Vinyl love: R.E.M. “Automatic for the people”

(Vinyl Love is a series of posts that quite simply lists, describes, and displays the pieces in my growing vinyl collection. You can bet that each record was given a spin during the drafting of each corresponding post.)

Artist: R.E.M.
Album Title: Automatic for the people
Year released: 1992
Year reissued: 2017
Details: 25th anniversary, 180 gram vinyl

The skinny: Unlike the focus of last week’s ‘Vinyl love’ post in this mini R.E.M. series, there was no hesitation in pulling the pre-order trigger when the 25th anniversary vinyl reissue of the band’s eighth studio album was announced. Much like the other two we’ve seen thus far, it was pressed to 180 gram vinyl and remastered, this time from the original analog masters, and man, does it sound great. “Automatic for the people” was recorded by the band while its predecessor was still climbing the pop charts and further making the band a household name. This one also did very well critically and commercially but it’s noticeably darker and in my mind, more cohesive. “Automatic” is, without comparison, my favourite R.E.M. album. Each side is perfectly balanced. I love every tune. There are no weak links. I have spun it countless times since I received it in the post almost five years ago and I imagine it will forever remain the record by this band that will hit my turntable the most.

Standout track: “Nightswimming”