R.E.M. - Automatic for the People

Turning away from the sweet pop of Out of Time, R.E.M. created a haunting, melancholy masterpiece with Automatic for the People. At its core, the album is a collection of folk songs about aging, death, and loss, but the music has a grand, epic sweep provided by layers of lush strings, interweaving acoustic instruments, and shimmering keyboards. Automatic for the People captures the group at a crossroads, as they moved from cult heroes to elder statesmen, and the album is a graceful transition into their new status. It is a reflective album, with frank discussions on mortality, but it is not a despairing record -- "Nightswimming," "Everybody Hurts," and "Sweetness Follows" have a comforting melancholy, while "Find the River" provides a positive sense of closure. R.E.M. have never been as emotionally direct as they are on Automatic for the People, nor have they ever created music quite as rich and timeless, and while the record is not an easy listen, it is the most rewarding record in their oeuvre. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide

Name Credits Andrew Roshberg Engineer Anton Corbijn Photography Bertis Downs Performer Bill Berry ?, Drums Cecil Juanarena Computer Imaging Clif Norrell Mixing, Engineer Daniel Laufer Cello Daniel Lauter Cello Deborah Workman Oboe Denise Berginson-Smith Violin Ed Brooks Engineer, Mixing Elizabeth Murphy Cello Elizabeth Proctor Murphy Cello Fredrick Nilsen Photography George Cowan Engineer George Hanson Conductor Heidi Nitchie Viola Jefferson Holt Performer Jody Taylor Violin John Keane Engineer John Paul Jones Orchestra Judy Taylor Violin Kathleen Kee Cello Knox Chandler Cello Lonnie Ditzen Violin Lonnie Ottzen Violin Mark Howard Engineer Mark Mytrowitz Technical Assistance Michael Stipe Group Member, Design, Art Direction, Vocals Mike Mills ?, Bass Patti Gouvas Violin Paul Murphy Viola, Leader Peter Buck Group Member, Guitar R.E.M. Producer Reid Harris Viola Sandy Salzinger Violin Scott Litt Producer, Clarinet (Contrabass), Clavinet, Harmonica, Mixing Sou-Chun Su Violin Stephen Marcussen Mastering Ted Malia Engineer Tod Lemkuhl Mixing Assistant, Assistant Engineer Tom Recchion Design, Art Direction