Word: stipe
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Another of the few fast tracks on Automatic, "Ignoreland," lambastes the Republicans for "wrecking all things virtuous and true" in the past 12 years. In a slightly distorted vocal that struggles behind layers of instrumentation, Stipe admits that his lyrics are "vitriol," but feels "better having screamed" about the GOP menace...
...Stipe also has fun in the straight-forward "man on the Moon," a song about Andy Kaufman traipsing around in heaven. Twangs of R.E.M.'s country roots combine with Mike Mills' cool harmonies, Stipe's Elvis impersonation and a funky guitar solo from Peter Buck to produce a catchy little tune...
...Automatic for the People are unlike anything else we've ever heard from R.E.M. The first is "Everybody Hurts," a moving waltz that exceeds even Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and James Taylor's rendition of "You've Got a Friend" on the sentimental scale. Stipe's voice is surprisingly sweet and steady in this inspiring balled: "When you feel like letting go/ When you think you've had too much/ Of this life/ Hang on." A little sappy? Yes. But with Stipe's masterful voice, swirling strings and rich guitars, it's a powerful song nevertheless...
...Star Me Kitten" and "New Orleans Instrumental No. I" are somewhat less successful experiments. "Star" is a slow, soft jazzy piece--with a few guitar and bass notes and occasional cymbals--that drags along with a breathy Stipe vocal ("I am your possession/ So fuck me kitten"). In the back ground is a hovering "ah" that endures throughout the three minutes and 16 seconds. Lazy "New Orleans" is a twominute ditty with reverberating guitars and sorrowful strings...
...best song of the album is "Nightswimming," the second-to-last. This magical effort--a gorgeous piano-and-cello-driven recollection of skinny-dipping with old high school friends--captures Automatic for the People's lost youth theme with passion and energy. Stipe's performance is poetic. His voice is innocent, soulful, beautiful; his lyrics are filled with gut-wrenching imagery of times long gone. And the vocals run along independent of the musical score, imparting a wonderful feeling of nightswimming--of youthful bliss...