We're Not Scared, We're Outta Here.

R.E.M. announced today that they've broken up after 31 years.

When you're a moody, volatile 14-year-old kid who listens mainly to smart-ass punk rock and nihilistic rap, you're lucky when you discover music that offers warmth, optimism, and mystery. That's what R.E.M.'s best songs gave me.

And it helped, a lot. R.I.P. R.E.M.