R.E.M.: Out of Time (25th Anniversary Edition) – LP

"Out of Time" is the 1991 album by R.E.M. that propelled the band to global stardom. Driven by the massive hit single "Losing My Religion", "Out of Time" became R.E.M.'s first album to top both the UK and US charts. Ironically, despite its colossal commercial success, the band chose not to tour to promote the album – a decision they repeated for their next release, "Automatic for the People".

One of the biggest hits from "Out of Time" was "Shiny Happy People", featuring guest vocals from Kate Pierson of the B-52s. Despite its immense popularity, the band later distanced themselves from the song, never performing it live and excluding it from their "In Time" greatest hits compilation. Other guest appearances include rapper KRS-One on "Radio Song", while bassist Mike Mills takes lead vocals on "Near Wild Heaven" and "Texarkana".

Shortly after its release, "Out of Time" became R.E.M.'s best-selling album, going on to sell around 13 million copies worldwide. It was only surpassed by "Automatic for the People", which sold 18 million copies. In 1992, "Out of Time" won the Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album.

In 1998, readers of Q magazine voted "Out of Time" the 38th greatest album of all time, climbing to 37th place in a 2005 poll. Rolling Stone magazine also ranked it 68th on its list of the 100 greatest albums of the nineties.