Reviews (page 13 of 14)
Not my favorite R.E.M. but it's still hella good. This is Stipe's most primitive songwriting which means that it's so cryptic that it's nearly unintelligible. You can tell that HE knows what he's talking about at least. But the band member who really stands out here is Mike Mills whose basslines are utterly amazing. They carry every one of these songs on their back with ease and grace. He is a beast of a musician and proved it on this debut album. Here's what makes this album notable, though: when viewed in historical context, "Murmur" is a decade ahead of its time. You could play this next to albums released '93 or '95 and it would feel at home. But it's not a 90s album. It's early-mid 80s - right at the cutting edge of the post-punk alt/grunge movement. I love that R.E.M. released an album in '83 that had ZERO new-wave, fake-drum, synth bullshit. It's so delightfully different from its 80s contemporaries.
Médio. Um pouco repetitivo.
REM’s debut album raises the question, are they a jangle pop band, a post punk band, or an alternative rock band. The answer is yes. REM deftly explore and blur genre later becoming the forefront of the alternative music scene as it was gaining popularity. Their influence is profound and this, their debut album, shows that they arrived on the scene with a unique and fully formed sound. The influences here range from the Beatles to the Smiths and are woven into something melodic and unique.
Why have I never heard this one before? Crazy. I have so many REM albums and this one, I don’t know at all. Radio Free Europe, I know quite well, but the rest of the album was new for me. Solid. Going to keep this one around. 3/5.
Liker REM. Men dette var et kjedelig album.
Ikkje da besta av rem
This is a good album and has a lot of good things going on, I am just not in the right headspace to take it in. 9-9 is a great song. This album was good, so i will throw a 4 on it so i can revisit it.
So I've never explored REM's back catalogue, and what a joy it is. No massive hits, but a unique sound. Special shout out to Laughing and We Walk .
Eh. Just generic R.E.M.
Could be convincingly from any decade since the 1960s.
This didn't seem groundbreaking until I looked up and realized that it was their debut album from 1983 - by those standards it's an excellent slice of upbeat-sounding jangle pop.
Bass-y, depressing pop rock sound
Perfect debut for R.E.M. It really set the template for all the work to follow. Left of the mainstream jangle pop with a lot a heart and even more sensibilities
Not close to their best work. I tried to justify a higher score, but there's so much meh here. Best track: Radio Free Europe
Hughlights: Moral Kiosk, Perfect Circle
mehmeh
All the familiar kindling but this band doesn't ignite for me fully til Document
I got to hear this originally the week it released in Athens, GA as the first EP
listened yesterday, not overly memorable. liked the jazzy parts don’t think that indie-type albums are for me personally probably won’t listen again 6.4/10
Good
Sounds very ahead of it’s time and 90s for the early 80s. definitely hugely influential on alternative scene. Easy listen but hard to properly get into it. 4/5
Great listen, makes their evolution even more interesting to follow.
The transformation of REM from alt-jangle easily ignorable shoe gazers to stadium humping mega stars was a sight to behold in the 90s. This album were REM in their former state and as such is pleaant enough but unremarkable
REM's debut album, from 1983. Decent, with a slightly harder edge than a lot of what came later. Contains all of the ingredients of REM, but lacks any of their all-time great tracks. Rating: 3/5 Playlist track: Radio Free Europe Date listened: 27/06/22
Best Song: Moral Kiosk. I think I just like this song lyrically and the drums bounce in a pleasant way. Worst Song: 9-9. A spastic song that never goes anywhere. Overall: I know a handful of R.E.M. songs that I kind of like. None of them are on this album. Not sure why this album was included, but it really gave the impression that R.E.M. has only one speed, and that speed isn't particularly exciting.
Maybe if I was 10-15 yrs older I would appreciate this band more
This was more boring than I expected
REM wiggles it’s way into my heart yet again. This is ALMOST as good as Document: Murmur is just missing a second iconic song. 4.75 stars!
Some nice and somewhat melancholic 'alternative' rock, the lead singer's vocals are quite captivating: I particularly like the circle-song, likely because it struck a melancholic vibe in me.
Turns out they were fucking great straight out of the gate, hey?
Pretty great album, that has aged well. Like many people, this wasn't my entry point for REM, which was prob Automatic for the People or Monster, by which point the songs we catchier, but there's something here that cuts a bit deeper and makes me want to spend more time with Murmur.
R.E.M. a été un band marquant d’une bonne décénie. Ils ont marqué le pop avec chansons bien construites, des refrains accrocheurs et des textes qui traitent de sujets inattendus d’une façon propre à eux. Cet album me laisse sur ma faim dans chacun de ces domaines. C’est comme s’ils n’étaient pas encore prêts. On fini l’écoute en se disant « bon, ok, ça va ».
Outre les gros hits, je connais très peu R.E.M. Ce qui me frappe avec cet album c'est qu'à part quelques petits éléments mineurs, je n'ai pas l'impression d'écouter un album paru en 1983. Pour l'époque, c'est vraiment différent et ça fait du bien. Pièces préférées: 9-9, Radio Free Europe, Pilgrimage
Thought it was ok. Seems influential to a lot of 80s/90s music. Pre-cursor to indie rock?
One of the strongest debut albums I've ever heard, and one of the most influential albums ever made. I don't know if I can really express how special this album was when it came out. Nobody really sounded like this at the time, but countless bands did sound like R.E.M. when all was said and done. It was fresh and exhilarating to hear at the time and that feeling comes back one thousand fold for me listening to it again today. Murmur is a perfect album and remains one of R.E.M.'s best even after a career full of brilliant work. R.E.M. have a musical palette that's really enjoyable to listen to, with swirling melodies and gorgeous jangling guitars. Musically, there may never have been a band more subtly expressive and in sync with each other then Berry-Buck-Mills. On top of that you have Michael Stipe's engaging, bittersweet vocals. I know some people don't dig the lyrics, but you have to get that they were deliberately cryptic and strange, and that was very much part of the band's appeal. R.E.M. weren't trying to be a mainstream band, but the music was so good, they were a success in spite of it. This is really a perfect album, with not a bad song to be found. Hard to pick a favorite. Fave Songs (All songs, from most to least favorite): Talk About the Passion, Radio Free Europe, Sitting Still, Moral Kiosk, Catapult, Shaking Through, Laughing, Perfect Circle, We Walk, West of the Fields, 9–9, Pilgrimage
Green and Out of Time were iconic albums of my youth with iconic songs. I bought the latter on CD when it came out. As a fan of R.E.M., it was such a great experience to go back and listen to their beginnings. I didn't find any iconic songs standing out here, discovered or undiscovered, but there were 44 minutes of a really special sound, with truly, as was apparently intended, a timeless feel. It was quite exciting to listen to this grand beginning of an amazing group.
I never really got into R.E.M. I know the hits and even really like some of them, but at no point did I think that I should pursue them further and listen to an album for the deep cuts. This album has not changed my opinion. It is fine and sounds like what I know R.E.M. to sound like. But I am happy to just leave it here...
This was ok but I felt like the songs lacked variety and energy. Far from my favorite REM.
I haven’t listened to this staple from my college years in… years. I feel like I’ve just discovered R.E.M. all over again! I’m stunned to see that this came out in 1983. I tend to think of R.E.M. as a 90s band. It’s startling to think of just how on the vanguard R.E.M. was in the early 80s. Listening to this now I hear the massive influence R.E.M. would have on rock for the next decade or two. Really incredible debut album that is so wonderful to have back in my life after far too long a hiatus.
Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Catapult, We walk, West of the fields
ikkje spesielt minneverdig like rem i teorien men detta va ikkje så bra
Huske kje så masse fra da, men såg da hadde fått jævlig bra reviews i følge wikipedia
Already very familiar with this one.
Another R.E.M. album, another album that leaves me unimpressed. The music is good, but so far none of R.E.M.'s stuff has left an impression on me, and that's something that I really want my music to do. It doesn't matter if it's weird or pushing the boundaries, but I want it to be unique. Murmur didn't feel like it was pushing any boundaries nor did it feel like it was doing much different from the band's other albums. I know some people have said that it clicks different after numerous listens, but I don't see myself wanting to really go back for another listen.
Lyrics are a strange attempt at cryptic poetry. Can make more sense out of Worstward Ho. Some nice tunes, can see how Radio Free Europe became a template for jangly alt-rock. I am struggling to see how Murmur makes its way into best-ever lists. Maybe the influence? Solid album but I just don't see the love affair.
Classic R.E.M.
I mean, of course I hear the very influencing sound and yes there are good moments but I will not be listening to this again anytime soon
Not their best (?) but still a great listen.
I have R.E.M.'s "Out of time" and "Automatic for the people" as two of the great albums I enjoyed when I was a teenager. I had not listened Murmur before. It is nice to find in this album some features that continued to be part of my favorites ones. 40 years later I found Murmur really "fresh" and shinny. And, making the imagination exercise of travelling back to 1983, it is disruptive album. A one that was giving to the world the clue of what a new musical era would be. However, I do not find any song that "touches" me, any emotional connection.
Can't imagine why I've never listened to this before, I guess I got into the band on their second release and just never got round to chasing this up. Great album.
Has some character
allt i lagi 2.5 stjörnur
Oh, another debut. Good to see where they started. It's an ok album. Interesting tracks: Radio Free Europe, Catapult, West Of The Fields.
nothing special
Definitely not my favorite from R.E.M. Nothing really stood out.
I was pleasantly surprised by this record. I enjoy R.E.M., but some of their songs have missed me, depending on the situation. This record, though, carried a specific tone all the way through, and I couldn’t help myself from enjoying it. Definitely a buy, Leonard likes this post
You can hear the seeds of what's to come on this album but it definitely feels like a band still searching for their sound to me. Enjoyable but a bit more forgettable than their later stuff.
Yes, very good album.
REM are a boring band with two good songs and neither one is on this album. REM basically sound like Husker Du if you stripped out all the punk and vitality and just left aborted scrapings.
I'm just not a fan of REM. I can't actually believe this is the third album of theirs on here!
So influential. A massive impact on college rock/alt-rock.
Wasn't bad, but didn't feel like anything special. Most of the songs we good enough to leave on in the background but only a few actually had me invested enough to listen. Not sure if my opinion would change if I gave it another listen but for now it was very underwhelming.
it transcends vibes so much i cannot decipher what the fuck i just heard. think i liked it?
Fairly bland indie.
Niet de grote hits, wel goeie muziek.
CAn’t decide if this is chilled out listening or if it’s just a muffled mix where nothing really stands out.
R.E.M. 5*
REM debut album. Charming American jangle indie pop/rock. Going against the 5 star critical acclaim here as its very inoffensive but unremarkable . Stipes voice is distinctive and the guitar and rhythm are fine but it seems a bit meh.
2? Not a big fan of R.E.M. but it wasn't too repetitive 3 Man it does grow on you
Much better than I was expecting, livlier than I thought REM are.
meh
There's a bar I sometimes end up at named Mulligan's which has the slogan "The OK-est bar on Hawthorne"...this album is like that but for music. Nothing in here I either hated or loved, it was all ok.
I didn't think much of this at all. It was ok. I did like 9-9 though. It sorta reminded me of Gang of Four or something like that w/ the scrape-y guitarwork.
Enjoyable alt rock. Some cool basslines in here. Nothing overly exciting to me but worked good as background work music.
One of the best debuts of all time, REM came out of the gates loaded and ready to make incredible rock. It’s interesting to come back to this after decades of refining and expanding the indie scene, but the melodies are timeless and the production is charmingly limited. Radio Free Europe’s single version is better, though. A
For whatever reason, I’ve never kicked the tires on Murmur. Monster would be my go-to and I like Green is fair enough, too. This is pretty great, especially as a debut. Didn’t realize they had their shit together like this from the get-go. Dialed back a bit sonically, but that’s to be expected; what’s unexpected though is how tight the songwriting is. Stipe sounds great as usual and Buck’s playing is understated but still carries great weight. I don’t think this’ll change anyone’s mind about REM, but this is an awesome change of pace record for me personally as a semi-fan. Very cool. 3.5
Ended up enjoying this more than Document overall. Maybe the highs aren't as high (hard to beat End of the World) but the overall album is solid and listenable across.
I only really know the hits from this band ( everybody hurts, shiny happy people and losing my religion) so this will be interesting: Radio free Europe is good it the verses have strong lyrics and the chorus is memorable, it makes sense as the album’s opener as it sets up the sonic landscape of the album well. Pilgrimage is more interesting the verses are quite cool with the older sounding drums in the back. I like they choose a slower song off of radio free Europe. Laughing is alright but it’s much more boring then the first two and the structure is much more straightforward. Talk about the passion definitely has my favourite guitar riff so far and is a great single it has a repetitive chorus but it doesn’t effect the song heavily and I like how it just breaks off singing french. I like the overlapping vocals on the chorus of moral kiosk the guitars are also great ( maybe beating talk about the passion) could be a personal favourite. Perfect circle is great for closing the first half of the record, its a much slower song ( and this is in a not very fast album) the lyrics are good as well and the fade out works nicely at the end. Catapult is musically great at reopening the album for side 2 but the chorus is way too simple and repetitive. Sitting still has a great chorus and good lyrics but the fact that only 2 lines only ever change through the song makes it quite repetitive throughout but the song is quite instrumentally led so i’am still fond of this one. 9-9 might be my new personal favourite of mine everything from the speaking at the start to the guitars, the simple but effective lyrics and that inaudible bridge make this a great. Shaking through is really brought together by the piano in the background but I don’t think its one of the best especially compared to what we’ve had but the instrumental at the end was a good surprise. We walk is a very eh song by far the worst on here it’s so dull! West of the fields does share the repetitive chorus problem of catapult but it’s still really nice it’s one of those closers that could really go anywhere on the tracklist but it still works nicely. Wow, I liked this one a lot! Fine there is a bad song in we walk but if that song wasn’t there I would honestly consider giving it a 5. I said the repetitive choruses were a bad thing but it’s only a minor criticism.
Love their sound. Sometimes it’s too much of te same for me. But overall a pleasant album to listen to. Favourite songs: - Radio free Europe - Perfect circle - We walk
Three in a row. Looking for a timeless sound and they found it. Crisp and focused.
Muy buen álbum
Ok
A well loved REM album and much to enjoy here. I’m sure the REM heads will say this is their best album but for us casuals they really improved in scope and ambition. This record feels quiet and gentle and jangly and mellow and comforting but not emotional and thrilling as they would become. Radio Free Europe through to Talk About the Passion is a great sequence to open an album.
it's interesting. Definitely a detour from the music of the time. Not my favorite but it was ok.
I'm not a big fan of alt rock. This album is a mixed bag. Some songs are nice enough, some are plain boring. Nothing really stands out. 2.5/5
Little bit samey but Radio Free Europe is excellent. Will give this more listens
Personally, Murmur was one of those life-changing records that shifted the direction of my music tastes. R.E.M.'s sound was refreshing and much needed. Around this time I discovered other like-minded bands, the Replacements, Husker Du, Violent Femmes, etc. ,bands outside mainstream radio (college rock) and this music was the reason the 80's actually had some great music. I'll always have a special place for the first four R.E.M. records (especially the first two) in my collection and all of them are essential listens!
This was good
Irgendwas zwischen 3 und 4, aber eher 4.
Murmur by R.E.M. (1983) Let’s be charitable and set the lyrics aside, given that (1) lyricist/lead vocalist Michael Stipe used the expression “complete babble” to describe some of his lyrics, (2) he mistakenly misgenders a mythical reference (Laocoön and “her” two sons on “Laughing”—I couldn’t stop), and (3) the sounds of the senseless syllables frequently are at odds with the musical mood and meter. Gibberish would be an improvement. While some have complimented R.E.M.’s lyrics with the term “indecipherable”, I would argue that there is no cipher in the first place. Words on this record are merely a device on which to hang the subpar lead singer’s voice. This album is all about the music, which is, well, okay. It’s mostly competent rock, with a tight rhythm section and inventive guitar composition, and including a few brief moments of really cool sound. In historical context, it was different, appealing to restless ears searching for options, but it was not quite different enough. Don’t get me wrong, rock is all about rebellion against the inherited verities. But rebellion without a projected aim fails as Revolution. The result is like invasive kudzu covering an abandoned railroad trestle, suitably depicted on the album cover art. If this is ‘alternative rock’, one might well ask, “Alternative to what? Ennui?” 2/5
I was surprised by how good this is. Great guitar work
Meh
Another enjoyable 80s "indie rock" album. I like the strong intro bass lines and bass chords. Good to hear Stipe's less affected and nasally singing on these early REM songs. Good and catchy too. Not quite a 4, but close.
4.5
It is still an incredible listen after all these years!
REM is obviously iconic. This album was really good, and interestingly it felt more understated and consistent than their other ones. There were no standout tracks like their big singles later on, but that kind of made the album as a whole more listenable.
It all sounds the same.
Still my favorite REM album, though Reckoning comes damn close. This albums ringing guitars, impossibly tight rhythm section, beautiful backing vocals, soaring melodies and just general youthful exuberance cement this as their best album. REM are a great band and became more mature and polished but they never again matched their early period for pure excitement. Wow! 5 🌟
Genre: Jangle Pop 2/5 Throughout the process of this 1001 Albums project, I've found that I absolutely love The Smiths. A lovely contemporary of the Jangle Pop era and a truly delightful continuation of the Beatles sound. Their American counterpart, R.E.M., does everything very similar to them, with similar structures and arrangements, but with absolutely none of the studio flair, none of the attitude, and nothing in terms of challenging the form. This album is surely a favorite amongst most whisper rock fans, but this album, aptly named Murmur, truly murmurs along. No sense of urgency, vocals from Stipes that I can't stand, and flat out boring execution of nearly every song here. It's all well-produced, and I'm sure at the time this sounded truly unique, but upon listening with fresh ears in 2022, this album flows like mush and doesn't sound much better.
A helluva debut album that set the course of college radio everywhere. Strange considering I hear songs about speaking in tongues, martyrdom, and a meditation on the challenges in carrying one’s Cross. Sure, let’s talk about the Passion, but let’s live it, too, in our own little ways! After all, we’re not required to carry the weight of the world, just what’s been given to us to bear.
Interesting to listen to their debut, and had not heard any of the tracks before. Vocals not quite as developed into Stipe’s signature weirdness. As punchy as rum. Rum not quite fully aged
This is where it started with REM. Great album
kind of meh for me
Toe tapping music, but pretty forgettable for me. Felt like I was forgetting the songs as I was listening to them.
Dig it. Prefer their later stuff but some good material here. Fav Track : " Radio Free Europe"
I am very familiar with R.E.M and their debut album MURMUR. I have the album and I’m a casual fan. I like the album a lot. After listening to MURMUR, this album is still a great album to listen to. In 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die, with R.E.M - MURMUR, the subsequent albums are also listed: DOCUMENT (1987); GREEN (1988); AUTOMATIC FOR THE PEOPLE (1992) Rate Artist: R.E.M (5.0) Rate Album (Year): MURMUR (US 1983 Original) (5.0) Rate Album (Year): MURMUR (US 2008 Deluxe) (5.0) Ranking of R.E.M - MURMUR songs No. Title Length Ranking 1-01. "Radio Free Europe" 4:06 10.0/10 1-02. "Pilgrimage" 4:30 10.0/10 1-03. "Laughing" 3:57 09.0/10 1-04. "Talk About the Passion" 3:23 10.0/10 1-05, "Moral Kiosk" 3:31 07.0/10 1-06. "Perfect Circle" 3:29 08.0/10 1-07. "Catapult" 3:55 10.0/10 1-08. "Sitting Still" 3:17 10.0/10 1-09. "9–9" 3:03 09.0/10 1-10. "Shaking Through" 4:30 10.0/10 1-11. "We Walk" 3:02 09.0/10 1-12. "West of the Fields" 3:17 10.0/10 US 1983 Original Release 112.0/120 = 9.33 / 2 = 4.67 2008 Deluxe Edition bonus disc (Live at Larry's Hideaway in Toronto, July 9, 1983) 2-13. "Laughing" 3:51 10.0/10 2-14. "Pilgrimage" 4:08 10.0/10 2-15. "There She Goes Again" 2:43 07.0/10 2-16. "Seven Chinese Brothers" 4:15 08.0/10 2-17. "Talk About the Passion" 3:02 10.0/10 2-18. "Sitting Still" 4:11 10.0/10 2-19. "Harborcoat" 3:45 10.0/10 2-20. "Catapult" 3:51 10.0/10 2-21. "Gardening at Night" 3:33 10.0/10 2-22. "9-9" 3:16 09.0/10 2-23. "Just a Touch" 2:27 06.0/10 2-24. "West of the Fields" 3:06 10.0/10 2-25. "Radio Free Europe" 4:57 10.0/10 2-26. "We Walk" 2:55 07.0/10 2-27. "1,000,000" 3:05 08.0/10 2-28. "Carnival of Sorts (Box Cars)" 3:58 08.0/10 US 2008 Deluxe Release 255.0/280 = 9.11 / 2 = 4.55
Very pleasant
Middle of the road, nothing special.
Hard to believe this album came out in 1983, sounds so much ahead of its time. Can see the influence it had on alternative rock bands.
Pretty easy listening, probably quite nice to hear R.E.M before they became much bigger but not really special. I like the vibe more than I don't, so 3/5.
Ok, now this is one I'm looking forward to. I like REM, Automatic For The People is brilliant (I wonder if that'll be on here at some point?). Just looking at the tracklist, I see songs I know I like. Ok, let's get this on! Track one. Strong start, I love it. I'm in a good mood here, this is going to be a joy. Raaaaaaadiiiiiiiiiio staaaatiooooon. Yes! Track two. Ok, this is a bit of a step down in tempo. Shame. Hang on, it's picking up for the chorus. Yes, this is good. Not one I'd heard before, I don't think. Track three. Another new one for me. Decent enough. Would not skip if it came on during a shuffled mix. Probably wouldn't hunt it out to put it on a playlist. Track four. Yeah, heard this before, obviously. Very good song. "Not everyone can carry the weight of the world". Michael already so wise. Love it. Track five. Another new one. "It's so much more attractive, inside the moral kiosk". I don't know what he's talking about, but I agree. I like this. Nice. Track six. This is the one that jumped out when I looked at the playlist. Excellent song. "A perfect circle of aquaintances and friends". That is poetry. Missy Elliott should have a look at this. Love the chorus. Beautiful song. Track seven. It'd take something special to match the last track, so this is a bit of a step down. But I like it. Easy to sing along to a one word chorus isn't it? Track eight. Sitting Still. Not what the tempo would suggest, sounds like we're going somewhere! "A waste of time sitting still". Indeed, gotta keep moving! Track nine. "Got a stripe, down his back" made me think of a skunk. "All nine yards" made me think of golf. Somehow that triggered the memory of Fairway Frank from Parks and Rec. I giggled. Enjoyed this song. Track ten. Another upbeat track. Shaaaaaaaaakiiiing thooooooough. REM are good at choruses aren't they? Nice piano on this too. Another solid track. Oooh, odd little way to end the track. Strange. Track eleven. "Take oasis, Marat's bathing". Apparently this is a reference to Jean-Paul Marat, who used to have a bath desk. He'd sit in the bath, writing. Nice work if you can get it! Track twelve. Not ending with a slow one either. These boys are relentless! "The antelopes are strange, trying to sicken me". Not sure Michael was fully sober when writing this. Again though, the chorus is catchy. Another one I wouldn't skip, but wouldn't search for. And that's it. I enjoyed that. It's not Automatic... but it's a solid debut. Good choice by the 1001... people, best album so far.
So exciting when I heard it first. Couldn’t understand a bloody word but what a great band
Not displeasing but not exciting either. Typical REM.
REM are the godfathers of indie rock. They were the epicenter of what was then called college rock, which would then mutate into alternative, and finally become indie rock as we know it today. I feel like people take them for granted now, partially because their sound was pretty much completely absorbed by others in their time, and partially because they don't have a particularly aggressive sound - something that I actually appreciate them for. I get tired of rock and roll having to be cranked to 11 all the time. This is easily one of the most important and unique debut albums of the 80s. The jangly guitars, melodic basslines, and toe tapping beats are certainly nice, but I think the real secret sauce is in Michael Stipe's poetic lyrics and seemingly casual but subtly emotive vocal delivery.
I wanna like R.E.M. more than I do, on paper it makes sense. But in execution I am bored, it's just so "there" for alt-rock.
A great opening debut for REM. Classic college radio album.
I'm a fan of Radio Free Europe. The rest of the album is alright.
legendary Sports Basemenet background music
so so
Just seemed very downbeat and dull to me.
A gusto, tranquilón y pues igual pienso que podía morir sin escucharlo. Favs: "Laughing", "Catapult" y "Shaking Through". 7.5/10
I thoroughly enjoyed this. I remember when I first discovered Losing My Religion and would just keep it on repeat on my iPod. It tugged at something inside me and gave me permission to feel that something. Perfect Circle feels a little like that too. I can't believe this is a debut album.
REM is right up there as one of my favourite bands, but as far as I'm concerned everything they did prior to Green was just a dress rehearsal for the greatness that followed.
Enjoyed this one.
:)
Very nostalgic, has quite an emo vibe. Good overall album.
This is nostalgia in an album! I love everything about it- Stipe’s voice, his lyrics and the sound. Radio Free Europe is a brilliant tune.
I would listen to this album all day, every day and never get tired of it. A top three R.E.M. album, flawless from top to bottom.
REM are legends of the music industry. However this was unfortunately not my favourite album by then. Still a solid album though.
A good background album. No stand out songs for me. It's the first one I've listened to on 1001 though and I am not used to listening to albums in full yet, so maybe I'm too distracted to appreciate it today
A lot has been said about how good early REM is - and I do agree, there is a lot of good work in their catalogue. But, this album actually disappoints on first listen. Yes, the opening track "Radio Free Europe" is a major standout, but to me, the rest feel weak by comparison. There doesn't seem much to meet the album start, and it dwindles into a mix of jangly indie pop. OK, so there is lot to like, and you can see the genesis of what they were to become, but needs more time, and perhaps the right time, to appreciate. 3* on first listen
couldn't even finish sorry! he has one of my least favorite voices ever and i also think the instrumentals didnt age very well at all. i always feel bad giving bad reviews but it's just my opinion!!! sorry mr REM
L'album est moyen selon mes goûts, ca ne bouge pas beaucoup et j'ai l'impression que le 45 minutes de l'abum est très long. aucune chanson ne m'a vraiment accroché et cela semblait du pareil au même. 2.50
Not bad much better than I was expecting. Not a huge rem fan.
Great album. Notice ska influence. Love to hear early REM
I like the sound - very 80s. Not a super memorable album but I liked it. Catapult was a good track.
Pas un mauvais album, mais c'est à se demander pourquoi cet album est inclus ici considérant qu'il y a des albums beaucoup plus marquants de REM.
Not my favorite REM record, but it starts very strong and, at all times, it's very REM-y. A little jangly with a good beat. The song Moral Kiosk makes up for its name by being pretty fun. I like.
There are some really great songs on this - 'Moral Kiosk', 'Catapult' and '9-9' would be my favourites - and a fair amount I don't care for. As for the latter, I think I dislike those songs in thrall of, and built around, Michael Stipe's voice, which I find to be a rather grey and pallid thing. The penultimate track almost sounds like Gerry and the Pacemakers. Uneven but interesting.
Not much my cup of tea
7/10. Pretty good but so many of the songs sounded similar
8/10. As an album, I think I liked this a little more than Document even though there weren't as many stand-out favorites on here
I really can't figure out what it is about REM that keeps rubbing me the wrong way. I liked parts of it I guess. 6/10
This band started its career with the right foot. I had listened to this record before this challenge, but had forgotten the jewels in it. “Perfect Circle” is a magical experience, “Pilgrimage” is astonishing, and what to say about “sitting still”? Love this!!
One of the most important and significant Alt Rock records of all time
Not bad, but easy to forget.
Interesting to listen to.
8/10
Perfect R.E.M album, as I guess everyone knows..
Interesting to hear an early REM album from the eighties. The music was okay, but did not blow me away either.
never actually realised REM were anything other than stadium sized shiny happy people crap. decent album.
My mate Paul once sold me his mum's used dildo for a fiver. It certainly gave me rapid eye movement.
👌
The sound of a band still finding it's feet. It's enjoyable enough but very much sounds like a band writing songs that were facsimilies of their influences. There was a lot better to come from R.E.M.
I know very little about R.E.M. aside from a few hit singles. I think this record could grow on me over time, but right now it's not standing out too much. There are a handful of tracks I really enjoy, though. I can definitely hear the influence this had on early alternative rock.
R.E.M. are a band I’ve generally endured rather than enjoyed. ‘Murmur’ is generally a pretty up-beat sounding album compared to much of their output that I’m familiar with. It’s decent while it’s on, but it also doesn’t make me want to go and seek out more of their catalogue to listen to.
By far, the best REM album (and probably the only really good one). Nice balance of Michael Stipe's voice and the jangly guitars. 7-8/10
This was my first listen to this album it needs another one I think. It was ok, nothing on here made me go WOW on first play.
I was already familiar with R.E.M. by 1988, if not earlier. I eventually went back for Murmur and their other earlier albums, and I followed R.E.M's subsequent releases until 2001 I've seen R.E.M. in concert, and I own this album. It's been a while since I have listened to Murmur, but that may just be because of a limited number of CD players on hand. This is an album I regularly recommend to others. "Talk about the Passion", "Sitting Still", and "Catapult" are tracks I will most likely listen to again, but I can easily listen to the album as a whole.
I'm familiar with this album, 2nd favourite R.E.M. album to Automatic For The People. Always good to revisit.
Some goooood songs
Really neat to listen to the DNA of alternative in this album but then I also immediately forgot all of the songs as soon as I was done. 3/5
Quite a good indie/alt debut album from REM. I can understand why at the time it would have been very out there with such a new sound and lyric style. In 1983 I don't really think anyone had a sound like REM and that is part of the reason they're a mainstay in the music industry. Best: Radio Free Europe Worst: We Walk Note: Spotify had the Deluxe reissue version of the album. Only listened to the songs on the original album.
Clever, but boring, and I really do not like his singing
I owned this album at one time. Perhaps selling it was an error.
Radio Free Europe sets the bar high for the rest of the album...Catapult brought my attention back to the album after things slowed down a bit
Bemerkenswert wie alle Songs sich wie Losing My Religion anhören
REM = Melancholie.
I enjoyed it.
The more I listened the more I enjoyed. Easy to see how others were inspired by this album.
Some really good moments, excellent catchy choruses and great jangly guitar. No getting away from that classic REM sound I personally don’t really like but it has some thoroughly enjoyable moments. Laughing and 9-9 particularly caught my attention 4/5 - good album, but not quite my jam.
Little more indie than their other stuff
Meh
I never listened to their first album but it sounds pretty cool.
This wasn't as bad as I expected, it had some interesting songs and was more rocky than whiney
Only went through 3 songs. Snoozeville
As always, R.E.M. is simply a good band. This debut sounds like they were still looking for their trademark sound at the time, despite already showing a lot of sophistication. I enjoyed the album, but it lacked standout songs for me or tracks that really grabbed my attention. The songs were a bit too samey.
Outstanding first album!
I know some later R.E.M. (Losing My Religion) but found this pretty boring. The songs blurred together a bit, and I got the impression of a less dynamic Tragically Hip.
Tykkäsin yllättävän paljon ollakseen R.E.M.iä. Jotenkin se laulajan ääni on vähän ärsyttävä. Ehkä tykkääminen johtui siitä, että tällä levyllä ei ollut niitä kaikkein kuluneimpia hittejä, vaan semmoista mukavaa perusrokkia. Positiivisen puolelle kuitenkin meni, niin tarjotaan nelosta.
Tyhjänpäiväistä rokkirallattelua, joka oli varsin puuduttavaa jopa REM:in tuotannoksi. Yleensä REM:in levyillä hittibiisit jaksavat pitää mielenkiinnon yllä edes hetkellisesti, mutta tältä levyltä nekin loistivat poissaolollaan. Kolmella kuuntelukerralla yksikään kappale ei jäänyt mieleen erityisen positiivisesti, joskaan ei myöskään negatiivisesti. Toistaiseksi listan heikoin REM-ehdokas, jonka 2,5 pyöristyy alaspäin.
Definitely sounds a full decade ahead of its time. I'd only heard the first song before, and it's probably the only one I'd come back to
I dig it
I hadn't heard any of these songs before, and this album seemed a little boring upon first listen. However, it really grew on me as I gave it a couple more chances w/ headphones.
Pretty solid debut album
2/5 nope
movimento rapído dos olhos
I know all the REM hits, but have never listened to a whole album, especially their debut. This was good and I’ve always liked their sound. It would have been nice to have at least one solid single on it. I see they have 4 albums in the list, so we’ll see if one of them makes it to a 5. 3.6
Upon first listen this didn't sound like anything special, and I wondered why it had been included in the list, but apparently it was massively influential when it came out? I guess the spangly guitar sound became so ubiquitous that this album now sounds a bit run of the mill? Fave track - "We Walk", I think, or maybe "Laughing"
Classic!
I liked it, a less obvious recommendation than expected
Algjör dásemd.
Probably need a few more listens
Nothing too bad but nothing too good either. "Radio Free Europe" was the only song I liked.
чиловый прикольный альт-рок, облегченный радиохед, интересно
A whole bunch of good songs. I didn't know the album, but I do enjoy other songs by the band. 0RS
Great!
Didn’t know they were doing this back in ‘83. Never been a super fan but nice enough in the background
It's not the cool opinion but I prefer the pop period REM to the indie period. Not my favourite of theirs
It was a pretty good album; however, it lacks the "punchiness" of other albums during this year. I really liked the keyboard in the songs, but the other instruments were generally only okay. The singer's voice fits the music well. This album is something I would listen to in the background and not actively. Favorite track: We Walk
I actually didn't think I would like this when I was going into it. Mostly, I felt like it was going to be like listening to U2, a band I absolutely despise, but I really dig the presence of the instruments combined with the more subtle vocals. While the vocals are subtle, his voice is still very clear in the mix. Overall, it's kinda mid tier for me, but it wasn't grating to listen to. Highlights: 1, 2, and 4.
Eh
fine
Definitivno nešto odlično, u top 3 R.E.M. albuma, 80te gdje su oni rasturali. Imali 5 predobrih albuma zaredom, treba to moći. Album jako blizu petici. <3
Premium jangle
One of the best debut albums of all time and it’s probably not even their best album. Great melodies, great harmonies, great guitar, GREAT bass, great drums. Just all around great. R.E.M. are The Beatles of indie/alternative rock.
overall liked this quite a bit, though started feeling rather samey by the end
A true classic. Not a bad song on here as far as I'm concerned. And what an influential album. An anchor to the college radio music wave.
warm guitars, sometimes naive sometimes deeply melancholic. feels like walking with band t-shirts, my headphones connected to my walk-man under a sunny campus, green paves the way.
I don't own this one and have never heard it.
takes a while to get going, i dont know this album release date, but get the feeling its one of their earlier ones, feeling a bit indifferent to this
Always liked REM but I find this a bit too depressing. Not their best album.
Awesome listen
Not really listened to REM, dug this ok.
Listened to the whole album and could only tell the songs apart due to the youtube ads. Yes they had a good sound but can't imagine this being anyone's favourite album.
Pretty good early REM album. Radio free Europe was definitely the high point.
A bit average, good for casual background music
Least favourite R.E.M. album
Slightly dull to listen to, but definitely good tunes, I can see why people love it. I don't feel like listening to this album again despite how nice it is, but that's just me.
-major keys -jangly clean guitars -the same fast, aggressive drumming on almost every song This is feel good music. It's definitely not a chore to listen to. However, listening to this album further cemented my opinion that REM is a band that does one thing well and that thing is not particularly memorable or original. My favorite track was 9-9.
The order of the songs is important. Listened to it 3 times in order and then hit shuffle - don’t hit shuffle.
pretty good 80s music
dope
I like REM, but this is not their best album
“What’s your favourite R.E.M. album?” is basically a personality test. People who say this one are also a Type 3, ISTP. I’m kidding obviously. This seems like it’s R.E.M. searching for what would become their distinct sound, but not quite there yet. A lot of interesting “what could have been” ideas floating around, but an underdeveloped sense of what they would be. Favourite track: “Moral Kiosk.
Pretty relaxing, easy listen. Similar to The Hip.
REM fuckin rocks but I've never heard their debut before. It was an interesting listen, no obvious hits but you can hear the foundation of what would evolve into their signature sound.
3.5
Honestly didn’t know REM was making music before document. Pretty decent early alternative.
trash
Enjoyed. Proto-Grunge. So fun to sing along with.
Pleasant music, but nothing that really stood out to me.
gud
i have a fondness for REM and i think a lot of indie bands owe a huge debt to this album in particular. i guess i do take after my mama in some respects? radio free europe, laughing, sitting still, shaking through
Eh.
Not really my style.
Classic album with folk rock/alt sound.
Radio Free Europe remains one of my absolute fave R.E.M. songs, and the rest of the album is equally fantastic.
Yet another im familiar with, full of rly fun bangers, i specifically like catapult, laughing and radio free europe. Gotta listen to this more, its rly solid and i dont appreciate it enough
It's a good listen
3/5
Окей, давайте поговорит об R.E.M. На мой взгляд Рем — одни из главных инди-дарлингов американской сцены, а любовь к этой группе — это едва ли не часть экзамена любого музыкального критика. я хз, есть ли в мейнстримном роке группа, которой сильнее восхищаются и рецензенты и слушатели. Почему так происходит (вернее происходило, ибо ныне группа уже не существует)? Отчасти из-за невероятно переоценённого жанра «adult alternative», который предполагал более «глубокие» и «чувственные» тексты и темы. Отчасти из-за культового статуса главной колледж-группы 80-х и наиласковейшего сарафанного радио. Отчасти из-за действительно отличных песен! Да, тут надо чётко обозначить, что Рем умеют писать отличные, великолепные треки. Даже оставляя за бортом попсовые Losing My Religion и Drive, мы всё равно имеем развесёлые Orange Crush и It's the End, задумчивые и меланхоличные Low и uBerlin, мечтательную Texarkana, гимноподобную Walk Unafraid и т.д. У них есть ПЕСНИ... Но вот АЛЬБОМОВ у них нет. К сожалению, мне всегда было сложно проникнуться творчеством Стайпа и Ко в полной мере, потому что при таком бешеном темпе выпуска альбомов и таком малом изменении музыкального курса невозможно плодить годноту в промышленных масштабах. R.E.M. для меня всегда были и остаются больше сингловой группой — и я это говорю как человек, который ненавидит слушать песни внеальбомно. Но честное слово — выдержать целую пластинку Ремов это та ещё мука. Почему-то при умении создавать завораживающую тёмную атмосферу и писать драматичные припевы они нередко клонятся в сторону какого-то юродивого цирка, либо всерьёз пытаются уморить меня скукой на своих унылейших пиано-балладах (привет Everybody Hurts). Какова ситуация с Мурмуром?.. На самом деле лучше, чем со многими другими, лол. При всей недоформированности их стиля на дебютнике, в той версии Ремов ещё чувствовалась студенческая лихость и тяга к экспериментам. Особенно вот эти вокальные переклички в Moral Kiosk — лучший момент альбома, без сомнения. Ранее я слушал этот альбом всего однажды, выделил для себя киоск и забил на всё остальное по причине серости и однообразности материала. Но теперь, при повторных прослушиваниях, ещё несколько треков подняли голову и заявили о себе: Radio Free Europe, 9-9, We Walk, West of the Fields. Это не великие песни, они даже рядом не стоят с лучшими хитами группы, но в них есть очень интересный задор, нестандартные мелодические ходы и более-менее отчётливая вокальная мелодия. Остальное же, к сожалению, слипается в один большой ком акустических гитар и невнятного мычания Стайпа (что, вообще-то фича, а не баг, если вспомнить название альбома). Оно не раздражает, но и не впечатляет особо, и, думается мне, находиться среди музыки, которую обязательно услышать перед смертью, не должно. Но всё же 6/10
Снова альбом с жёсткого диска. Вроде бы просто, а вроде и не очень. Мне в целом нравится звучание, эстетика альбома. Она подразумевает, что в ней может быть создано нечто охуенное. Но вот самого охуенного будто не довезли. Talk About The Passion, Perfect Circle, Sitting Still и Shaking Through могу назвать внятными балдёжными треками. Остальное напоминает какой-то саундтрек к подростковой комедийной мелодраме. Которую я мб не без удовольствия посмотрел бы, но которая не оставила бы явного следа в моём сознании. Тот случай, когда не хватает десятибаллочки, было бы 7. А тут гадай. Пока антресоли разгребал, раз 10 с тян прослушали, вроде сильно воротить не стало. Значит, неплохое музло. Четыре всё же ляпну.
I enjoyed this far more than I expected to. There are some catchy songs without there being any huge hits. It's nice to have on in the background and I'll definitely listen again.
pretty good
I definitely liked it, but it isn’t my favorite I’ve heard from REM. Fantastic atmosphere though!
Perfectly fine. Some good tracks on here, I didn’t dislike any of it. But this band generally really do nothing for me. I just can’t get excited by this album.
This album was really easy to listen. Nothing fancy or any particular song stands out, but as a whole it's really pleasant.
One of those few perfect albuns.
I listened to this album so much in the 90s that it was hard for me to fathom that it came out when I was 10 years old. "Laughing" is one of my all-time faves, and the rest of it is quite good as well.
not my cup a tea
In a word, nice. Just not standout or memorable.
Really enjoyable without blowing me away but holds up today and will explore more - wanted to stretch to a four but couldn’t
Couldn't get into this one. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood but it just seemed so instantly forgettable
Really liked the sound of this album, very cryptic and fits the feel of the cover. Flipped between a 3 and a 4 but ultimately think I enjoyed this more than a lot of my other 3's Saved: Radio Free Europe, Sitting Still, Shaking Through
Saved Prior: Radio Free Europe Saved Off Rip: Laughing, Moral Kiosk, Perfect Circle, Sitting Still, Shaking Through Cutting Edge: Catapult, We Walk Overall Notes: My biggest gripe with R.E.M. has always been that they sound like everyone else, and even though I know that they influenced all those other bands that doesn't change the fact that I liked some of those songs better. This album went pretty far in showing me that R.E.M. still have merit. Really really good record, and though they all sounded kinda similar I was tempted to give this album a 5. Gave it a 4 because nothing knocked me off my feet (other than Radio Free Europe which has quickly become my favorite R.E.M. song) but I get R.E.M. now.
Top-notch record, recorded by nobodies in a nowhere town that shot them into the spotlight (beating out Thriller!!). The only issue I have is the sometimes too-clean composition that reflects a band piecing together in a studio rather than REM's legendary stage presence and ensemble. The key to the band in my opinion is there meticulous knowledge and reverence of the history of rock music. The Byrds, Patti Smith, Television, Wire, Neil Young, and local acts like Pylon and B-52s are all here, though in a fresh way that uses nods rather than outright plagarism. Moral Kiosk, Laughing, Radio Free, it's clear these young men from Athens had something that no one else did.
I don't think I ever had this album but know many of the songs. The guitar playing is a highlight as lots of intricate picking is incorporated into the rhythm. I recall an article saying they were one of the first bands that had a major label secured for their debut album but still managed to tell the suits to go fuck themselves when it came to their sound. There are some gems in this album. Quite the debut.
Great. Hadn't heard this in many years.
Michael Stipe sounds older here than he is now. Snooze..
War zu seiner Zeit bestimmt Mal gut. Wenn ich heute dieses Album höre muss ich an alte weiße Männer denken, die in ihren SUVs und mit ihren 90er Jahre Arbeitsverträgen, sich denken heute höre ich mal was rockiges. Früher waren sie auch mal auf Demos und trugen lange Haare aus Protest, aber das ist lange her, was geblieben ist, ist der R.E.M. sound im Hintergrund. Dieser Sound läuft inmitten einer Weltweiten Pandemie und einer zunehmenden Klimakriese, doch darüber nachzudenken würde ja bedeuten man hätte etwas besser machen können. Jegliche Selbstreflexion verblasst wenn diese seicht melancholischen Klänge aus den Auto Lautsprechern klingt und man sich an eine bessere Zeit erinnern kann.
Good!! Some great songs here, will listen more
Excellent album. A delight to be reacquainted with it.
Mooie hoes
Not a fan but I enjoyed this album more than Automatic for the People. ***
I've missed a lot of REMs early stuff. Glad to have caught this.
Leuk hoor, REM! Kende dit album niet, maar eigenlijk zijn alle plaatje behoorlijk goed (en hetzelfde?)
Groot bewonderaar van deze band, maar hun debuut dus nog nooit gehoord. Je kan in deze liedjes goed de sound al horen waar ze later zo succesvol mee waren. Mooie kennismaking, maar vind de albums later toch wel beter.
R.E.M indeed. This is a snore fest.
Fijn plaatje!
Fris! Maar nu weer tijd voor een zangeres in dit mannenbolwerk!
Neither nowt nor summat.
The wiki on this album is a good read. Solid album, though not a go to for me.
Yeah, was fine. Not really much to be said.
A 7/10 album, closer to 8
Boring
Class! Big REM fan so this was highly anticipated. Been a while since I listened to this in full, but amazing early REM sound 👍
Great
Not bad. Bit samey but like the low-fi mood. Clearly signs of the good things they did to come.
Bit underwhelming tbh. Couple of decent tracks. 3/10
Promising start, but they get better
A bit samey and not any stand out tracks makes this monatanous.
well made, but not really my style
One of the all time best debut LP's. They only get 4 stars because IMHO, R.E.M. released better albums later in their career.
I know its the start of REM but it sounds like everything by REM that I've ever heard. Not bad, perhaps unfair to judge on their later work.
Average REM
Can see how its influential Alt Indie rock but it took me a couple of listens to start to get it. A real grower that I get more out of the more i play it. Given its release date this must have been one of the first crossover records from the Alt-Rock scene which exploded in the early 90s. 4/5
"Laocoön and her two sons Pressured storm, tried to move No other more emotion bound Martyred, misconstrued" (Laughing) "Not everyone can carry the weight of the world" (Talk about the passion) Nada de lo que diga será justo porque llevo encima como tres horas de sueño y lo odio todo. Me lo tendré que volver a escuchar.
Vanilla. I don't get R.E.M., soft soft rock. Nothing inspiring about it.
Bit harsh perhaps but it wasn't as good as Automatic for the People so...
Was good, some great songs. But long time since i listened to it, some songs were a bit bland, not as good as I remembered it.
My least favourite of the early REM albums lose the last two for Gardening at Night and Carnival of Sorts.
The songs are well-written and the melodies are catchy. It’s a bit mellower than I was expecting. Peter Buck’s understated guitar playing is great. I would compare him to Johnny Marr of the Smiths but the Smiths debut would get a higher mark from me because Morrisey is a better (bitter?haha) singer. Michael Stype’s voice and cryptic lyrics make give the album a moodier feel.
5
Nettes Indie Album aber eines von 1001 ?!? Gelächter! Ergo: „Laughing“ einziger Lichtblick 1.7
R.E.M. hab ich erst kennengelernt, da waren die schon Superstars. Nette Band, "Losing My Religion" lief schon auf irgendwelchen Klassenfeten und fiel nicht durch; Shiny Happy People auch ein schöner Hit. Aber sonst: haben mich nicht interessiert, waren immer zu unscheinbar und unaufregend. Bei der Recherche zu Murmur dann wieder gemerkt, dass die ja eigentlich aus dem Underground kamen, ausgestattet mit der entsprechenden Credibility und so und fast ja schon sowas wie die amerikanischen U2 sind, nur mit einem etwas weniger bescheuerten Sänger. Naja, egal. Schön das alles zu lernen, bewundernswert wie reif schon die erste Platte klingt. Aber auch die in meinen Ohren: alles andere als revolutionär. Eher wie immer schon da gewesen und gut abgehangen. Also im Grund genau das, was sie für mich immer schon waren: wahnsinnig unspektakulär, aber schön anzuhören. Dafür gern: 3,2 Punkte.
An excellent sound, still not quite pushing 5 for a real sense of sameness which becomes all the more pervasive in the gloomy sound this album creates.
Highlights: Laughing, Talk About The Passion, Striking Through Before they were shiny and happy and lost their religion, before everybody hurt, before they crushed with eyeliner...it was Murmur. The breakout album by R.E.M. that reignited America's love with sweeping guitar rock that was increasingly becoming punky- metal- glammy- and loud. R.E.M. would have fallen victim to the loudness wars if not for their just getting everything right, paving the way for acts like Live and Radiohead.
It was fine. Had it on while I cooked dinner, only listened to a few tracks. Didn't feel much one way or the other.
I love this record. Moral Kiosk is one of my favorite REM songs.