Reviews (page 12 of 13)
I love the overall sound, but Michael Stipe is not a great singer and as much of the lyrics as I could make out are really random. R.E.M. got a lot better as they went on. I would not listen to this again.
++: Moral Kiosk, 9–9 +: Pilgrimage, Talk About the Passion, Catapult, West of the Fields +-: Radio Free Europe, Laughing, Perfect Circle, Sitting Still, We Walk -: Shaking Through 5,0/10
Coffeehouse music
I like the use of tension in this, holding a note for a beat longer than expected. Favourite track: Radio Free Europe
West of the Fields almost sounded like the Smiths so that was cool. The rest of the album….ehhh fairly boring as is often the case for “pioneering” bands and those that engineer a particular sound
Maybe it’s just because I got Metal Box before I got this one, but man, there is just nothing interesting me here at all. Just sounds astoundingly safe. Radio Free Europe is a very strong track though, credit where it’s due.
Kept afloat by some good hooks but they’re so disconnected that I don’t give full marks even for that.
I see a lot of people describing this album as "college rock." I was sitting here like a dingus thinking "I'm a college student and I've never heard any other college student talk about R.E.M." and then I realised it's what alternative music was called before it was called alternative music. Anyways, I'm definitely missing something here. This album almost reminds me of a Cocteau Twins record. I feel drawn to the vocals because of what the guy's saying, but then I listen and have to ask "is he just saying random words?" Apparently the singer actually had no clue what he was saying in the chorus of Sitting Still, so yeah, random words. The instrumentals are much more understandable, but they're a little too one-note a lot of the time. That seems to be a common problem with this kind of music, I feel the same way about The Smiths.
Not that memorable
Not sure the mass appeal of REM. All sounds like the same song.
Loosing my my liking for Micheal stipe...c
Really not one of their best. It's just ok.
Well put together album. Classic REM sound, just not completely my style. 2.8/5.0
I never could get into R.E.M.
Murmur - R.E.M не смог дослушать вообще не мое radio free Europe 5,4/10 понял текст, но вообще не зацепило, как то не дожали не музыкой не текстом Pilgrimage 9/10 чисто из за звука, текст тоже не со всем понял, может это про какие эмоции которые человек поглощает, но я че то хз Laughing 5/10 попсовая песня, ее это не красит вообще, не понимаю о чем вообще поется
R.E.M. is an appropriate name for these lot since they near bored me to sleep
Not bad, but definitely not my cup of tea. While the instrumentation is solid, Michael Stipe’s vocals just don't do it for me.
Easy listening, soft rock with distinct vocals. Prefer their later songs.
Don't like REM. Just don't. I've tried a few times. I feel absolutely nothing listening to this. But at least it's somewhat close to something I might listen to. It's like a good meal but everything's undercooked 4 / 10
I found this REM album to be underwhelming. I had never heard their debut and given how big they got I was expecting more. I guess if you’re a completist this album is a must hear but as a part of this project it’s not.
12 of the same song
Pre-football match music. Thought there was a good song at the end but it was just that the album finished and The Cure came on
O primeiro álbum da banda, ainda tavam procurando identidade, ao menos soou isso. Bateria muitos anos 80, melodias previsíveis. Não salvei nenhuma música.
i’m not rating this low cause it’s bad i’m rating it low because i personally found it boring and probably won’t relisten
Really just gets worse the longer it goes
Smara
Didn't like it as well as Automatic for the People. This sounded earlier and like they hadn't really started to take chances to write interesting songs. But could be wrong about timeline.
Rem can be so good and then so bad
Didn't really love this one, "Radio Free Europe" was okay but the rest just kind of blended in and overall felt really repetitive.
was ok
Found Michael Stipe's voice pretty boring. Think I would like this if I were an 80s dad. Highlights: Moral Kiosk.
Not much more to say that I didn’t already say for Document. REM just isn’t my cup of tea. Stipe’s voice is maybe even more unimpressive here, and I feel like a lot of these songs build up to nothing.
2.5
Most of the songs were a background noise with nothing interesting going, maybe except Talk About The Passion and Perfect Circle. 2.5/5
JAg gillar REM men detta albumet var för långt, 28 låtar!?
Its okay but absolutely nothing is catchy or exceptional.
disnt stand out in any way
Not for me
This was a tad boring. REM just doesn’t do much for me.
There were a couple songs I enjoyed, but the rest seemed like the predecessor to emo music. It was middle of the road, boring.
I used to quite like some of their tunes back in the day and even saw them live, but I am reminded of how much I always kinda disliked Stipe's vocals and tbh this didn't do much for me although there's nothing technically bad here... I'd given the Haircut 100 album 2 stars and I liked that better than this. As I said in that review, there were things I enjoyed more from the 80s, and this album was a bit of a snoozefest for me. Reckon my R.E.M. sleep stats will be good tonight!
This was really dull and repetitive. Never did get the popularity of REM
5/10 - it all melds into one track
I’ve never gotten the hype on this album. There’s maybe two songs I’d put on their top 20. Drums are unfortunately robotic 80s vibes
Eh, it was alright.
Some nice pop rock, but I couldn't get particularly into it on this day. Nice enough songs. Nice enough sounds. On the day I listened it just didn't really strike me as particularly interesting or particularly appealing. Don't feel myself in any rush to try again with this album either.
I know R.E.M. is considered "important," especially in Georgia, but I've never really gotten it. This release is clearly influenced by British post-punk, which I don't like, and folk music, which I also don't like. The album isn't offensive, and even has moments I enjoyed, but overall, it's not for me.
A bit meh to be honest
This was one of the more boring albums I've ever listened to. I tried so hard to pay attention and within 30 seconds of each song I already lost concentration. There seems to be talent in the music, but just so boring and monotonous.
Maybe it was rubbing me the wrong way or something but I feel like I liked this one less than Green? Not that I remember Green well, but I felt periodically mildly irritated listening to this. It could be just another 3, but right now it's getting this 2.
I like other REM songs, but these were all like nails on a chalkboard To me. perfect circle was ok. 1.8 / 5
Indistinguishable from every other REM album. Felt like it lasted hours.
Not my style of music. I added pilgrimage to my playlist but I didn’t really enjoy much of the rest of it. That’s how most albums are though.
Can’t think of a witty thing to say about this album. Definitely comes out the 80s stronger that hairspray rock and leggings tho
Interesting to hear some early R.E.M. but a weak effort overall.
Nice vibe. Seems ahead of its time.
Nothing on the album got me excited. Too slow and too boring.
I'm less and less impressed with REM as this challenge goes on. They are fine. Jangle rock, but still not impressing me
Irgendwie egal
Well-crafted music. And yet, this album seems to be rather uneventful and boring. So this doesn't do much for me.
They have better Blended together a lot and was just not the biggest fan
Have heard this album so many times and I still cannot remember a single song off of it. A shame cus I do really like their poppier hits.
The album felt much more recent than it really is.
Album de rock en live chanté par une femme ? À la voix enrouée assez sympas
Dette ble litt vel monotont, samtidig druknet vokalen. Mulig det var anlegget i bilen, men uansett kjedelig...
Painfully boring. Only reason it's not 1* is because of the vocals on a few songs were great
dull
Not a huge REM fan to begin with but I do like their main hits sparingly. Honestly, found this album pretty boring. I get why some people might like it, it’s just not for me.
Not really keen on this particular album. Does not compare favourably with some of their other work. Disappointed
pretty good. gives the vibe that if you've heard one REM, you've pretty much heard em all, and most aren't as good as ones i love.
It's OK I guess. Probably too much REM on this list. 2/5.
There are some okay tracks on this - I don't love REM but this wasn't bad. The last track was a fun one.
Might ruffle the feathers of most fans, but I prefer early-to-mid 90s, chart-friendly REM to early-to-mid 80s alternative pioneers REM. Not that this is a bad album or anything, it is just a bit low key, a bit lacking in some overarching vision tying everything together, and a bit lacking in character.
Some good moments but most of the album ended up ended up blending together.
A little boring and samey. No REM bops here.
OG alternative rock
Forgettable
very soft but grungy
This was dull. Not sure why it is on the list. Being one of their early records, I expected this to be rawer and more rugged than it actually is. Evident it is before they honed their songwriting skills, or maybe before they started writing more commercial tunes. Fine for what it is, but flaccid and uninspiring.
Jag kunde jobba och koncentrera mig, så det var nice att ha i bakgrunden ig, annars lite tråkigt...
So, first thought when opening the album is that it's from the 80s instead of the 70s like the last few days, so maybe it has a better chance at me liking it. Then started listening to the first song. I really hope the rest of the album isn't like this, I'll just say that. Songs were so repetitive that they felt like they were 10 hours long. Not really my type of music, yet again. I added a few songs to my liked songs. I'm actually going to change my scale due to this album. It is going to be number out of total songs, then adding to my "faves" playlist gives one bonus point. That would give this album a 34% which I believe more fairly reflects than the less than 20% before. While I recognize this album is likely very important to rock, punk rock in particular, it literally put me to sleep. There are a few good songs in there though. I feel whoever made this 1001 list is more apt to put the artist's early efforts vs their more tenured efforts which reflects in my scores.
A serviceable, but not memorable (other than ‘Radio Free Europe’), collection of songs that are virtually indistinguishable from one another (other than ‘Radio Free Europe’). There’s very little here to hint at what would come later (other than ‘Radio Free Europe’). And nothing on the album approaches the awesomeness of. that killer opening track.
Cool jangly instrumentals but I really did not enjoy the vocals at all
Never been a fan of REM's music, and this was no exception. Very boring sound, and the vocals are monotone. Only kinda liked the opening track. 2/5, not a good listen for me.
meh
Just meh, nothing special, typical REM stuff here
It was ok, good for a british rock band (I think). I just dont think it would be a consistent listen
People say 80s music was bad, but at least it was upbeat and generally happy. The 90s brand of emo-rock that REM typifies ranges from dull to depressing. They have a few hits which are enjoyable, and made them famous, but most of their stuff is just like every track on this album; simple, boring and repetitive.
Don't know much about R.E.M so didn't have any feelings going into this other than I thought it might be boring. I wasn't completely wrong. I thought a lot of the songs sounded too samey, and the main vocalists voice was really bloody annoying after a few songs. "Perfect Circle" was particularly crap, and the last three songs on the album were a terrible way to finish, I almost can't believe how lame "West of the Fields" was as an end to the record. Some highs: enjoyed "Pilgrimage", chorus on "Moral Kiosk", "Sitting Still" would be decent in a car, and "9-9" was at least sonically interesting and jarring in a good way. Was going to give it a 3 for being alright, but changing to a 2 because I've become more pissed off with the vocalists voice while writing this review, and for how shit the ending was.
eh
Mediocre monotone mumbling. 28 songs and can't remember any of them.
There are many REM songs that I like. But it seems that none of them are on this album.
не запоминающийся, но даже на фоне надоедающий. напомнили этим битлз
I didn't know R.E.M. was making music already in the early 80s. This is far more boring than their biggest hits later on.
I feel pathetic because I actually enjoyed this one.
Well I still don't like this band, but I didn't hate this. Mostly just thought it was boring.
Really erm mid (for me)
Just not for me.
Bored now
Going into this album my only previous knowledge of R.E.M. has been the popular songs "It's the End of the World as We Know It" and "Losing My Religion". The first song Radio Free Europe was a strong opener with this upbeat, but alternative rock sound that felt pretty reminiscent to me like something I would hear from Surfs Up. As I continued to listen more to the album this beginning track felt like one of the only memorable things I would hear. The tracks all have a very similar sound where the lead vocalist tends to get lost in the instrumentals of the song and this formula rarely changes except in the song Perfect Circle, where it has a more slow and sad tone. The lyrical content isn't very engaging either with forgettable melodies and no real message or structure behind the songs you hear. These aren't bad songs either, but it really feels like it's missing something to be stronger or stand out more. A album I think was a change of pace for its time, but doesn't really blow you away in the present day where this alternative rock and punk rock blend has been performed and mastered better by other artists. If I were to pick a top 3 songs from this album it would be Radio Free Europe, Moral Kiosk, and Sitting Still.
Lots of water under the REM bridge by now and, acknowledging that this one opened the gates, it reminds me of the first Tragically Hip album - significant to real fans but not much for the other 98% of us.
Not for me
Nice alternative album, but a bit repetitive for me.
I find this pretty boring. The beats are so repetitive without memorable hooks. I didn't really enjoy this one sadly. 2.5
Knappt något som sticker ut, tråkigt :(
I find it very hard to like R.E.M., especially this album. Michael Stipe’s mumbled delivery, the lyrics that range from cryptic to stupid, the meandering melodies. They’re just not a band I can enjoy.
MEHH. rem just doesn't do it for me. Very average and all the songs sound so similar. queue the hate
No me dice nada tbh
Yawn. I know that lots of people love REM, but i don't get it.
2,3/5
It was fine
I can name 5 better REM albums easily.
Just somehow never got that into it.
komm bei REM nicht rein...
I will say that this album feels very ahead of its time, and I know that it's later songs and acts that build on this one, not vice versa. But it was just very meh, especially in comparison to R.E.M.'s later songs. Nothing stood out. Theoretically I like the genre and style, but I can't tell you anything about what I listened to. Honestly if there were half stars, this would be a 2.5 because I didn't mind listening to it. There just didn't seem to be much to this album other than historical significance.
I get it. It's just so boring, every song sounds the same.
I like REM, but this one was pretty mid.
Pretty fkn boring. No songs I really liked
This sounds like every other REM song I've heard, but without the sense of adventure. Pretty standard stuff. Like Ken in the Barbie movie, this albums job is "Music"
I know R.E.M. from it's many 90's hits which resonate with that decade however I did not know they put out albums far back as 1983 such as with Murmur. Knowing now that R.E.M. predates The Smiths and even Pearl Jam it's not so crazy to say this band may have influenced those two bands a bit. I hear a bit of the musical backtracks found on some The Smiths albums as well as some of the voicing familiar to Morrissey and Eddie Vedder. Murmur is a good album. I wouldn't get it in vinyl but it was an easy listen, I found it interesting to see how this band evolved from this into its iconic style of the 90s.
Honestly incredibly middling Palace style music I did NOT like this one I was bored
I'm not a huge REM fan, and this album just kind of solidified that. Randomly, I got the sense that the Tragically Hip's first album borrows from these guys though. Otherwise the Gin Blossoms kind of sound like this, and those bastards made the Friends theme song, which gives them a special place of hate in my heart. Boring and twangy. And the singer is half mumbling gibberish anyway--more like mumble than murmur. 2/5
I wanted to like it but doesn't really do anything for me - most songs have decent performances and choruses, but the songwriting just don't quite work for the full song. Album continues on like this until it fizzles out at the end. I think I'm closer to a 5/10 than a 6/10 on this as there are a few songs I was actively disliking, so I'm going for 2.
This is a very bland and forgettable album. It's like the greige of music. 2/5
An album that feels quite outdated by today's standards. It's possible this is a Beatles/beach boys situation where their sound is copied so much that it doesn't sound as special anymore, even though at the time it created the opportunity for sounds like this to exist
bass intro on Laughing is fun Shaking Through has a nice kick
bass intro on Laughing is fun Shaking Through has a nice kick
Recognize how influential they are and their radio hits are fine, but have bounced off of any of their albums I've tried to listen to, this one included. We Walk was the standout track.
So wild to hear their distinct sound in such mundane songs.
Inoffensive but not interesting to me. I understand that REM has lots of fans and has influenced many people with their music. I don’t happen to be one of them.
2.3 Of the REM albums we have gone through this one id be most likey listen to again
This album was just plain jingling, although fairly decent at that. Stipe’s sound isn’t as irritatingly nasal as it is on the later records. It also got a lot better after a lousy start. Still, it doesn’t really earn many points.
Hört sich an wie the smiths in boring… keine Einzigartigkeit
im sure some people enjoy it, i dont. Punk bass lines with boring vocals. + nearly all songs sound the same cover: 3/10
2.2 but pretty boring
Ok for REM.
Come on list. I fail to see why you have to prove the point TWICE that early REM is pretty dreary indie albeit with small hints of where they’d end up. Let’s just move on to Out of Time and tick them as done.
A strangely flaccid band, as if some accountants and librarians decided to make some music but didn't want to be too loud about it. Listening to them is like writing your name with a wet noodle. You can do it, but why would anyone want to? Their rhythm is constant and busy, the recording is thin and trebly, Stipe's singing is weird and morose. But it's a strong debut record for its originality, even if I don't like what they do. I wish they had maintained this experimental spirit as they went on, instead of moving into a more mainstream-friendly sound.
That sure was an album of REM. 9-9 was the best.
REM once again fades into the background for me , nothing bothersome but nothing interesting , the beat in shaking through was fun but otherwise writing this off as early synth pop I didn’t vibe with
Didn't like this one so much, ambiguous.
Honestly, I like REM but this didn’t do much for me. No match for their later 90s output.
I was never an REM fan and this album didn’t help. They have better songs than any of them on the sell for sure.
Meh
I found this Album quite boring and the tracks sounding the same throughout. Obviously REM got better with time. 2/5
Meh, it was ok
Fourth album by R.E.M. on this list and definitely a weakest one. Guitar melodies weren't that interesting, bass lines were good, but forgettable and even though vocalist is as good as always, it didn't really work on this record. It feels like the band didn't find its rhythm yet. Unfortunately, no better than average songs in here make it a bit of a disappointment.
I never cared for R.E.M., and listening to this album confirms my point of view. The album is full of boring songs, perhaps useful for background music while you’re doing something useful.
I'm always a little conflicted about R.E.M. because I sort of like some of their music but it is a tad too generic for me. Like they are sort of 'standard 80s alt' no matter what they do. All of their records are really dated sounding regardless of when they were released. This record is no exception - straight down the middle for 80s alt/indie. They've always been a little thin sounding for me with the jangly guitars and Michael Stipe's high voice. I do really like the bass on this record, the tone is fantastic and the bass parts are really good, I wish it had been upped in the mix a little. 2.5/5 but going to round down because there isn't really anything here that makes me want to round up.
I'm glad that this exists because it's a precursor to the great albums that followed in the 90s However, this is mind numbing
This didn't do much for me. The songs are by no means bad at all, but just felt bland. Sitting Still was the only one that stood out a bit. All in all inoffensive background music.
I liked some of it.
Listening to REM is like being offered a piece of cake as a little kid, except it turns out it’s carrot cake instead of the sweet chocolate or vanilla you imagined. It’s not terrible, maybe it’s even good, but all the adults keep going on about how delicious it is and you wonder if maybe you don’t taste the same things everyone else does.
THIS WAS MID
Well, I certainly listened to that. Retained nothing from it.
Maybe the list needs a review? A couple of good tracks does not maketh a good album. Clearly a band learning their trade, with a few under formed tracks and ideas, production now sounds old as well.
This album was just ok for me. Not particularly memorable. Some of the songs didn't really even sound like R.E.M. for me. I didn't mind hearing it but I would not seek it out again.
It's whatever.
The only R.E.M. songs I know aren't on this album.
i think i just don't like REM
Rätt tråkigt, kommer inte lyssna igen
Should've named this one Mumble...could not understand a word this man said
Shake Me Through walked so Take On Me by A-Ha could Run, similarity is a bit uncanny TF is happening in the end of We Walk? the sound of a muffled pool table game? Overall a boring album, I want to say its mainly because the lead singer's voice isn't unique, guitar patterns are a little repetitive and can easily get you into a lull.
Ughhhhhhhh yet again more R.E.M Whenever I see an album of theirs come up, a part of me dies inside This is my 4th R.E.M album and I can confirm I still don't like this guys whiny ass singing and the bland songs 2 ⭐️
Unfortunately didn’t do a lot for me. It’s a shame bc I was starting to like them too
I don’t remember a ton about this, which I guess should inform my review
an REM album without anything i already know makes me suspicious as all anybody played around this era was REM
R.E.M. is growing on me. At a snail's pace, mind you, but growing nonetheless.
Not bad but not much stands out. Really liked West of the Fields a lot, but didn’t find any others particularly memorable. At best, made me think of The Tragically Hip or even Crowded House and then I just kind of wanted to listen to them instead. (2.5 stars)
Nothing about this album captured my interest or held my attention.
Never heard it. Liked it ( ish). Might listen once more but that’s it
Inte min "cuppa" så att säga. Sångaren gör lite till ingenting för mig. Mixen är ibland väldigt obalanserad tycker jag. Vissa låtar är rätt bra och basen är go. 2/5
Meh. Uninteresting. 2/5
Radio free Europe a standout. Other than that, nothing special.
dubbel zo goed als de Smiths...verdient dan ook dubbel zoveel sterren
I love R.E.M. but didn't enjoy this album that much. There weren't any stand-out songs. They have so many better tracks imo.
Poor man's Paisley Underground
too long
this album made me feel nothing one way or another so its a 2/5 from me
vibey but bland
I found myself not really being able to get into this album. I typically love R.E.M. whenever I hear them, but would often find myself not paying attention to the album. Underwhelming.
It’s great but there are SOME songs I think are kind of mediocre.
+++ 9-9 --- pilgrimage not much to say about this one. its fine background music but when i pay attention it just makes me want to listen to depeche mode or tmbg instead.
not my type. pretty 80s though.
У меня нет желания продолжать это слушать. Послевкусие неприятное. Radiohead гораздо интереснее в плане музыки.
Unremarkable like a murmur. :/ A mellow album.
Good sounding, kind of basic instrumentation with low key vocals, kind of random lyrics. But very consistent idea in the songs.
Easy listening but nothing stood out.
Nothing stood out to me as really great
I'm pretty convinced that every R.E.M song let alone album sounds the same.
isch no okay, aber nöd weltbewegend…
Did enjoy as much as I thought I would. A little mundane and monotonous. His voice became annoying after awhile
Not my favorite REM album.
It's R.E.M. Every single song on every single album sounds exactly the same. It's fine for 1 song. An album of R.E.M. is way too much.
shaking through and we walk ate rest of it put me into rem sleep
Listening to this album reminded me of decomposing leaves on the floor in a park after heavy rain. Favourite track: Pilgrimage.
OK I guess, but a little forgettable compared to later records.
It was ok. Wanted to get into it, forgettable.
Every song is a 3 but the album is a 2
Starts off with a decent song then afterwards you get hit with one forgettable song after another. The majority of this album felt very one-note. I had to fight my sleep demon every time the next song played. This was quite unfortunate listen. Top 1: Radio Free Europe The rest of the album is mid 2.50/5
Meh
Pretty boring.
I expected more from REM but this did nothing for me
Songs i know: none i think Songs i like: none i think Weird album this one, not a bad one but a bit samey. Deffo a vibes thing because I've never been a fan of REM really, seem like the Coldplay of the 80s in the sense that everyone knows who they are but can't remember which song it is they know and which album it was.
Interesting album this. When I really got into REM back in the day there was a whole period of releases that I'd never heard of (pretty much everything pre-Green) that I enjoyed delving into and hearing their sound change. Not many bands that hit their commercial stride and superstardom on their 7th album. Fair play. Anyway, I quite like this album. It's small, jangly and well indie but you can hear the potential of what they would go on to achieve. This is their Pablo Honey. Standouts: Radio Free Europe Pilgrimage Moral Kiosk Shaking Through Low Points: Quite a few songs passed me but nothing I thought was terrible. Just a nice breezy flow through the whole album, even if a lot of it sounds the same. It did outstay its welcome slightly and lack of hooks make it all a bit forgettable. We Walk was a bit of weird one I guess if I had to pick one. Sounds like a song from a Funnybones book. Always wonder what the Day 1 REM diehards feel about them becoming probably the biggest rock band in the world in the early 90s. Sellouts...
more enjoyable second half... kind of a nothing album though.
Not bad, but not good either. Never been an REM fan and still ain't
tem uns riffs que dão pro gasto, umas viradinhas pro refrão que funcionam, mas no geral é chato.
na wikipedia tá falando que o album chamou atenção pelo som pouco usual. que doidera. enfim, se forçar, desce. mas deve ser uma das bandas de jangle pop que eu menos botei fé na minha vida, credo
Dull as dishwater I’m afraid.
My least favorite R.E.M. album that I've heard so far
Rem sure sounds alot like the tragically hip. No Canadians we'll never understand their impact.
I'll start by stating I'm not the biggest R.E.M fan. Turns out I especially am not a huge fan of earlier R.E.M. I don't think Michael Stipe's voice and 80s new wave go together very well. There are times during the album where you can hear where their style of more later 80s/early 90s R.E.M peaks through, but at the same time most of it is pretty forgettable. By far my favorite song on the album is Catapult because again, it sounds like something they would have on their later albums than this weird early 80s new wave album. I understand all bands have to start somewhere, but I'm glad they kept making music because I think R.E.M would not be remembered if they just released Murmur.
Admittedly I’ve never really been an R.E.M. fan but I don’t really find much to latch onto. It’s not bad but I’m unlikely to be listening again anytime soon.
Meh
I really don't get the hype around R.E.M. Their music is completely inoffensive, but there's nothing remotely interesting about it.
Only decent and nothing more.
None of these songs click on loudly enough to make them memorable. Weird. 2 stars
I still don't like REM.
Couldn't get into this one. They don't sound that confident here which makes sense since this was their debut. It just sort of sits there with very little energy. It gets better for them later on in their career but this one doesn't need to be in the book.
It's ok
I like the beat, and I think that it could mean like how so many songs have so much unwanted/useless noise/ that has no meaning, and are false and annoying, which is probably why there is only one beat and repetitive words throughout the song
This was... fine. It was inoffensive but also instantly forgettable, and it was difficult for me to distinguish the songs. I'm not sure I "get" R.E.M.
La mejor canción ha sido la balada de perfect circle. La forma de cantar de michael stipe no me llega como otros grupos.
Not a fan of R.E.M. at their best. The only thing that saves this album from being a 1 star for me is Peter Buck's guitar work. He does some pretty interesting stuff with material that would otherwise be completely bland. 2 stars, just for Peter Buck, otherwise it would 1 star.
Kinda boring. Same pace, no standout songs, bleh. 2/5
A lot of songs sound very similar. After a while the singing can get annoying.
why does the normal version has all them live versions too? nevermind, the album was okay but nothing near to great. nothing special to me at least.
Pop for serious people. Or serious music for pop people? Which one am I? Am I both? Or neither? Who can say? I can say. I'm both. Two stars. REM beginning REM. Not really essential. Two interesting but ultimately forgettable stars.
I've never liked this album. After all this time it still feels like the album that the band made before they really understood what makes for good hooks and songs. It is definitely not on my list of albums that must be heard before death. I would include one of their other more polished albums than this one.
This did nothing for me at all. Extremely forgettable which is in stark contrast to the REM album I had a couple of days ago.
Why does these men insist on making me hear them sing?
I do not like R.E.M. Stipe is too whiney, the guitars are too jangle-y. This album is not convincing me otherwise. Top tracks: "Radio Free Europe"
Nope but I would see michael shannon's rem cover band play this one if given the chance
Not for me
Hard work getting through the whole album.
Vibey for a certain 80's sound but pretty dull
it is what it is
I think this might be a context album. Everyone seems to agree that it’s an amazing first album from REM, the original Indie Rock band. To be honest I thought it was boring and Michael Stipe’s voice sounded very different! It was interesting to hear how they developed their sound.
Made sense while I was listening to it, but at the end I couldn't quite remember what I'd just listened to - bit like a dream
REM istn't my favorite - never was and never will be....
Meh
album gave me rapid eye movement Fave: radio free Europe and catapult 2.5/5
i can tell this is the first album… in a bad way. mid asf everything sounds the same. later REM is way better.
Got bored and didn’t finish.
Early R.E.M. with some interesting lyrics, but I found the rhythm guitar to be repetitive and unengaging. 2/5.
hmmm tosi hyvä mutta sanoisin että ei vedä oikeen vertoja husker duulle... taitaa huskeri viedä tämän kilpailun.. ei tarvi hävetä kun loppujenlopuksi aikalailla maailman influentiaalisin bändi se huskeri niin ei tarvi allapäin olla...noh sen verran voi olla että yksi polvi maahan ja päätä alas... please save me huskeri... if you can hear me huskeri please save me.... älä välitä tähdistä... tähdet ei merkkaa mitään... huskerilla yksi tähti... koska se on ainoa yksi tähti... kuin jumala... ainoa jumala... muiden jumalien palvominen harhaoppia.... huskeri... huskeri... huskeri... ilmesty.... radio free euriope
surprisingly bland kinda throwaway music
I suppose I am not sure why this album makes it over Out of Time or Automatic for the People.
Ya know.. I thought I was a fan of REM. But I guess I’m not.
Whiny
I'm just not an R.E.M. guy I guess. This sounds like a band's first album. There are definitely some interesting things going on but the songs are pretty boring and the vocals are so blah
9-9 has a great sound. The rest is forgettable.
An ok album
It sounds well produced, specially the drums, but feels like mainstream radio formula rock. Not one for me.
i honestly had no idea that R.E.M. was such an old band. I thought they were such a 90's sound, but it turns out they had been on the circuit for a while. that being said... still not a huge fan of them. I did enjoy the song 'Standing Still', but mostly I wasn't a huge fan.
It's boring
I've never really liked the lead singer's voice of this group. Still don't. Just bland pop from another vastly overrated band.
Not heard this debut album from R.E.M. before. It feels like they are still trying to find their sound. Too many tracks followed the same formula which made the overall album a bit dull. Later albums are better
Never really got the deal with tgese guys and have now listened to talking heads a lot these feel like inferior copies. Its all jangles and moaning.
Enjoyed this all the more for not having any of the overplayed big hits. Dragged a bit by the end though, R.E.M. don't really do variation
I tried to listen but it kept moving away like trying to remember a dull dream and resolutely stayed in the background.
Hadn't ever listened to their debut album, better than I expected it to be, quite repetitive and samey throughout. 2.5
A lesser REM album. Nothing really did it for me.
This was aight.
Not particularly good or memorable.
Genuinely shocked at how uninspired this album was
There's nothing wrong with this album, but I also have no intention of going out of my way to listen to it again either. There were some songs I liked like '9-9' and 'West of the Fields', but most of the album didn't vibe with me with the overly bright, twangy, and repetitive sound. Overall I was waiting for it to end.
Boring. Sounds like Christian rock. Surprised I didn't really like it. I think it's the lead singers voice.
i dont particularly dislike R.E.M., i just find them quite boring. this album really cranked it up with the boredom as well.
Meh
I just got their album Green as a pick a week ago, and considering this is what I get 2nd, what a yawn fest.
I'm sure it was revolutionary but doesn't really stand up even to other REM albums in my opinion, kinda dragging
Mmm, may need to listen to this one again as it didn’t leave an impressions.
This is the 4th R.E.M. album. It is just there. Not really memorable. No need to revisit.
Not their best, that's for sure
Early REM was great
More of the same kinda indie rock music I’ve heard but not as good. Singers voice is a little bit annoying. Scratch that VERY ANNOYING SO DRONY Don’t see myself going back to any of the songs
Okay
Loves: Notes: I did not like the opener. I don’t seem to like most of the melodies even if the rest of the song sounds interesting (pilgrimage)
Not their finest work.
Another R.E.M. album within a week. I do prefer this more than Document, although I find this pretty boring 2.5/5
#185. It's REM. No need to listen to it to give it a proper rating, but I guess I'll do it anyway. And... yep. Just as I suspected, it sucks. REM is certainly nothing someone needs to hear before they die, or ever really. 2/5: dumb.
Second attempt at getting into R.E.M. Attempt failed. 0/2
“Laughing” was incredible, but nothing really else impressive on this album.
2,5
Just kinda boring. I try not to let my disdain for REM to color this review but ugh this was a slog. Laughing wound up being the only song I liked.
meh
Found it pretty repetitive. It's not that I don't like it but eh.
Meh 2.5/5
I like some R.E.M. songs but this is a gonna be a no from me dog. Radio Free Europe is a good track and nothing is bad about it outright in production or playing but the songs themselves are pretty boring. Maybe it's because I was exposed to their greatest hits right off the back so I know they get better? Or maybe because Automatic for the People is IMO their best record and I heard that way earlier. This just isn't as risky or with any songs that hit as hard.
Rem. Not really interesting
yeah i guess its good
I've never been a big fan of R.E.M. There was a time when they seemed to win Brits every year, regardless of whether they had released anything or not. This album hasn't really changed my mind on them. It was interesting to hear their earlier work, but nothing really grabbed me. Still in the "It's fine, I suppose" bracket.
War noch nie wirklich großer R.E.M Fan. Klar Hits wie "Losing My Religion" oder "Everybody Hurts" sind bekannt und holen mich auch verhältnismäßig gut ab, aber das Album Murmur kam mir sehr eintönig vor. Dafür war es soweit ganz entspannt und als Hintergrundmusik bei der Arbeit in Ordnung.
Background noise
Meh
Couldn’t tell you a single song. Good mellow background music, but I felt that the vocals were washed out by the rest of the sound. Probably good to study or read with. I can’t dance to it, I can’t sing to it, I can’t wallow in my misery to it, I can’t party to it, and it doesn’t hype me up. So there’s a limited use case for me. After all, to me the entire album felt like a Murmur…
https://youtu.be/UIyoNvInzCI?si=uf5dgaFuQfQbfPm8 I'm not sure why R.E.M. is as popular as they are. I guess they work for some folks, but I was mostly bored listening to this album.
Pleasant enough. I quite like Stipe's voice, but I have no idea what he was on about. "Cryptic lyrics, jangly guitar and melodic basslines" isn't really my thing. It would have worked better shifting up a gear or two in places.