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R.E.M. pushed the jangle out of the picture with Monster, replacing it with reverberating snaps,
crackles, and pops. An album that wraps itself to '70s glam finery while reaching out to the
flannel-clad post-Nirvana throngs, it largely succeeds at demonstrating that these Georgians still
know how to rock. The MTV fave "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" kicks things off on a high note as
Peter Buck's distorted power chords set the tone for the 12-song set. "Strange Currencies" may be
alarmingly reminiscent of the Automatic for the People hit "Everybody Hurts," but it's actually the
superior song. "Let Me In" is a heavily distorted nod to the fallen Kurt Cobain. While Monster is far
from R.E.M.'s most consistent effort, it stands as a ragged and risky respite from safe and sound
alterna-rock. --Steven Stolder