After
OKX, our 10-year cover tribute to the Radiohead classic
OK Computer, we soon began narrowing the list of prospects for our next celebratory project: sifting, sorting, debating, etc. But when we realized we were approaching a decade and a half since the release of
R.E.M.'s
Automatic For The People (originally released 10/5/92) -- surprised by that period of time as we had been by discovering it had been a full decade since
OK Computer -- we knew we had our next project chosen.
It's a similar sort of awe and respect we have for
Automatic, an album that stood out of step from the angsty grunge and brainy indie rock of that era; in that sense, it's also an album out of time, and one that still affects us all here at Stereogum. Now 15 years on, and with R.E.M. showing signs of increased activity, releasing a CD/DVD set
R.E.M. Live on 10/16 and working furiously and furtively on a new album expected next year, it's an ideal moment to reflect upon and celebrate this personal, critical, and commercial favorite.
There never was a question of whom we wanted to contextualize
Drive XV or who was most qualified: In his
essay "Sweetness Followed: 15 Years After
Automatic,"
Fluxblog founder and R.E.M. savant (
Pop Songs 07, anyone?) Matthew Perpetua employs his deep
Automatic insight to frame the record thematically and historically, to discuss its impact on the mostly younger generation of artists on
Drive XV, and, ultimately, to analyze how these upstarts have consumed, digested, and reinterpreted the LP.
We embarked upon
Drive XV months before we learned R.E.M. would be releasing a live album (their first) the same month. The timing was fortuitous, however; it meant the band was in requisite promotional mode. Thus Stereogum was granted time to speak with Mike Mills, whose commentary on each
Automatic track you'll see as you browse the mini-site. (We also talked other passions with Mr. Mills -- the full Q&A will appear on Stereogum later this month.)
As for
Automatic, maybe nothing speaks to the influence this record's had on the current crop of indie rockers more directly than the amazing number of high-caliber artists who expressed interest in contributing to the compilation. So although
Drive XV launches with single covers of each
Automatic song, we will add exclusive versions from even more artists in the coming weeks. Each track's page has a dedicated comment section; we're sure you'll make good use of that.
Lots of hard work went into bringing
Drive XV together, so we'd like to give thanks to album cover illustrators
Heads Of State, to Warner Brothers and
REM HQ's David Bell and Kevin O'Neil, to Matthew Perpetua, to master masterer Paul Geissinger, and of course to R.E.M. and all the bands who contributed. We hope you enjoy listening to it as much as we enjoyed putting it together.
Click image for a high-res version suitable for printing.
I can't believe they're still around! got to hand it to them. I remember listening to this band, Simply Red and Hoodoo Gurus back in the late 80's/early 90's. Shiny Happy People and Everybody Hurts are still in my fav's list, missed Bill Berry when he quit in '97 though.
I'm just hearing this tribute for the first time. I think this one rules.
I love REM, and I usually adore Amanda, but this was awful. I have never heard Amanda's voice sound so terrible.
R.E.M. used to be my favourite band in the late 90's, Wrens in the early 00's and somehow I like it that they fucked up this song in such spectacular way. It sounds like it took them only 2 or 3 takes to publish it, and like they didn't really care about final effect. jangly guitar in the background is lovely, but the tempo is def. bad and singing is awful. Charles' review of the song is actually really interesting
This is what Sidewinder might have sounded like if it was recorded for Up instead of AFTP. I love it. :)
Oxford Collapse Cover "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite"
Sub Pop trio Oxford Collapse joined former Sub Pop troupe Rogue Wave in stepping up to "The Sidewinder" for Drive XV, the bands taking markedly different paths but both turning in solid takes on the track. The Oxford men didn't... (more)
Ferraby Lionheart Covers "Man On The Moon"
Things have been at a slow and steady swell for Silver Lake folkie Ferraby Lionheart since we first tagged him an artist to watch: signing to Nettwerk; releasing his fine full-length debut Catch The Brass Ring; and for or better... (more)
The Narrator Cover "Try Not To Breathe"
"Try Not To Breathe," the song that made Mike Mills feel, for just a little while, like a Beatle. Mike was good enough to chat with us when we were putting together Drive XV to give his thoughts and anecdotes... (more)
Amanda Palmer Covers "Everybody Hurts"
As we mentioned in the original Drive XV post, nothing speaks to the influence Automatic For The People's had on the current crop of indie rockers more directly than the amazing number of high-caliber artists who expressed interest in contributing... (more)
Stereogum Presents... Drive XV: A Tribute To Automatic For The People
After OKX, our 10-year cover tribute to the Radiohead classic OK Computer, we soon began narrowing the list of prospects for our next celebratory project: sifting, sorting, debating, etc. But when we realized we were approaching a decade and... (more)
Tegan And Sara, Amanda Palmer Cover Rihanna
Really, we should be keeping a running list of all the "Umbrella" covers for posterity, 'cause clearly it's this year's "Crazy." We've already pointed the way to Mandy Moore's acoustic take but never pointed out My Chem's Gerard having his... (more)
Quit Your Day Job: Figurines
Unless you were born with one of those silver spoons, you likely work a day job, sneaking time for your own business when not taking care of someone else's. You're not alone. Every week, Brandon Stosuy finds out how our... (more)
New Live R.E.M. Video - "Man On The Moon" (Stereogum Premiere)
One more from the fertile two-night stand R.E.M. had in Feb '05 at Dublin's Point Theatre, standing as proof that people love hits. Unlike the other clips from the gigs, all of which will be stitched together on the forthcoming... (more)
Quit Your Day Job: The Forms
Unless you were born with one of those silver spoons, you likely work a day job, sneaking time for your own business when not taking care of someone else's. You're not alone. Every week, Brandon Stosuy finds out how our... (more)
Austin City Limits '07: Sunday In Photos, "Best Of" List
At some point we called this year's Austin City Limits festival "Friday and Sunday heavy," but that shit ain't right; this year's ACL dance-card was tilted entirely toward the tail end. In fact, pretty sure we saw more bands... (more)
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