Out of Time is the seventh album released by the band R.E.M.. It was released in the United States on 12 March 1991 and contains 11 tracks for a total length of 44:09 minutes.
Only their second major label album, Out of Time was more acoustic than R.E.M.'s previous album, Green. This led to an album which arguably had a more appealing sound, but at the same time was without hits particularly suited for playing in large stadiums, something which R.E.M. at the time was famous for.
Two singles, "Losing My Religion" and "Shiny Happy People", went on to become megaselling hits, played on radio stations worldwide until this day. "Radio Song" (which featured KRS One) and "Near Wild Heaven" were also released as singles and received airplay at the time. What these four had in common was a relaxed sound, close to the middle-of-the-road music of the previous decades. "Shiny Happy People" was a commercial track designed for the Top 40, but "Losing My Religion" and "Radio Song", while easy on the ears for mass media, are considered more representative of true R.E.M.
On the other hand, "Belong", a haunting tale with unorthodox music, showed that R.E.M. was still willing to produce unique songs which were not particularly suited for mass media. "Me In Honey", the final track, was inspired by 10,000 Maniacs' "Eat For Two" but with a new perspective, but some feel that this track is not a good album closer.
Out of Time was in many ways R.E.M.'s coming of age album, but as the album proved it was a graceful maturing which has endeared fans the world over.
In 1998 Q magazine readers voted Out of Time the 38th greatest album of all time.
Track listing
- "Radio Song" - 4:12
- "Losing My Religion" - 4:26
- "Low" - 4:55
- "Near Wild Heaven" - 3:17
- "Endgame" - 3:48
- "Shiny Happy People" - 3:44
- "Belong" - 4:03
- "Half A World Away" - 3:26
- "Texarkana" - 3:36
- "Country Feedback" - 4:07
- "Me In Honey" - 4:06
