just served as a preparation for the strange direction they would
take with their followup,
Automatic For The People. Still, it’s an enjoyable break.
(One note: Although I am against the stupid practice of stickering
albums for lyrical content, can anyone explain how Stipe can get
away with saying “fuck” and not get the dreaded sticker? Possibly
because putting a sticker on this one would mean kids couldn’t buy
it, and they want this group to sell?
HUH?!?!
EXPLAIN IT, PLEASE!!!)
Out Of Time was a captivating listen in 1991, and it still
is an incredible album seven years later. If you could only afford
two R.E.M. albums,
Out Of Time would be a no-brainer to purchase.
