R.E.M. – Green

Review

'Green' isn't just R.E.M.'s sixth studio album; it's a musical kaleidoscope that spins their sound into uncharted territory. Released in 1988, this record is like a crazy quilt of major-key rock anthems, ironic pop ditties, and pastoral acoustic numbers. The Athens, Georgia quartet decided to throw their usual playbook out the window, swapping instruments like kids trading baseball cards and bringing in an eclectic array of noisemakers - mandolins, accordions, cellos, you name it. It's as if they raided a music store and said, "Let's play with everything!"

The result? A glorious hodgepodge that's equal parts experiment and pop masterpiece. You've got tracks like 'Stand' and 'Pop Song 89' that'll have you bopping along with a wry smile, while 'Orange Crush' and 'Turn You Inside-Out' punch you in the gut with their rock-hard edge. Then there's Peter Buck strumming away on the mandolin in 'You Are The Everything' and 'The Wrong Child,' creating a dreamy, pastoral vibe that's light-years away from their jangly college rock roots. It's like they took their sound, tossed it in a blender, and hit puree - and somehow, magically, it all works. This sonic rollercoaster ride not only scored them double-platinum status in the US but also became their golden ticket to European stardom. Not bad for an album that bassist Mike Mills described as "haphazard" and "scattershot," huh? - Eliot