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It was with "Out of Time" that REM conquered the world, and they did it in a unique way: over ten million copies sold in just a few months without any supporting tour - apart from a few show-cases around the world. "Out of Time" is the definitive proof that a great single can make you rich with music.
An album neither good nor bad (although a radio masterpiece), but certainly not an "out of time" record. In "Out of Time" what is out of time is just a few songs: "Losing My Religion" (mandolin rhythmic masterpiece, with a nihilistic text that rejects universal certainties valid for everyone: "Life is bigger than you, and you are not me"); "Country Feedback" (good rock piece in the style of Neil Young, who played it with the band live); "Half a World Away" (mandolin, classic harpsichord, and a breathtaking Stipe); "Low" (excellent slow piece, though somewhat drawn out).
"Texarkana" and "Near Wild Heaven" could be better than they are if they weren't sung by Mills, a genius of counter-melodies, but unable to pitch, and therefore unable to reach the listener as Stipe's nasal tone could practically without singing.
The rest is a mix of mediocrity/boastfulness to which REM has accustomed us since 1986. But this should not scandalize us. Peter Buck defined REM's music as "part truth, part lies, part heart, and part garbage" (just like the title of "Best 1982-2011"). "Out of Time" is precisely this - as indeed are almost all REM records (except "Automatic for the People" and, to a lesser extent, "Murmur").
Either way, with "Out of Time", the four from Athens finally achieved worldwide success. Having solved their economic problems, they returned to being themselves, as in the days of "Fables...". With this newfound inner freedom, they would create their masterpiece.
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