Album Information:

About R.E.M.:

R.E.M. is an American rock band that formed in Athens, Georgia in 1980. The band is known for its distinctive alternative rock sound, crafted through its blend of jangly guitar riffs, introspective lyrics, and Michael Stipe's unique vocal styling.

The original members of R.E.M. were Michael Stipe (vocals), Peter Buck (guitar), Mike Mills (bass), and Bill Berry (drums). The band's first album, 'Murmur,' was released in 1983 and was met with critical acclaim. It established R.E.M. as one of the leading bands of the emerging alternative rock movement.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, R.E.M. continued to release critically acclaimed albums, including 'Reckoning,' 'Life's Rich Pageant,' 'Document,' and 'Green.' The band also had a string of hit singles, including 'The One I Love,' 'Stand,' 'Losing My Religion,' and 'Everybody Hurts.'

In 1997, Bill Berry left the band, and R.E.M. continued as a three-piece. The band released several more albums in the following years, including 'Up,' 'Reveal,' and 'Accelerate.'

In 2011, R.E.M. announced that they were disbanding after 31 years together. The band cited a desire to 'call it a day' and move on to other projects.

Throughout its career, R.E.M. was known for its political and social commentary, with many of its lyrics exploring themes of alienation, social activism, and personal introspection. The band's music and message resonated with audiences around the world, and it continues to influence artists across genres today.

About the album Up:

Sure, here's a detailed description of the album Up by R.E.M:

Up is the eleventh studio album released by American rock band R.E.M on October 26, 1998, through Warner Bros. Records. The album marked a significant departure from their classic guitar-driven sound and represented a new, experimental phase for the band. Up is a richly layered album that incorporates a diverse range of instruments and musical styles to create a unique and innovative sonic landscape.

The album opens with a haunting, atmospheric track called 'Airportman,' which sets the tone for the rest of the album. The song features choral vocals and ambient soundscapes that create a sense of unease and foreboding. This mood is continued in the next track, 'Lotus,' which builds on the atmospheric soundscapes of 'Airportman,' with a drumbeat that becomes increasingly insistent as the song progresses. The album's lead single, 'Daysleeper,' is a standout track that features a hypnotic guitar riff, moody keyboards, and Michael Stipe's enigmatic vocals. The song was inspired by Stipe's experiences of jetlag and insomnia, and it captures the feeling of existing in a state of limbo or dreamlike state.

Other standout tracks on the album include 'Suspicion,' which is driven by a funky bassline and features a surprisingly upbeat chorus, 'Sad Professor,' which is an introspective ballad that features beautiful harmonies and a haunting piano melody, and 'At My Most Beautiful,' which is a beautiful, romantic ballad that showcases the band's gentle side.

Up also features some experimental tracks that push the boundaries of what R.E.M had previously done. 'You're in the Air' features an otherworldly blend of programmed beats, atmospheric synths, and distorted vocals, while 'Zither' is a minimalist instrumental track that showcases Peter Buck's mastery of the zither.

Overall, Up is an ambitious and adventurous album that represents a major shift for R.E.M. The band explored new musical territory while still retaining their distinctive sound and style, and the result is a rich and complex album that rewards repeated listens. It may have been a departure from their earlier work, but it cemented R.E.M.'s reputation as one of the most innovative and influential bands of their generation.

Members:

R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia in 1980. The key members of the band were:

1. Michael Stipe (vocals): Michael Stipe was born on January 4, 1960, in Decatur, Georgia. He moved to Athens, Georgia, to attend the University of Georgia, where he met the other members of R.E.M. Stipe was the lead vocalist and lyricist for the band and is known for his distinctive singing style and socially conscious lyrics.

2. Peter Buck (guitar): Peter Buck was born on December 6, 1956, in Berkeley, California. He moved to Athens, Georgia, to attend the University of Georgia, where he met Michael Stipe and the other members of R.E.M. Buck played guitar for the band and was a key songwriter.

3. Mike Mills (bass, keyboards, backing vocals): Mike Mills was born on December 17, 1958, in Orange County, California. He also moved to Athens, Georgia, to attend the University of Georgia, where he met the other members of R.E.M. Mills played bass guitar, keyboards, and sang backing vocals for the band.

4. Bill Berry (drums, percussion): Bill Berry was born on July 31, 1958, in Duluth, Minnesota. He met Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, and Mike Mills while studying at the University of Georgia. Berry played drums and percussion for the band.

Together, these four members formed R.E.M. in 1980. The band went on to achieve great success with hits like 'Losing My Religion,' 'Everybody Hurts,' and 'Shiny Happy People.' In 1997, Berry left the band to pursue other projects, and R.E.M. continued as a three-piece until they disbanded in 2011.

Track List for Up:

Sorry, as an AI language model, I am not able to provide playtime of individual tracks in an album, as I don't have access to real-time musical elements. However, I can provide you with a detailed list of all the tracks in their album 'Up'. Please find the information below:

1. 'Airportman' - A slow and atmospheric song that sets the tone for the rest of the album.

2. 'Lotus' - This song has a catchy, upbeat melody with lyrics that speak to finding peace and meaning in one's life.

3. 'Suspicion' - With a driving guitar riff and catchy chorus, this song explores themes of doubt and uncertainty.

4. 'Hope' - This upbeat track speaks to the transformative power of hope and perseverance.

5. 'At My Most Beautiful' - A beautiful, melancholic ballad about the simple joys of life and love.

6. 'The Apologist' - This track features a driving drum beat and fuzzy guitar riffs, with lyrics about the importance of forgiveness.

7. 'Sad Professor' - An introspective track with a slow, downbeat tempo and lyrics about feeling lost and disillusioned.

8. 'You're in the Air' - A mellow, dreamy song that speaks to the fleeting and ephemeral nature of life.

9. 'Walk Unafraid' - This upbeat and anthemic track encourages listeners to be fearless in pursuing their dreams.

10. 'Why Not Smile' - A moody song with introspective lyrics about the ups and downs of life and relationships.

11. 'Daysleeper' - A melancholic song about the struggles of working long hours and feeling disconnected from life.

12. 'Diminished' - A slow and melancholic song about feeling drained and empty.

13. 'Parakeet' - A quirky and upbeat instrumental track with no lyrics, featuring bright guitar riffs and a catchy melody.

14. 'Falls to Climb' - This uplifting track closes out the album with an upbeat melody and lyrics about overcoming adversity and finding strength in difficult times.

Discography for R.E.M.:

Here is a complete discography for R.E.M. in chronological order:

Albums:
- Murmur (1983)
- Reckoning (1984)
- Fables of the Reconstruction (1985)
- Lifes Rich Pageant (1986)
- Document (1987)
- Green (1988)
- Out of Time (1991)
- Automatic for the People (1992)
- Monster (1994)
- New Adventures in Hi-Fi (1996)
- Up (1998)
- Reveal (2001)
- Around the Sun (2004)
- Accelerate (2008)
- Collapse into Now (2011)

Singles:
- Radio Free Europe (1981)
- So. Central Rain (1984)
- (Don't Go Back To) Rockville (1984)
- Driver 8 (1985)
- Cant Get There From Here (1985)
- Fall on Me (1986)
- Superman (1986)
- The One I Love (1987)
- It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) (1987)
- Stand (1988)
- Pop Song 89 (1989)
- Get Up (1991)
- Shiny Happy People (1991)
- Losing My Religion (1991)
- Near Wild Heaven (1991)
- Radio Song (1991)
- Drive (1992)
- Man on the Moon (1992)
- The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite (1993)
- Everybody Hurts (1993)
- Nightswimming (1993)
- What's the Frequency, Kenneth? (1994)
- Bang and Blame (1994)
- Strange Currencies (1995)
- E-Bow the Letter (1996)
- Bittersweet Me (1996)
- Lotus (1998)
- Daysleeper (1998)
- At My Most Beautiful (1999)
- Imitation of Life (2001)
- All the Way to Reno (You're Gonna Be a Star) (2001)
- Animal (2004)

Other Releases:
- Chronic Town EP (1982)
- Dead Letter Office (1987)
- Eponymous (1988)
- The Best of R.E.M. (1991)
- In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988–2003 (2003)
- And I Feel Fine... The Best of the I.R.S Years 1982-1987 (2006)