One can only resist the growl of an electric guitar for so long. After the folk-leaning Out of Time and Automatic For The People, R.E.M. delivered an absolute beast of post-grunge rock with Monster. The waves of tremolo that coast through “What’s The Frequency Kenneth?” and “Crush With Eyeliner,” the near-Reznorian techno bounce of “King of Comedy,” the Beach Boys pastiche “Tongue,” and “Let Me In”’s tower of static. This is the band exploring the various states of Rock And Roll In 1994, with the most revealing and personal lyrics Michael Stipe ever allowed himself to pen. It is an endlessly rewarding album that seems to ebb and flow with each listen, making the case for itself as an underrated classic.