It Starts with an Earthquake: R.E.M.'s Monster
All Things Reconsidered
[27 February 2009]
I have spent half my life being an R.E.M. fan, and I’ve consumed just about every album in their catalogue. So, at this point, I feel confident saying that Monster is unfairly maligned, and truly stands as one of their best.by Ben Schumer
Whether you’re a “first generation” (IRS years) or “second generation” (Warner Bros. years) R.E.M. fan, you likely have a strong opinion of Monster, and that opinion is more than likely a negative one. In fact, it seems the negative feelings toward Monster have only multiplied and intensified in the 14 years since its release. Monster’s constant presence in used CD bins across the nation is all the proof you’ll need that the album has become a bit of a punch line.
Yet from the moment I first heard it in 1994, I’ve had nothing but unrepentant love for Monster. I fully admit that there is a nostalgic element to this. I still remember the first time I saw the video for “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?”—Michael Stipe poised awkwardly in front of his mic stand wearing his iconic star t-shirt while the lights flickered in and out (which wonderfully mimicked Peter Buck’s tremolo-guitar). I also sang along to “Strange Currencies” in the back of my mom’s car an embarrassing number of times.
Monster was not my first exposure to R.E.M.—that distinction goes to “Losing My Religion”, a song for which my feelings are still relatively indifferent. Due to a combination of my young age (13) and musical preferences at that time in my life (Nirvana, Weezer, Smashing Pumpkins), the star t-shirted Stipe struck a cord with me in a way that shiny, happy, lost-his-religion Stipe never could. Nevertheless, I have spent half my life being an R.E.M. fan, and I’ve consumed just about every album in their catalogue. So, at this point, I feel confident saying that Monster is unfairly maligned, and truly stands as one of their best.
