Monster [25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition]
by R.E.M.
Metascore
83

Universal acclaim - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
Buy Now
Buy on
  1. American Songwriter
    Nov 1, 2019
    60
    The live 25-song audio concert is a solid performance, but the just above bootleg sound is compressed and tinny. The band plays only a few songs from their IRS days while reprising all but three Monster tunes. The hours worth of mostly instrumental demos, where a Stipe-less trio tests riffs and grooves without actual songs behind them, are pleasant but forgettable. ... Fans will be intrigued by the crisper sound of the [remix] where Stipe’s vocals and Peter Buck’s guitar – cranked up for the majority of the disc – are better defined.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 11 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. Olicomix
    Nov 14, 2019
    9
    While it's certainly not as focused or as diverse as it's predecessor, "Monster" still succeeds in many ways with it's excellent structure,While it's certainly not as focused or as diverse as it's predecessor, "Monster" still succeeds in many ways with it's excellent structure, great composition and production, and overabundance of memorable material, making it, arguably, the most criminally underrated album by R.E.M., as it's not only goofy, but heartfelt when it needs to be. Mix that with the hard rock sound, and what you've got is a record that's not only fun, but also effective. Sure, it'll take some time to grow on you since it is wildly different from anything the band has ever done with it's more light-hearted and much harder tone, but once it does, this is one hell of an album that will stay with you for a long time. It's a hidden gem from the mid 90s that no fan of music from that era should pass on. It’s catchy, in-your-face, and one monster of a good time, and if you mix that with the amount of awesome extra content here, and what you’ve got is something that no fan of R.E.M. and/or hard rock in general should pass up.… Full Review »
  2. Batters
    Feb 23, 2022
    9
    Отличный альбом! Экспериментальная запись пошла группе только на пользу. Очень драйвовый в начале и крайне мрачный в конце.Отличный альбом! Экспериментальная запись пошла группе только на пользу. Очень драйвовый в начале и крайне мрачный в конце.
See all user reviews »