R.E.M. spent the decade after Murmur growing steadily more successful, their popularity cresting with the 1991 #1 album Out of Time and its inescapable hit single “Losing My Religion.” But instead of going on an exhausting world tour like most bands would, R.E.M. went right back into the studio and recorded Automatic for the People, an album that defies rock star excess at nearly every turn. You probably know “Everybody Hurts” and “Man on the Moon,” which are still radio standards to this day, and with good reason. But even those songs were much more downcast and introspective than one would expect from a band at the height of their popularity. Automatic for the People is the sound of R.E.M. entering their thirties and taking stock of their place in both music and the world, and though it may take some time to sink in, John, Phil, Rich, and special guest Jeff Blehar all consider it one of their best albums. So join us for part 2 of a band that cannot be contained by one episode, and calluswhenyoutrytowakeherup.

Cohosts: John McFerrin, Phil Maddox, Rich Bunnell, Jeff Blehar

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/140-rem-automatic-for-the-people-1992

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We’ve held off on R.E.M. for a while, because the Athens, Ga., quartet is just such a heavyweight in the rock canon. They’re so huge, in fact, that they merit two episodes: one for the mumbly, Byrdsy alt-rock troubadours of the ‘80s, and one for the slightly less mumbly arena rock titans of the ‘90s and onward. We’re starting off with their 1983 debut Murmur, which fueled the rise of college radio with songs that were strangely out of time (so to speak) with the trends of the ‘80s. The compositions on Murmur are so hazy and oblique that they almost resist analysis, and that’s before you even consider Michael Stipe’s lyrics. But John, Mike, Phil, and Ben are willing to give it their best shot, so join them as they embark on a long-delayed pilgrimage west of the fields to discuss one of this podcast’s favorite bands.

Cohosts: John McFerrin, Mike DeFabio, Phil Maddox, Ben Marlin

Complete show notes: https://discordpod.com/listen/139-rem-murmur-1983

Discord & Rhyme's merch store: http://tee.pub/lic/discordpod

Support the podcast! https://www.patreon.com/discordpod

Rich, Mike, and Amanda answer a bonanza of questions from listeners. Topics include retro prog, great live albums and not-so-great live shows, fantasy supergroups, synesthesia, our favorite recent releases, and no fewer than three questions about the Moody Blues. Listen through to the end for a special request to listeners!

Clips:

• Peter Gabriel - Start
• Def Leppard - Animal
• The Moody Blues - Here Comes the Weekend
• Ween - Friends
• The Velvet Underground - I'll Be Your Mirror
• LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends
• Jenny Conlee - Hawk (Dorian)
• Mary Timony - No Thirds
• Marnie Stern - Plain Speak
• Peter Gabriel - i/o (Dark-Side Mix)
• Days Between Stations - The Man Who Died Two Times
• Mondo Drag - Out of Sight
• Opeth - Heart in Hand
• iamthemorning - 5/4
• Liza Minnelli - I Want You Now
• Robert Wyatt - Sea Song
• Johnny Cash - A Boy Named Sue (live)
• Oingo Boingo - No Spill Blood (live)
• Underworld - Cups/Push Upstairs (live)
• Girls5eva - Famous 5eva
• Lalo Schifrin - Theme from Mannix
• Andy Partridge - I Wonder Why the Wonderfalls
• The Simpsons - Canyonero
• Bob's Burgers - Thanksgiving Song
• The Simpsons - Lisa, It's Your Birthday

Theme: The Moody Blues - "Question"

Amanda on synesthesia: https://discordpod.com/blog/synesthesia-corner

Rich on synesthesia: https://discordpod.com/blog/synesthesia-corner-vol-2-born-to-synesthete