Out of Time by R.E.M.

Pros: The melodies! The polished instrumentation!

Cons: Weaker bits keeps it from being in-league with some of their previous works.

The Bottom Line: Don't underrate this gem, which launched R.E.M. into total superstardom. How can anyone say no to these melodies? They should make 100 more albums like this!

Review: (Disclaimer: Those looking for a brief description of the album will find what their looking for in the "Review Body" section. The section titled "Track Reviews" is meant only for those who want to read detailed descriptions of the songs, and ...

Pros: Everything except 'Radio Song'

Cons: 'Radio Song'

The Bottom Line: Keeping it simple

Review: I had this album for quite some time but never listened to it properly until a few days ago, whereupon I was dumbstruck that I had been in possesion of such astonishing music and yet had failed to notice for a number of years. Although I will doubtless...

Pros: Several great songs, unusual instrumentation

Cons: A couple bad songs, might consider some songs too poppy

Review: This excellent album helped R.E.M. broaden its audience and leap into superstardom. Containing the radio mega-hit Losing My Religion, as well as solid singles Radio Song and Shiny Happy People, this 1991 record has many other gems,...

Pros: Great music for any generation

Cons: none

Review: If you don't have Out of Time by R.E.M., you truly are missing out. The most impressive song on this 1991 LP is the smash single, Losing My Religion. Other notable tracks include Near Wild Heaven,, Half a World Away, Me...

Pros: Songs don't all sound the same

Cons: A couple lame songs

Review: I had heard many of the songs on "Out of Time" before I bought the CD, so a few of the songs weren't new to me. I didn't know that the whole CD was full of great songs. Guest singers with Michael Stipe made for great vocal solos and the music...

Pros: REM before the angst overload

Cons: Sounds slightly dated

Review: 'Out of Time' must rate as one of the best R.E.M. albums and arguably as one of the greatest albums of the 1990’s, this is REM at their best. Part of the beauty of this album is the real diversity contained in the play list. Since this album REM have...

Pros: R.E.M. refine their signature sound for wider appeal while staying true to themselves.

Cons: I don't hate "Shiny Happy People" as much as most, but the song still sucks.

The Bottom Line: It's unmistakably an R.E.M. album, but "Out of Time" widens their sound and focus to create a solid album that's one of the most deserved pop breakthroughs in recent history.

Review: Athens, Georgia's R.E.M. had already transcended the "alternative"/"college rock" tag that hung over them at the time of Out of Time's 1991 release. The two albums that preceded it, "Document" and "Green", had each spawned Top 10 singles, and the ...

Pros: Diverse group of excellent songs

Cons: Many people hate "Shiny Happy People"

The Bottom Line: R.E.M. graduate from college rock and move to something bigger.

Review: Throughout the 1980s, R.E.M. were college radio darlings, getting well-known without becoming mega-stars. But they couldn't stay that way forever. In 1991, they decided to cross over into megastardom on the back of an amazing single nestled inside an ...

Pros: A beautiful acoustic blend of sweet sounds, with an edginess underneath

Cons: Shiny Happy People,Shiny Happy People and Shiny Happy People

The Bottom Line: Though it will probably never be your favorite REM record, you'll still find yourself craving the confectionate harmonies on "Out of Time"

Review: If I’d heard the backstory of the making of this record, I never would have bought it. See, the band was coming off a HUGE world tour for their previous effort “Green” which I really thought stunk. Lingering on the brink of burnout,...

Pros: Some amazing fantabulous songs, "Country Feedback" is the best R.E.M. song ever.

Cons: Very inconsistent in song quality, only a few songs really stick out.

The Bottom Line: If you can justify a purchase by a few great songs like I can, it's certainly recommended.

Review: “Everyone who bought R.E.M.’s OUT OF TIME, step forward.

Okay, now everyone who bought OUT OF TIME for ‘Losing My Religion’ stay back there, and everyone else step forward. …Anybody? Anybody?”

This little pointless quote above...