I don't think "Radio Song" was an attempt at "street cred" as they has been friends with KRS-One long before that. And, while I certainly understand that a lot of folks don't like "Shiny Happy People" it's far from my least favorite R.E.M. song. Out of Time may not be my favorite R.E.M. record, nor do I hate it. Some of my favorite tracks from it include "Belong", "Half A World Away" and "Country Feedback". I love the version of "Country Feedback" they did with Neil Young at one of his Bridge School Benefits back in '98 which was recently released on a Bridge School best of CD/DVD. That tune would make definitely be considered one of my favorite R.E.M. tracks, ever.
http://youtu.be/IgYUOufehQU