Music

January, 1995

Vic GarbariniIn his final interviews, Nirvana's Kurt Cobain marveled at R.E.M.'s ability to play music that is delicate and ethereal, yet still hits the listener with emotional force. In fact, Nirvana had asked R.E.M. to tour with them this year. Cobain would surely have approved of Monster (Warner Bros.). Guitars soar, crunch and slam, while singer Michael Stipe's elliptical but heartfelt lyrics draw you in. Guitarist Peter Buck still uses the folk- and blues-based chords that fueled hits such...