R.E.M.: Automatic For The People (Warner Bros 9362-45055-2)
Keith Cameron, Vox, November 1992
DESPITE THE crew's best attempts to shift course, the good ship R.E.M. appears to be heading inescapably towards that dreamland reserved for rock bands with the healthiest bank balances. Last year's Out Of Time had string arrangements and undemonstrative pop songs in attempt to dampen the global hysteria ushered forth by the arena-compatible Green — but went on to sell more than ten million copies.
Total word count of piece: 509