Title: A 'Pet Sounds' for the '90's and beyond
Product review: People are free to disagree, but I think this is R.E.M.'s masterpiece and, more than anything else, it reminds me of the Beach Boys' 1966 tour-de-force 'Pet Sounds'. It shares many of the same qualities of that magnificent album. Clear, forceful, emotional vocals. Buoyant, memorable melodies. Songwriting that looks within with introspection and occasional weariness, but also celebrates something as simple as a good, sunshiny day surrounded by happy people. Graceful, string-laced arrangements. And at least four clear-cut classics: "Losing My Religion", "Near Wild Heaven", "Half a World Away", and "Country Feedback". This is a wonderful record, and the crown on R.E.M.'s career thus far.Many consider 1992's 'Automatic for the People' a stronger album, but even though there were some great songs on that record ("Everybody Hurts" and "Man on the Moon"), I found it uneven overall. THIS is the one.
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