When writing Automatic for the People, R.E.M. wanted songs that didn't sound like what people would expect from them, so they adopted a slower tempo for most tracks. Around 30 songs were recorded for the album, but the tracklist was whittled down to 12 incredibly thought-provoking tracks.
Automatic for the People was darker in tone than R.E.M.'s previous records, with more instruments and layers to back the guitar-led tracks. Songs such as 'Everybody Hurts' and 'The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite' included strings arranged by former Led Zeppelin bassist John Paul Jones. But it wasn't all doom and gloom: 'Man on the Moon' was an up-tempo acoustic rock track with a hint of country.
The album took R.E.M. from American alt-rock to a mainstream band played on global radio stations.
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