Episode 58: R.E.M’s “Out of Time” (1991)
Released on January 18, 2025
Host: acceleratedculture
Hosts: Lori & Scott Free

Introduction

In Episode 58 of the Accelerated Culture podcast, hosts Lori and Scott Free delve deep into R.E.M.'s seminal 1991 album, Out of Time. Celebrated as a pivotal moment in alternative music, this episode explores the album's creation, its standout tracks, and its enduring legacy within the broader context of R.E.M.'s evolution.

Shout-Outs and Personal Updates

Lori and Scott begin the episode by acknowledging their listeners and patrons. Notable mentions include:

• Paul Mackey (01:30): "I started listening to your show quite recently, so I'm just in the late 80s, but I'm loving what I'm hearing."
• Joe Hedgepith (02:36): Praises the hosts for their research and recommends the podcast to clients.
• Hadiya Biglow (02:40): The newest Patreon subscriber, with exclusive bonus content teased for listeners.

R.E.M.'s Journey to Out of Time

The discussion traces R.E.M.'s origins back to 1980 in Athens, Georgia. Scott Free narrates the band's formation, highlighting the serendipitous meeting of Michael Stipe and Peter Buck at a record store, leading to the recruitment of Bill Berry and Mike Mills. This camaraderie set the foundation for their unique sound—a blend of Southern gothic tinged power pop and college rock.

Lori adds context about R.E.M.'s classification, noting, "They weren't New Wave, but they weren't not New Wave," emphasizing their distinct identity within the music scene.

Transition to Warner Brothers and Green Album

After a string of successful releases and a dedicated college radio following, R.E.M. sought greater creative control, leading them to sign with Warner Brothers Records. Although the financial offer ranged between $6 million and $12 million, the allure of complete artistic freedom was paramount.

Scott Free elaborates on the Green album (15:02), describing it as a departure from their earlier work with more political content and experimentation with diverse instrumentation like mandolin and accordion. Despite mixed reception, Green set the stage for the transformative Out of Time.

In-Depth Album Overview: Out of Time

Released on March 12, 1991, Out of Time marked R.E.M.'s ascent into global stardom. The album spent 109 weeks on the U.S. charts, selling over 18 million copies worldwide and clinching three Grammy Awards in 1992.

Lori cites Rob Sheffield's Rolling Stone article, stating, "R.E.M. reinvented themselves as space folk voyagers...," highlighting the album's thematic and musical evolution towards heartfelt love songs and experimental sounds.

Scott Free notes the extensive use of orchestration, mentioning, "I counted eight tracks total that have an orchestra...," underscoring the album's lush production.

Track-by-Track Analysis

1. Radio Song (28:01)

• Overview: Opens the album with an unconventional collaboration featuring KRS-One, adding a hip-hop element.
• Quotes:
  • Scott Free: "KRS1 was originally only supposed to sing the hey hey hey on the song."
  • Lori: "It's like Sonic Youth and Chuck D on 'Cool Thing'."
• Analysis: While innovative, the track received mixed reviews for its jarring fusion of genres. The music video was praised for its creative visuals.

2. Losing My Religion (38:24)

• Overview: The breakout single blending mandolin and emotional depth, accompanied by a visually stunning music video.
• Quotes:
  • Scott Free: "Losing My Religion is just... epic."
  • Lori: "Losing My Religion... the title is actually a Southern phrase..."
• Analysis: Lauded as R.E.M.'s most popular song, it encapsulates the album's shift towards personal and introspective themes.

3. Low (50:31)

• Overview: Features Mike Mills on organ and a minimalist bass groove.
• Analysis: An underrated gem that showcases the band's versatility and depth.

4. Near Wild Heaven (52:58)

• Overview: Led by Mike Mills, blending cheerful melodies with underlying relational tension.
• Quotes:
  • Lori: "It's like looking out your window and seeing a perfect sunflower..."
• Analysis: Mixed reception due to its overly cheerful tone juxtaposed with deeper lyrical content.

5. Endgame (60:39)

• Overview: An instrumental track with melodica and flugelhorn, exemplifying the album's experimental edge.
• Analysis: Highlighted for its seamless fit into both the album and live performances like R.E.M. Unplugged.

6. Shiny Happy People (63:37)

• Overview: A collaborative track with Kate Pierson of the B-52s, embodying a bright, upbeat sound that contrasted R.E.M.'s usual tone.
• Quotes:
  • Lori: "Shiny Happy People is really about surly, petty bastards trying to take a chance..."
• Analysis: Polarizing among fans; lauded for its melody and criticized for its lyrical simplicity and overplay on radio.

7. Belong (75:39)

• Overview: A deeply emotional track with spoken word elements about a mother's bond with her child.
• Quotes:
  • Scott Free: "It's about the bond between mother and child, not defenestration."
• Analysis: Celebrated by band members and fans for its poignant lyrics and minimalist instrumentation.

8. Half a World Away (81:30)

• Overview: Another Mike Mills-led song blending personal emotion with intricate instrumentation.
• Analysis: Resonates with listeners for its heartfelt lyrics and complex musical arrangement.

9. Texarkana (84:35)

• Overview: Features Mike Mills on lead vocals with a driving tempo and thematic progression.
• Quotes:
  • Lori: "I get to count it as a number song."
• Analysis: Praised for its lyrical depth and energetic composition, though not universally favored by the hosts.

10. Country Feedback (89:19)

• Overview: A gritty track with pedal steel guitar and sustained feedback, exploring the complexities of a deteriorating relationship.
• Quotes:
  • Lori: "It's about having given up on a relationship."
• Analysis: Highlighted for its raw emotion and departure from typical R.E.M. sounds.

11. Me in Honey (95:38)

• Overview: Concludes the album with a duet featuring Kate Pierson, blending traditional R.E.M. elements with new collaborative textures.
• Quotes:
  • Scott Free: "This song had to be interpreted as Michael's favorite."
• Analysis: Celebrated for its harmonious vocals and fitting closure to the album's diverse soundscape.

Personal Reflections and Opinions

Throughout the episode, Lori and Scott share their personal connections and critiques of the album:

• Lori expresses a deep appreciation for tracks like "Belong" and "Me in Honey," despite initial reservations about songs like "Shiny Happy People."

  "I have friends who... gave up on the band because of this album. I have others who love it..." (104:01)

• Scott reveres "Losing My Religion" and "Me in Honey" as top favorites, while finding tracks like "Country Feedback" less appealing.

  "I really like Losing My Religion... and me and Honey... are both very excellent songs." (102:25)

• They discuss the album's impact on their perception of R.E.M., acknowledging its role as a turning point that solidified the band's standing in alternative music.

Conclusions and Legacy

Lori and Scott conclude by reflecting on R.E.M.'s legacy, suggesting that while Out of Time remains a high point, the band's subsequent releases may not have sustained their early momentum. They commend R.E.M. for maintaining artistic integrity and navigating the music industry's challenges on their own terms.

Scott Free notes:

"R.E.M. was among the biggest bands on the planet at the time, and they had earned the right to do whatever they wanted." (105:00)

They also touch upon Michael Stipe's solo endeavors, hinting at future discussions in upcoming episodes.

Notable Quotes

• Scott Free (00:03): "Welcome to the Accelerated Culture podcast... a walk through an often-ignored bit of music history."

• Lori (04:50): "I would have said R.E.M.'s controversial 1991 album Out of Time, but it made a lot more R.E.M. fans..."

• Scott Free (15:21): "Document was 1987. That was where I came across R.E.M."

• Rob Sheffield (24:26): "R.E.M. reinvented themselves as space folk voyagers..."

• Scott Free (38:24): "Losing My Religion is just... epic."

• Lori (95:38): "It is so very Out of Time era R.E.M. but not in a poppy happy way..."

Looking Ahead

The episode wraps up with a teaser for the next installment, which will explore the 1991 Trip Hop Classic, Blue Lines by Massive Attack. Listeners are encouraged to tune in in two weeks for another deep dive into alternative music history.

Tune in to the next episode of Accelerated Culture as Lori and Scott continue their exploration of alternative music's rich tapestry, ensuring you stay connected with the sounds that shaped a generation.