Although R.E.M. had a few hits and a following in the 80's, this was their true "commercial break-through".  "Losing My Religion", the 2nd track, took modern rock radio by storm, in the wake of the oncoming grunge movement.  That song has grown, along with "It's The End Of The World (As We Know It)" to be the most recognizable R.E.M. song, but is there more to the album than that?

   This is much lighter, and a lot more personal than the previous R.E.M. albums, noticeably poppy from the beginning.  Is this a bad thing? Of course not... it's just different.  "Radio Song", with a guest appearance by KRS-One, sets an apparent sarcastic tone for the album, which isn't heard again until "Shiny Happy People".  The use of less-than-traditional instruments & style on this album (bongos on "Low", duet singing with Kate Pierson of the B-52's, the aforementioned KRS-One cameo, among others) gave listeners something new to look at in R.E.M.  Although the personal nature of the songs on this album may turn off some listeners, the content of the album isn't pure sap, with topics ranging from alcohol-induced adultery ("Half A World Away"), loneliness ("Texarkana"), to "normal" ending-relationship songs ("Near Wild Heaven).  The most interesting thing about the songs on this album is that the up-beat music should nullify any serious meanings in the songs, but instead it creates an atmosphere in which it's easy to get lost.

   This album is distinct, in that it's more "alternative" from what I understand to be "traditional R.E.M.", but it's not so soft that it turns you off.  It's not for everyone, but those who it is for will appreciate it very much.