Automatic for the People

Everybody has got to be changing their taste in music every period or so, or at least listened to different bands or musicians with different musical inclinations. But everyone (or maybe almost everyone) also has one or more musician that always linger as their beloved, no matter how long ago the first time they listened to the said musician. In my case, the only band that has always been succeeded in assuring me that their music are the music of my life is R.E.M. I've been a die hard Sting's fan during my teenage times, and I even was a smooth-jazz enthusiast during the time. But along the way I grew up to listened to another type of music and bands, but R.E.M. has been my teenage crush, my twenty something's audio companion while working, my constant partner during the anxious period of my life, and even now they still manage to convinced me to fell in love with them over and over again.
The main reason of this journal entry, was my encounter with the song "sweetness follows" after so many years I haven't listened to "Automatic for the People" anymore. And now after more experiences listening to many kinds of music and bands, and after personal experiences which indirectly involving music (yeah I mean you go through the hardships of life accompanied by music too, right?), I find this album mesmerizing. Umm I'm not sure if "mesmerizing" is the right term to describes it, but yeah I kinda see the album in a more passionate manner.
My first crush with R.E.M. was "New Adventure in Hi-Fi". And during the time, my English was so bad, I only manage to catch a few phrases, which quenches my appetite of anxious driven lyrics (such as "Bittersweet Me" or "new test Leper"). Then came "Reveal" and "UP"... People can say whatever they want about these albums, but to me, the nonsensical lyrics; the slow and contemplative rhythm; and the overall atmosphere filled with anxiety of both albums, has been a very loyal companion on my contemplative-youth period, and even for that reason only, I put both albums (especially Reveal), as two of my most favorite out of REM's discography.
I listened to their earlier musics, such as Documents and Reckoning, and as s a musical dummy I didn't really relates to them. But I guessed the cerebral part of me couldn't ignore how critics adore the albums, so, emotionally-detached, I came to an understanding of how these two albums deserved a high recognition. But yeah, after I re-enjoyed Automatic for the People, I kinda understand REM much better. And personally and objectively, I found that this one has garnered the first rank on my version of "REM's best album".