Murmur

A perfect debut

Any excuse to listen to Murmur is highly welcome. One of the greatest debuts ever. Sheer perfection.

Heard bits of this album growing up from my dad, it's remained a staple of my life ever since fully sitting down and listening to it sometime in college. Perfectly captures an unknowable sadness with a pop energy that has been almost unmatched since, even from the band itself. While Stipe gives the performance of a lifetime, I think Mills is the MVP here with a backup vocal style that may be the most defined of any ever. His off kilter yet perfectly precise soaring vocals offset Stipe to create the fully realized yet unknowable atmosphere that makes this album what it is. Peter Buck and Bill Berry's experimentation on their respective instruments is also simply unbelievable - Berry on Moral Kiosk and Buck on 9-9 (a track that used to simply feel novelty but now is a stand out for me for it's subtle yet tight insanity) are the highlights. While the lyrics border on pure nonsense, it's hard not to note a sorrow, especially on the 4 lines that comprise Talk About the Passion. "Not everyone can carry the weight of the world" is a line that unfortunately often comes to me. Hard to imagine a band coming out more fully formed than this - the soulfulness of Stipe and Mills singing, the almost purely phonetic lyricism, the incredibly tight songwriting and rhythm section, and the impenetrable melancholy of it all. The kind of music you dance to with tears in your eyes.

I’m the sign and you’re not dih🥀 (i reckon that, because It is nearly impossible to assess if an album is a 5 star album after one listen, although i’ve listened many times, my scores will now reflect the immediate pleasure upon my listen. God this album fucking rocks. Southern Gothic ass shit. Michael Stipe u absolute goat. Ugh. So good. REM’s the best

The Best Ever. peter buck you are in my personal guitar pantheon thanks in no small part to this album. i grew up with REM so no way can i be unbiased about this album but god it’s just the best. radio free europe, shaking through, pilgrimage, and talk about the passion are my favorites, but everything here is solid gold. i don’t know if i would tolerate michael stipe’s mumbling if it were any other band or any other vocalist. somehow Reckoning is even better than this

After listening to those first few R.E.M. albums, it really changed my perspective on them as the band, this is a masterful record and highly influential. I love pretty much every song here so easy 5 stars

I mean, come on. You could put this out today and it would blow people away. Absolutely pristine sounds, incredibly songwriting, bewitching vocals. I'm always blown away by how fully formed they were from the jump. I'd put all 5 of their I.R.S. records on this list if I could. Murmur is perfect but somehow not the only perfect record they made.

My bueno, está para dejarlo de fondo

One of my top ten albums.

Petarda

another amazing debut album Favorite Songs: Radio Free Europe, Laughing, Talking About the Passion, Moral Kiosk, Catapult, Sitting Still, 9–9, We Walk, West of The Fields

Nice

Perfect album

I won't pretend to be an authority on Michael Stipe's lyrical intentions - according to the man himself there may not *be* any authority - but I do want to argue that his Southern-ness is an under-theorized part of what he and this band are all about. What I hear here is a sensitive man in the process of waking up to the world - hearing about, and trying to make sense of, feints towards freedom around the world ("Radio Free Europe"), the Church's checkered history and present, both personally and globally ("Talk About the Passion," "9-9"), his own heretofore unexamined biases ("Moral Kiosk") and the ways in which they've been transmitted to him ("Catapult"). And maybe I'm projecting but it seems to me there is something particularly Southern about that - about trying to figure out and be true to yourself, including your heritage, when you're from a place (the heart of the Confederacy) where the term "heritage" can have all sorts of particularly repugnant connotations. So Stipe looks beyond his immediate environs to the world beyond; "We Walk" reimagines David's *Death of Marat* as forbidden erotics, the "betrayal" being Stipe's approach of his bathing lover - and the jauntiness of it revealing the relief of release he feels at finding a place to feel at home. Of course, on some level all this theorizing utterly fails to address the rest of what makes this album so compelling, which is the *rhythm*. Peter Buck's intricate and energetic Rickenbacher figures have been justly lauded, but for my money Mike Mills is equally a star here - his McCartneyesque bass licks on "Laughing" and "9-9" are highlights on an album full of musical highlights. And Stipe's mournful baritone blends with Bill Berry's piano to crystallize the heartbreak on "Perfect Circle" - "Who might leave you where I left off?" has been punching me in the gut for decades now. Every one of these songs is perfect musically - propulsive, angular, and yet full and inviting also. The influence of this album is simply awesome; to take just one example, Pavement made an entire career out of remaking the short coda on "Shaking Through." Some part of me worried that, on hearing this again, it would have become prosaic in the interim, like Shelley's metaphor of the old coin worn from continued use. But instead it sounds as fecund as ever, an old friend who I have loved and missed dearly.

Yeah, it's Murmur. It rocks.

Classic!

This is the first REM I ever heard. They changed the world one college radio station at a time.

This brought me back to the best times of my life and peak of humanity.

I came to REM via Document and worked my way back. This one, their first, was never a favorite tbh. Listening now, I definitely missed the boat. Buck, Mills and Berry arrived fully formed, tight as a drum and perfectly synthesizing British Invasion, the Byrds, folk, and country, with the brilliant twisted mind of Stipe at the fore. They would grow and change and go down this lane or that, but the elements were all here on day one. This one is no less than the blueprint of a decade and more of indie pop

I feel very close to this album. We're basically the same age and everything. Not a bad song in the bunch, "catapult" is perfect

I usually reserve 5 for a masterpiece album, and this is may not deserve that label. But I love R.E.M., and I love this album.

I like alternative rock 🤷‍♂️

I'm very jealous of this debut album.

The soundtrack of an alternate universe that could have been the mainstream 1980s.

Man early R.E.M. was incredible

So much has been said about Michael Stipe's unique voice, lyrics, and delivery, and they are indeed great. As are Peter Buck's jangly guitars, and Bill Berry's drumming. But Mike Mills has always been the unsung hero of REM in my mind—his melodic bass playing drives the songs and his unique voice complements Stipe's beautifully. Just on its own, separated from context, I like Murmur well enough, but it's far from my favorite REM album. So why has earned it 5 stars? Because it was unlike anything else from 1983 and marks the inception of my favorite sub-genre: alternative rock. I mean, this came out the same year as Thriller! It sounds like it came out 10 years later than it did. It blows my mind that this came out when my parents were still in high school. The context matters so much, and there is no doubt that Murmur deserves a place on this list.

I love this record; had great fun on a long drive listening to it today. And singing along, of course, even though I still have no idea what he's saying 80% of the time. It's a band that's stuck with me - the jangly guitar, the fun stuff happening in the rhythm section, Stipe's incomprehensible vocals, all the songs that I've continue to love since first hearing it 40 or so years ago. I love the cover, too - it feels so much like home, vines covering everything in sight. It's not pretty, but you'll know what I mean if you've spent any time in the mid-Atlantic or southeast US. This is an important record in terms of influence, too. We've got a jangle pop comp CD around here somewhere and a full two-thirds of the songs sound like the Murmur track "Talk About the Passion." I guess if you don't like jangle pop then REM has a lot to answer for, but that's one kind of pop that I like. 5 stars, of course

REM is one of my all time favorite bands so this is a little biased. And despite being an unapologetic 90s REM fan, this debut album is the best indie rock debut in history

Love this band. Waiting for a comeback

i love REM i wish i could see them in concert

Shoutout big DV for putting me on this niche band

Terrific album, and perhaps R.E.M's best. Pretty well invented college rock. All the tracks have strong melodies, vocals, instrumentation, backing vocals, etc. I've never considered R.E.M.'s lyrics to be really impressive or anything, but they're always at least fine.

Basslines were great music was awesome album was awesomer

Every R.E.M. album stirs, to differing degrees, a complex mix of both positive and negative emotions. Their two most popular albums on RYM sit on opposite ends of the spectrum in this regard, with Automatic being their darkest record and Murmur being their most joyful. Both are both, but Murmur wins the prize for “R.E.M. album most likely to get you out of a funk.” Without being sugary or overblown it leads with an open, welcome heart. It is a stunning and uplifting debut. Murmur does not rely on any prominent, anthemic singles to wow its audience. Instead you have a series of spookily cheerful and melodic songs which the band beautifully mumble their way through. There is something quite special about how restrained and obscure a song like 'Pilgrimage' is. You could imagine a stadium version of "take a turn! (take a turn)" but instead R.E.M. dial everything down and get beauty out of the subtlest of moments. 'Laughing' manages to speed along at mid-high tempo without the band getting overly grand or carried away with themselves, it is personable and cute. More notably, the structure of this song feels mad. Like on their Chronic Town EP (1982) R.E.M. have built twists and turns into their music - random sonic shifts from the verse to the chorus to the bridge. Each section has its own distinct personality which compliments the sections around it. It's impossible to listen to the infectious 'Catapult' without singing along with the indecipherable "Catapult! (Catapoh?!)" call and response vocals. Whilst 'Sitting Still' has a touch of the melancholy to it overridden by a sense of hopefulness and determination - these feelings are conveyed purely through the musical performance as the lyrics are complete nonsense: This name I got we all were green See could stop, stop it well rid We could bind it in the scythe We could gather, throw a fit Up to par and Katie bars the kitchen signs, but not me in Set a trap for love, making, a waste of time sitting still" But they are not meant to make sense - the band are deliberately trying to obscure and confuse their work.

Murmur is a low 5 for me, to my ears it has fewer highlights than other REM albums i love (perhaps only the opener) but it moves along at a comfortable mid tempo and offers a very melodic space to spend time in. It’s got my favourite elements of jangle pop, post-punk, and flashes of poppier stuff which followed later and they’ve clearly always had an ear for a tune - i especially like the bass playing and Stipey’s vocals throughout

Didn't have the big hits I'm familiar with, but this is great, fantastic band, songwriting, vocals, musicianship are all excellent. Nailed it on their debut, you can see why they became so influential.

REM is a top five band for me since I was in 6th grade (Stand in the place where you are y'all) and they even topped my Spotify Wrapped last year. This is not my favorite album of theirs and not even a top 5 album of theirs for me but pretty much each album they put out between this and Automatic for the People is a 5-starrer.

Every track could be my favorite on a different day. No misses at all. It's a cool experience to listen to this in this project, where the albums I've been served have been disproportionately early 80s postpunk, including a few I wasn't already familiar with. There's moments here where I recognize its connection to the time, to early music from the Cure for example, in the drums and bass sounds. It still is a unique, trailblazing thing, this postpunk of the American South, but I hadn't heard it like that before. Anyhow, this is for me a landmark album.

First two thirds are spot on. Lags a bit towards the end. But being their first real album and sounding and being totally original, you have to give it props. I’m going 4.5 here Some great music

So good, listened to twice in a row.

Elite

Un disco que siempre me costó, pero entiendo a la gente que lo valora. Prefiero muchas cosas que vinieron después.

It's amazing to think that this fantastic debut was largely ignored by the public when released in 1983. It's as if the world wasn't ready. But it's the second R.E.M. album I've reviewed on the list, and the second to get 5 stars. There are many highlights, from the understated Laughing to the beauty of Perfect Circle, from the guitar driven Sitting Still to the piano driven Shaking Through. We Walk comes across as a bit of a novelty track and is probably the only slight misstep, but the rest is pretty faultless. They would go on to sell millions, but they would find it hard to better this.

I listened to this twice today. Once early this after I saw the new record would be another REM album. My REM fatigue is high because this is three in 10 days. Initially I listened with bias. But Radio Free Europe is good. I read about it that you couldn’t understand Michael Stipe and his lyrics. I didn’t mind it. I actually loved this album. The music is really good and I can understand why people are fans. If I can make a comparison it’s like who people are fans of the Smiths or the Cure. I understand the fandom. They are good musicians and songwriters. So even though I got 3 REM albums in 10 days I think I became a fan and may listen to them more often.

This is it! I love this record and this band. They have made several other great records but this is THE GREAT record that started it all.

Ahead of its time

Tho it's a cliché to say that nothing quite sounds like it - of course the best music out there is special and unto itself - there's simply no record like this debut, an album that oddly means a lot to me even if I don't regularly quote Stipe's obscure, playful lyrics or hum these prolific choruses. I guess what is most remarkable about Murmur is that I'm not sure how they pulled it off - the 'first indie rock album' could've easily been just another indie blunder, but it not only stands up, it has yet to be imitated. Like, if I were to say that no band sounds like the Cocteau Twins, that's true but obvious. But I don't know how it can be that Murmur is such a unique body of tracks: so curt & so delicate. 'Your hate, clipped and distant / Your luck, a two-headed cow.'

Funnnn

cool early 1980s alternative

Interesting, it's looks like it the Smith and beetles, I like it

The lyrics may be murmur, but the music sure as hell ain't. 5/5

I C O N I C

Love this album. It reinvented indie and had buckets of fun doing it. It’s perfect.

I’ve been looking forward to this one as it’s always been on my list to give a proper listen to and I never seem to get around to it. Radio Free Europe is one of my favorite songs — the only one I’d heard more than once or twice before. It was still my favorite by the end of the album, but had a lot more competition. Each of the first three songs, plus Perfect Circle and Catapult stood out on first listen… and held up on the 2nd. I think I could see this being one of those records where nearly every song takes a turn as a favorite with more listens — a great sign for becoming an all-time favorite. You can hear seeds of avenues REM would take on future songs, but it is expertly distilled to a mission statement here. I came to REM through their 90s output, but I think this will end up being my favorite era. Wish I hadn’t taken so long but better late than never!

An all time favourite. This record had such a huge influence on indie music and still feels timeless.

Wow this was great! Like I’m sure is the case for many people, the only R.E.M. song I knew was Losing My Religion. I never bothered to explore more from there, so I’m happy this album is on this list and that it’s so good! Def one I’ll revisit and maybe even buy on vinyl.

One of the goats. Love everything here.

My kinda alternative rock. great

Listening again to this, one of my favorites, I was finally able to follow Stipe's lyrics. For years I had no idea what he was saying but it really didn't matter. The music and the feeling in the singing conveyed it all. What a great debut from front to back. Just an all around excellent album from a band that are the forefathers of indie rock. Everything works, from the cover art of kudzu vines that captures the feel of the album, to the perfect production by Mitch Easter, to the collection of songs including all time greats "Radio Free Europe," "Talk About the Passion," "Sitting Still," and the quieter "Perfect Circle." Yes, I'm a huge fan, so it's hard to be objective but there's no denying the strength of this record and its place in rock history.

dit was een goed album - nog van dat aub

Even without great hits, REM vocals is amazing, especially when you remember that was the apex of the grunge era. Easy to listen and fun album.

The anti-80s. A unique, mysterious southern sound that never gets old.

I did not know this was R.E.M.’s sound, I was so blind for so long. Incredible stuff and great for the commute to college with a flannel and baggy jeans on.

It's a borderline 5, but I think a 5 nonetheless. 'Pilgrimage' is a highlight.

au dzaan momewonaaa xutjer movusmine tavidan

Great album. You had really hear how REM and the Replacements influenced each other during their early touring days.

A ten-meter tall evergreen tree planted in the middle of the 1001Land.

One of the very first cassettes I ever bought and still an all-time favourite. Incomprehensible mumbling and a unique sound I much prefer to all the mandolins and whatever that came later on.

Great album. Radio Free Europe is a stand out but the rest of the tracks are good.

Perfection

Five songs, five stars. This is a great EP.

When you see REM albums ranked, the top spot is essentially always Murmur or Automatic for the People; I prefer Murmur by a pretty wide margin but it’s actually my second favorite REM record; I prefer Reckoning, which is so slept on by everyone who isn't me. If you like Murmur, I strongly encourage you to listen to Reckoning. Also if you hate Murmur, I encourage you to listen to Reckoning. You'll probably still hate it but you'll be wrong. Anyway, while this is not my very favorite REM album, it is still so deeply impactful to me and very comfortably in my favorite albums of all time catalog. Radio Free Europe marks the exact moment that college rock transitioned into “alternative rock.” It’s also catchy as fuck, along with every other song on here. Michael Stipe is often accused of being mumbly on the old stuff (Oh look, they called the album Murmur) but I think he's usually fairly clear and enunciative but buried in the mix. The fact that they refused to include lyric sheets in the albums furthered this reputation of “what the fuck is he even saying? When you do hone in on the lyrics, they are cryptic, with Stipe wearing his Patti Smith influence proudly. Tying that to a more personal note, I don’t know what “standing too soon, shoulders high in the room” means but it makes me cry every time I hear it. When I hear “Perfect Circle,” I feel like I’m in that hazy space of late summer, early fall. The end of summer vacation, as it were. And I can basically see the face of everyone I’ve ever cared about. The best friends I text every day and the best friends to whom I haven’t spoken since 8th grade alike. Deceased family. And the thing about it is I know the words don’t really have that literal meaning. There’s no real reason that song should conjure those, or any, specific images in my mind. It’s just acoustics that my brain translates into feelings. There’s a lot of songs that I associate with particular people and memories but not another one I can think of that makes me feel like my life is flashing before my eyes. Any piece of music that can elicit that level of vivid emotion in me, I cherish but I also keep at a distance. I don’t just throw it on a playlist for the hell of it, lest overexposure rob it of its power. So, Jesus Christ any time I do hear it, I’m a fucking wreck.

Murmur? Shout, please!

Love. REM really can do no wrong. Michael Stipe could yell at his dog on a mic and I’d love it. Radio free Europe is one of their best songs, such a strong opener, such a good bass part. I think past that this one won’t be as popular with the class but that’s okay. It’s a little sleepy, no hits other than the opener, but it’s just so beautiful and so good. Killer debut album. Am I wrong to say this is a phenomenal bass album? Going to be hard for me to not give this a 5 but I see fully how it can be a four or even a three to someone who isn’t enamored with the band. I listened to this album no less than seven times today.

This was really good, I think I get more of why people think this band has such great guitar. So many cool guitar parts that fit together seamlessly into the song. My favorite track is Laughing. Now I’m excited for the next REM record. I’m feeling a soft 5/5

Based on my specific demographics and status as a college radio DJ in the late-80's/early-90's, it would be sheer blasphemy to give this album anything less than five stars. Before they were global superstars, R.E.M. were a jangly little outfit from Athens, Georgia with a chip on their shoulder and something to mumble.

Great album

Best indie album ever? Maybe. Every song is so good. They started right at another level.

Definitely still an REM album, but this one has a more bleak, post-punk sort of sound. I like it! Favorite tracks were Pilgrimage, Catapult, and the last three. This has always felt like an album that gets stronger as it goes on.

I liked this album, specifically "Pilgrimage"

I forgot how great this album is, especially for an initial album. The instrument play is great from the smooth guitar play of Peter to the very talented Mills who plays multiple instruments.

For a 1st album, it is a banger.

The fact that this is their debut is nuts to me. I like this a lot more than Document I'm kinda shocked by. R.E.M. is such an interesting band. Peter Buck with his jangly little Rickenbacker has such a unique sound, Mills on the bass is just fantastic. And then there's Stipe. Sure you can't understand anything he's saying, and even the things you can understand don't make any sense, but that's part of the draw I think. It's interesting to see how much of an idea and a feeling a band can get across with the lead singer mumbling a bunch of nonsense with his very distinct voice. I think it makes this album so much better. However, I think a lot of people try to read too much into the lyrics and view them as something profound and prophetic when they aren't (much like they do with Bob Dylan). Don't try to make this into something it's not. It loses its magic if you do.

Okay, I finally get it. I never got into REM. But I knew their hits. I knew Michael Stipe's voice. I knew the jingle jangle guitar. I knew some of their albums are considered some of the best ever, and Murmur is considered perhaps their best. Yes, this album rules. There is not a weak song here. Any song could be a single, truly. What really stood out to me is the rhythm section which complements the bright guitar and Stipe's mumbles so well. The bass is so bouncy and melodic, and the drums propel you straight ahead. With the guitar dancing so far on top, it all comes together so well. I'm really almost speechless after the first listen. It's great start to finish, and I want to listen again.

The sort of album that makes you want to write some indie rock songs

Really one of the best debut albums

The sound of a kudzu-covered Southern dream whispering cryptic poetry into your ear at 2 a.m. Rating: 4.7/5 Short Review: A jangly, foggy, beautifully murky debut that feels like someone recorded a folk-rock album deep inside an overgrown forest. The guitars shimmer, the vocals blur like watercolors, and the whole thing feels strangely intimate — like a secret you’re not totally supposed to understand, but you keep leaning in anyway. Favorite Track: Perfect Circle, because it’s devastatingly gentle, painfully nostalgic, and feels like remembering something you never lived.

Aww this sweet ol record with the oddball intros and the open hearted sophomore poetry workshop lyrics and sound effects still sounds great. Makes me want my old bike and busted Walkman. REM was at their best when they could just barely reach the music in their heads. So many great tunes but the one I always come back to is the wistful “We Walk.” It has a hold-hands-in-the-parlor romance to it.

They influenced thousands of jangly college rock bands and still managed to get huge enough to play arenas when Stand was a hit. Influence is enough to get a 4, but the melodies still hold up as something unlike the other music being made at the time.

Not only is this a great album, but Greg Calbi's mastering is absolutely stunning. It sounds incredible 45 years on.

YUM

The musical brilliance of humanity on full display here.

It’s hard to find a band that was this fully formed right off the bat, no notes, with a fully realized sound. The only fault of this album is that it’s barely produced, but that doesn’t take away from what a great record it is. Not a wasted moment or filler song - except for “We Walk”, which is much better live.

J'ai eu ma phase R.E.M. et je suis porté à écouter entre Murmur et Monster. Mon groupe chouchou de Athens est par contre Pylon: Gyrate 1980 et Chomp 1983 = deux bijoux.

Adoré! J’avais un a priori un peu négatif de REM, de rockers alternatifs un peu drabes, mais ce debut album m’a fait changé d’idée. J’y retournerai certainement. (Je pense ma moins préférée est Radio Free Europe. Ça part en force après ça avec Pilgrimage et Laughing et Talk about the Passion)

bangers top to bottom

takes me back to high school in atlanta.

Meu conhecimento acerca do grupo R.E.M. é bem limitado; eu tenho o álbum Out Of Time na minha coleção e foi o único deles que já ouvi. Não sabia ao certo o que esperar do disco de estréia deles, mas fui pego de surpresa mais uma vez por uma banda que eu subestimava. A sonoridade deste disco é impressionante, não há palavra melhor pra descrever. Dá pra ver que todo elemento do grupo está afinadíssimo. Amo todos os aspectos destas canções. Os vocais de Stipe são inigualáveis, tanto o timbre da sua voz quanto suas letras beatniks e a forma com que ele às entrega. O baixo pulsa cheio de vida, mantendo as canções em movimento junto com a percussão, e as guitarras me lembram o estilo Jangly dos anos 60, o que dá até um toque dançante à algumas das faixas do álbum. É tudo muito gostoso, é o tipo de disco que assim que acaba você já quer ouvir novamente. E convenhamos que este é um disco à frente de seu tempo. Sempre associei R.E.M. com os anos 90, logo, paguei papel de trouxa quando percebi que este disco é de 1983. Ele não cai em nenhuma das armadilhas comuns da música popular de sua época, o que o torna atemporal. Chegar atrasado pra festa deste grupo me fez perceber o quão influente eles realmente foram nos anos sucessores em gênero que adoro como Rock Alternativo e Indie. Antes tarde do que nunca, daqui pra frente procurarei me aprofundar melhor na discografia da banda, e isso é um grande sinal de que o álbum foi extremamente agradável. 5/5

R.E.M. is one of those bands that I was aware of, but never really checked out. That was a mistake - this album is great. Lots of earworms, and obviously a precursor to a lot of the alternative rock that came later, which I'm partial to. Fantastic.

This is probably my favourite from REM and arguably their best from a band that don’t do bad albums. Up until about a year ago I had never bothered with this one since it didn’t have any of the big hits on it. When I finally did give it a go it blew me away. That actually made me think about what else I had been missing with other bands and that coupled with my growing boredom with Metal is what led me to doing this list. Turns out I was missing a LOT. Top Track - We Walk

Yes! Yes! Yes! I take back all the 5s I have conferred so far. THIS is a five-star album. And, not only is it a wonderful piece of sonic art, it marks the beginning of a remarkable 6- to 8-album run of some of the best American rock and roll ever put to vinyl or tape or whatever. And that's not just my Georgia chauvanism talking.

Really enjoyed it. I have heard a lot of REM growing up and have always appreciated it but have never listened to a full album. Played it on repeat studying for my midterms (I kept getting distracted maybe not the best study music)

When this popped up I thought I'd give it a 4, because I think REM really hit their stride at Fables, and I wanted to leave room to give it (and probably almost everything following it, at least through New Adventures in Hi-Fi) a 5. But then I listened to it, and realized it's another Revolver. Man, it was great to hear all of these.

5/5 - I've listened to Murmur countless times in the last 35 years, and I listened twice more yesterday when this came up on the list. It's an all-time classic for me. I wouldn't change a single thing about it. This sets the stage for everything that follows in their amazing early career run of albums.

One of the greatest debut albums of all time .

A perfect album! The I.R.S. years of R.E.M. were classic. Loved this album since High School. Buck's jangly rhythm, Mills' melodic bass, Stipe's indecipherable singing, and Berry's tastefully expressive beats were unique. Mitch Easter's production is immaculate and open. The piano and occassional cello complete the arrangements without ever being too busy. The album is at times mysterious but never morose. Often joyful and danceable. Peter Buck, one of the finest rhythm guitarists in the world, leaves space to fill. Mike Mills, using his bass as a lead instrument, fills it beautifully without ever getting in the way, taking the spotlight, or neglecting his bass duties. That, paired with his high backing harmonies makes him the secret weapon of this classic combo. Very difficult to pick a favorite song. Favorite high points: "Talk about the Passion," and "9-9." Rating: 5/5

Yeah, this one's been my favorite for over a decade now, with no signs of anything replacing it any time soon. Hearing "Radio Free Europe" for the first time was just one of those moments, you know? The ones where your conceptions of what music can be are forever altered? Add in that one time I listened to it like 20 times over the weekend in high school while being totally anxious about a crush I never had a chance with, and it's not only been the album that singlehandedly had the most impact on how I listen to music, but also the one that I've read myself into the most. Like, yeah, the lyrics are hard to make out, and even when you know what they are, it's hard to know what they mean. But that's not really the point; the real thing is that the snatches you pick up here and there end up leaving you feeling like you're at a party, and the person you *really* want to talk to is having a conversation across the room, and you're only just barely picking up a phrase here and there while you try to work up the nerve to go over there.

everything i want from an 80s album, diverse enough in sound while still sticking to a general style

I was one of the Johnny Come Latelys who only got into REM via Losing My Religion - my excuse is that as a five-year-old living in Yorkshire, US college rock wasn't really on my radar in 1983. When I did hear them though, I loved them so much, I bought all their earlier albums. I can't quite agree that Murmur is their best (Automatic for the People and Life's Rich Pageant both edge it out for me), but it is an incredible debut that still sounds striking. And Perfect Circle is so lovely, even former British PM David Cameron claiming it's one of his favourite records can't put me off it.

Hard to believe that REM’s first album came out n 1983. Their music was definitely 10 years ahead of its time. Great album.

I didn’t realize how old this album was. I guess because I didn’t know about it until the 90s. Definitely set the stage and tone for what happened with 90s alternative.

Amazing album. One of their best.

Hard to believe this is their first album as they sound so fully formed - hard also to believe it came out in 1983. It sounds so unlike anything before or since. I’ve always thought Radio Free Europe is the odd one out here - it was released a couple of years earlier on the Chronic Town EP where it sounded far more at home. It sounds weirdly clunky and out of place here; it’s an odd choice for the opening track given the strengths of the others. We Walk is another oddity - much as I like it, it does sound like a B-side, albeit a great one. As for the rest of the tracks, it’s hard to pick a favourite. I’ve always thought of Murmur as a kind of blueprint that they stuck with until 1989’s Green when they took a slightly more adventurous turn. Much as I love Green, and the records that followed, the IRS years is the REM I fell in love with, and this record still sounds great.

Love this album

Murmur still feels like a strange little miracle of a debut. Instead of chasing the louder, sharper sounds of early 80s rock, R.E.M. leaned into something murky and mysterious, with jangly guitars, mumbled vocals, and a mood that is both distant and intimate. Songs like “Radio Free Europe” and “Talk About the Passion” sound familiar on the surface, yet there is something slightly off-kilter about them, like you are hearing echoes of another world. Michael Stipe’s voice is full of feeling even when you cannot make out the words, and that sense of obscurity ends up becoming part of the charm. What makes the album so special is how consistent it is at building its atmosphere. The production is hazy but deliberate, with every bassline and guitar texture working together to create a sound that is instantly recognizable but hard to pin down. It is a record you can sink into, discovering new details with every listen, and it has an understated confidence that many debuts lack. Murmur is not just a strong first step for R.E.M., it is one of those albums that seems to invent its own world the moment you press play.

Oh man, I love R.E.M. They formed a band even before they knew how to write songs, I think that's why they seem so unique and earnest. Love it.

I find it intriguing to check out R.E.M.'s debut album after listening to their later records on my album journey. Because, from the sounds of Murmur, they started as more of a cross between garage rock and jangle pop. It's still apparent where the sonic direction will be going in the near future, but this early on, they nailed their distinct characteristics. Peter Buck's arpeggiated guitar playing, Mike Mills's countermelodic bass lines, Michael Stipe's abstract lyrics paired with the vocal harmonies, and Bill Berry's punchy percussion are all present here. Credit where it's due to producers Don Dixon and Mitch Easter, who employed a largely hands-off approach to capture the raw, live energy. Speaking more about the lyrics, I was surprised by how many poignant messages could be extrapolated from this debut. From the perils of biased media on "Radio Free Europe", to finding safety in a difficult situation in "Laughing", to the starvation and hunger portrayed in "Talk About the Passion", to the loss of youth and innocence on "Catapult", there was a lot of resonance to be found in these songs. Even if a meaning couldn't be found for a particular track, there was enough intricate imagery and interconnected vowels to match the mood of the instrumental composition, such as in the ballad "Perfect Circle" and the bouncy folk-punk of "Sitting Still". I couldn't find any issues with Murmur, as this ended up being a surprisingly vibrant debut record. It was nice checking out R.E.M. from their humble beginnings.

Love this album! I was fortunate to see The Murmur Tressle before it was torn down in 2023.

Amazing band that took off with a brilliant record

I adore early R.E.M. and this is easily my favorite album of theirs. It's really hard for me to be objective about this album given my near 40 years of history with it. The recording, performance, and pacing are all near perfect as far as I'm concerned though. Nothing sounded like this when it was released. It was truly unique.

i was surprised to learn that r.e.m. is from athens, georgia because like a lot of alternative rock before the mid 90s or so, it reminds me a lot of the pacific northwest (or really anywhere up north). the whole album sounds really mysterious and haunted, like walking through a landscape similar to the forest on the album cover. even this early on, r.e.m. were setting themselves up to be one of the greatest alternative rock bands of all time. the whole album is surprisingly accessible; this is only "alternative" because of how different it sounded from journey or def leppard or other big rock bands at the time. the hook on "radio free europe" gives me life. favorite song: "mortal kiosk" overall: 9/10 (i have been getting a lot of really solid albums lately, starting to worry that might end soon)

klasse!

Excellent

moss

This album changed everything for me. Radio Free Europe, in particular, was like a bolt of lightening when I first heard it - likely on MTV.

This album being from 1983 is fucking crazy to me. R.E.M. came out swinging here.

I needed to warm up to this album before I started to love it. The first 4 tracks came and went unceremoniously. Then "Moral Kiosk" changed it all. I finally heard what I should have been hearing all along. After that song, pretty much every song on the album is just really good. Along with "Moral Kiosk," I will also choose "Catapult," and "We Walk" as standouts. I went back to listen to "Radio Free Europe" because it's the most popular song on the album and although I had a newfound appreciation for it, it still was not a favorite of mine. Overall, a really good album that I would absolutely come back to.

Murky, muddled, mumbling lyrics, jangly guitar, trifty, punctuated drums. Early 80s Augusta, GA goodness.

this one builds up very nicely. i really like we walk. extra points for jeffy

Game changer. Totally changed the way I listened to music. All timer

REM....what can I say, such an important band for me. Lifes Rich Pageant is on my top 10 influential albums. my brother owned this album, so we listened to it non stop. every song is memorable and excellent. I cannot fault this album. What a sensational debut. A plethora of notable songs. Radio Free Europe, shaking through and pilgrimage are the standouts for me. I do need to own a copy. Easy 5 stars

Big banger

This album is so great. I liked every song. The riffs and the rhythm of the drums make the album so pleasant to listen to. I might have to go buy this album on vinyl.

I'm a UGA alum. I'm required to give this a 5! 5/5 #113

Takes me back to a particular time and place. Love this record!

I had somehow never heard this one before, despite listening to a lot of R.E.M., but it lived up to the hype. This is an easy must listen.

It's not even in my top three REM albums and it's still phenomenal

After starting this I'm often left wondering about pop/rock albums that frustrate me by leading off with a mid or challenging opening track - why not bring the house down immediately like this album does? That bass in "Radio Free Europe" is everything [and is a/the sneaky weapon on this entire album] - it drives the entire killer opening track, setting the tone for the rest of the album. Mysterious and haunting while maintaining strong melodies throughout, I really like this early period R.E.M. Sparse and a little weird in that boxy early 80s way you know when you hear it - might be the band's best album and one of the better debut albums by anyone. Personal faves: "Radio Free Europe" "Moral Kiosk" and "9-9" 9/10 5 stars.

A bunch of unusual sounds all coming together to make an iconic record.

I love this album. Probably heard it first around 1987. So, at 14. Who knew I would work in the building that housed the namesake of the first track. It’s a fantastic debut. One of those timeless classics.

Phenomenal album listened to it way before i did the 1001 records its class

This album is great!!

I fuckin love REM

Hard (impossible?) to write about Murmur in 2025 without considering the subsequent R.E.M. catalogue. It was a kid musician's dream--imitating the guitar runs and mystic singing after endless tape rewinding. It still felt like true underground. We walked (we thought) into cool. Though we can argue endlessly now about if they eventually sold out, sold out then came back, lost it, never lost it, ad infinitum, our love then feels justified. The first leg of a brilliant marathon..

What a great trip down memory lane. This thing holds up well, and it brought me back to the senior year of high school (the album had been out for eight years before I discovered it). It was cool to finally have access to the lyrics. So that's what he was saying all this time? (Not sure it helped my understanding all that much, but it was nice to read along.) This is one of those albums that made an enormous impression on me at just the right time in my life. It must have been years before I could *stop* singing like Michael Stipe. And as much as I loved Peter Buck's guitar, I think Mike Mills' bass playing had a bigger impact on me. That tone still sounds so great. Just about every song hits its mark, though 9-9 is still my favorite of the bunch. Lifes Rich Pageant might be a better album, but I don't know. This one's pretty special.

Album 805 of 1089 R.E.M. -Murmur (1983) Rating : 4.5 / 5 Awesome debut album from one of my favorite bands. Only take half a point off because they have others I like more. Great songs, great sound...love the jangly guitars. They don't put out much I don't enjoy.

One of the best debuts of all time and remains my favorite REM album.

Murmur is by far my favorite R.E.M. album. This one played endlessly during college and beyond. My favorite lines from my two favorite songs: A perfect circle of acquaintances and friends. We could gather, throw a fit.

To release on of your best albums as your first album is pretty astonishing.

OH MY GOD??? Why did NO ONE introduce me to R.E.M. before??? Murmur could've been released this morning for how modern their alt rock sound is, HOW is this album 43 years old????? Also Lynyrd Skynyrd WHO???? THIS IS TRUE redneck music, like if the cure was southern gothic instead of just goth. oh my god. it's giving South, it's giving apocalyptic, it's giving religious trauma and it is, dare I say, giving cunt. Loved it.

Shit slapsssss

Radio Free Europe

It’s crazy that no matter how many amazing albums R.E.M. has across their discography, it’s still tempting to call this first album their best. R.E.M. are simply one of the greatest American bands of all time, and their influence on the alternative and independent rock scenes cannot be overstated. And they really came out of the gate swinging. “Radio Free Europe” as their first single ever? And then track one of their first album? Genius. What a propulsive track. All of R.E.M.’s albums have amazing songs on them, but some struggle with consistency or pacing. Not so with Murmur. The energy and fresh approach to rock sounds carry all through this tracklist. That they were somehow able to bridge the gap between the shabby American punk underground scene and the more refined (though scrappy in its own way) British jangly alternative rock crowd, while sounding unlike either, is so impressive. Every time I listen to this album, I’m struck by a different deep cut, marveling how it lives up to the more recognizable hits. (This time is was “Laughing.”) I’m bracing myself to change my opinion the exact second I come to the next R.E.M. album on this list… but I think yeah, this is my favorite and their best album. Must-listen #147.

These are some of my favorite guys and songs

I love the way that it's saying it's OK to feel sad and lonely sometimes. Michael Stipe is as good a therapist as he is a singer.

Most albums take me a few listens before I really start to love them. But this one was an exception. While I was familiar with what aired on MTV in the mid-'80s, I hadn’t heard anything from this album before. When I finally did, I was blown away. I must have listened to it daily for weeks. I still love it and it remains my favorite R.E.M. album to this day.

Love, love, love this record! One of the top 4 (5?) REM albums. Which is really their first 4 (5?) in a row. And every single song on here is fantastic. OK, We Walk isn’t a favorite but still, amazing record.

This was great. I should listen to this album more often. Radio Free Europe is a favorite of mine.

I'll be honest, I haven't listened to a lot of the early R.E.M. as much as I probably should. And man, should I listen to it more, this is a great album start to finish.

One of those bands that I should have liked better when I younger. This album is such a classic time capsule of early 80's alternative record and will influence so many other bands.

College rock classic. Early REM albums were my gateway to American alternative music and have been huge inspiration younger alternative generations in different genres. One of the greatest debut albums of all time.

R.E.M are the greatest rock songwriters of all time (except maybe for the Beatles).

It appears I like R.E.M.’s past more than their future. This was way more my liking than Green. Having come to this after floating through Green it was the surprising grooves and instrumentation and melodies that sucked me in.

Great easy listening alternative rock.

This is like REMs 6th best album and it's still a five-star album. Boggles the g-damn mind.

One of the best debut albums of all time and it’s probably not even their best album (i.e. Document). And from an unknown band from Athens, Georgia (Go UGA and Emory!!!) Great melodies, great harmonies, unique jangly guitar, amazing bass, cool driving drums. Just all around a fantastic album that cemented R.E.M. as the best college rock band of their time, and the originators of indie rock as we know it today. 5⭐️

This album slaps. I think I get REM now.

Really dug this. Repeated listens only made it even better.

Have to start at the beginning…and this is it.

Big fan of this album. Think it gets overlooked and underrated compared to the rest of REM's more commercial songs. Kept in rotation for a while when I first discovered it and still listen to it regularly.

Foi uma agradável surpresa escutar este álbum. Não estava à espera de gostar tanto de o ter ouvido, principalmente depois de conhecer outros trabalhos da banda. Gostei particularmente das seguintes faixas: Pilgrimage e Catapult

Just inject that jangling guitar into my veins, it is so addictive. I have no idea what half the lyrics are here but they serve the pieces well in forming an enigmatic tone contrasting the brilliantly charming guitar and bass which feel like they came straight out of The Byrds. A foundational work in the indie rock scene and one that holds up well to this day. My vibes here are walking through a sunny, grassy uni campus, a sense of happiness but a small and underlying feeling of anxiety too. 16/04/25

Wasn’t familiar with this outside of the two “hits” (Radio Free Europe and Talk About the Passion), but loved all of it. Weirdly, this and Automatic for the People are the only albums in surround sound on Apple Music, although others (Monster, Around the Sun, Reveal, New Adventures in Hi-Fi, Out of Time) were released physically on DVD-Audio, which I used to own and sold, making rips of them before sending off. Anyway, a great album — a 4 moved up to 5 due to the surround mix, which enhances the music considerably.

Geggjuð plata. Ótrúlegt byrjendaverk.

Love it

needs a remaster but i rly like

This must have been extraordinary to hear in 1983.

It's almost a dead heat between this one and Reckoning as far as choosing my favourite R.E.M. record. I love the cover photo on this one so maybe it gets a slight edge.

This is pretty much the beginning of the entire college band/indie rock scene...and the influence on every indie rock band since. Also the soundtrack of my late high school and early college years. Favorite track: We Walk

Radio free Europe.

There's a sameness to all these songs, but the best ones — "Radio Free Europe," "Catapult," "Pilgrimage" and "West of the Fields" are as listenable as ever. R.E.M. didn't make bad records.

Well, I just really like this album (mumbling and all), but I'm not sure that it's a classic 5*... even if Apple Music claims that it redefined the college music scene of the time. It's damn good.

Indie music with great, innovative harmonies

I think this matches The Smiths and that is saying something. This is much more uplifting in places. It really nails a pop rock band downbeat upbeat sweet spot. And all for this for a debut at a time when everyone else had big hair is nothing short of miraculous. 'Laughing' surely one of their best tracks if the 80s - nay, ever. Superb.

The most gothic music ever written in a major key. They wrote bigger hits later in their career, but this one is pure vibe.

Rolling high on these as I enter the final week. Little bit more boring than Document or Automatic, but I'm rarely unhappy to see R.E.M. come up

A+. Then and now. Timeless.

great album

Esto en 1983 era entrar otra dimensión, por sonido, actitud, calidad, lírica, imagen... que a día de hoy no ha ha perdido vigencia alguna. Uno de los mejores debuts posibles, a galope entre Buck y Perry (más un excelso Mills en bajo y coros), con claros ecos de los mejores Byrds, Harrison, Velvet, Big Star... tonos limpios de guitarra y mínima electrónica o tecnología, no hace falta mucho para componer una obra de arte. Comenzar con Radio Free Europe es algo que muy muy pocas bandas se pueden permitir. No hay una sola canción que baje del notable muy alto. ¿No es Pilgrimage una maravilla de principio a fin?¿No brilla como un rayo de sol Shaking through? ¿No es We walk un encantador ejemplo de amateurismo? Otros clásicos son, obviamente, Talk about the passion, Perfect circle y Sitting still. Su continuación con Recknoning es otra joya, como practicamente todos sus discos (salvo Around the sun o parte de Reveal). Disco y carrera ejemplares. Imprescindibles. 5/5

Less glitzy than the REM songs everyone knows but a brilliantly constructed album

Beaucoup plus energique que ce que je peux citer ou me rappeler pour REM.

One of my favorite albums ever. Their later stuff is still pretty great but this first one was just next level for me. Also the Chronic Town EP should be included listening with this. The album cover as well is one of my favorite ever-it’s amazing how making it black and white makes the Kudzu seem as ominous as it does to other plants. Also I went to UGA so obviously have a soft spot for this. 9th perfect rating so far after 583 albums Rating: 5.0

One of the best debut albums of the 80s and one of my favorite albums. I vascilate between Murmur and Reckoning as my favorite R.E.M. albums. So much to love here, Peter Buck's ringing guitar, lockstep rhythm section , Michael Stipe's mysterious lyrics and unique delivery and the perfect backing vocals from Mike Mills. This came as a shock to me when it arrived. No one else was doing pop music this accessible and accomplished. 5 stars

a long long time coming 5/5....even some of the songs i didnt think i remembered popped vibrantly. there is something ab this record that is situated perfectly between an alien wilderness and a comforting home, maybe u Make a home out of the wilderness but its more like the wilderness felt like home all along in some unarticulatable way. idk if literally anyone else gets those types of feelings and images from this record, but i can point at the v least to the combination of cryptic and warm elements as a springboard for all kinds of potential effects. i basically have no idea what micheal stipe is trying to say at any point but im still filled with the unavoidable sense of "man. that guy knew exactly what he was talking about." i feel like im remembering this sentiment from somewhere (i cant recall exactly) but its kind of crazy this is a debut album too...ik they had an EP before this, but this still sounds like the kind of quietly confident and seasoned record u usually only get from an artist who's six or seven records deep into their discog. it doesnt clamor for ur attention, it just lets everything speak for itself. when i lie on the ground, the grass and moss will wrap me up in a blanket

Jangly, mysterious, cryptic, dance-able. The R.E.M debut shines with powerful and verbose lyrics that don't hide their influences. From American alternative bands to the post-punk British indie movement, this album is a beautiful statement of what indie/alternative music can achieve when the only motivation is creativity. A gem that I will cherish and definitively will be on my rotation for a while. The guitar intro of 9-9 is so avant-garde that feels like something released last year. What an album.

The second greatest American band, only behind the Beach Boys, and one of the strongest ever debut albums from anyone.

it's quite a coincidence the recommendation of rem's murmur the same day david lynch dies.

Few bands accomplished more with such moderate talent, or got more mileage out of relatively simple hooks and the most basic of melodies and harmonies. A testament to the work ethic and vision and chemistry of four uniquely (if modestly) skilled folks making distinctive music to their own inimitable specs. (Well they were imitable, it would turn out, but to excellent effect and the distinct benefit of millions of listeners down the years, largely because they created something so necessary and relatable.) “Radio Free Europe” is a clarion call – was then, and resonates just as clearly and powerfully now. The affecting “Laughing” and liltingly, lovely “Perfect Circle” are side 1 highlights. “Shaking Thru” sets up a strong close with “We Walk” (more lilting, though waltzier this time) and the driving “West of the Field” that let everyone know there was more to come. But “Sitting Still” … one can barely speak to the depth of the emotion it summons … one of those all-time-life songs … of world-historical importance in one’s own world, as it were (of which more below). There is a certain element of inexplicability to all great works of art – and Murmur has it (not just talking about Stipe’s lyrics or vocals, either). Ultimately, this works entirely better than any involved party had a right to expect. For context, one recognizes the seeming slightness of a few cuts and has always found “Catapult” annoying to a fairly significant degree. And one can make a case that Reckoning is a straight-up superior record – with notably crisper production, a touch more polish and confidence (certainly it belongs on this list, as does Fables). But being first matters – and this was first, solidifying the new category/sub-genre of college rock (a milieu in which one would spend vast, vast hours, 1988-1992, in nearby ATL). But let’s be clear, this is off-the-charts originality and few bands would deliver at such scale and consistency. They paid off the promise of jangle first made by the Byrds decades before. They brought light and earnestness where the Velvets brought darkness and self-consciousness. Accolades are all deserved – one of best-ever debuts, top 100 (or 50 or 20) of ‘80s; beating out U2 War, Police Synchronicity and Thriller (for feck’s sake) for Rolling Stone album of the year in ‘83 is critical prescience at its best and unconventionally wise, too. All for such a modest record, really. So one rounds up REM being the band one quite literally grew up with and has seen more than any others, on every tour from Murmur to (at least) Monster, having seen them in amusement parks (with Fixx and Flock of Seagulls [who opened for whom?]), small gyms (D. Boon’s last show, in Dec ‘85, Charlotte, NC) for last show of Fables tour (when Stipe might still put a paper bag on his head) and then outdoor amphitheater (B’ham) for opening show of Life’s Rich Pageant tour that next fall, amazing Thanksgiving weekend shows at the Fox in Atlanta for four or five years running in college years. More importantly to be reminded of the soul work this music can do, reminding us of our own identities across long stretches of time: to wit, listening to “Sitting Still” for the first time in years, in late middle age, on a winter day, the record having shown up on this list, when life is very much too much on one’s mind, could scarcely be more soothing or solaceful, offering elevation and inspiration – and not just warm blanket of memory, but looking forward, too. But it’s the great reaching out at the end, the promise of connectivity – ”I can hear you / can you hear me?”, an all-time closing lyric [seek the Reckoning tour videos on YouTube) – prompting one to hope and optimism and trust in the future and bringing the best of oneself to all relationships and all life’s complications – just as did 40+ years ago when life being too much with one had a different valence and flavor. Still, kudzu and Rickenbackers forever!

Radio Free Europe Talk About the Passion Sitting Still

R.e.m. is one of my favourite bands, but being born in the early eighties, it is the nineties version of the band i fell in love with. I have listened to some of the older stuff, but I think this is the first time in ages i listen to this record from start to finish, and I think it is a brilliant piece of poprock. R.e.m. is in some ways the indierock version of Madonna, in the sense that they seemed to always incorporate the sound of the age the records were release, and at the same time sound like themselves. One of few bands that kept going for decades, without ever releasing a weak record.

R.E.M. are soo underrated. Loved this album. 🤩❤️

Another case of first song/first album that is an absolute mission statement. And then they just don't let up - until track 10. The journey is an absolute master class. The excellence of the song writing is matched only by the extraordinary production which constantly surprises and shines a unique light that separated them from all corners of their generation. They filtered through the past and laid the tracks that so many traveled on for the next 40 years. Always a treat to revisit.

A groundbreaking gem of a debut. Paved the way for just about every 'indie' rock band.

80s rock perfection.

Iconic album

Great album

This one was a staple in my house growing up. Parents were big time REM fans. Hard for me to listen to this objectively. First thing that I noticed this time through was the bass, and shocking I didn’t think of this before. It’s way up in the mix, in some cases the intro to the song, treble up and used more like a guitar or piano are used. The bass/drums are in a way what really creates this REM sound and then everything else on top of that. Big fan of this album. There really isn’t a bad song on here. Production is also pretty great. I may just have Steely Dan on my mind, but REM is the Steely Dan of alt/indie music? Very ambitious/serious and setting the bar a generation musicians.

Loved this album. The first five tracks are hits in my opinion - talk about the passion and moral kiosk were my favorites The next few tracks were interesting enough, but nothing super sticky. This is probably where my only negative feedback comes from. The drums began to sound really non inventive and just your standard 4/4, hi hat, snare drum sound with basic fills. 9-9 is a bad song 😂 All in all, this album was fantastic. The vocals harmonies were always on point and each song had the identity of REM. I can’t believe this came out in 1983. My brain cant compute how this was coming out alongside Poison, Motley Crue and Guns N Roses… it sounds so much more like 90s rock

Probably somewhere in my top 25 or so bands, especially from this time period and genre, though until last year for some reason hadn’t gone all the way through Murmur. Definitely a little more raw and less melodic than the rest of their catalogue - but an amazing debut. Stipe is an all time front man, love him as a singer and lyricist. Buck is a totally underrated and unconventional guitarist, and agree I love the mix on the bass on this album especially.

A step further in their musical development giving larger hints to what they would eventually evolve into

Klasse!

REM ist so unterschätzt irgendwie, Radio Free Europe ist ein Banger

Holy shit this took a few listens to click and when it did it REALLY did. I had this down as a 3/5 on first listen. I never listened to early R.E.M. until now, despite knowing how important they were and all that just because I found their big hits from the 90s to be really whiny and annoying. I think there was a Seinfeld effect thing happening where so many bands took from this sound that the original is not as exciting to me but I gave it a second chance and it got really good. Sometimes it reminds me of Wire and sometimes it reminds me of Crowded House. There's some really great bass lines in here. The opening bass line in Pilgrimage that is played on bass, piano and vibraphone at the same time is insane. I like it a lot I guess it really is just more mellow and melodic post-punk which is exactly what alternative rock basically is lol

REM is/has always been one of the most important bands for me. I grew up in the mid-90s, so albums like Automatic for the People and Monster were crucial for me. But my sister grew up in the 80s where the IRS records held greater sway. Thanks to her I was able to experience this band across time and get a sense of their development over time. For me this band never lost what made them them, even if they lagged later in their career. When you hear an album like this one you can hear the band’s resonance across time. I love every song on this album, just like I do almost all of their work.

Yeah, easily their best. This record pretty much defined college radio in the 1980s.

beautiful

One of my favorite REM albums.

For REMs debut before a long running career, it's amazing how much of their sound was pretty developed at this point. Of course they evolved their style later to be a bit more poppy at times, and it's fair to say Murmur doesn't have many big anthems that would've contributed to them becoming stadium fillers, but it's extremely accomplished. The jangly guitars and Stipe's vocal style which are their signatures are definitely here. The lyrics are very obscure and every song is interesting, he certainly doesn't write in clichés. There's just something inherently listenable about these tracks for me, they bounce along with a groove I find very addictive. I can see why this kind of alt-rock wouldn't be for everyone but I'm a fan and it's a great debut so 5*

The rythmic guitar and the raspy vocals make this a unique experience and gives a feeling of melancholy only post-punk/new wave can give you. The lyrics are shrouded in mysticism and need not hold much meaning. A good listen if you feel dreadful, but it might break your mind trying to understand the lyrics.

I think that this was really excellent. It's crazy that this came out in 1983 considering how good it sounds and how much stuff in the 90s clearly took inspiration. The instrumentation is really simple and the vocals are bare and the whole thing sounds really good and moody. Awesome album cover as well. Favorite tracks are perfect circles and West of the Fields.

I always liked REM after being introduced to them through Independence Day. This album is poppier than Losing My Religion, more serious than Shiney Happy People, and lacks the energy of It's the End of the World. I liked it. I equate REM with the early 90's but looking back at the discography there is a big hit of 80's new wave and goth rock here. I might have to throw on a best of REM.

I was a late arrival to REM because when they first hit my girlfriend hated them. She said they were unattractive and even worse, they mumbled their lyrics. Years later I worked at a record store where my boss Pete once shared a nightclub urinal with guitarist Peter Buck and took the opportunity to tell him "I can play everything you ever wrote!" to which Buck replied, as he was (likely hurriedly and possibly prematurely) zipping his pants, "I'm sure you can." Once I did listen with open ears I fell hard. I would say from their debut EP Chronic Town to this, their first album and the next two albums are golden. There are many great live bootlegs of them around this time now available on YouTube. Pretty much any show you can find from 1982-1985 is going to be lightning in a bottle. Things start to get hit or miss after that, in my view. Peter Buck is a criminally underappreciated guitar player. His chiming riffs are to me the essence of what makes REM great and basically formed the backbone of what 80s jangly college radio sounded like. Pete my boss taught me the guitar parts to many of the songs on the early REM records and I learned a lot about the guitar and songwriting both from that experience. If lyrics are important to you, you will probably find REM a frustrating listen. I have no idea what Michael Stipe is singing, and I'm not convinced he is, either. I think he's more into the sounds of the lyrics than their meaning, like as if Mick Jagger sang lead for The Cocteau Twins. Some of my respected songwriter friends feel this is a copout, to make songs with nonsensical lyrics. Hence my girlfriend's "mumbler" complaint. And she was right about their looks, too. One more thing that's important. In high school in uptight mid 80s Connecticut, the first step toward coming out of the closet was wearing either an REM or a Smiths t-shirt to school. But one friend of a friend was a fan of both bands and it felt like a bridge too far and I think maybe he screwed himself by doing that because all I can say is that I've never once seen him with a love interest in the forty years I've known him since. Poor guy!

4.5 - Loved this album. I feel like REM hadn't truly found their voice and it really feels like they were a little self conscious in a quite charming way. Reserved but a hint of what they become.

Probably my favorite R.E.M. album. This is what I listened to as a kid on vacation in a shitty cd player. The last song on the album “West of fields” is my favorite song by them and a few others on this album are pretty close. There are a few songs that I kind of tune out or would skip but overall love this album. 9/10

Really enjoyable well recorded, intelligent rock music. Liked it a lot

I know I was too young for this when it came out and so i missed it, but I feel a little cheated of all the years I could have enjoyed it

Great album. Can never go wrong with some REM

LP

I liked this a lot, even more than Document. As a debut, this stands out very strongly against the early 80s and makes sense that they are as influential as they are. We Walk has a really fun riff that is bops hard and was probably my favorite here, but I enjoyed Pilgrimage and Shaking Through a lot as well.

I love Stipe’s obscure lyrics. It’s often like listening to a lovers painting by Picasso.

Very nice

**Album Review: "Murmur" by R.E.M.** Released in 1983, R.E.M.'s debut album *Murmur* was a defining moment for the emerging alternative rock scene in the early '80s. The album is characterized by its mysterious sound, intricate lyrics, and unconventional production techniques, establishing R.E.M. as a band with a distinctive voice that would influence countless artists in the decades to come. ### Music Musically, *Murmur* is an album that defies easy categorization. It draws from a wide palette of rock subgenres, including jangle pop, post-punk, and folk-rock. The most recognizable element of the album is Peter Buck’s jangly, Rickenbacker guitar riffs, which channel the sounds of '60s bands like The Byrds while still feeling modern and fresh. Tracks such as “Radio Free Europe” and “Talk About the Passion” exemplify this jangly sound, with intricate, arpeggiated guitar lines that interweave with the rhythm section. Mike Mills’ melodic bass playing serves as a crucial counterpart to Buck's guitar, often providing a counter-melody that adds depth to the songs. His playing is both dynamic and supportive, never overpowering, but always present in the mix, which gives the album a rich, full sound. Drummer Bill Berry offers solid, understated percussion that complements the melodies, avoiding flashy fills or overpowering beats. Instead, he maintains a driving rhythm that carries each song forward, creating a consistent and cohesive sound across the album. The arrangements on *Murmur* are deceptively simple. R.E.M. often relies on standard verse-chorus structures, but they inject a level of complexity with unexpected chord progressions, layered instrumentation, and nuanced dynamics. The result is a sound that is simultaneously accessible and enigmatic. Songs like “Sitting Still” and “Catapult” demonstrate this approach, blending catchy hooks with unconventional structures that invite repeated listens. ### Lyrics Michael Stipe’s lyrics on *Murmur* are cryptic and impressionistic, often more concerned with creating mood and atmosphere than with telling straightforward narratives. The words are frequently buried in the mix, with Stipe’s soft, mumbled delivery making them even harder to decipher. This approach gives the songs a haunting, dreamlike quality that invites listeners to project their interpretations onto the lyrics. The lyrics of “Radio Free Europe” are a prime example of this style, filled with disjointed imagery and phrases that suggest rebellion and dislocation but resist easy interpretation. Similarly, “Perfect Circle” presents a collage of phrases that evoke a sense of nostalgia and loss without ever stating anything directly. Stipe's words are less about meaning and more about emotion, using language as another instrument in the band's sound. There are recurring themes of escape, dislocation, and yearning throughout the album. "Pilgrimage" seems to reflect a spiritual or existential journey, while "Shaking Through" captures a sense of fragility and change. The lyrics often paint portraits of youth, confusion, and a longing for meaning in a world that feels elusive and fragmented. ### Production The production of *Murmur*, handled by Mitch Easter and Don Dixon, is both distinctive and influential. It has a murky, almost organic sound that contrasts sharply with the more polished production styles of the early 1980s. The mix often places Stipe’s vocals low, blending them with the instruments rather than putting them front and center. This decision emphasizes the band’s ensemble nature and forces listeners to focus on the music as a whole, rather than any individual part. The production makes heavy use of reverb and echo, giving the album a spacious, almost ethereal quality. This is evident in tracks like “Perfect Circle,” where the echoing piano and layered vocals create a sense of depth and expansiveness. The use of natural room reverb, particularly on the drums, contributes to the album’s distinctive sound, making it feel both intimate and expansive at the same time. Easter and Dixon also employed unconventional recording techniques to achieve the album’s unique sonic texture. For example, they used everyday objects like cardboard boxes to create percussion effects, adding an additional layer of originality to the sound. This experimentation aligns with the band’s ethos of creating something new and different from the mainstream rock music of the time. ### Themes *Murmur* is thematically rich, even if its meanings are not immediately apparent. Much of the album is concerned with themes of communication and misunderstanding. The title itself suggests a soft, indistinct sound — a whisper rather than a shout. This is reflected in the way the lyrics are delivered and the way the songs are constructed. There is a sense of searching, of trying to find meaning in a world that is confusing and chaotic. Songs like “Radio Free Europe” and “Talk About the Passion” explore the tension between expression and incomprehension, between speaking and being understood. "Radio Free Europe" can be seen as a metaphor for broadcasting messages into a void, while "Talk About the Passion" seems to critique the way discussions about important issues can become hollow and disconnected from reality. Other songs, like “Moral Kiosk” and “Catapult,” seem to critique societal norms and expectations, presenting a sense of alienation from established structures. Meanwhile, tracks like “We Walk” and “West of the Fields” hint at journeys both literal and metaphorical, with imagery that evokes travel, pilgrimage, and the quest for something beyond the immediate. ### Influence *Murmur* was highly influential, serving as a blueprint for countless alternative and indie rock bands that emerged in the 1980s and beyond. Its jangle-pop sound, characterized by Buck's guitar work and the band's overall melodic sensibility, would be adopted and expanded upon by groups like The Smiths, The Replacements, and later, bands like The Gin Blossoms and Teenage Fanclub. The album’s unconventional production style also set it apart from the polished, synth-heavy pop that dominated the charts at the time. The lo-fi, atmospheric sound of *Murmur* was embraced by a new generation of musicians looking to break free from the constraints of the mainstream music industry. This approach laid the groundwork for the DIY ethic and aesthetic that would become a hallmark of alternative rock in the '80s and '90s. R.E.M.'s blending of folk-rock elements with a modern, alternative sensibility helped bridge the gap between classic rock and the emerging indie scene. The band's sound on *Murmur* was also a precursor to the college rock movement, influencing bands like The Pixies, Sonic Youth, and even Nirvana, who would cite R.E.M. as a significant influence. ### Pros 1. **Innovative Sound**: *Murmur* is musically inventive, combining elements of jangle pop, folk rock, and post-punk in a way that was unique for its time. The album's sound is fresh and distinctive, thanks to Peter Buck's signature guitar style, Mike Mills' melodic bass lines, and Bill Berry's solid percussion. 2. **Atmospheric Production**: The production by Mitch Easter and Don Dixon is one of the album's standout qualities. The use of reverb, echo, and unconventional recording techniques creates a soundscape that is both intimate and expansive, contributing to the album's overall mood and mystique. 3. **Poetic, Ambiguous Lyrics**: Michael Stipe's cryptic, impressionistic lyrics are a key strength of the album, inviting listeners to engage with the music on a deeper, more personal level. The ambiguity of the lyrics creates a sense of mystery and depth that encourages repeated listening. 4. **Cohesive Themes**: The album's themes of dislocation, searching, and communication are consistently explored across its tracks, providing a unifying thread that ties the songs together. 5. **Influence on Alternative Rock**: *Murmur* was a groundbreaking album that helped define the sound of alternative rock, influencing countless bands that came after it. Its importance to the development of the genre cannot be overstated. ### Cons 1. **Obscure Lyrics**: While the ambiguity of Stipe’s lyrics can be seen as a strength, it can also be a drawback. Some listeners may find the lack of clarity frustrating or alienating, as the meaning of many songs remains elusive. 2. **Low Vocal Mix**: The decision to bury the vocals in the mix can make it difficult to discern the lyrics, which may be a point of contention for those who prefer more direct, intelligible songwriting. 3. **Uniform Sound**: While the album's cohesive sound is often praised, some critics have argued that the songs can blend together, making it difficult for individual tracks to stand out. The consistency of the production can give the album a somewhat monotonous feel at times. 4. **Limited Mainstream Appeal**: The unconventional production, cryptic lyrics, and relatively low-fi sound might limit the album's appeal to a broader audience accustomed to more polished, accessible music. 5. **Repetitive Elements**: Some elements of the album's sound, such as the jangly guitar and driving rhythms, are used repeatedly across the tracks. This can create a sense of repetitiveness for some listeners who may crave more diversity in the arrangements or instrumentation. ### Conclusion *Murmur* remains one of the most important debut albums in rock history, not just for what it achieved musically but for the way it laid the groundwork for the future of alternative rock. Its innovative combination of jangly guitar, cryptic lyrics, and atmospheric production created a distinct sound that set R.E.M. apart from their contemporaries and positioned them as pioneers of the genre. While it may have its limitations, the album's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, cementing its status as a classic and a must-listen for any serious fan of rock music.

After hearing this and falling in love with it, I feel like I need to defend myself. It was ‘83 so I was deep into my pop music phase with all that was on the charts and MTV, and somehow I just missed this album and didn’t really get into R.E.M. until several albums later and I never went back to their earlier stuff. THAT was a mistake as I clearly missed out! So much just comes together to create this moody, atmospheric vibe that’s primarily built on the highlight of the album, the jangly acoustic guitars. That and the songwriting. I admit to the possibility of a bad case of recency bias but this might be my favorite R.E.M. album of all and that’s saying something considering their future gems.

No one can understand just how awesome this album was when it came it. With all the other 80’s popular music, the country, the hair bands, REM was a breath of fresh air and this album was and still is a gem. it just doesn’t have the same affect on people that it did back then. Everyone is doing that type of thing now. They were the face of college rock and we were lucky to live when this album debuted.

This was my obsession from 15 to 21. No way I can be objective.

Very sunny, liked it better than automatic for the people

This stuff is nothing short of brilliant - I like most of REM (a lot) but I'm not sure they made a better album after this one. There are no fewer than 8 great songs on this collection.

One of the greatest and most influential albums of all time, and one of the greatest debut albums as well.

Top

The funny bit is where I would give this anything other than a 5. Blessed to have known them forever.

Bluesy as hell.

Pocos debuts son tan buenos como el primer LP de los legendarios precursores del "Alt Rock", R.E.M. La hipnótica voz de Stipe te captura y transporta a través de paisajes del "under" norteamericano, sin necesidad de hacerte entender sus complejas letras, todo de la mano del precioso bajo de Mike Mills, las guitarras saltarinas de Peter Buck y la poderosa y rápida batería de Bill Berry. Una mezcla del power pop de Big Star con lo mejor de los sonidos del punk y postpunk británico. Sumamente recomendable.

Very fun and catchy, love the jangle pop aspect, makes me think of Meat Puppets a bit

Classic

Excellent!

This album got me out of musical doldrums. Very good from first song to last.

A real banger.

R.E.M. is becoming one of my top artists. Every track here is a Standout, with the title track in particular.

I LOVE THESE GUYS. Some songs were a little repetitive, but for a debut album its a banger. Love it

I came to this retrospectively but it has all the hallmarks of a great debut. Sounding slightly different to most music at the time and promising so much. 4.5 stars.

Such a strong debut. So different, such a unique sound.

Haven't listened to the whole album in years.

Murmur is the debut album of Athens, Georgia jangle pop quartet R.E.M. It was released on April 12, 1983 to major critical and popular acclaim – Rolling Stone magazine named it the top album of the year and it peaked at #36 on the Billboard album chart. Michael Stipe’s enigmatic singing and mysterious lyricism coupled with Peter Buck’s Byrds-esque guitar work turned into one of the most interestingly introverted albums of the 1980s alternative rock movement. The front cover depicts a field of kudzu – “the plant that ate the South” – a weed which grows so rapidly and aggressively that it overtakes any area it grows in and kills off all other plants around it. The back cover depicts a trestle in Athens which has since become famous for its association with this album – becoming known as the “Murmur Trestle”. It was saved from demolition in 2000 and again in 2012 due to its claim to fame. Source: https://genius.com/ (accessed on June 1, 2024).

I think this is their best album although ot had no huge single that I can remember off the bat. Solid composing and very clean sound with great guitar player mike mills yet the instruments are complementing michale stipes amazing voice. You can actually feel hos emotions in every single song. Very solid album.

When REM were cool and interesting

It’s kind of difficult to explain how important R.E.M were to American Rock, so I won’t even try here. Everything that came after Murmur either followed it directly or reacted against it, and so while it’s not my personal favourite of their albums, it’s got to be up here for sheer influence alone

R.E.M.'s near perfect debut album still stands the test of time to this day. Masterpiece. I wouldn't be where I am without this band, and I for sure wouldn't be as big of a music fan.

I was never a huge REM fan outside of the 90s radio staples, but wow, what a killer debut. The band is already fully formed, there's not a single bad track, the musicianship is tight and production sounds timeless and *nothing* like 1983! I genuinely don't know how it ranks compared to their other albums in the court of popular opinion, but as far as I'm concerned, this one's pure 🔥.

It never used to be my favorite of the early R.E.M. offerings, because I always considered it a bit inchoate. Turns out, this just means it’s the album of theirs that’s grown the most in my estimation over the years. It’s all there already: the jangly guitars, the obscurely-literary lyrics, the deep, dark insouciance of 23-year-old genius.

Timeless

Рэдиооо фри еуроппп инсайд оф мораал киооск 10/10. Один из самых любимых альбомов.

“Murmur” and “Violent Femmes” were released a day apart. As much as any one album or band can be responsible, that week in April 1983 may have been the start of alternative and indie rock. Opening your first album with “Radio Free Europe” is statement-making. What follows is incredibly consistent, with Peter Buck’s jangly guitar and Mike Mills’ driving bass weaving in and out through 12 great tracks. Not just the next decade of alternative rock and college radio owe a great debt to R.E.M. - the influence they had extends even into 21st century indie rock. I listened to R.E.M. when I was younger, but just casually. Maybe the only album I owned was “Monster?” I was a little too young for their 80s brilliance at the time, and now I feel like I missed out. Glad to have the chance to rectify that now. I think they reeled off an impressive streak of four-star albums, but “Murmur” might be my favorite. It may be lacking in big hits - “Radio Free Europe” is the only one that was familiar - but the rest fit right in the pocket of what I prefer from their sound.

It's a nice album. Fav songs: pilgrimage Laughing =%

Really solid, really liked pilgrimage, laughing, moral kiosk, catapult, and standing still.

Fundamental para minha formação, R.E.M sempre terá nota máxima.

"Murmur" is the debut studio album by American alternative rock band R.E.M. This album had very high critical acclaim attributed to its unusual sound - lead singer Michael Stipe's cryptic lyrics, Peter Buck's jangly guitar style and bass guitarist Mike Mill's melodic basslines. Completing the quartet is Bill Berry who just happens to be the drummer and percussionist, sing backing vocals and play the bass and piano. The original producer was to be Stephen Hague but the band did not like his approach; they wanted no rock and roll clichés such as synths and guitar solos. The producers ended up being Don Dixon and Mitch Easter. The opener "Radio Free Europe" gets things going right away with drums/percussion and then the jangly guitar and melodic bass. Michael Stipe's indecipherable lyrics. Even he said most of what he wrote was gibberish. All I can make out is "Radio Station." A unique sound and a classic song at that getting put into the National Recording Registry in 2009. The "Take a turn, take up fortune" chant starts "Pilgrimage." Mills on vibraphone (I think) and Buck's guitar. An idiosyncratic drum beat. This is classic pop song structure as it builds with the vocal choruses. Great backing criss-crossing and harmonizing vocals by Mills and Berry. Good luck figuring out what this is about. Their second and final single "Talk About the Passion" is slower, featuring an acoustic guitar. The backing vocals. Stipe says it's a song of hunger for him. A nice cello closes it out. Slashing and a reverb guitar open "Moral Kiosk." Some more chaotic criss-cross vocals especially after Stipe sings "Inside the moral kiosk." No, I do not want to go inside the moral kiosk. One of my favorite songs on the album. Speaking of favorite songs, "Perfect Circle" might be a close second. Two pianos and a 12-string guitar. Stipe's best vocals on the album. Just beautiful. Bill Berry wrote this song and the other members say that this song has a different meaning to each of them. Just beautiful. They did not play it live until Berry left the band (FYI - Berry also wrote "Everybody Hurts). The second side opens with "Catapult." A rumbling bass and Stipe's jangly guitar which, I think, purposely sounds like a sling slot ( get it? Catapult). "Sitting Still" is their most straight-forward rocker. I like the lyric "ways to time sitting still. The album ends with "West of the Fields." It's more of a rocker too. Urgent guitar and bass. Another great deeper cut. Ah, a big one today. I remember first hearing this and being blown away. No one sounded like them in 1983. 41 years later and I'm still blown away. The songs came into the album being fully realized as R.E.M. had been playing them live for two years. So many great attributes here. Every band member is important. Yes, the jangly guitars, melodic bass and the cryptic lyrics but also the criss crossing and harmonizing backing vocals, Berry's drumming and percussion, using two pianos, a cello and a vibraphone. No, I don't want to know exactly what Stipe is saying. Needless to say, they go would on to record a string of great to fantastic albums for the next fourteen years. And yes, everyone needs to listen to and own this.

Early REM is more or less among my all time favorite music. It is not nastalgiic, it doesn't make me "go back" or wish for times of old, it makes me feel present right now; it is hard to explain... I often describe it as raw, like "real" what one would experience in a small club on a Tuesday night at some ski resort. "Wow, this band is actually pretty good... what are they called again? They could get big..." This music wakes me up in a way, I get the feeling of potential energy, like the band itself, of course REM DID get big, but for us all, individually, we too "could get big" and this music reminds me of that feeling...

A great record! It’s just hit after hit

Brings back SO MANY memories. Nostalgia aside.. it’s not their best but a preview of what they could be. My favorite band in the world for a while.

Being lucky enough to be in college when REM hit with this album They could never categorize them but you always knew a REM song One of the best bands of the 80s and an underrated live act

Radio Free Europe was the first song that made me take real notice all those years ago. This album was the first of a great progression. Been a fan ever since.

So freakin’ good. Poetic and weird. One of my favorite voices

Combien reaction...

I mean, music doesn’t get more perfect than this. If R.E.M. quit after this they’d still be legends; the fact that I might like the follow-up even more is pretty astounding. Still, this and maybe Automatic are the 2 albums that feel the most fully realized as album long statements. And I prefer this to Automatic personally.

There are few debut albums that prepare us for the future of rock better than this one did.

A seismic shift in American rock and the brilliant debut of one of the best bands ever. I was not around to see it, but I think I'm well versed enough in rock music to know that there was very little that sounded like this before it. Stipe and company hit on several things missing in American rock music, at least popular rock music, at the time: Cerebral, cryptic lyrics. Restraint from excess. Delightful weirdness. The fact that R.E.M. is a southern American band makes them even more interesting I think. This is just about as far removed from Lynyrd Skynyrd and Molly Hatchet as you can get and while still calling it “rock”. It was so unique they had to call it something bizarre like “college rock”. R.E.M. would make better albums as single works later in their career, but other than Automatic For The People this was their most influential on music. Mills and Buck were brilliant from the start with the band’s arrangements, and Stipe already has that awkward confidence that makes him an all time great frontman. Favorite tracks are Radio Free Europe, Pilgrimage, Laughing, Talk About the Passion, Perfect Circle, and We Walk.

1001 Albums app is literally rifling through the 3-4 Case Logic tape carriers I had when I was a teenager and adding albums here. This album makes me feel so good every time I listen to it. I perfect debut from a band that only becomes more and more legendary as time goes on.

great!

The perfect REM album! Perfect Circle and Shaking Through are the standouts of all standouts

Very good. Have always liked this band. Good sound and distinctive vocals. 👍👌

Strange lyrics that somehow work. Great guitar playing. Jangly in a good way. Lyrical layering; multiple voices. Uses the verse chorus verse setup to great effect with strong hooks on the choruses. Inventiveness abounds.

I've listened to a bunch of R.E.M.'s early catalogue since I grew up hearing hits from Automatic For The People, Monster, and Out Of Time, and not sure if I ever got all the way through Murmur. It strikes me how muscular the band sounds despite a skeleton trio of musicians, and how fully formed they feel for a debut. "Radio Free Europe" is a heck of an opening statement, and you can already hear the latent wistfulness to come on later releases on "Perfect Circle." As jangle pop acts go, I was surprised to see Murmur beat The Smiths to the punch in terms of the year it was released. Enjoyed this a lot.

Majestic pop. One of the finest albums of all time. Great debut album from R.E.M with the main highlights being Peter Buck's guitar.

Radiohead 10 anos antes do Radiohead.

Day40 - i’m sure this is only the first r.e.m. album that i’ve got and it’s a good one.

i am a pretty big REM fan, especially their earlier stuff. this album, to me, is a vibe album. kinda off kilter, really catchy rock music, very smart lyrics. i just really enjoy diving into this one, even though it may not be their most consistent album. i particularly love songs like 'catapult' which is more indicative of their overall sound, and 'we walk' which has some unique instrumentation from them and a slightly more sinister sound. overall, perhaps not my favorite from them, but i do really love it regardless.

Classique, évidemment daté, disons plutôt représentatif d'une époque. Coup d'envoi impeccable d'une carrière sans trop de fausses notes. “Pilgrimage”, “We walk”, “Sitting still”, “Perfect circle”…

Wonderful record. Murky but clear.

My favourit is Out Of Time!

One of the great debut albums Radio Free Europe is a brilliant opener Perfect Circle is the most mysteriously romantic song

An essential pop masterpiece, fulfilling all of the promises from bands like Big Star, the Byrds and even the Raspberries. There's no disputing that not only is this easily one of my top ten favorite albums, it's one of the albums that mark my life, a game changer on so many levels. No one could understand a fucking word Michael Stipe was singing because it didn't matter. We wanted to live inside those songs, to talk about the passion and see what a moral kiosk is to four young men from Athens, Georgia. It was all part of the magic. Yes, I know they released an equally great EP before this, but for my money, this is the best debut album ever.

Oh happy day! Any day I listen to REM is a fine one. Without REM do we get to Radiohead? Do we get further on down the road of indie rock? I honestly don’t know but I do know that the jangly guitar and Michael Stopes’ lyrics and yawping vocals totally work to set you into an “I’m 20 ish and waking up to opinions about a world larger than myself” flight of energy and that “singing out loud in the car” feel. It’s accessible but complex, angsty but listenable, ironic but not exclusionary and I LOVE IT!

Love this

I liked this album and it sent me down a fun Spotify rabbit hole for the day

This album was right up my ally. Can’t believe this is an 80s album

This is just a perfect album, not a single weak track. Not much to say about it other than it being one of the most stupendous debuts of all time, and its reputation only growing. If I had one caveat - only one - it's that the production is a little basic. The drum sound on tracks like Radio Free Europe is a little tinny. But really, it's nitpicking. Five stars.

Gotta love a band from Athens, Georgia! Great listen. Brought back lots of memories.

Absolute classic from one of my all-time favorite bands

Groundbreaking record.

never really got into R.E.M. before but this album was delightful! I loved it 9/10