• 25th anniversary remastered edition of R.E.M.’s influential 1994 studio album

• Pressed on heavyweight 180-gram black vinyl for improved audio fidelity

• Features standout tracks including “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?”, “Bang and Blame,” and “Crush with Eyeliner”

• Marked a deliberate shift toward a louder, guitar-driven sound following the success of Automatic for the People

• Essential release from one of the defining alternative rock bands of the 1990s

Released in 1994, Monster represented a bold stylistic shift for R.E.M. following the introspective tone of Automatic for the People. Rather than continuing with orchestral arrangements and reflective ballads, the band returned to a louder and more distorted guitar-driven sound inspired by glam rock and garage rock influences. The album’s opening single, “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?”, set the tone with its driving riffs and energetic production, while tracks like “Bang and Blame” and “Crush with Eyeliner” demonstrated the band’s willingness to experiment with darker textures and heavier instrumentation. Michael Stipe’s lyrics explore themes of identity, fame, and media culture, reflecting the growing public attention the band faced during the mid-1990s.

This 25th anniversary remastered edition presents Monster on heavyweight 180-gram vinyl, offering enhanced clarity and depth that highlights the album’s dense guitar layers and dynamic production. The remaster allows listeners to experience the record with renewed detail while preserving the raw energy that defined its original release. As one of the band’s most commercially successful albums, Monster helped expand R.E.M.’s global audience and supported their first major world tour in several years. For collectors and fans of alternative rock, this anniversary pressing stands as a significant edition that captures a moment when R.E.M. deliberately reinvented their sound while remaining one of the most influential bands of their generation.

Track-listing

1. What's the Frequency, Kenneth? [Remastered]
2. Crush with Eyeliner [Remastered]
3. King of Comedy [Remastered]
4. I Don't Sleep, I Dream [Remastered]
5. Star 69 [Remastered]
6. Tongue [Remastered]
7. Bang and Blame [Remastered]
8. I Took Your Name [Remastered]
9. Let Me in [Remastered]
10. Circus Envy [Remastered]
11. You [Remastered]