Reviews (page 4 of 13)
i already loved rem but listening and discovering this album might have opened doors for me. rem is so good! so many cool songs and interesting themes explored the melodies are so enjoyable. i really love laughter !! amazing song the lyrics of talk about the passion speak to me a lot and i think they represent a beautiful mirror for the state of the world right now “who might leave you where i left off?” WOAH WOAH WOAH??? perfect circle might become one of my favourite songs ever im not even joking catapult has something really endearing and cute, i like this song a lot we walk is funky and puts me in a good mood! i love the guitar work in the chorus
Great band
Oh so close to 5 stars…other R.E.M. albums get there for me. This comes so, so close.
I think the biggest issue is several of the songs sound like Radio Free Europe. And I kept humming that song during the choruses of other songs. Luckily it’s a good song
Previously rated: #123 - Document (4/5) #285 - Automatic For The People (3/5) #351 - Green (3/5) ************************************** Album #993 I guess this was their debut album. Michael Stipe's voice sounds different on this one, less nasally. I don't think it was amazing, but it was good enough that I let it play again a second time.
Yup. This is REM. Enjoyed it.
REM - I actually like this first song - The sound isn’t bad, I’m just such a lyrics girl and idk what they’re saying - Moral kiosk was pretty good - Same with sitting still - This is an album I’ll prob never put on again but if it were to come on I’d jam to it
My mom fucking loves this album (and so do I) Best Song: Radio Free Europe Rating: 8.0/10 Stars: 4
A little dated maybe but still great. I had this cassette in my car for ages when it came out, great to hear it all again.
4,5
Really enjoyed the listen. Not a whole bunch of notes. Just a really solid cool album. 4/5.
Really great Rough and ready Radio free Europe/complaint free album 4
I'd definitely listen again!
A thing of beauty.
Great first showing for a game changing band. Some of the lyrics are pretty batty. Marat’s bathing??? I love Radio Free Europe, Pilgrimage, Sitting Still, 9-9. I’ll be listening to this one again.
crazy to realize this came out same time as Thriller (light years better). great debut album-their sound is already distinct, just like Stipe's vocals are mumbly.
I've only ever listened to mainstream songs from R.E.M. and I have to say this as a first album to get more into their discography was super enjoyable. I think one of my favorite songs was Catapult.
A strong debut album, even if the band clearly grew more confident and self-assured over the next few albums. Really like Mike Mills’ bass playing on this release — it’s a key element of their propulsive sound, though I don’t always love his voice on backing vocals. R.E.M. sound especially quirky here, especially on left-field tracks like “Pilgrimage,” “Catapult” and “We Walk,” an odd slice of jangle psych that presages a song like “Shiny Happy People” several years down the road.
Pretty good
Better than I expected, almost a modern 60s sound.
Not my favorite REM but its got some good songs and indecipherable lyrics so that's good
Lovely album
Grungy as hell. I like how it reflects the lack of godliness coming in the 90’s. Michael Stipe is a god tho.
Really good listen! Pretty much exactly what I expected an R.E.M. album to sound like, so this is a positive example of expectations being met. Faves: Radio Free Europe, Talk About the Passion, Shaking Through
Another album of many albums that I never got around to listening. But some of them the generator has helped with getting me to listen to it. This one right here is debut album of the iconic rock band R.E.M., Murmur being a seminal album in alternative music. A fair chunk of the songs are straight boppers and are quite anthemic and upbeat, whilst the mesmerising album cover - that I've definitely spent too much time looking at - gives off opposite vibes. The singing tends to be quite slurred together, making it a challenge to figure out the charming-sounding nonsense lyrics. The guitar parts are jangling out the wazoo. The bass is fairly melodic and doesn't fully stay in the expected range of a bass guitar. Highlight Song/s: Radio Free Europe and Laughing
For a debut album this is excellent - it's like they emerged fully formed. The production is a bit rough, but that's just part of the vibe.
Excellent. A perfect reference to a whole generation of indie/alternative artists to come
I absolutely love REM, but they have better albums than this one. I actually own this one and really enjoy it. REM is one of those bands that I think most people either really like or despise. Regardless, it’s a solid album.
> The Beatles
shimmering, mysterious, an album whose charms slowly unfold
This is their best album, in my opinion. They have the jangle, they have the lyricism, and they never fall off midway. A pleasure to come back to this one and enjoy it again. I wish the rest of their catalog was this good.
Took a couple listens but I think this is my favorite REM album on this list yet (man there’s a lot of REM albums on this list, this has gotta be it, right?)
A masterful album. Sure footed and a sign-post to future more commercial approach without losing the appeal that got them noticed. Excellent.
Great debut by them; good introduction to the band, but also to that indie sound in general. Albums and artists had come close at that point, but that College Rock sound wasn't really identified until these guys came along. The songs hold up well. Another one I will save for later.
I grew up listening to Document and Green (which were among the first CD's I purchased!). I'm a little bit ashamed that I hadn't listened to this album before now.
Some good bops and a good listen overall. Not the hits one would associate with REM, at least for me, but a cohesive listen through and through. Flowed really well, and made me listen to the songs everyone knows and loves, so it gets a ratings bump for that. Will give another listen in the future, most likely.
Album Nr. 85 Gutes Album zum überall hören mit kleinen schwächen.
I liked Document a bit more, but this one is also pretty good. This one actually sounds even more ahead of it's time, ready to usher in a new era of indie rock. A little more subtle but still nice and melodic.
Tenk at R.E.M. helt fra starten av har hørtes ut som æ har forventa? Greit å ha sin egen stil, altså.
Great album but it definitely felt repetitive at parts
Solid classic.
This is our first album randomly selected for our group. So there isn’t a deadline on the listening or rating, it’s not school where we have to write up a book report or finish the homework due tomorrow kind of thing. The only rule we have Is that the album deserves the front to back play through and you decide on the stars for a rating. We may disagree on that all the time or not who knows? But we can also discuss what we liked or disliked. And what songs we were feeling and we can maybe find some hidden gems or just straight up bangers. So yea the fist album we got is REM- murmur. Listen to it whenever is optima and it could be fun if you are intrigued with this idea
A phenomenal album. High 4s.
Forgot how much I like this.
What happened to this band later on? This is a great album by a hungry, young band. Songs and playing are great! Sure, Stipe is singing in his boring way, but he is trying to use more than 5 notes, compared to Automatic for the People later on. A strong 4/5! If you want to listen to REM, this is the album, not the "acclaimed" Automatic!
Think I liked it more than Document. It's a great album, one of those for the long car rides I felt. Michael Stipe said R.E.M had put out a few stinkers in their career. This is not one of them.
One of the ten or so bands that has meant the most to me over the course of my life. Murmur is a self-assured debut with catchy and jangly songs. By nature of when I came to them -- Out of Time and beyond -- I prefer a slightly darker, fuller, and warmer REM sound, but most if not all the seeds of their greatness are here.
Ganz cool, etwas düsterer als die Automatic for the people aber nicht so viele hits
Markant bedre end de andre REM plader vi har haft, jeg kunne virkelig godt lide den her. Sangene var generelt bangers og den har en ret distinkt lyd.
While I have heard a lot of R.E.M songs most from this album were new to me which also shows in the amount of plays compared to their bigger hits. That said I enjoyed the album as a whole. It feels less pop-ish than what I had heard before. I will probably add a few songs to my playlists after listening it over once or twice more today. Really fun hearing new songs from a band and enjoying them this much even though it has a different sound.
82/100. Murmur by R.E.M. is a good, ambiguous alt-rock album with a mysterious and atmospheric feel. The pacing is smooth, and the sound is unique and intriguing, making for an engaging listen. A strong debut that captures R.E.M.'s signature style early on.
Yeah, enjoyed this. 4/5.
4. Hands down. Not their best though.
This album seemed really good, I need to listen to it again though I wasnt fully paying attention.
I started high school the year after this album was released and all my best friends owned the CD. It was a major part of the soundtrack of my youth largely because people it jived with almost everyone. My 15YO daughter was listening with me tonight and confirmed that this music still sounds amazing, even by today's standards. With the release of this album, R.E.M. became among the first important "alternative" bands (college rock at the time). While essentially a pop album, by combining influence from 60's folk-rock like the Byrds with elements of post-punk bands like Gang of Four Murmur presented Americana music for a new generation. This was all evidenced by Rolling Stone and other magazines picking Murmur as the album of the year. Quite the accomplishment for a debut release, especially considering it was up against albums like Thriller and War. While I still enjoy R.E.M. today, it had been years since I listened to the album in its entirety. There are so many great songs on this record. The jangle guitar combined with bass carrying much of the rhythm is just so cool. Stipes voice is amazing, even when you can't understand what the hell he is saying. My favorite part of this project is discovering new music, which I'm also learning includes rediscovering old loves. The nostalgia is nice, but more interesting to me is the fact that the music sounds different due to the accumulation of different musical perspectives over time. I have a newly refreshed love for R.E.M. thanks to 1001 Albums and they will be back on regular rotation for many years. 9/10, only because it is not their best album.
first REM album I actually enjoyed
It’s like finding that denim jacket that you seldom wore in college, but now find it familiar warm and becoming a new favorite 3/5
I’d not listened to this before and really enjoyed the sound. Will go back.
Enjoyed this. Compared to Green the REM sound is coming into focus. A much more sophisticated blend of musical genres and more interesting lyrics from Stype.
Great album
This is definitely a classic album, especially with its strong jangle pop vibe. When it comes to R.E.M., I feel like this would’ve been a really fun album to discover when it first came out. It has that post-punk rawness, but R.E.M. was one of those bands helping to shape the early alternative movement.
Excellent song writing that has the punk sensibilities of early U2 without the edge, (pun intentional). Ahead of it's time with its early indie rock/college rock vibe. It saddens me that these guys disappeared off of the face of the earth right after their height of popularity in the mid-90's.
8/10 My first listen to this was in the background while I was in the kitchen, and I was ready to write it off as a fairly uninspiring debut. 'Radio Free Europe' as the lead single and album opener, didn't exactly fill me with hope that I was going to be blown away by the rest of the album, and I proceeded to not pay much attention. Having finished the washing up and switched to headphones for 9-9, I promptly realised that this album deserved a proper listen. I have always had a soft spot for R.E.M., but that has mainly manifested as a love for 'Automatic for the People', never having got any further into either side of their discography than 'Green' and 'Out of Time'. The jangling sound that defines R.E.M. was clearly present from the start, and I've always enjoyed Michael Stipe as a vocalist even if I have no idea what he's blathering on about on this album - I'm not convinced that these lyrics are necessarily that poetic but I don't think it really matters much, I've never been one to concentrate too much on lyrics over instrumentation anyway. Speaking of instrumentation, it's pretty remarkable how well formulated the R.E.M. sound was on their debut, the drumming and creative guitar riffs are pretty stellar in places. I do feel like the second side of the album is substantially stronger than the first, some of whose songs blend together a bit, so not going any higher than an 8 for this record. Standout songs: 9-9, Shaking Through, We Walk, Moral Kiosk Listens: 3
I love the simplicity and the propulsive energy in the more uptempo songs on this album, such as Radio Free Europe, 9/9, and West of the Fields. Not every song is a winner for me, and I’m still trying to figure out if the lyrics are profound but obscure, or just complete gibberish. But more important than anything else with this album is the sound. It’s striking how ahead of its time this album was. REM released this when Springsteen, Journey and Van Halen were topping the charts, and the difference is incredible. This spiritually paved the way for most of rock music’s evolution in the 90s and aughts.
Really liked this, nice harmonic rhythms, varied sonics, tuneful melodies . It's no "Out Of Time" but it's still very nice
I only know REM from their big 90s hits, do this was a really fun record to discover. Now I love me some jangly guitar, so Murmur made me very happy. I'm going to live with this album for a long time, I'm certain. Standout track: Pilgrimage
I fear I just cannot bring myself to be overly excited about rem. I’m so sorry to the xers and millennials out there. Cool tunes though I guess
A band that I never really took the time to get into beyond the big hits, I for some reason didn’t expect their debut album to show them as fully formed as they would end up. Yes we’re missing the big pop hooks that would define the later hits but the music is probably better for it. I can see why they had the broad “College Radio” appeal and were just seen as a cool band despite obviously being pretty nerdy.
I’m a fan of quite a few REM songs but I’ve never listened to a whole album before, and what a great place to start. I really enjoyed this one, and it’s hard to believe it was their first album.
I am basing my rating of Murmur mostly on the first side of the album. I really like "Pilgrimage" and "Talk About The Passion" and think "Radio Free Europe" is a truly great track. "Catapult" is a good example of how I feel about the rest of Murmur. The first verse and pre-chorus go by and I am thinking this sounds like solid R.E.M. Then we get the "Catapult (Catapult)" chorus and I am taken out of the song. It sounds like it was grafted from a cheesy 80s sitcom.
i'm a casual REM fan and like them well enough to have revisited this album a year or so ago when stipe was doing their 40th anniversary tribute tour for this album. weirdly enough, i like these songs more now than i did a year ago, though i feel the same as i did then with my main gripe with REM being: they sometimes sound... kinda hokey. their hits are, undoubtedly, transcendent, but listening to this album there were stretches where the jangly guitars and indeterminate accent weren't doing anything for me. still☝️there's great stuff here, and i'm happy to admit i was too hasty to write off this album the last time i listened to it a year ago. highlights - radio free europe, moral kiosk, 9-9, shaking through, we walk, west of the fields
Very solid. 8/10
Long been a fan of R.E.M. but only through their most famous songs via compilation and greatest hits albums. I had Monster on CD, which was the only album I'd fully heard and even then only in passing. I was interested to find that this was their debut album, back in 1983. Several songs were familiar, the opener (Radio Free Europe) is great. The rest, well it varied. On the whole I enjoyed it, some songs had some interesting aspects however it was a bit drab overall.
Åtminstone, ska lyssna igen. Klassisk debut, men jag brukar ofta gilla andra tidiga plattor med R.E.M minst lika mycket
Couldn't finish it, but even those few song were better than the albums before Will finish it today!
This came out during the Punk/New Wave era and you can hear it pretty well on here. To me, they dont have what I would consider their signature sound or voice here. That's not bad, its their first album but to me it plays out a little tame. I did enjoy most of the tracks though.
Cerramos la semana con el debut de R.E.M. Disco de rock alternativo clásico, con toques sutiles a The Velvet Underground (sobre todo con Radio Free Europe), con la particular voz de Michael Stipe y la forma de tocar la guitarra de Peter Buck. Gran gran debut. Hasta el lunes, gente.
Enjoyed this more than I expected. Never been a fan of REM and there were no known "hits" on this album (to me) but certainly an early 1980s vibe I liked!
Amazing debut.
8/10 A great album. Thinking of when it came out, it feels so far ahead of what else was going on - it has dated much less, or at least in a different way. Could be 5 stars, mlbut it drags a tiny bit in the middle and it would be nice to hear the lyrics
But my favorite REM but still REM
How can someone not like REM?
Pas le meilleur de R.E.M. mais un très bon album tout de même!
So this album has come as a surprise to me, I say that not because it’s a bad album but because there are 3/4 REM albums that are better than this one. Murmur very much carries the sound of a band still finding its feet I think and while that could be seen as a weakness for the album, it also means there’s a lot of really interesting sounding material here. Radio Free Europe is a great album opener with a really infectious structure, but is then followed by Pilgrimage, a much weaker track in my opinion and a song that feels like filler, almost intentional filler. Laughing and Talk About The Passion are both great tracks but again don’t feel like tracks you’d associate with REM’s general sound. And that’s about it really, the album is good with solid tracks, good instrumental foundations and a soft vocal delivery from a young Michael Stipe clearly still finding his niche not only as a vocalist but also as a lyricist, what a fascinating album. I can see this growing in me in the coming months. 3.5/5 FTW Woooo ! A band I know with an album I don't and REM's debut album of all things, love that combination plus it keeps me occupied at work. Radio Free Europe starts us off and wow what a beautiful track, it just screams post punk with those known REM influences, you get that punky feel and tone, with very hard hitting simplistic chord progressions and basslines, alongside a very 60s folk rock sound. A certified banger to start the album, really familiarising us with REM sound we've all come to love and admire. Pilgrimage goes in a different direction lyrics wise, coming across as very dark and moody, with the clear message, distrust and skepticism of authority and religious figures. Musically the track stays with that 60s esc folk rock sound but adds an almost haunting feel to the track overall. One hell of a bassline starts off Laughing, automatically the bassline and drums remind more of old school disco than a rock n roll or folk track, but its not unwanted at all and fits incredibly well alongside Peter Bucks incredible guitar work and the lighthearted keys, a fun little track showing once again a simple example of the REM we all know. There not much I can say about Talk About the Passion musically thats not already been said, but lyrically its an incredibly powerful track speaking about the helplessness we feel as we are unable to help others who live in poverty or suffer with hunger. Okay I won't keep going track by track but you get the idea, this album is a fun one because its got the fun, boppy, folky rock n roll sound that makes REM brilliant but with powerful lyrics that span a multitude of subjects from social commentary to the human soul and even morality (Moral Kiosk is probably my favourite track on the album). Musically it can became a bit samey but then again, its fucking REM so it slaps. Overall I'm slightly embarrassed I've never listened to this album previously, second banger in a row lets keep them coming. 3.8/5 MTW.
I always assumed i didnt really like REM and never understood how they could be so influential to people like Kurt Coban. This album was the missing piece. A great showcase of song writing and balancing pop influences with indie and rock execution. Really enjoyed the bass lines on this album. Could have done with a bit more variation towards the end, but I'd play this again.
You can tell they are great. Pop music sensibilities done artistically.
Like usual REM but nothingy? Bit nothingy.
I have such a soft spot for R.E.M as they are the first band I was ever like "I am a fan of R.E.M". Their songs are so fun and were definitely designed for the radio. Michael Stipe is such a good singer. "Moral Kiosk" was sooo catchy and "Radio Free Europe" is obviously a massive hit. "Shaking Through" shows off their vocalist harmonies pretty well too! Actual rating of a 4.5. Liked Songs: The entire album although "Pilgrimage" and "We Walk" weren't my favorites.
Strong debut from a band that would kind of perfect their thing over the years. Michael Stipe at his most mumble-y….I love the jangly guitar sound and “Talk About the Passion” probably one of my favorite REM songs. Also particularly Mike Mills’ bass playing this time around
Very dreamy, jangly, fun and playful. Like the Smiths but without their boy-ish attitude. More mature in a way, but very good. Towards the end gets a bit samey tho.
Headboppingly good. Good vibes man. Will go back to as an album.
One the earliest indie rock records and holds up well today considering its 40+ years old.
Very relaxed
Like it. Own it.
I love R.E.M. But it’s always been slightly harder for me to connect with the band’s early work. Maybe if I’d just been five years older when the band broke…. Anyway, I know how important Murmur was. It sounded incredibly new and fresh, and the world rightly took notice. “Radio Free Europe” is unquestionably one of the band’s best songs. Even I get that! I do think Side 2 of the album is a bit weaker—or, at least, harder for me to relate to. If I could, I’d give the album 4.5 stars.
Really good. Nothing in particular to note. This is what I expected Radiohead to sound like (this is an REM compliment and a Radiohead insult)
Very REM-y. Like it, can see how Out of Time developed out of this. Hard to believe this is their first album!
I have other REM albums but not this one and I like it
This is intriguing. I've heard most of REMs music but for whatever reason this doesn't sound like REM. You can see the glimpses of their future self. Its interesting to see how they have evolved as a band. The drums are awesome on this. Just everything that hits that sweet spot. I really 4
super mega lovely Fav song: Sitting Still
I'm not a big fan, but found this to be an impressive debut album with a unique and cohesive sound that they've continued to refine over time. Interesting and odd lyrics, catchy songs, and a sound that's wholly their own.
i love the jangle
Люблю практично всю дискографію R.E.M., в кожній декаді свого існування вони примудрялись видати як мінімум один дуже сильний альбом й ще низку просто хороших. Дебютник теж доволі класний, є тут їх перший хіт Radio Free Europe і натяки на фірмовий стиль, який остаточно сформується трохи пізніше.
Some really unique, funky bits. album art is cool but does not match the sound mood imo. love we walk, west of the fields
I thought i wasnt gonna enjoy this at first but its a really consistently good album. All the songs are catchy and have some really good guitar playing and i love the cryptic lyricism. 8/10 Favourite: Laughing Least Favourite: We Walk
I wish this was my first R.E.M. album from the list. I only knew them as "very important" and the subsequent albums go down lots of interesting rabbit holes but this album lays bare all of the wonderful musicianship. From a genre perspective, it is unbelievable that this album came out in 1983. I stopped trying to parse the lyrics and enjoyed the band.
Ein Frühwerk das gefällt und ich zwar auszugsweise kannte aber nicht alles. Zeigt das Potenzial von REM voll auf.
My relationship with R.E.M. is one I would describe as "complicated" and everyone in this group is probably sick of hearing about it (good thing none of them read these things anymore!) But the short version is: my early exposure to R.E.M. came mainly through MTV/radio and I was not impressed by any of it (though of course I would scream "Leonard Bernstein!" along with my friends.) I had friends who loved them, almost all of whom had been exposed to it by older siblings, so they had probably heard the old shit like this album. I did not discover this album until college and then it finally clicked for me. I loved this album and it was a key that unlocked the rest of R.E.M. for me. I still don't love everything they did, and would never describe them as one of my favorite bands, but I like R.E.M. now, thanks to Murmur. "Perfect Circle" may be my favorite R.E.M. song. And "Pilgrimage" and "Catapult" aren't far behind. I really like this album.
Not bad! I always thought I didnt like REM but it turns out I just dont like losing my religion. I liked it.
Solid rock album
Muy buen disco debut, realmente marca un estilo en una época muy temprana para este tipo de rock. 8/10
45/1001 :: R.E.M. - Murmur Heard before? ✅ Would I revisit? ✅ Rating: 7.5 Fav Tracks: Radio Free Europe, Talk About the Passion, Moral Kiosk I need more R.E.M. in my life. I don’t think this is their best album. It doesn’t have the highs and lows that other great R.E.M. albums have but it’s consistent AF. The pieces really fit together on this one. Everyone always talks about The Smiths VS The Cure but what if R.E.M. entered the chat? They have such a signature sound and frankly I think it gets better with time. Peter Buck is a masterful song writer and Michael Stipe’s singing is at such an early stage here but his pen is already strong. Moral Kisosk is such a great idea for a song.
I had never listened to this album before, but it's exactly what I would expect from REM. They had a really strong and realized sound right from their first album.
They probably influenced a lot of music I grew up on. My sister had their first 3 albums of the 1990s. I've never listened to this. The music on this album is like a nice solid rough cut two by four lumber that hasn't been planed or sanded. It's solid and reliable. A very strong, cohesive debut album. That being said I'm just at a place in life where I don't want to listen to Michael Stipe's vocals. Something about the music makes it hard for me to breath. This makes sense being here. They were such a huge influence on the Alternative rock sound of the 1990s.
Crazy full length debut. Again, a band fully formed from their first album. How did they create such a unique and immediately identifiable sound? Not my favourite rem album but still great.
C'est 3,5 étoiles mais on arrondit à 4
Out of the three I’ve heard, this is my favourite R.E.M album, it’s not as varied as green or Automatic for the people but more of a complete album experience with the songs being of similar quality throughout (good quality that is), it’s mostly very catchy guitar indie rock with jangly guitars and soft drums, it’s kind of like garage rock I guess but without the distortion and loud drums but it works really well and culminates in a great album. It’s also lifted by the great vocals and lyricism by Stripe who has a very unique voice which helps separate this band from others. Favourites: Radio free Europe, Laughing, talk about the passion, catapult, sitting still, 9-9 (probably my favourite), shaking through, we walk and west of the fields. Overall, 8/10.
Enjoyed
Abandoned this whole thing for some months but excited to be back! Don't know much about R.E.M., other than their most famous song, so this should be interesting. Expecting some nice 80's rock, which is (almost) never a bad thing! Looooove the guitar on this first track, really fun and catchy, everything's catchy actually. Great chorus too. Second track already starts off with a heavy contrast to the first one, but develops in the same jangle-pop sound. Not a bad thing, as I'm really digging it! I'm realizing this album is a perfect illustration of what the label "alternative rock" sounds like to me. The third track follows the same method of the first two, but with a less catchy result. Still good, just not as memorable in a first listen. Talk About The Passion is a nice song, maybe a bit repetitive, but it does build a nice atmosphere. Not mad at it. Kinda pretty actually. Moral Kiosk is a lot of fun! Everything works together really well. While I've liked the overall sound of the album so far, Perfect Circle is a welcome change. I'll need some more time with the lyrics, but it's a lovely moment. Catapult seems to be about reminiscing about childhood, the wheight of adulthood, etc. Manages to be fun and sad and, most importantly, relatable. Sitting Still, while still good, doesn't feel as memorable as past tracks. Love the vocals though. 9-9 comes at a point where the sound of the album (which relies heavily on repetition) becomes a bit too repetitive, so it just doesn't hit the same. If it showed up earlier in the tracklist, maybe the reaction would have been different. The same can be said for the next track. Not bad, but more of the same. We Walk is another shift in sound which, as has already been pointed out, is a good thing at this point. Really like the vocal delivery here (which has been mostly stellar). Last track's a bit less pop. The chorus manages to be extra catchy here. This was an extremely pleasent experience! Will need to pay more attention to lyrics in the future, but this first listen has certainly left a desire for others in the future. While the repetitive nature of the record does become a bit too much at the middle/towards the end, there's really not a bad moment here. While it is true that there's nothing here that could be considered out of the box for a rock record, it's still full of quality songs (which is what's most important). Lovely stuff! Byeeeeee
Blev egentligen inte så imponerad men samtidigt lyssnade jag på det igen direkt efter. Bra tecken!
The first time I saw REM, they were opening for Joan Jett and The Police. They said they were going to play five songs and then leave. Which was a bit of a lie because they had six songs, five on the Chronic Town EP and the single, Radio Free Europe. Radio Free Europe, was well played on New Music (i.e. New Wave i.e. College i.e. Alternative) radio stations. It was a great song. The jangly guitars and esoteric lyrics, usually a liability, worked for REM, and the Cold War references resonated with young adults sick of the constant threat of nuclear annihilation. In any event, they were great. This is why all the cool kids were thrilled when Murmur came out. We thought that there would be a bunch of new songs in the vein of Radio Free Europe. Which was true! While not as fully formed as their next two records (some of th songs were a bit repetitive) Murmur was more REM goodness, especially Talk About The Passion, Catapult, and Pilgimage. Murmur was a good start to what would become an major band of the mid to late 1980s and into the 90s, before kind of falling off the cliff and into a see of their own self-importance.
Some songs my taste and some a wee bit less
Worth buying the LP. No standout tracks, background music. Great first album from these guys, can imagine why they got famous
42 years old and this still sounds fresh. Great album.
I listened to Let's Active before I ever listened to a single R.E.M. record and I'm kinda glad I did. I love both!
ehh
such a good debut highlights: radio free europe, pilgrimage (aug 14 2024)
4 out of 5. While not my favorite of theirs this is worth the listen.
Super original sound for a debut album with some great tunes. I didn’t get to listen to the whole thing but I think I may have before. Expect that the rating could rise with repeat listens.
First listen a 3, probably because it was unfamiliar after the opener Radio Free Europe. Second listen a 4. Super easy to listen to - I've always enjoyed Michael Stipe's voice, so that made it quickly familiar even with only one listen under my belt.
Would listen to the album again. I like R.E.M
I guess I like R.E.M. now! Solid album.
Murmur good
R.E.M. er bare godt
Solid album. Nothing very out of the ordinary about it for me, but just a bunch of good songs. R.E.M.’s one of the bands this project’s got me more interested in so I was glad to listen to this one. 7/10 for me. However, I will note that this album is a bit unremarkablefor me, so much that I just realized a while after this listenthrough that I already listened to this album a few months back and I completely forget about it.
Folk rock hits harder in your 30s, music to chill to
R.E.M. has been presented to be as the best thing since sliced bread so many times that I can't take them seriously. I get it, man on the moon, blah blah blah. Illogically, the lead singer's voice is just annoying. I'll try to give them a fair shake, look at the rating for that. The review is for snark. Pilgrimage-why does the drum sound like a nasty cough Laughing-never knew laughter could be so plain and repetitive Talk About The Passion-Sunday Service at church? Perfect Circle-I know there's a melody line here, but his singing makes it sound ridiculously monotone
light to decent 8
Fantastic tunes. Great sound the band had
Very good, I tried to listen to all of their stuff once in order and didn't get further than the 2nd album, I think because I was just listening to this and that one until I got bored.
Enjoyed this one
Ironically, I’m an R.E.M. fan but have never really listened to this album. Knew Radio Free Europe and still love that tune, but enjoyed the rest of the album too. No real standouts for me, but worthy of a play while I work.
звучит клево, но бэнгеров не обнаружено.
A formidable debut which I suspect could and should grow on me; the good kind of jangly post-punk stuff and maybe among the best music I didn't know existed when I was 9. Hooowever. Today, here and now, I can't say that it didn't somewhat bore me. Still, "Murmur" is another notch towards my respect and appreciation for R.E.M. this project made me understand - and I've already paid my dues in my recent three ratings for their albums. I think this one sits where math will do it justice: (4+4+5)/3
A great album. The start of an amazing journey.
Good album, although I felt it got a bit slow at times but otherwise quite a nice listen
It’s wild that this album is older than I am. Very solid, and very different than anything that was out around then.
4.5
Solid indie rock from an influential band.
Buenisimo
This is an album I've spun countless times — though perhaps never after the year 2000. I discovered R.E.M. right when they launched, went bananas over the band's first five albums (and the Chronic Town EP) and then totally soured on Green and all that came after, save a few singles. This record was something of a revelation when it landed, the first "indie" band to make a splash nationwide, though I can't quite classify what it was that was so anti-establishment about it. You just knew it when you heard it. I thought this listen would instantly transport me to high school — my band played a couple of tunes off this album (I made up all the words because who knows what the hell Stipe was saying — I consciously didn't have the lyrics scrolling on this listen because I don't think we're supposed to know). So... this was fun, but not a time machine. I liked it, but didn't feel like new truths were revealed. At the end of the day, I preferred Fables, Pageant, and Document, and probably still do. But I was glad to see this pop up, it's a worthy inclusion, and while I'd argue it's not the best of R.E.M.'s early work, all the elements are there. It's a more complete album than I remember. But you could already hear future Michael Stipe taking himself way too seriously. Peter Buck, too (though his guitar work is great). Thank god for Mills and Berry.
Even though the album might make more sense to be named, "Mumble," I just love REM. All of their eras in fact. But what a wild journey it was to hear something so fresh. And boy did they come out strong.
Fun and danceable.
I've listened to this so many times I've lost count. Pretty good.
Added to Playlist, enjoying the instrumental and vibes
I really like R.E.M. I often forget they exist and then stumble upon them and have the realization that their music is very, very good. Murmur is where it all starts. It's jangly, mumbly, and excellent. It's not my favorite R.E.M., but it's a relaxing listen. Nice way to start the week!
Good, classic REM. I don't think I'd heard any of these songs before, but they were super distinctly REM's sound, which I like a lot. Four stars.
Very different to their later stuff. I like this!
This was better than expected. I had 3 other R.E.M. albums on this list before, with some mixed results. So I didn't expect much of their debut.
Classic REM sound
Did R.E.M. invent jangle-pop? No. But they became the definition of it, starting with this record. "Catapult" is one of my all-time favorites and this album is instantly identifiable as R.E.M. which can be good or bad depending on your perspective. Full of great weirdo lyrics, some of which you can understand. There's a reason it's also known as Mumble. Great classic R.E.M. but not the most accessible if you're trying to get someone into the band.
This is another one from my past beautiful album. Still can't understand what Michael is saying in most songs, but I get it.
01) Radio Free Europe - 10,0 02) Pilgrimage - 8,5 03) Laughing - 8,0 04) Talk About the Passion - 8,0 05) Moral Kiosk - 8,5 06) Perfect Circle - 8,5 07) Catapult - 8,5 08) Sitting Still - 8,5 09) 9–9 - 8,0 10) Shaking Through - 8,5 11) We Walk - 8,0 12) West of the Fields - 8,0 TOTAL: 8,42 (84/100) Current ranking: 114/562
Dosad nisam bila svjesna koliko je utjecajan ovaj bend. Prije više od 40 godina zvučali su kao bilo kakav trenutni indie rock. I naravno, još malo bolje. Album nije spektakularan ali jest dobar.
I wish I liked REM a little bit more but I’m sure they’ll click one day, I think they have a great, consistent sound and this record is a lot of fun!
undoubtedly one of the debuts of all time
Makes me feel like I'm on an adventure that's not too crazy but just a little out there, ja feel?
05.25.2025
A wonderfully melodic and intimate debut album. Perhaps a couple songs too long, but really impressive on most every other level. 4/5
Pretty unassailable REM album. You can argue for their later more jangly or more epic albums but this is hard to beat. 4.25/5
Oh, ok this is what all the indie rock bands are trying to sound like. Thought it might get old quickly, but imo the album actually picked up momentum as it went - some of my favorites were towards the end. Standouts: Perfect Circle, Sitting Still
I can see how 'Murmur' can be dismissed listening with modern ears, but in its time there's no mistaking this was a helluva debut. Garage band vibes with a pop underbelly. Lyrics that make no damn sense whatsoever. It's no wonder this was the grandfather of Indie Rock. 'Moral Kiosk' has to be the most underrated unreleased radio track on an album ever!
Awesome album!!!! Particularly love the opening track and Catapult. Solid dad-rock-road-tripesque album.
Legendary debut
Alternative grandfathers, influential to the genre, "Radio Free Europe" +1
Good album and glad to listen to it again. Definitely not their best work but still an enjoyable listen
Jangle Pop! My dad's a massive REM fan, but I've somehow never heard a song from them. Thankfully, It was great. Jangle pop as a genre is just so nice to me, and this is just a great example of everything it does well. I'm glad to have something new to connect with my dad! -9/10
Maybe it’s the comparison to garbage from previous albums, but I like this. It’s not spectacular but it’s nice. I can see how they’re seen as the pioneers for a lot of the indie alternative rock. I don’t think we needed three REM albums on the list though.
The first REM album I got on this generator was on repeat for over a week. I was so excited to see another in their discography…since I’m a new FAN! I didn’t initially love this as much as “Automatic For The People,” but knowing this was their debut record is pretty astounding. They were already dialed in to their sound. I, once again, absolutely love Micheal Stipe’s voice. It’s good, in a bad way, or it’s kind of bad for a good voice? I dig it, and I dig this band. I will definitely be listening to more.
only 100 albums in, 1001 has taught me that I am an R.E.M. fan, I guess. Not exactly what I expected, but I am not complaining
8.5 I forgot how great they were. They were funky and fun.
Liker. Men REM har aldri truffet helt. Føler ikke så mye
Decent, nice relaxing background music.
107/1089 - It was alright. "Laughing" kinda reminded me of The Police so I really enjoyed that song over most of the album.
I didn’t know a single song of this album, but I enjoyed them all! REM became such a huge influence in the late 80s and early 1990s, it was interesting going back to the early roots and seeing their evolution. I vaguely remember Radio Free Europe, but aside from that I don’t know anything else on here. Key songs were Sitting Still and 9-9, mostly because of Mike Mills great bass work …and it’s a great song. Where REM was taking on the working later albums, this one feels like REM having fun. I am coming back here again
Production quality was top notch. Musically was much more interesting than other REM songs or albums I've heard in the past. For example liked it a lot more than "Green" which we have on CD because of "Orange Crush"... might have to check out the rest of the discography now! Grace listened to this one on the nightmare plane trip to Baltimore so might not be as positive experience or memory associated with this one...
Looks like the found some butter to put on that unbuttered toast. Watch out, if you're not careful they may even discover seasoning next.
I’m absolutely a sucker for a jangly guitar, and this hits the spot. I’m not entirely sure how frequently I’ve listened to this as an album before, maybe not at all or only a handful of times. There are some bits that don’t quite work, but there’s enough good stuff to make me come back again. Debut albums are rarely absolutely top of the pile, and this is no exception. But a solid 4 stars and it’s difficult to deny the importance of this as an album.
5/1/2025: cool album
Good debut, and as expected, not as good as their later stuff, but nice to hear where they started. I spent a lot of time in Athens decades after REM, but they’ve always held a special place in my mind.
I get why some people who prefer the later are less keen on the early stuff ad vice versa but I think there’s room for both. Listened to this one plenty of times before and it does take some getting into initially but usually after a couple of listens I'm back into it. Not an album that really grabs you on just one listen. Some really good songs without any that really feel like the big hits of later albums but as a whole the album seems to work. As debut albums in the early 80’s go its a darn fine effort.
R.E.M. has been a staple in my life, I used to have Green on cassette and I would put it in my Walkman and ride my bike around listening to orange crush and pretend I was on a long journey. This band has my heart. This is actually an album I haven’t listened to in full… loved it. I hear tons of songs I love influenced by this album alone. It’s the birth of indie, left of the dial baby. Stand out songs aside from the hits are Laughing and we walk.
Overall: 8/10 I love this early version of R.E.M., it's very energetic and mysterious. After not loving Green, I kind of assumed they were one of those bands that I would only like the radii hits but this album changes my opinion on that. Pretty much every song is enjoyable. I think it all comes down to the guitars for me. I don't normally love that "jangly" sound but it's utilized to perfection here (mostly). I also love Michael Stipe's voice even if I don't understand most of his lyrics. Great album, so glad I gave it a fair shot. Fav Song: Radio Free Europe Least Fav Song: Shaking Through
Vinyl would be decent
Like the vibes, cool song to work with. But not sure that I'll go to a concert
when R.E.M. were good
Great early album!
Such a good album. I loved almost every song.
Most mid shii ever
This is definitely a classic album, especially with its strong jangle pop vibe. When it comes to R.E.M., I feel like this would’ve been a really fun album to discover when it first came out. It has that post-punk rawness, but R.E.M. was one of those bands helping to shape the early alternative movement.
liked this a lot more than I expected to
Honestly good album if I wanted to listen to music and not really understand the lyrics but that’s okay. The album has very consistent songs :) I’d put like a 7.5/10 cause they good songs but I think they missing a little something
Pretty good. Not to my taste, but still enjoyed it.
4.5 rounded down to 4. I’m embarrassed that I was today years old when I realized it was “Talk About the Passion,” not “Talk About Compassion.”
This is #day249 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… Murmur is both a hidden gem in R.E.M.'s discography and, if memory serves me right, the album that sparked the college rock movement. It's fun to hear the post-punk influences, which makes total sense for the early '80s. But even on this humble little record, there's already that signature jangliness that would become R.E.M.'s hallmark in later releases. The whole thing is a great listen through and through, but I particularly love "Radio Free Europe" and a run of "Moral Kiosk", "Perfect Circle", and "Catapult." This is a 4 out of 5. Looking forward to #day250.
Who tf are these people why do they have 18mil monthly listeners and why do i have song of theirs liked?? I feel so out of touch when i discover popular bands that i've never heard of Yeah this is pretty great. I can see why they're so popular apparently. Jangle pop is always a green flag for me (except for when its the smith i dont get them)
Good early 80s indie rock takes me back to probably the most exciting period of musical discovery in my life. Great to hear these tunes by an iconic band.
Frábær frumraun hjá frábæru bandi. Ég er meira seinni tíðar REM maður en ber mikla virðingu fyrir soundinu og þessu mellow rock dæmi.
I think this is my 3rd REM album so far and they have been the beacon of consistency. So far none of the albums have been unbelievable but they have all been good with no drops in quality and they maintain a uniform sound without becoming repetitive, Favorites: Laughing, Talk About the Passion, Perfect Circle, Shaking Through
Even though I'm not as much of a fan of Stipe's earlier voice, this album delivers. It has some interesting components and enjoyable rhythms.
Big fan
The birth of alternative/indie music (as we know it)? Either way, this landmark debut was at the vanguard of a new wave in a wholly American fashion - bright but indecipherable, vibrant but insecure and rooted in the great Southern Gothic tradition. They'd get bigger (and better) than this, but it's a fantastic starting point. Favourite tracks: Radio Free Europe, Pilgrimage, Perfect Circle, 9-9, West of the Fields
Sounds like REM
Vintage REM.
new to me, but I really liked it
I went into this one with majorly preconceived notions. I liked REM a lot in high school and college but have sort of gotten over them. I really thought the album was going to annoy me, especially considering this is a super early album I wasn't even familiar with. Turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Maybe it's time to give REM a chance for a renaissance? Highlights included: "Laughing," "Shaking Through," "We Walk," and "West of the Fields."
One of my favorite debut albums from one of my favorite bands.
Solid debut album, especially considering the music landscape in 1983
Not as good as monster
Listening to this for the first time in 40 years, I am noticing is how slow it is--even the relatively peppy tunes kind of drag, so I can see how newcomers find it dull. They were clearly a work in progress, but nothing else sounded like this in 1983. (But yes, this and Reckoning are their best albums, and I am shocked at how long they kept it up as they got duller and duller.)
REM can basically do no wrong with me. It was interesting listening to their debut album. It definitely sounds less refined than their later stuff, but still with their identifiable sound.
A really excellent debut album, loads of catchy choruses, jangly guitar work and distinct bass work. Not surprised I liked this so much. I do think Radio Free Europe is the best song here, but still a compelling listen.
Хорошо звучит, прикольный
Fun! A fun time capsule into the 80s. Make me wish i was about to graduate from harvard and work on wall st and get married at 26.
One of my favorite R.E.M. albums! There are a few songs I feel kind of meh about, so I don’t feel like I can give it 5 stars, but it was close!
Enjoyable listen. Nothing earth shattering though.
Really liked this one!
it's always nice to listen to a known band first LP. Michael Stipe's vocals and lyrics are particularly good on this record. favorite tracks : "Perfect Circle" and "We Walk". The album has a nice melancholy and warmth. A great album. will probably come back to it on a chill sunny Sunday. More a 4,5 than a 4.
Pretty fantastic for a debut album. Although the album lacks my favorite R.E.M. songs, it's consistently well done and puts you in a good mood. I can almost understand Stipe on this one too.
Aaah...can picture hearing this while walking through the quad during our college years. Solid 4...but not quite enough diversity in the sound of the songs to warrant a 5.
Not bad and I like it more than I thought I would.
not the most sonically varied album is this R.E.M debut; they'd broaden their palette in the 90s- but it's got plenty of youthful energy and a couple of indelible songs (radio free europe being the standout). And there's not a bad track on it really, quite pleasant to listen to. the only downfall is the saminess of the track list. it's an auspicious beginning for a major band, and I'm glad to have finally heard it all.
Very easy listen. Definitely REM.
Även om deras nittiotal är bättre så är det ett sensationellt bra debutalbum! Jämnt och bra men det saknas någon riktig banger. Fyra plus.
Like if you swapped Stipe for Morrissey it’s the smiths US edition
Classic album by a class act.
Invented college radio.
I hadn't listened to this album before and was pleasantly surprised how consistently good it is. 4 stars or B+.
First time listening, pretty good. Wish I could understand any of it.
Maybe it's a sign that this generator gave me two R.E.M. albums in a row because I quite liked this. After 'Green' I was certain I wouldn't like any R.E.M. album due to the lacklustre chord progression and Michael Stipe's monotonous voice. However on this these issues are not present, the chord progression is solid especially on tracks like 'West of the Fields' and on this record Stipe's voice is less at the forefront, rendering this no longer an issue for me. This album incorporates an Indie/Post-punk style with the album art evoking this Post-punk/ gothic style, this is especially noticeable with the drum beats on 'Moral Kiosk' and the great bass playing throughout. I am also hearing Math-rock present here on tracks like 'Sitting Still' and '9-9'. From what I have been told 'Murmur' was a blueprint for the future indie rock scene which is clear to hear on the latter half of the record, which is the better half in my opinion. On first listen I even considered the prestigious 5 stars but on re-listen the first half sadly doesn't reflect the stellar second. 8/10 Really Good. Top Tracks -> Radio Free Europe -> Talk About A Passion -> Sitting Still -> 9-9 -> Shaking Through
Murmur is a really cool, forward-thinking record with some fantastic tracks on it. I think within just the first few tracks, I really understood the R.E.M. "sound". Unfortunately, I think that hurt the rest of the experience, and by the end of the record I grew pretty tired of what they were doing. It's clearly post-punk and pop inspired, with hints of Television, Wire, and a heavy sprinkling of The Smiths. All of the performances were solid, the songwriting was tight, but the tracks started to blend into each other in a negative way. I still really enjoyed my first R.E.M. experience, but I can't help but wonder if they have records that are more diverse than this that I would enjoy more. 8.5/10
Incredible debut album. Takes me back to 8th grade era. REM 1.0 (pre-Green) was a game changer for music. 4.5
I tend to think of Murmur as has having a green cover, but look at those blues and browns! That just goes to show the extent to which my memory of the album is a little off. In my mind, it is one of my two favourite R.E.M. records beside New Adventures. There may be some element of effortful cool in that, but also, by favourite, I don't mean best. It came out two days before I was born and, later, I bought it in Germany on a school trip, but couldn't listen to it until I got home, which happened to be the day when the Good Friday Agreement was announced. It feels like it has to be special. Listening to it now, I think it largely is. Certainly for the first three quarters. Much like Chronic town, the legend that the band came out fully formed doesn't bear out: 100000 and Stumble aren't great. Niether are Shaking Through, We Walk, and West of the Fields. But they don't have to be for the album to act as an incredible introduction. An introduction to whom though? While each player is somewhat limited in what they can do, the band itself twisted and changed within those limitations. Michael Stipe improves as a vocalist over the course of their career, though parts of Talk About the Passion are bit low for him, aren't they? Peter Buck is never this interesting as a guitarist again. Mitch Easter and Don Dixon's production, which is playful here is more brittle on Reckoning and then we never hear from them again. The backing vocals that make the debut so unique become less important as the records go by or they signify the band less as it becomes a studio creation. That band, in a bastardised shape, would have a thirty year career, so these observations don't really affect an album that has, at least, two standouts from that career: Laughing and Perfect Circle. Two career highlights probably doesn't amount to a best or favourite record, but, having listened back to a few R.E.M. albums over the last few months, I think the career - from Murmur to New Adventures - is bigger than the records. There are highlights from every release of that period, but no one record comes together completely. Some come much closer than others, Murmur's one of them. But it is special because it shows a great band that is not formed and never takes a full form until after it breaks up. 4 Michael Stipe’s delivery struck listeners as being unforthcoming at the time and the effect is even more marked in retrospect knowing what a powerful, confident voice was a few years away from breaking out. Still there is nothing uncertain or coy about the melodies he sings here, they are odd and unexpected and very beautiful. The first four tracks are as good a start to a debut album as I can think of. Perfect Circle still mesmerises. It’s an uneven album but it is magical. 4/5
Favourite tracks: radio free Europe; perfect circle; we walk; shaking through; pilgrimage
R.E.M. always reminds me of my Dad as they were one of his favorites when I was growing up. I was unfamiliar with most of the songs on this record, but I really enjoyed it! Highlights: Perfect Circle, Radio Free Europe
I'm not a huge REM fan. They're cool though.
Just a fantastic debut album from one of the most important bands of the indie rock scene. Some may call this the best album R.E.M. ever did, for its rawness. The band were already well on their way to their signature style, but "Murmur" feels a bit more like an underground classic that was waiting to be found at the bottom of a postal crate full of promo records at a college station. It's instantly recognizable as R.E.M., but it's not quite as polished and radio friendly (outside of the aforementioned college campuses) as their later work. Depending on who you ask, that's either a good or bad thing. Regardless, most fans would agree that it's an amazing start to a hugely influential band and their career.
This is the sound of being 17. Around the time Green was released, it seemed like everyone in my year at my Scottish high school "discovered" R.E.M., and I played this and everything else in their catalogue at the time to death. "Document" is still my favourite of their albums, but "Murmur" is a cracking debut, kicking off with "Radio Free Europe". It all went a bit downhill for me with them in the 90s (just as everyone else was getting into them), so I've probably not listened to this album in 35 years. Thanks for giving me an excuse to dust it off again and remember how good they were at the start.
Not super familiar with Stipe and co. but enjoyed this album, especially in the back half. Standout was probably Sitting Still, but 9-9 and Perfect Circle are strong contenders.
First half, while filled with quality songs, kind of runs together. But this leads to some indie dance pop fantastic-ness on side 2!
Great summer/cali/beach album! I enjoyed listening to every song
No gems, but this is the sound they stick with through the great ones. Rounding up because this is ‘83, and they seem to come out of nowhere sounding good.
It's difficult to imagine how this would have sounded to ears in 1983, but I tried. The music is great, but, yes, the lyrics are hard to decipher.
This one moved for me. Probably won't go back to it, but enjoyed it!
I'm def not a REM HATER per se, but this also didn't turn me into an REM lover - very hit or miss w/ some great tracks and some less attractive ones. Fun listen overall tho tbh, great twangy guitar new wave/post-punk with some cool song structure and production
I think the only REM song I knew before this was Night Swimming (which I LOVE), but so this was a pleasant surprise!!!!
I guess I have been sleeping on R.E.M all this time. I absolutely love the jangly guitar tones, and while the vocals aren’t my favorite, there’s a lot of fun tunes on display here.
Blind album, love the artist and I've clearly missed out on some good tunes. Great listen and some nice hits within. Would enjoy another listen for sure.
80s nostalgic vibe to it Songs so far are pleasant but nothing resonating yet Like energy of moral kiosk If I need some solid 80s music I'll definitely come here
Älskar den här. RADIO FREE EUROPE är en av mina all time favorites
Lo Fi quality Didn’t realize it was their first album Interesting as I had never listened to it
Great debut from a band I often overlook. I'm not sure how influential this is, but given how big R.E.M. are, I'll take a guess and there weren't many bands doing this type of jangle pop back in '83. Another thing is there aren't many well known songs here but it still consistently very good. Key tracks: Radio Free Europe Pilgrimage Perfect Circle We Walk
I love me some jangly riffs, so naturally it’s the jangliest songs on Murmur I like the best. There’s something about a good jangle that syncs with my brainwaves just right. “Sitting Still” is a great example. You can track the guitar sound on Murmur directly to its influence on early-90s alternative (see The Cranberries, Gin Blossoms, etc.), and I love that. A few of the less jangly tracks fall a bit flat for me and sort of run together. Solid album though. 3.9/5
It was very chill, so much that it kinda made me sleepy, taking the murmur aspect to a whole level lol I was driving, too. Not helpful, but great for listening if trying to relax.
Recht geiles Album
A surprising good first album.
nice, not super interesting though?
Lots of memories of being in the car, there's some wonderful tracks on here but you can see they're finding their feet with this one. Melodies are starting to form here of what we know to be classic REM.
On this listen, it sounds more like a debut; not quite as polished as later. Still pretty good though and Radio Free Europe is still a classic.
Crisp and fresh, sensitive, but with an edge. High minded lyrics that might take me a lot more listening, some creative interpretation, or just letting go of the need to decode them. Good stuff, though. It was fun to go in reverse with this band as my entry point was Document.
I don't think I've listened to this first album but it was good, even for their first effort.
Been a while since I’ve listened to REM, and because my experience with them was prior to listening to so much other music I can now both appreciate this sound, but also hear many of their influences especially that jangly sound I sought out so much as a kid (thanks to J Marr mainly).
★★★★½
Enjoyed it. Standout songs: Talk about the passion 9-9 We Walk
Catapult and 9-9 kinda rock. I expected early REM to sound more different. Kicking it up a point for being their debut album. If Chronic Town covers just as much ground, consider Murmur kicked back down a point. Murmur is an REM album: it's pretty good and at least one of the songs rocks. REM: REM. (⌐■_■)
Always knew I had it in me to be an REM guy. This list is giving me the pretence to do it.
Interesting sound, but not particularly memorable.
The lyrics don’t make sense sometimes but this album is pure vibes overall. Melancholic with a pinch of hope.
Pretty solid, somewhat similar across the board, but doesn't get boring. Instrumentation is pleasant. Very easy to listen to.
Favourite songs: Radio Free Europe, Catapult, 9-9, Talk About the Passion, Moral Kiosk, Laughing, West of the Fields, We Walk Least favourite songs: Perfect Circle 4/5
r.e.m. a staple in my listening rotation since this album! a precursor of the versatility and cleverness and harmonies of these guys it is very hard to say anything negative for them
Good stuff
I've liked R.E.M. for a long time but I somehow just saw Murmur as Radio Free Europe and a bunch of other songs. I'm a lot more familiar with the major label stuff of the 90s but more fool me as I've now had this on rotation for days and it's stacked with quality songs that draw you in with catchy hooks left, right and centre. Michael Stipe has an excellent way of harmonising his vocal melodies with the guitar lines and it hits my ears in just the right way. I was strongly considering giving this a 5 in the end but I know the best is yet to come for R.E.M. as they perfected their sound and got even more consistent in the years that follows. For a debut though, it's an outstanding record.
Another album I haven't heard for a long time but a good reminder of how good it is. Still prefer Automatic for the People but this is very close to 5* for me. Fav tracks: Radio Free Europe, Catapult, Moral Kiosk
Naast de jangley stem zijn de gitaren de grote blikvangers in de 'jangle pop' scene. Dat laat dit album horen. Hij staat bol van de interessante gitaarloopjes en catchy riffs, die voor mij erg veel weg hebben van het werk van de artsy hardcore-punkers van die tijd, Minutemen. Ook Gang of Four is op dat vlak niet ver weg. Ze zijn hoekig, maar hier en daar ook best wel jazzy. Ik heb me op en top vermaakt met deze plaat, die perfect balanceert tussen positieve energie en melancholie. Het einde komt niet helemaal mee met het waanzinnige niveau van de eerste 7 nummers, maar zelfs de mindere nummers hebben iets aandoenlijks. Peak early indie rock dit. 8,5/10 Highlights: Radio Free Europe Pilgrimage Perfect Circle Catapult
Dit is zo'n steengoed debuut. Als je de rock-wereld betreed met de eerste 10 seconden van Radio Free Europe heb je meteen je eigen plekje veroverd. Want zo moet R.E.M. destijds geklonken hebben: uniek en met een geheel eigen sound. Vooral door dat jangly gitaarspel van Buck. Catapult is daarin echt de uitblinker. De tweede helft van het album haalt niet het niveau van de eerste, waardoor het als geheel nog beter kon (en werd) in hun carrière. Maar de unieke toon is gezet. 8/10 Highlights Radio Free Europe Pilgrimage Catapult
This one seemed pretty good. Will I listen to again: 50%
Bro two R.E.M. albums in a row, seriously? This is a real solid debut, better than I remember even. Similar to AFTP I would give this 3 and a half stars if I could except this time I think I'm gonna round down. At first I wanted to give this a higher rating but by the second half I was definitely over it. unrelated but I really like this album cover for some reason. The imagery and type look really cozy. It's the kind of album cover that's so good it makes me wish I enjoyed the music attached to it more ya know? Favorite track: Radio Free Europe
Great band and album
Not yet the indie/college rock superpower they would become by the 80's end, Murmur is very strong start. Presumably named after Michael Stipe's tendency to murmur or mumble the lyrics. There's a certain innocence and charm to Stipe's timidity, plus it lends a certain amount of mystery to the songs already cryptic lyrics. Post-punk moodiness is there, but there's an overwhelming optimism bubbling beneath the surface, ready to burst free. The front half is stacked: "Radio Free Europe", "Pilgrimage", "Laughing", "Talk About the Passion", and the plaintive "Perfect Circle" closing out the front half. The back half is very much the same. Strong , driving, southern dreams interpreted by a warbling Stipe. On "Shaking Through", it just occurred to me that R.E.M. may have been strongly influenced by Fleetwood Mac, and that's ok!
Who needs any Byrds' albums on this list when we have this master piece of jangly indie pop. Opaque lyrics and transluscent music add up to make a fuzzy little gem of of an album. Best Tracks: Radio Free Europe; Talk About the Passion; Catapult
enjoyed this album, have an iconic sound, no songs too distinctive but overall liked.
Great album. Definitely not my favorite by them, but I do think it is better than some of the other albums with the bigger hits like "Automatic for the People."
A pleasant listen. The jangly guitar contrasts with the introspective bass and vocals. Pretty abstract but also eminently listenable.
Very good album from R.E.M.
Idk how I feel about the album cover. The album itself was solid, similar in vibes to Automatic Stop for me, but not as good. High 4.
I enjoyed this
My dad really likes REM, but he never played any of their earlier stuff. This might be the best REM stuff I've heard though. Really liked it
First heard radio free Europe in a tape my dad had in old motorhome he had
Michael Stipe is in the same tier as Billy Corgan for me as vocalists who you can't explain why they are so listenable but their voice just makes you want to pay attention. This album doesn't have a ton of "hits" ('Sitting Still' was my favorite) but is really listenable as an album and one I'd revisit. DRUM GUY CORNER: I always hype good drumming/tone when I hear it...this album is all about the guitar/bass sound. Guitar is really forward and bright and the bass does all sorts of grumbled sometimes muted lines but the interplay of those two things + Stipe make all the things. I imagine you could pull out the drums and almost all of these songs would have the same life.