Reviews (page 12 of 14)
Highlights: "Laughing," "Moral Kiosk," "9-9," "Shaking Through" It definitely increases my esteem to realize how early this band was and to hear them in a more enthusiastic, impulsive phase. I never made the connection between REM and '80s New Wave before, but that makes so much sense. It really works to bring a lot of acoustic instrumentation into an otherwise closely New Wave style album like this. It's wild to think that an iconically "80s" group like The Smiths was taking cues from REM. But there's plenty of diversity here, too. "9-9" has all the tropes of '00s instrumental bands. To offer criticism, even in this raw form they can feel sluggish because of the song structures. There's a deliberate choice to alternate between two (elaborate, thoughtful) sections over and over and over to focus on these minimal *lyrical* variations. I had to check online to make sure they weren't just repeating the same verses. That seems like their deliberate process, to slow psychy free-association down to a dreamlike crawl and elicit a sense of wonder, keep listeners convinced that they'll arrive somewhere ruminating on the words. I just read through a New Yorker interview with Stipe where he distinguishes two periods of the band's songwriting, between '83-90 and afterwards. He doesn't use the phrase "erotic irony," but he definitely talks around the theory with phrases like "useful obscurity" -- to try to nail down and define a feeling even just for yourself would actually rob you of its expression, and obligate you to cliches and sentimentality. Their sense of political frustration eventually threw that principle out. I respect the decision, but as a musical experience it doesn't pay off. Ultimately, glad to be proven wrong. Important for anyone who grew up in the twilight of their career to reevaluate them through this early work.
A consistently chill but fun album; good for dancing or at least tapping your feet. The lyrics don't really matter here. I guess this is what alternative was like before the whole genre, and R.E.M., in particular, got too weird.
album full of hits, simple harmonies but with a kind of nostalgia, interesting how the transitions and contrasts are made, sometimes with changing drums, sometimes with a change in harmony, great album.
Very interesting little record. Murmur sounds quite the opposite of its name, it’s very poppy and very high pitched. The guitar tones are very high but they kind of work for the new wavey, college rock this album goes for. It doesn’t really sound like anything else I’ve ever heard to be quite frank. The lyrics are pretty weird but they kind of fit, the bass and drums are pretty groovy, and the folk influences are pretty nice. Nothing really to add; just a nice collection of songs. I’d give it a 7/10.
I've never been a fan of REM because their singles from the 90s were played excessively during my childhood, and listening to them now evokes an unpleasant sense of nostalgia. However, I recently came across "Radio Free Europe" and found myself genuinely enjoying it. I particularly appreciated this album's simplicity.
never found REM particularly interesting
An excellent debut from a band that deserves the hype it gets.
Great first album from R.E.M. I don't have a ton to say about it but I really liked it. I hadn't heard most of these songs before and they turned out to be some of the band's best.
My 100th album in this project. Pretty pleased with this, have always liked R.E.M. but haven't done a deep dive on their discography. It's very clear how influential they were on indie rock that came after them. 4/5
Really enjoy Stipe’s voice and the jangly guitars. Just a bit repetitive at times and not my favorite record by them.
I don't think I'd ever heard of this REM album let alone heard any of the songs off of it, which is surprising. It makes sense in that their subsequent albums have surpassed this with better singles but this was still really solid and has a well-rounded set of tracks. They had a solid, distinct sound coming right out of the gate. I especially liked pilgrimage and catapult.
REM are one of those bands who are at their absolute best when really pushing for their sound, and this shows it. Full of clever production choices and moody atmospheres.
Boring
Genres: Jangle pop, alternative rock, post-punk, folk rock, garage rock Formed: Athens, Georgia in 1980 Run time: 12 songs, 44 min, 12 sec R.E.M.’s debut album. After playing this album it is clear that R.E.M. had already found their sound. The most popular song is track 1, “Radio Free Europe” with 17.5M plays on Spotify. Track 4, “Talk About The Passion” 6M plays. Apart from track 12, “West Of The Fields” with over 880k plays, everything else has 1-3M plays. It’s unmistakably R.E.M., but there's no hint of the great songs they would go on to make. To be fair, some of the lyrics are utter nonsense. It sounds OK but when you listen to the words it’s like it was produced by a random word generator. Listen Again?: No My Rating: ***
I'm not a huge REM fan, their music is too flat and repetitive for me. This album has some decent songs, but nothing spectacular
flawless
Unquestionably samey with eventually grating vocal and tonal- remarkably dated guitar chaos at points- yet ultimately comforting and somehow nostalgic soundscape of soaring BVs and vaguely political musings
I feel nothing when I listen to this, but it’s listenable. 4/10
Different and a good few catchy and interesting songs
i need something to wow me to get this past 3 stars its pretty good and i think i will like it as it goes on always has some interesting guitar work the first half of the album was somewhat underwhelming the second half didnt get much better but was better but i will have to keep at 3 stars i think maybe i should listen to more rem to get a better feel for it
REM is always good
Brüh.
Too mellow, kind of basic. Might’ve been really good for it’s time, but uninteresting to me now.
It’s a good album, but I was a bit bored by it
норм, все приятно и софтово под дорогу пойдет сильно алкоальбом: ирландский кофе
Лууууузиииин маааай релижон... эта песня в какой-то момент засела у меня в голове благодаря КВНу. Только я забыл какая это была команда... Но сейчас речь не об этом, здесь - дебютник. Который нууу... скажем так, сильно отличается от образа, который представлялся мне по их песням в 2000х. Не знаю почему, но альбом как-то совсем пролетел мимо меня, оставив за собой только дебютный сингл Radio Free Europe. Первый блин не комом, получается.
вроде как и не отвергалось, а вроде как и забыл уже, что там было приятно
If you didn't know when Murmur was released, you would have a hard time placing it in the alternative/rock timeline as the record sounds very familiar to fans of the genre (myself included). Releasing in 1983, it becomes clear how influential the R.E.M. sound was as traits of their music are still clear in today's scene. The under pronounced vocals, underproduced sound create an honest but mysterious vibe that draws you in. As someone listening to the genre in reverse, it feels like watching the prequel film to all my favourite bands. Highlight was Perfect Circle.
Meh. Is pretty much how I feel about REM all the time.
60ish albums into the list and it feels like 1/2 have been REM or Bowie.
I was surprised by how little and impression this album left. I like R.E.M. a lot, so many of their songs are great and memorable, but this album was just okay.
Insanely boring album. I really hate this genre as well. Nothing outstanding whatsoever.
Your typical 80s rock. Im not sure why this album of rem is chosen and not out of time, but it is a fine album. I would describe it as 'just good'.
Sure is some post punk lol Not super into this, but the lyrics are interesting. Mostly bored. About half way thru and I'm hovering around 2/5
I think I have to come back to this sometime. I was distracted while listening and realized only when it ended that I kinda dug it, but didn’t register any reasons whatsoever. And I didn’t recognize any songs from previous experience
Any time I put on one of these early R.E.M. albums I think, "Should I be listening to way more R.E.M.?" I've never quite made the jump from liking R.E.M. to loving R.E.M. but they're such a good band. Lots of hooks and melodies in the songwriting and the performances are full of emotion. Top shelf alt-rock. 4.5
Interesting intro track, I can tell that this is early REM because their sound is definitely different from their huge hits sound, like Losing My Religion, Everybody Hurts, etc. There's so much 80's charm in this, with the side-to-side dancing drumbeat in "Moral Kiosk" and the super wide reverbed snare in "Perfect Circle". Really interesting album cover. It's almost like a metal cover with all these weeping dark trees~~ I liked this but admittedly R.E.M. is a band that I really listen to for their hits / their more developed sound and I didn't really connect with this too much. Not bad music at all though so it's a 3 for me.
Basically my favourite band and certainly that growing up, this is most likely my favourite of theirs, although that changes frequently over the years.
A bit like the cure debut we had ages ago, this must have been an impressively different album when it was released but in terms of REM's career it's a bit meh, and it's bit of a meh career anyway. Nice enough, 2 would be harsh but its all very REM-y with no standouts
It's so bland. I have a lot of time for REM, Out of Time is a great album. I personally really like the Reveal album, and the single "The Great Beyond" from the Kaufman movie - which is brilliant. But this one, Murmur, was so, so bland, it all merged into one and I got rather bored. I appreciate the album's place in indie rock development, hence two stars.
I'm not a big R.E.M. fan and this album didn't do much for me. I think the thing that puts me off most is the singing, find whiny and hard to understand. Was okay as background music but definitely won't listen to this again. Highlights: Radio Free Express Pilgrimage Talk About The Passion
I have a soft spot for rem, my parents played them a lot when I was growing up. Although, I've never heard this album. I thought I would enjoy it much more than I did. I know some people consider this their best album...I disagree! Automatic for the people is way better than this imo, I'm sure that will be on the list. 3 feels too low, 4 too high. 3.5
Still a great sound. Really fun to listen to. Lacking the hit power of later work
Love the guitar work. Early REM is not to be slept on
Not a big soft rock guy
This has been one of my top favourites of all time, there really isn't much for me to say other than sit down and give it a listen
It's like a warm hug in musical form. I want this album to tuck me into bed and tell me that everything's going to be alright.
Very impressive debut from R.E.M. I might like it more than Document. Favorite Tracks: Radio Free Europe, Pilgrimage 4/5
Definitely very white college radio vibes. Not my thing but not terrible.
good rock albumn
As I suspected, boring
Did not enjoy.
Another REM album. Not bad to play in the background but nothing much sticks out to me apart from Radio Free Europe
Hear the REM, but not super my sound yet
I was surprised how much ahead of their time they were.
Murmur is the debut album by American alternative rock band R.E.M. This album was critically acclaimed at release for its new, interesting sound, which was a combination of the cryptic lyrics, jangle pop guitar work, and the mesmerizing basslines. There's a mix of genres on this album, including but not limited to: alt rock, post-punk, jangle pop, folk rock, and garage rock. Although critically the album was a success, it was a slow start for the sales coming in, and Murmur was only certified gold in the US 8 years later in 1991. Retrospectively, critics still laud this album and it continually tops best-of and/or must-have album lists. I've been hearing about R.E.M.'s influence on alternative rock for a while now so it's nice to finally listen to an album by them - especially their debut. I enjoyed the murky, mysterious rock/pop sound and the perplexing lyrics from the band. It's not the most amazing album to me, but I still believe it is a great album that everyone should give a listen to.
Exactly as you'd expect from REM.
вообще ничего не поняла, белый шум какой-то
Disco muy del estilo de REM. Pop tranquilo y sin fisuras. Buena voz y melodías suaves. No destaca especialmente en nada
Solid album - especially for a debut album. REM was a welcomed deviation from a lot of stuff at the time. They definitely had a unique, more "thoughtful" sound. Still, this isn't quite yet the whiny REM that I came to really enjoy. Really good though. Catapult was a stand-out track for me.
Doesn't do it for me
I was listening to this while cleaning my apartment and folding laundry. Nothing stuck out, but then one song came on that really struck my fancy. I threw the laundry down to check what the title was, all giddy and excited to have found a gem. And then I pick up the phone only to find that this album had ended without me realizing and The Cure’s Jumping Someone Else’s Train came on as one of Spotify’s recommended songs.
C Radio Free Europe - 2 Pilgrimage - 2 Laughing - 2 Talk About the Passion - 2 Moral Kiosk - 2 Perfect Circle - okay, this is an actual sleep aid 1. Catapult - 3 Sitting Still - 2 9-9 - 1 Shaking Through - 3 We Walk - 5 West of the Fields - 2
A great debut album that already has all the earmarks of REM's distinctive sound - just not as memorable as some of their other albums
I was excited with R.E.M. came up but this album was a bit underwhelming for me. It doesn't really stand up to other R.E.M. music IMO. It wasn't bad, but left some to be desired.
If you’re a die hard R.E.M. fan I’m sure this is well-liked. It’s their standard sound. I didn’t find it all that exciting/thrilling, and generally like their later stuff better. But I can appreciate this is the album that set their course in the music industry and I still liked it.
Before REM refined their style, it's the definition of Middle Of The Road.
Enjoyed while listening, not sure if this is something I’ll come back to
Hard to believe all this was on their first album. The IRS label years were really amazing in terms of content. the lyrics don't make sense until they do. everyone in the band really made a solid contribution to this album. stipe gets so much credit as the singer, and his voice defined a genre of music, but bill's drumming, mike's harmonies, and peter's jangly guitar bring it all together.
Really love the sound here. The jangly guitars can be a little thin, but they always give the bass a lot of room to pop and give the songs body. The band just sounds really tight. Good melodies. Michael Stipe’s voice is kind of an acquired taste, but overall really enjoyed this. Best song: Radio Free Europe
This is way different to what I was expecting lol. Fun, would listen to it again. I do find that a lot of the tracks are too long, maybe it's cause I'm just trying to get through it rn.
Welcher Spacko meint denn, in dieser Liste müssten zwei R.E.M.-Alben enthalten sein? Kann ich nicht durchhören.
This is a good debut album from R.E.M. I like a lot of tracks on here and it's an enjoyable listen throughout. Definitely has the 80s/early 90s college rock sound down that they helped bring to the mainstream. Overall a strong album but at they same time I've never personally spent a ton of time getting into REM and I don't think this album will push me into more regular listening. Standout Tracks: Radio Free Europe, Laughing, Talk About the Passion, Moral Kiosk, Sitting Still, Shaking Through
It’s pretty good,there are few hooks there but it lacks energy for me.Album art is sick though.
banco 7/10
Of all the albums I’ve listened to, this is one of them. Honestly not a bad first swing out from a band who’s widely considered the founding alt rock group. Not their best record, but there’s not a lot to really complain about here. I always like major keys and poppy bass lines. Maybe it’s not challenging, but it’s fun to hang out with.
Revered Enigmatic Mediocrity.
Good debut album. Not really into R.E.M. though.
It's an ok album.
What caught me by surprise is how very late 90s they sound despite it being released in 1983... just a very futuristic sound given the era. Really nice album. 8/10.
got to be honest, never really got into REM that much. this was pretty boring, in my opinion.
Didn't know there was an REM album without a radio hit on it. This felt early and like he was trying to imitate another sound. Still worth a listen.
The beginnings of a great band, but not a great album
Un poco rollo. Un 3, por ser REM.
It's ok, but not a memorable album from REM. It leads with its most memorable song, and kinda flatlines after that.
Very good album
Solid
Rock.
One of the albums I always knew I should hear. Glad I finally did.
It's fine. Good musicianship and unique sound for its time. Not my cup of Tea.
All songs flow well with each other.
I felt like I was having a stroke with how similar all the songs are and how incomprehensible the singing is. I wanted to like it but it just brought almost nothing by to stand out for me. 4/10
Greatest sing-along debut ever. It has been way too long since I last listened to Murmur in its entirety, so this was a nice album of the day. Mills' melodic bass is intoxicating and Stipe asserts himself as the voice of a generation. 'Radio Free Europe', 'Pilgrimage', 'Talk About The Passion', and 'Sitting Still' are all perfect tracks.
Easily one of the greatest debut albums ever. R.E.M. emerge on the music scene with a sound that came to define entire genres and influence many of the biggest bands of the 90’s. Mike Mills’ bass lines are innovative and melodic, almost taking on the traditional role of the guitar. Bill Berry’s drumming is extremely tight and playful. Peter Buck’s guitar is wonderfully expressive. And Michael Stipe is just a once in a lifetime singer - even when mumbling his way through anything but the choruses. “Radio Free Europe”, “Pilgrimage”, “Talk About the Passion” and “9-9” are some of the absolute highlights of Murmur. And by “Perfect Circle” it’s hard not to tear up - just a bit.
This was a good album! But samey throughout but an enjoyable listen
I've heard of this band before, but don't know any of their songs. This is Dad rock through and through. This is the type of music that people who say "modern music isn't as good as it was back in the day" would listen to. It's ok I guess, but I am already tired of the lead singer's voice halfway through the first song. I can see the musical significance and merit in this album, but I'm not vibing with it. It's pretty boring tbh. Like a low 3/5 for me
pretty boring honestly. not really bad enough for two stars, but definitely a snoozefest
Pretty good album overall
Listened through twice and just love the vibethe vibes
it's awsome
Some cool moments. Nice basslines. But too many jangle-pop vibes overall for my liking.
Amazing how little it feels like Michael Stipe’s voice changed through all the R.E.M. albums. Also amazing how good this is for a debut!
It was good! R.E.M. is a great band with great vibes. Still didn’t have my favorite songs from them but that didn’t stop me from enjoying it. 7.5/10
Brilliant debut record. R.E.M. jumpstarted what we think of now as indie rock. They have a lot of cool underground alternative cred because of their weirdly divergent yet catchy/poppy music. You're listening to real artists, people daring to go against the grain and see where it takes them. R.E.M. has always been an act with substance, that keeps me guessing. I've always appreciated what I perceive to be their deliberate oddball confidence and willingness to deviate from convention but still be accessible and open. They never cultivated or courted exclusivity in a way that so many other acts just trying to be DIFFERENT did. They just are, and we're all cool with it. The music of those who strive to truly enjoy what they enjoy while totally unencumbered by material urges or cares. R.E.M. fucking rules!
R.E.M. are #148 on my all time streams but I've never heard this album!
fantastic album start to finish
Again, it’s not bad. I’m just never going to seek it out on my own.
tava escutando a mesma música por 1h??? todas pareciam iguais, nenhuma se destacou. não vou procurar para escutar mais por conta própria.
música de rádio, não fede nem cheira. Gostei da primeira música mas as outras não se destacaram muito individualmente, ficaram meio blended together.
Never been much of an REM fan but decent album.
Not a bad album at all, easy listening Saved tracks: Radio Free Europe, Catapult, West Of The Fields
I liked 9-9, and one more of the later tracks I can't remember the name
This album stinks. All the songs sound the same and this band has no edge whatsoever. R.E.M? more like REM sleep! Boring and bad. Next!
Some great music.
First two songs were good, the rest of the album was some American proclaimers bs
Ah fine - college rock or something. Later albums are more mature and the songs have more distinction but this is youthful and fun.
Jangly
very enjoyable listen, good songs
2nd March 2023 Listened while working from home. Bristol for dinner at Crofty’s in the evening. The first iteration of REM and what a joy. Not as expansive and philosophical as later work but just as interesting and engaging.
I listened to something. Couldn't quite tell you what it was tho.
i have already listened to this and it is so indescribably bad
Michael Stipe commands a 4 star review
The most New Wavy sounding REM album
My third REM album and I'm finally starting to really dig this band. Really loved the sound of this album and see how it influenced so many other alt rock bands that came after it.
The legendary band
Kind of a landmark album, both for the band and for the music scene. It's pretty unique in the R.E.M. catalog in that it doesn't really sound like anything else they ever made. There's a depth to the music and lyrics that require multiple listens.
"The singer, he had long hair And the drummer, he knew restraint And the bass man had all the right moves And the guitar player was no saint" (portions of the review are originally found in Unseen Power of the Picket Fence. © 1993 Pavement)
It's a murmur all right - there's little in these songs to stick for more than a few minutes after the record is over - and is especially start when you know R.E.M. have composed some of the most stubborn of earworms. Disappointing.
I am a big fan of REM, but this album was one that had slipped by me. Given it's their debut, it definitely has a fresh sound but all the elements that I love are there, full of feeling, and Michael Stipe's voice is truly evocative.
Wow, I was incredibly impressed with this. I was familiar with REM's later work but this was like everything I liked about that without being as annoying. Loved it.
This could have been worse. I’m not a huge R.E.M. fan to put it mildly. Nowadays I only like Night Swimming even a tiny bit, of all the songs I know. This debut is more an American take on New Wave, than subsequent work. It’s just that the production sucks.
It's a great album that I have a lot of nostalgia for. Kinda makes me wish I grew up 50 years ago in some random town in the middle of nowhere in US. Still, I thought it was a little bit better back when I first heard it. 4/5
Aburrido
Scale: 1: Dissapointing 2: Didn't enjoy 3: Decent 4: Enjoyed 5: Would listen again (My first impression if not mentioned otherwise in a comment) Radio Free Europe: 2.5/5, ok Pilgrimage: 1.5/5, rather annoying Laughing: 2.5/5 idk Talk About The Passion: 1/5, worst one so far Moral Kiosk: 3.5/5, decent Perfect Circle: 1.5/5, boring Catapult: 2/5, idk Sitting Still: 2/5, idk 9-9: 3/5, fine Shaking Through: 1/5, bad We Walk: 2.5/5, fine West Of The Fields: 2/5 idk Overall: 2.08/5, pretty mediocre and rather boring
CLASSIC
Not my usual type of listen, but was enjoyable to have on in the background while I was building lego.
Murmur through Green — peak R.E.M. They put out like an album a year and it all started here with this one. It's not my all-time favorite of theirs but it holds up very well. It's a fine start from Radio Free Europe to West of the Fields. An amazing debut. I want to give it five stars because it sets the table for their career. I want to give it five stars because Mike Mills melodic bass playing and backing vocals are infectious. I want to give it five stars because Michael Stipe's lyrics and delivery are both equally expressive. I want to give it five stars because Bill Berry knows how to construct a beat that's effective in its economy. I want to give it five stars because Peter Buck's ringing tones and articulate arpeggios from this record haunt me to this day. Ok, I'll give it five stars.
Lame, but in a cool way. 3/5
I've loved R.E.M. since I was kid, but sadly, this was my first time listening to one of their albums from start to finish. I've always enjoyed their songs that got a lot of radio play in the early nineties ("Stand," "Losing My Religion," "The One I Love"), and I've owned 'Document' since my late teens. 'Murmur' sounded very different from the R.E.M. that I'm most familiar with, but I really enjoyed it. The instrumentation was great, with it's jangly guitars, great drum beats, and piano melodies. It's wild to listen to an album like this and being able to hear how its sound influenced alternative rock's development throughout the rest of the eighties, and how it still influences bands today (I'm looking at you, The National). I didn't pay too closely to the lyrics, sadly, and I didn't have time to go back and read them before writing this review, but I definitely want to give this album another listen, and when I do, I'll be a lot more attentive to the lyrics. All in all though, I thought this was a great album, and I can't wait to listen to more stuff from R.E.M.
What I think Dookie would sound like if it was made in the 80s and couldn't have any songs about weed or jerking off
Damn good Jangle Pop. A nice debut for what would eventually become the greatest band out of Athens, GA
It was refreshing to listen to an album that contain an artist's lesser known music. I definitely will be giving this another listen through.
Seminal jangle pop record. If jangle pop meant more to me I'm sure this album would too.
One of the most striking debut albums of all time. REM here assert themselves with a fully fledged vision of what their "college rock" was already able to accomplish in the early eighties. Peter Buck's guitars jangle, Mike Mills and Bill Berry's rhythm section hop along, and Michael Stipe's vocals often reach sublime heights only him could reach. Mitch Easter and Don Dixon's production is pristine, with a lot a very special touches (a tibetan bell here, a melancholic cello there, a vintage saloon piano elsewhere...), but those special touches still manage to preserve a natural live feel to the recording, giving it its timeless atmosphere. There are so many highlights on *Murmur*: iconic opener "Radio Free Europe"; entranced "Pilgrimage": mystical "Talk About The Passion"--both lively and romantic--; that bouncing "Moral Kiosk" leading the way to the stellar ballad that "Perfect Circle" is--whose title perfectly encapsulates the haunting effect this dreamy tune can have on you. Opening side two, "Catapult" sends you to the sky with its straightforward hooks. A few tracks later, "9-9" channels Gang of Four's percussive use of guitars to create a cut that can even remind you of today's American post-punk acts... And so on... You'd be hard-pressed to find a 1983 release that has aged as well as this one (Violent Femmes' eponymous debut, maybe?). Under the light, one can easily forgive the few slightly less effective songs in this LP ("Sitting Still", "Shaking Through" and "We Walk"), here scattered on a second side that still ends on a triumphant high note with "West of The Fields". But even if some songs on the second part of *Murmur* are somewhat less catchy, there is absolutely no bum note in this LP. No wonder REM's idiosyncratic sound, somewhere between post-punk and folk music, became so influential during the eighties. With such a great headstart, it would have been very unfair if listeners looking for heartfelt and authetic songwriting had not taken the bait. REM later wrote other highlights that can be found in many of their great releases of the eighties and early nineties. But *Murmur* is the one album where their music sounds the most effortless and spontaneous. It has that special charm only perfect or near-perfect debuts can have. No hesitation: at least 4.5 stars for me, here rounded up to a perfect grade. Number of albums left to review: 666 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 163 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 78 Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 93
Perfect Circle. I like it. Apparently not a popular opinion. It must be a very influential album, because the sound has been recycled and bastardized quite a bit over the years.
Very cool bass, I like the alt-y vibe, but it was kinda a blur
Not my favorite REM album. The REM lyrical formula where they string together some unrelated phrases to simulate depth of thought is pronounced on this one. It’s fine, though. Way better than Dexy’s Midnight Runners.
Great poppy rock. Awesome bass lines.
7/10 probably groundbreaking for its time, sounds okay but I can respect the experimentalism.
I do not like rem
Noice noice
A fantastic debut from a band with a ridiculous amount of great albums. Not my favourite of theirs but an incredibly strong and assured start to the discography
Great throwback to REM, but not a huge fan of their style in general or this album specifically.
Tämähän oli kiva. Mua häiritsee R.E.M.issä yleensä se, miten helpolta se kuulostaa. Tai niiden levyistä henkii sellainen ylituotettu ”no niin, tehdäänpä hittilevy” -viba. Ne päättää tehdä ihmisten sielua koskettavia hittibiisejä ja osaavat sen homman ärsyttävän hyvin. Mä periaatteessa siis ihan pidän R.E.M.sitä - mutta mua hiertää suunnattomasti se, ettei mulla ole ikään kuin vaihtoehtoa. Ne levyt tehdään harkitusti ja täsmällisesti juuri sellaiseksi, että minun kaltaiset tyypit tykkäisi. ARGH! Mutta tässä levyssä sitä puolta ei ole! Pieni epävarmuus tuo kivasti särmää, ja tätä pystyy kuuntelemaan.
Hmmm... Mulla ei kyllä oo mitään REM:iä vastaan. En oikeen saa yhteyttä muodostettua tänään, ehk muutaman muun levyn kohdalla se on helpompaa, tosin ihan hittilevyjäkään ei jaksa. Neutraali levy toistaiseksi — luultavasti vaatii lisäkuuntelua. Yltäköön toistaiseksi kolmoseen. 3/5
Ai että. En ole bändin enkä laulajan suurin fani, mutta tämän levyn todellakin. Samalla tavalla introverttia ja herkkää kuin monet myöhemmät indiesuosikit. Kestää aina pari biisiä tottua lauluääneen, mutta sitten tuntuu, etten enää parempaa rockia tiedäkään. Ainakin kasarin osalta levy on ihan genren kärjessä.
Ihan jees ysärirockia. 3/5 varma
good solid album. has that early 80s feel but without all the extra fluff. some very thoughtful moments lyrics-wise. great instrumentation throughout, not repetitive.
A landmark album for sure. R.E.M. remarkably arrived fully formed with everything they would do and innovate already in place. There head nodding rockers, danceable boos, and beauty strewn through this album.
альбом мурмур успокаивает меня своим рок-мурлыканьем напоминает где-то the smiths очень хорошие последние четыре трека, в их числе любимые с пластинки 9-9 и we walk кстати! лайвы больше понравились, так что советую и их слушать
Was fine, nothing special. Fine for the background but not planning on listening again
Enjoyed this a lot, especially the instrumentals.
Old friend music, even with the impenetrable lyrics. Just treat Stipe’s voice as another instrument, enjoy Buck’s guitars, and the rhythm section (before they got old and dull).
Early REM. Wow! I've only heard the hits before now. I can tell it's early stuff and for 1983 they were groundbreaking. This almost sounds New Wave. Even so it doesn't really do it for me. There's no 'hook'.
Another one of dads best of albums that got a lot of air time on road trips. Their debut didn't have any recognisable tracks but it was way more post punk than I've heard from the before.
It's a solid album but not really for me. No real standout songs or anything I particularly care to listen to again.
Before they were good
boring old R.E.M. I think there just overplayed and that's why it's boring to me who knows
Enjoyable listen. Some songs kinda sound the same, but I can't say I didn't expect that.
This was enjoyable listen. I was never a big fan in part because I felt most of the songs sounded similar. Nothing in this album changed my mind.
I enjoyed the songs and the lyrics and vocalist. By the end, though all the songs sounded the same.
The debut from the guys who wrote "Losing My Religion". Their signature jangle pop sound rings clear with well-written songs. It's concise, nicely paced, and catchy! They're no Smiths, but who would want to mimic the Smiths? R.E.M.'s rock edge gives them a much more interesting sound to layer the jangle pop production onto.
Music for staring absentmindedly at a blank wall.
I'd forgotten that R.E.M. was even around back in '83. This is a decent debut, but not quite up to the standard they'd eventually set.
I used to say that I hated REM, but recently I realized that isn't true. Michael Stipe's voice grates on my nerves after too many songs, so that's true. But the band & this album are pretty great. Radio Free Europe is catchy & the rest is just good stuff.
Not an overly great REM record, but it does have long time favourite of mine, "Radio Free Europe" on it, so that's something.
It was fine. I guess I don't like REM.
Pretty generic drone- acoustic. Meh.
Anything by R.E.M is sublime !
Man I like the singer of this band and like 50 percent of the instruments but I feel like rems stuff isn’t connecting with me. Nothing is really sticking out for me aside from the hits and they need to drop the mandolin ffs
Great album. Probably my second fav REM. Early REM is the best REM!! 4.5/5
enjoyed it
ok
I want to like it, really I do, but there just isn’t something there I connect with. By the time ‘Sitting Still’ came on, I found myself ready for the album to end.
Okish album from one of the most overrated bands. Mostly background music but refreshing in that Stipe hadn't yet developed is full whine of a voice.
RumRumRem
the beginning of a thousand vibrato bleatings
fairly solid all the way through
first listen bright poppy sound, kinda all the same though
fine but also immediately forgettable
It was ok
i went into this album knowing absolutely nothing about REM but i enjoyed a lot of it!!
Gorgeous. The perfect mix of musicians and the south of America. Landmark record.
jó kis alt rock gitár nagyot megy lyrics elég cryptic és all over the place de a hangulat összességében solid 10/10 debut albumnak
Great debut album, really like the sound. Somehow I never heard this album of theirs before and I enjoyed it.
Early REM, it's recognisably them but doesn't have the same vibe as their later stuff. Leans heavily into the indie side of things. Not bad, some of it is catchy enough, but very samey, no real standout tracks and nothing on the level of their later output. 3/5.
This is bland and boring.
Just scraped a 3*
Generous 3
Super nostalgic. I thought it would be a 5 on the first song, but at times it felt a little monotone. I wanted more intensity and emotion and it felt more cerebral. Overall a fantastic listen!
Foot tappin’ awesomeness.
This was alright, and it was interesting to hear R.E.M.'s origins, but it wasn't super notable to me. His voice hasn't really developed into what it's recognizable for, and it makes it stand out less. There's some good songs on here, but also some that don't stand out. Basically one step forward one step back the whole time. Still good, just hoping for more from later R.E.M. albums.
Where has this album been all my life? Can’t believe I’ve never listened to it. Genuinely excellent tunes - I usually need to listen to an album a few times to get into it, but this was instantly enjoyable.
Better than expected given other albums I know by R.E.M. would say about 3.5 but giving benefit of the doubt and a 4
I agree with the 3.5 rating of my teammate. Since he gave a 4, I will give a 3 for balance.
Mostly unremarkable jangle pop to me except for track 1, Radio Free Europe.
обложка хорошо передает ощущения от альбома
Not a huge fan of R.E.M. Nothing particular stood out to me
Its not really speciall in any way, its a mellow sounding album that doesnt do a lot
Kind of boring. GU
I like the sound of R.E.M. The album has some ups and downs for me, but overall a nice and easy to listen album.
Not one of their best imo. Still okay!
Rentoa ja kevyttä rokkia. Ihan ok
Riddles wrapped in enigmas, all presented in a melodic package that helped bring guitar-oriented music to the forefront again. The beginning of an illustrious run.
This was unfamiliar REM for me. I like their later stuff more.
The murmurings of something great about to happen, but not quite there yet.
murmurmrmurmurmur. R.E.M. are kinda boring.
I love this album. It is a quintessential indie record. Mysterious, beautiful, melodic. It still sounds great in 2022.
Heerlijke zangstem, maar de liedjes vind ik niet heel bijzonder. ***
You can hear a bit of what R.E.M. would become here, but this debut album feels like it blends into the 90s alternative sound and doesn't offer anything too unique. I know what the band is capable of so a bit let down by this one, but it was alright for what it was.
It sounds pretty good, but I don't really like the style
3.7 - Here's another "agree to disagree" R.E.M record for me. I've listened to it 7 or 8 times, letting it marinate and trying to catch the buzz ("10" on Pitchfork?!). Instrumentally it's exceptional. I love the lean but effective rhythms and the panoply of colorful guitar sounds. My one big gripe is that Michael Stipe isn't bringing enough lyrically or vocally for me. His moaning and mumbling convey emotion but the lyrics are seemingly gobbledygook (e.g. "Put your hair back, we get to leave/Eleven gallows on your sleeve..."). I'm reminded of the Italian song "Prisencolinensinainciusol" that's all gibberish lyrics meant to sound like an American rock song - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VsmF9m_Nt8
I like the atmospheric sound and the consistent mood throughout.
Seems kinda boring compared to rest of their albums but still good
Not super exciting but still nice music
Expected this to be good, because I love R.E.M, never listened to this album before and it was really appreciable. It does sound like REM and the prod is really good as well as every title. 4.25/5
Pretty standard indie rock but the overall of the album feels good and well done. Nothing special but for a debut album you want to hear more. 3/5
Well, we didn’t really know what we were in for, did we? And it still sounds fresh 40 years on. The enthusiasm and commitment and near-perfect integration of the playing make the record. The inscrutable lyrics only add to the charm. There are many winners, but the whole sounds of a piece, consistent in tone and mood, and executed with an attractive balance of precision and swing. “Radio Free Europe” still sounds like a call to arms, a new way to view the world through music or to do music. “Laughing” is criminally underrated and “Perfect Circle” just gorgeous, as elegant a song as REM (or anyone) would ever do. “Shaking Through” is pure delight. “Sitting Still” is an absolute gem, a personal all-time fave the inspirational ending of which (“I can hear you/Can you hear me?” with the hopeful bell-like up-chiming last note) can still bring one near to tears. One can’t be objective about this record as it has meant so much, having (almost literally) grown up (in Georgia) with this band – with this and Chronic Town on cassette and having seen them a dozen or so times, across most of their tours, going back to Reckoning (which should be on this list, as one of the great all-time sophomore efforts, and a better record than this one, IMHO). And as seminal and influential as this record was (for which it gets a 5), it’s important to remember how much better they got and how much more great music was to come. That the record apparently still means so much speaks to its rarely-paralleled excellence.
I've never been much of a fan. Just liked their hits but never bought an album. This one hasn't changed my mind much. They are talented musicians and songwriters, that's not lost on me.
Not R.E.M.'s best album but still a great album. "Radio Free Europe" is certainly the highlight of the album. It is a lot more chill of an album, while not what I think of when I think of R.E.M. I enjoy their softer side.
Har aldrig riktigt förstått hypen för rem men detta är mitt favorit album av dem och det var lite bättre än ja kom ihåg
De va nog swag men ja tror int ja lyssnar åter
Better than I remember but still not very impressive
Sångaren är tråkig, resten e helt bra.
An interesting early effort from the band which I had not heard before. Challenges typical R.E.M. expectations both melodically and instrumentally, especially with Stipe exploring different vocal ranges and intonations well beyond his trademark tenor.
I'm a fan of guitar led riffs, with strong backing bass. Talk about the passion is a good example of that. Good album.
I love old R.E.M., but this is actually probably one of my least favorite of their albums. It introduces you to the sound and the aesthetic of R.E.M., but i don't think the songs are as interesting as their other releases. Perfect Circle is probably the strongest here. Still, i enjoy the album and love the band.
T3B 1. Talk About The Passion 2. Radio Free Europe 3. 9-9
Not their greatest album, interesting sounds for the time but not songs that I’m a huge fan of, don’t really like the mumbling lyrics.
One of their best in such a prolific catalogue.
The album is overall a solid listen but nothing really stood out to me, aside from the bigger hits. 3.5
A perfect sort of album, the kind you couldn't distinguish as belonging to a particular decade but as soon as it's heard, you know it's timeless. REM on this album truly prove they have the hooks and phrases of any great songwriting group, straight from the get-go.
I very much enjoyed this album, it was engaging throughout, and would definitely listen again
A timeless album that wouldn’t sound out of place in the years proceeding it. R.E.M nailed their sound from the very beginning.
Vibey but none of the songs stuck out to me
Great album.
One of the most impressive debut records and one of the most beautiful albums of the 80s, with a well defined sound which is very recognisable in every R.E.M.'s project. Maybe they will never top this LP, or maybe Green and Document are really close or even better than this, but for sure they set the bar very high.
Always a good idea.
Decent album. Not a huge 80s rock fan, but I feel like they did this jangly pop style very well that didn’t sound cheesy. The guitars were super jangly and the bass was probably the most underrated rhythm element. Then again, the vocals are fairly bland and a bit twangy for my taste. Overall, I’d give it a 6/10.
Genuinely surprised how much this reminds me of The Smiths. It's good, just think R.E.M. would hit their stride on later albums. Favorite tracks: "Radio Free Europe", "Laughing", "Sitting Still"
I know this album a lot less than several of their other albums, so while I really only knew one song well, I really enjoyed listening to it today. Takes me back to my childhood.
slaps. very jangly guitar noises. kinda like folky rock?
Boring…
I enjoyed it, probably could’ve listened more intently but hey I was busy
Pretty groovy. I don't listen to a lot if 80s alt rock so cool.
Odd lyrical word choices
This record takes me back to my early days of "new music" discovery. I was close to wearing out the grooves on my copy of the Chronic Town EP by the time Murmur dropped.
Mumbly
Much more country than I remembered.
OK - but Stipes hasn't found his voice yet. This isn't a patch on later albums..
This record made me realise I can’t listen to R.E.M. for too long at once. Maybe it’s just this album but it starts to grate a little by the end. Could be the jangly guitar, more likely Stipe’s vocal delivery. Doesn’t help that the very skippable and annoying We Walk features towards the end. I do prefer their 2nd album Reckoning so maybe it is just this album. There are parts I really like so it’s a 3/5 for me. America’s version of The Smiths. Highlights: Radio Free Europe (album starts with a bang), Sitting Still, 9-9 (instrumental the most interesting track on the record)
I'm a bit of an REM fan and do enjoy this album. Its influence helped kick of the college rock / indie rock scene of the 80s and 90s. But this album just hints at the phenomenal band REM will become. 3.5/5.
So I genuinely have very little to say about this. I kinda sorta liked some of the songs, but not much at all. The songs sounded the same to me and I was very bored. It was kind of a chore to get through this album if I’m being completely honest. Perfect Circle might be one of the most boring songs I’ve ever heard. Maybe I’m just tired, but these songs are seriously unbearably boring to me. The cover art is kind of intriguing. I think my neighbors have started to smoke. I keep smelling weed really strongly whenever I go out at night or open my window. This project has introduced me to a few songs I really like like Bigmouth Strikes Again by The Smiths, but now I’m just starting to realize that music critics and snobs hate to have fun and only like boring music. I’m so bored with listening to this album that I’m talking about other groups and personal matters in the notes. I’m only like 10 albums in though, so hopefully they will get better.
4.5
Rock alternativo de R.E.M. No me ha hecho mucho... Un 3.
Un poco rollo. Un 3, por ser REM.
I'm not a huge REM fan, but this one was not bad at all. Enjoyed the simple rock songs, Laughing and Shaking Through were solid tracks
Yeah, it's okay.
OK - it's REM, and it's early, so not too douchey, but still it all sounds very much of a type
Opening with Radio free Europe is a solid start. Good album
Ehh
nope.
Ehhh
Bra
This was a great listen. I got to know REM in the early 90's, and have followed them ever since, but never really gotten into Murmer. Glad I did a couple of listens, because it definitely is a grower of an album. Great debut album from a great band
Pretty good. Never heard it before. Can definitely hear the influence it had on Radiohead.
Loved this one. Very upbeat, interesting all the way through. Liked the background vocals.
Like the general REM sound and its cool to hear their debut. For me this album stays a bit flat and on the background.
An okay alt/indie album that seemed to have an influence on later indie music. I found the album interesting but nothing spectacular. The singers voice isn’t that enjoyable to me. The songs are a little catchy but I found the lyrics a bit odd. 5.4/10
I got pretty into this band when I was in college, saw them in concert first in '83 when they opened for The Police but that was a crazy huge crowd (70k+) at Shea Stadium and I could barely hear R.E.M.'s relatively brief set, then saw them again in '86 in support of the Lifes Rich Pageant album, and that was a better and smaller venue, so I could actually hear and see them. [Side Note: a band I'd later come to love through to this day, The Feelies, opened for them that night but I either showed up late or ignored them because I had no clue about them and hadn't learned that paying attention to opening bands can be a GREAT experience because I was 19 years old and an idiot -- a lovable idiot, I think, but an idiot nonetheless] Anyway, back to this album: I owned it and loved it. Still do. These are fantastic songs. Along with their debut EP, Chronic Town, the first few releases by the band are among my favorites of theirs. They put out some great albums for years to come, and I love how they evolved over the decades. I hadn't given this a focused listen in quite some time. It still holds up for me after all these years. I think Mike Mills is one of the coolest musicians and people, and Peter Buck is a severely underrated guitarist. He doesn't get mentioned a lot because ripping big solos just isn't his thing -- he's a refreshingly non-egotistical rock guitarist -- but in my own personal worldview, art that stands out for me in any medium is art that when I experience it, I recognize it as the artist's work without being told who it is. Peter Buck's guitar work has always been that way for me. That's rare and impressive.
Un dels millors discos de college rock. Que en ple post-pospunk i en els primers moments dels new romantics fossin capaços de fer un disc tan original i ple de bons moments com aquest és molt meritori. No és l'obra mestra que molts volen veure... però s'hi acosta molt
Very good album with a lot of "happy" vibes despite some of the lyrics being less so. Musically an amazingly simple but complex with precise notation on all the instruments including voice.
It's sorta fun!
This is Good Music. I owned Document and Green, but never any of their older albums, and by time Losing My Religion came out I really soured on REM. But I'm at point where I'm a sucker for up tempo but mellow sounds, and combined with the lyrics it's just a great listen. Tempted to give it a 5, but can't give a 5 for my first album, right?
More fun than I anticipated
Not my favorite R.E.M. album, but still solid all the way through.
Meh
R.E.M. est un groupe très sympathique. Je vais maintenant vous dévoiler une anecdote assez cocasse. Alors que j'étais en entretien d'embauche la semaine dernière, se produisit l'échange suivant : « — Maîtrisez-vous l'outil Microsoft Excel ? — Oui. — Pour quel genre de documents en avez-vous fait usage ? — Principalement des générateurs pirates. — Pardon ? — Des générateurs pirates. — Vous pouvez m'en dire plus ? — Non parce que sinon Robert va envoyer sa milice me trouver, ça s'est déjà produit après l'épisode du karaoké quand je me suis enfui avec une gondole. — Je ne saisis pas bien ce que vous êtes en train de me raconter. — Croyez-moi, ça vaut mieux comme ça. — … — Restez en dehors de tout ça. — … très bien. — Chuis pris ou pas ? — Nous vous rappellerons. » Croyez-le ou non mais j'obtins le poste.
Bien essayé de la part de R.E.M. de tout lâcher sur les deux derniers sons en espérant bénéficier de la bonne dernière impression laissée par leur album. Seulement nous sommes loins d'être des amateurs après plus de 500 albums notés, et des rencontres avec bon nombre des personnages clé du générateur (Ray Charles, Mike Ladd, Todd Rundgren etc etc etc...). Cet album récoltera donc ce qu'il mérite, à savoir un 3/5.
1st
A little prom bandy
Laughing is a fun song. Catapult is also a bop. Overall nice background music, but most werent memorable.
Basic REM. Good background music.
I don’t think I understand this band
Easily one of the greatest debut albums of all time.
Arrangements intéressants. Pas le plus catchy, mais bon album complet. Bien structuré. À réécouter. Parfait pour un road trip.
Stonking debut album. One of the best. *****
Sounds very R.E.M.
Never listened to much R.E.M. but am fully aware of their influence, and I can hear other bands sounds all over this record, clearly very important to formative year old budding musicians. R.E.M. doesn't do much for me though. Pleasant enough for sure.
boring af