Monster (R.E.M. album)

Monster is the ninth studio album by American rock band R.E.M., released by Warner Bros. Records in the UK on September 26, 1994, and in the United States the following day. It was produced by the band and Scott Litt and recorded at four studios. The album was an intentional shift from the style of the band's previous two albums, Out of Time (1991) and Automatic for the People (1992), by introducing loud, distorted guitar tones and simpler lyrics.

Led by the successful single "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?," Monster debuted at number one in the United States and at least seven other countries, and received generally positive reviews. Four more singles were released from the album, including UK top-20 hits "Bang and Blame," "Strange Currencies" and "Tongue." In 1995, the band promoted the album with its first concert tour since 1989. Although the tour was commercially successful, band members suffered several health problems. At the 37th Annual Grammy Awards, Monster was nominated for Best Rock Album, but lost to The Rolling Stones' Voodoo Lounge. The album's follow-up New Adventures in Hi-Fi (1996) was primarily recorded during the tour.