10 Best Alternative Albums Of The 1990's
3. Automatic For The People - R.E.M.
Once the 90's got underway, most of the bands from the 80's wave of alternative had fallen from grace. The Smiths had called it a day, the Replacements were on the fringes, and the Pixies had just broken up in 1993. So who was left of the golden age?
As R.E.M. entered their second decade, they went on to prove that not only had they not run out of steam, but they were about to release some of the best material of their career. All of this came to a head on Automatic for the People, which was a pretty radical departure.
Instead of the catchy jangle pop of their early days, this album was an incredibly somber affair detailing what it was like to reach your 30's. The instrumentation serves the songs perfectly as Michael Stipe's lyrics detail depression and loss in a way that pulls your heart right out of your chest.
This subdued experiment ended up turning into one of the highlights of R.E.M.'s entire career with hits like "Everybody Hurts" and "Man on the Moon." When new alternative acts were busy rebelling against their elders, Automatic for the People was a brilliant example of a band aging gracefully.