It’s rare that a band gets the opportunity to grow older and wiser together— rarer still that one does so by sounding younger and snottier than ever. After losing their way with a string of ho-hum albums, here’s how R.E.M. found their noisy deliverance.

BY MICHAEL

AZERRAD

PHOTOGRAPHS BY

GREG KADEL

ON MICHAEL S TIPE: JOHN VARVATOS JACKET, JOHNVARVATOS.COM; THOM BROWNE SHIRT, THOMBROWNE.COM; BALENCIAGA TIE (STYLIST’S OWN).

ON MIKE MILLS: ROGAN JACKET, ROGANNYC.COM.

ON PE TER BUCK: JOHN VARVATOS SHIRT, J OHNVARVATOS.COM.

Styling by April Johnson.

Grooming by Kumi Craig.

Photographed for Spin in New York City,