I'm out of town this week (hence the quiet updates), but I had to pop in and post this, which was sent to me by multiple people: Stereogum's tribute to R.E.M.'s 1992 landmark album, Automatic for the People. Bands such as the Veils, Rogue Wave, the Shout Out Louds, Dr. Dog, Tegan Quin (of Tegan and Sara fame), the Wrens and more, tackling the formidable pop songs and laments that made People arguably the best R.E.M. album.
you should see the stereogum.com drive xv player here if you have flash
I have quite a bit to say about it (first listen: my god, most of these covers are terrible), and on the album itself -- it's not an exaggeration that the CD saved my life in junior high and high school; I feel a long-winded essay coming on. But until then, take a listen to the songs and let me know what you think.
