Album Information:

About R.E.M.:

R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia in 1980. The band was comprised of lead vocalist Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and drummer Bill Berry. R.E.M. stood out in the alternative rock scene of the 1980s and 1990s for their unique sound, often featuring jangling guitars, melodic bass lines, and cryptic lyrics.

R.E.M. began their career as an underground band in Athens, playing shows at local bars and clubs. In 1982, they released their debut album, 'Chronic Town,' on IRS Records. The EP featured the song 'Wolves, Lower,' which became a college radio hit. R.E.M. continued to gain momentum with their next album, 'Murmur' (1983), which was widely acclaimed by critics and earned the band a large cult following.

Over the next decade, R.E.M. released a series of hit albums, including 'Reckoning' (1984), 'Fables of the Reconstruction' (1985), 'Lifes Rich Pageant' (1986), and 'Document' (1987). Their music blended elements of folk rock, jangle pop, and post-punk, and established them as one of the most important and influential bands of their era.

In 1991, R.E.M. achieved mainstream success with their album 'Out of Time,' which featured the hit singles 'Losing My Religion' and 'Shiny Happy People.' The album reached number one on the charts and earned the band three Grammy Awards. They continued to produce successful albums throughout the 1990s, including 'Automatic for the People' (1992) and 'Monster' (1994).

In 1997, drummer Bill Berry left the band due to health issues, but R.E.M. continued to perform and release albums without him. Their later albums, including 'Up' (1998), 'Reveal' (2001), and 'Around the Sun' (2004), received mixed reviews from critics.

In 2011, after releasing 15 studio albums and selling over 85 million records worldwide, R.E.M. announced that they were disbanding. Their final album, 'Collapse into Now,' was released in March of that year.

R.E.M. was known not only for their music, but also for their political activism and humanitarian work. They supported various causes, including the environment, AIDS research, and human rights. In 2007, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

About the album Monster:

'Monster' is the ninth studio album by American rock band R.E.M., released in 1994. It was a departure from the band's previous alternative rock sound, moving towards a heavier, more distorted and aggressive sound. The album's name is meant to reflect the upbeat, rock-oriented feel of the music.

The opening track 'What's the Frequency, Kenneth?' is a classic R.E.M. song featuring catchy guitar riffs, upbeat drums, and Michael Stipe's signature poetic lyrics. The second track 'Crush with Eyeliner' features a driving bassline and vibrant guitar that build to an explosive chorus. The third track 'King of Comedy' shows the band experimenting with a more electronic sound, with Stipe's voice being electronically distorted and modulated.

Throughout the album, there are several standout tracks such as 'I Don't Sleep, I Dream' which showcases the band's more introspective side, with melancholy lyrics juxtaposed with a dreamy and atmospheric instrumental. 'Star 69' is more upbeat and energetic, with Stipe's vocals taking on a more aggressive tone. 'Strange Currencies' is a softer ballad that is one of the band's most emotionally resonant songs, with lyrics that deal with the pain of lost love.

One of the most significant songs on 'Monster' is 'Let Me In,' which is a tribute to the band's close friend and fellow musician Kurt Cobain, who had died by suicide earlier that year. The song is a somber reflection on Cobain's life and death and captures the raw emotion of the band's grief.

'Monster' is one of R.E.M.'s most commercially successful and popular albums, largely due to its catchy hooks and energetic performances. It's a landmark album that led to the band's continued evolution and experimentation, displaying its versatility as a rock band.

Members:

R.E.M. had four key members: Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Bill Berry.

1. Michael Stipe was the lead singer and lyricist of R.E.M. He was born on January 4, 1960, in Decatur, Georgia. Stipe attended the University of Georgia and met Peter Buck in Athens, Georgia, forming R.E.M. in 1980. Stipe's distinctive vocals, thoughtful lyrics, and dynamic stage presence helped make R.E.M. one of the most highly respected rock bands of the late 20th century.

2. Peter Buck was the lead guitarist for R.E.M. He was born on December 6, 1956, in Berkeley, California. Buck played with numerous bands in his youth before joining R.E.M. in 1980. His jangly, melodic guitar style and inspired songwriting helped define R.E.M.'s sound.

3. Mike Mills was the bass guitarist and backing vocalist for R.E.M. He was born on December 17, 1958, in Orange County, California. Mills joined R.E.M. shortly after the band formed and was responsible for many of their bass lines, harmonies, and much of their key orchestration.

4. Bill Berry was the drummer for R.E.M. He was born on July 31, 1958, in Duluth, Minnesota. Berry was the band's original drummer and played on every R.E.M. album until his departure in 1997. He was known for his driving, propulsive rhythms and his ability to write catchy, memorable songs. Berry also played guitar and piano on several R.E.M. tracks.

Track List for Monster:

Sure, here is the tracklist for the album Monster by R.E.M. with the play time and a brief description of each track:

1. 'What's the Frequency, Kenneth?' (3:59) - The opening track is a hard-driving, guitar-heavy song with cryptic lyrics, inspired by an incident in which CBS news anchor Dan Rather was attacked while someone shouted, 'What's the frequency, Kenneth?'

2. 'Crush with Eyeliner' (4:39) - This up-tempo track features a catchy guitar riff and Michael Stipe's distinctive vocals singing about the power of attraction and obsession.

3. 'King of Comedy' (4:39) - The lyrics of this track explore the dark side of fame and celebrity, with lines like 'The crowds gasp, who'd want this fame?' set to a moody, atmospheric musical backdrop.

4. 'I Don't Sleep, I Dream' (3:26) - A dreamy, melodic track that speaks to the anxiety and restlessness that can come with a life in the public eye.

5. 'Star 69' (3:08) - The title is a reference to the 'last call return' feature on telephones, and the lyrics touch on themes of communication breakdown and paranoia. Musically, it's a high-energy, punk-inflected track.

6. 'Strange Currencies' (3:53) - One of the album's standout tracks, 'Strange Currencies' is a gorgeous, acoustic-driven ballad that features Stipe's vocals at their most tender and vulnerable.

7. 'Tongue' (4:13) - A slower, atmospheric track that relies on layers of guitars and Stipe's whispered vocals to create a hypnotic, almost trance-like feeling.

8. 'Bang and Blame' (5:30) - With its driving drums and searing guitar riffs, 'Bang and Blame' is another high-energy track that channels the raw emotional intensity of R.E.M.'s early days.

9. 'I Took Your Name' (4:01) - The lyrics of this track are cryptic and open to interpretation, but musically it's an upbeat, guitar-driven song with a catchy chorus.

10. 'Let Me In' (3:28) - This song is a tribute to Kurt Cobain, who was a friend and musical contemporary of R.E.M. The lyrics reference Cobain's suicide and his impact on a generation of music fans. Musically, it's a slow, mournful track with a haunting guitar riff.

11. 'Circus Envy' (4:15) - Another hard-driving, guitar-heavy track, 'Circus Envy' features Stipe's vocals alternating between snarling and soaring as he sings about the loneliness and alienation of life on the road.

12. 'You' (4:54) - The album's closing track is a slow, mournful ballad with lyrics that touch on themes of regret and the passage of time. Musically, it's a haunting and beautiful way to end an album that is both challenging and rewarding.

Discography for R.E.M.:

Sure, here's a complete discography for R.E.M. organized by albums, singles, and other releases in chronological order along with their respective release dates:

ALBUMS:
1. Murmur - April 12, 1983
2. Reckoning - April 9, 1984
3. Fables of the Reconstruction - June 10, 1985
4. Lifes Rich Pageant - July 28, 1986
5. Document - August 31, 1987
6. Green - November 7, 1988
7. Out of Time - March 12, 1991
8. Automatic for the People - October 5, 1992
9. Monster - September 27, 1994
10. New Adventures in Hi-Fi - September 9, 1996
11. Up - October 26, 1998
12. Reveal - May 14, 2001
13. Around the Sun - October 4, 2004
14. Accelerate - April 1, 2008
15. Collapse into Now - March 7, 2011

SINGLES:
1. 'Radio Free Europe' (EP) - July 1981
2. 'Talk About the Passion' - January 18, 1983
3. 'So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)' - May 16, 1984
4. 'Can't Get There from Here' - August 15, 1985
5. 'Fall on Me' - 1986
6. 'The One I Love' - August 1987
7. 'It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)' - 1987
8. 'Stand' - 1989
9. 'Shiny Happy People' - May 1991
10. 'Losing My Religion' - February 19, 1991
11. 'Near Wild Heaven' - 1991
12. 'Radio Song' - 1991
13. 'Drive' - October 7, 1992
14. 'Man on The Moon' - 1992
15. 'Nightswimming' - 1993
16. 'Find the River' - 1993
17. 'What's the Frequency, Kenneth?' - September 5, 1994
18. 'Crush with Eyeliner' - 1994
19. 'Bang and Blame' - 1994
20. 'Strange Currencies' - 1995
21. 'E-Bow the Letter' - September 2, 1996
22. 'Bittersweet Me' - 1996
23. 'Electrolite' - 1997
24. 'Daysleeper' - 1998
25. 'Lotus' - 1999
26. 'Suspicion' - 2003
27. 'Leaving New York' - September 27, 2004
28. 'Electron Blue' - 2005
29. 'Supernatural Superserious' - January 25, 2008
30. 'Hollow Man' - March 11, 2008

OTHER RELEASES:
1. Chronic Town (EP) - August 24, 1982
2. Dead Letter Office - April 27, 1987
3. Eponymous - October 19, 1988
4. The Best of R.E.M. - In Time 1988-2003 - October 28, 2003
5. R.E.M. Live - October 15, 2007
6. Unplugged 1991/2001: The Complete Sessions - May 19, 2014

I hope that helps!