8 replies to this topic

[Whiskers]

Automatic for the People stands as my favourite album by R.E.M. and also my favourite album of all time, and - whether rightly or wrongly - it is seen as R.E.M.'s masterpiece by the music industry.

Yet in my great search to learn more about the album, I often come back with nothing. It seems like R.E.M. were riding on the high of the success of Out of Time, put out Automatic for the People in around a year's time, made a few music videos and then left it.
In interviews, Automatic isn't often spoken of, one on the BBC had the interviewer discuss that it's 20th aniversary coming up, and Michael merely said something about a lyric he came up with, and he "thinks" that that one lyric made it onto the album. That part of the interview was over by 30 seconds.

In another more recent interview the album was brought up again and Michael was asked if it was his favourite record, to which he said no - because it was one song he doesn't like on it. He didn't reveal which song it was, as he thought it might upset those who chose that song as their favourite - but it got me thinking. If just one song meant it wasn't his favourite - which album could possibly be completely flawless? No album is perfect, even Automatic.
I reckon the song was either Ignoreland, because the band weren't happy with the production, or Find the River as it failed to reach the top 40 and never made it into any "best-of" compilations.

Searching for videos on Youtube lead me to many interviews pre and post Out of Time where they were either still developing the record or reflecting on it's success, but I found nothing on Automatic.

Last year was Achtung Baby's 20th aniversary and it got a lot of press coverage, I'm just worried that Automatic will go unnoticed.
Why are R.E.M. so quiet about such a fantastic album? I just get the impression that R.E.M. may even be ashamed of Automatic.

Maybe I'm just ill informed, and there's a plethora of interviews online, and if so - it would be great if people could pass on the links.
But otherwise, I wanted to hear other people's opinions, as it's been niggling in the back of my mind for a long time now.

Thanks, and I look forward to your views

[Driver Nate]

I never had the impression that they were quiet about it or ashamed of it. Maybe it was Buck but I'm pretty sure at least one of them has cited it as their masterpiece though I think that may have been around the time that it was released.

[Colinzeal]

They are certainly not ashamed of the record, I think they are very proud of it. The track that Michael does not like could well be Ignoreland or possibly Sidewinder but I very much doubt it is Find the River and if it was that song it definately wouldn't be because the song didn't chart well!

The reason you are struggling to find much information IMO is that at the time Michael decided not to do interviews and the band decided not to tour the album. I don't think there is anything more sinister than that.

[Remixomatosys]

I remember an interview that peter did with mtv Italy in 2001. He was asked which was his favourite r.e.m.
album; the answer was something like: "I'm sure that if you asked the fans, they would say Automatic for the people".
So, at the time Reveal came out, no "best album we've ever made" quote from him (correct me if I'm wrong)

[TheMiddleDistance]

I seem to recall Mills saying it was his favorite at some point, but maybe I'm mistaken.

[stipeeyes]

I don't think they were quiet about that album.  When it came out they just didn't do much promotion.  Michael didn't talk to the press at all around that time because of the horrible rumors about him.  And after learning how he had a phobia about catching the disease I will not name, it pisses me off more when I think that someone made that up about him.  Now I understand why he didn't say anything when Automatic came out.  I can't believe it will be 20 years this September.

[Colinzeal]

Remixomatosys, on 11 April 2012 - 10:01 AM, said:

I remember an interview that peter did with mtv Italy in 2001. He was asked which was his favourite r.e.m.
album; the answer was something like: "I'm sure that if you asked the fans, they would say Automatic for the people".
So, at the time Reveal came out, no "best album we've ever made" quote from him (correct me if I'm wrong)

Buck did indeed claim Reveal was the best album they had ever made. It was during an interview with Uncut in 2001. If you have a copy of the special edition you will see it in there.

[Remixomatosys]

Did anyone notice this ?
http://www.ebay.it/i...b#ht_1153wt_907

[welliwonder]

stipeeyes, on 11 April 2012 - 11:05 AM, said:

the disease I will not name

huh ,why not ? Is there any other diseases you won't name or is it just AIDS ? not picking on you , just curious. I think Michael now regrets his silence on this issue at that time, because its something that needs to be out there and discussed rather than swept under the carpet.

There was tons of publicity around the release of Automatic - the release was well anticipated , Wuxtry opened at midnight on the release date and I know cos I queued up with lots of others in Athens that night to buy the LP at the first opportunity, having heard it for the first time at the 40 watt listening party earlier in the evening. Those were the days before leaks and spoilers etc .They were one of the biggest bands in the world at that time , Weaver D was on national TV in the US etc etc so there was never any real need for r.e.m. to go on about that record, it spoke for itself , and it emphasises that the music industry was a completely different animal in those days.