"Monster" is the ninth studio album by R.E.M., released on September 26, 1994, in the UK and the following day in the US. Produced by the band and Scott Litt, the album marked a deliberate shift in style from their previous works, embracing loud, distorted guitar tones and simpler lyrics.
Led by the hit single "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?", Monster debuted at number one in the US and several other countries, receiving generally positive reviews. Additional singles like "Bang and Blame," "Strange Currencies," and "Tongue" further solidified its success. The band supported the album with a major concert tour, their first since 1989, although members faced various health issues during this time. At the 37th Annual Grammy Awards, Monster was nominated for Best Rock Album but lost to The Rolling Stones' Voodoo Lounge. The follow-up album, New Adventures in Hi-Fi (1996), was largely recorded during the tour.
In early 1993, R.E.M. held a crucial four-day meeting in Acapulco to outline their plans for the next few years, including recording a new album and touring, which drummer Bill Berry strongly advocated for. He wanted the new album to "rock" and avoid the acoustic style of their previous albums, Out of Time and Automatic for the People. Frontman Michael Stipe later described the goal as an attempt to "reinvent" R.E.M. with a loud, brash sound reminiscent of punk rock.
Recording for their ninth album began later that year, starting with pre-production at Kingsway Studio in New Orleans. The band wrote around 45 songs and experimented with different sounds. They recorded some basic tracks live at Crossover Soundstage in Atlanta, which helped them regain the concert mindset after years off the road. However, various challenges arose, including illnesses, personal losses (notably the deaths of Kurt Cobain and River Phoenix), and interpersonal tensions within the band.
In tribute to Cobain, they wrote "Let Me In," while Phoenix's sister, Rain, provided backing vocals for "Bang and Blame." As the recording process continued, delays and disagreements surfaced, culminating in a tense moment where the band nearly broke up during a session at Louie's Clubhouse. They ultimately reconvened to address their issues, emphasizing the need to work together more effectively.
