R.E.M. won the 1997 Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album for New Adventures in Hi-Fi.
Released in 1996, New Adventures in Hi-Fi was R.E.M.’s tenth studio album. Much of it was recorded during soundchecks and performances on the band’s 1995 Monster tour, giving the record a live, road-tested character.
The album included songs such as “E-Bow the Letter,” “The Wake-Up Bomb,” and “Bittersweet Me.” Its Grammy victory came during a period when alternative rock had become a major part of mainstream music awards.
The category is sometimes confused with the later Best Alternative Music Performance award. New Adventures in Hi-Fi won for the album category, recognizing the complete project rather than one individual track.