Reviews (page 9 of 13)
I totally understand why this is on the list, but admittedly it is far from my favorite R.E.M. album. It's expected to be a little rough as it's their first full length album, but they hit their stride so strongly with later albums that this really pales in comparison. "Radio Free Europe" and "We Walk" are my favorite songs on the album, but most of it is pretty middling. Not terrible and good for a debut, but R.E.M. gets so much better over the years.
Murmur is an album that you will likely not remember many songs from but they are all good. I imagine it would hold more weight hearing it in 1983. It influenced literally all the music after it that I love. It might have invented indie. 7.8/10
Starts off great but not one of their best - still a bit raw
I think I might have some unpopular opinions about this one since it’s REM. I had never listened to this record and I don’t think I knew any of the songs before. My main beef with this album is that it was kinda boring. A lot of the songs just had the same repeating 4 bars over and over and there was very little to no variation of instrumentation or vocals. The songwriting was fine but nothing mind blowing. I honestly was pretty stoked for an REM album and then I just ended being bored by it.
This was okay. I really love REMs sound. It’s chill, moving, and consistent. I love how it can be low key it can be, but then also have such a big sound. I guess I’m mostly just describing what I like about the band and not really this album. I don’t have a lot to say about it. It hit all of those keys features that I mentioned, but then it just kind of repeats them over and over again. It’s not super varied like other albums, so it was hard for me to really love it.
Good album
I've had two R.E.M. albums in the space of a week, it all sounds the same really. This one was shorter and felt more refined, so it can have an extra star.
12/20/24. Solid R.E.M., first time listening to their debut. Just consistent songwriting.
R.E.M.'s album cover for Murmur presents a striking visual that encapsulates the essence of the band's debut. The artwork features an overgrown field of kudzu, symbolizing decay and mystery, which aligns well with the album's themes of longing and introspection. The sepia tones and washed-out images evoke a sense of nostalgia and abandonment. However, while the aesthetic is intriguing, it may come off as too understated for some, lacking the boldness often associated with 1980s album art. Overall, Murmur's cover is a compelling representation of R.E.M.'s artistic vision but leaves room for a more vibrant interpretation. Album artworks rated: 12/1001 Music's alright.
Enjoyable album with a pretty narrow range. I imagine it'll be rewarding on repeat listens, but the first time through it just sounded pretty same-y throughout.
R.E.M. is typically what I don't listen to, but this album was actually quite nice. Has all the ambient and melancholic-esque sounds that one can expect from this group, but it also has some nice, uplifting sounds as well. The instrumentation and vocals pair well together and it's not too bad.
...
Laughing // Perfect Lights // 2.5/5
I felt similarly to this album as I did for the Pet Shop Boys album. It was a'ight. There were a few songs I kind of liked, but nothing really stood out to me. It's one of those albums that'd be good to have on as background music. It's a chill album overall and I managed to yoink a few songs from it for the mega playlist I'm building from this album generator.
Meh
Mid 3/5
A good background album; I like REM's vibes.
Some songs in this album were enjoyable to listen to, but some were pretty boring and not my taste.
5/10 - Rem but boring this time.
The band’s DNA is fully present in their debut album but somehow for me they’ve always mostly been a band for singles rather than albums. I’ll listen to it happily enough but wouldn’t reach for it or any of the songs here, so more of a 3 than a 4.
One of my all time fav songs by R.E.M. is radio free Europe. Great harmonies, musicianship, and lyrics. All of these traits are what they gave the world. This album gave us hints of what was to come. Enjoyable album.
Quite boring. Do we really need to listen to 4 albums from them before we die?
Nice indie rock. Seemed easily forgettable though
Decent, need another listen. Just a plain 3
6/10 I like REM and this album isn't bad, just isn't as good as they would get later 11-25-2024
Good! Classic!
3 - a lot of these have like one good song, and I know REM is a popular band but a lot of this does nothing, some great instrumentation throughout though
I am not that familiar with R.E.M and looking at the track list on this album it has none of the big hitters are on it. I am looking forward to seeing what this album is all about. It was OK, A 3/5. Musically it was very tight. You can hear that R.E.M guitar sound forming and there is some brilliant piano on this. I feel the album lacks a killer song that you remember it for though. Favourite song: Radio free Europe Least favourite: All songs were OK to good, nothing is bad. Album artwork: Cool cover
The only song I knew was the opener “radio free Europe”. I would have probably enjoyed this tour. All these songs sound songs on this album sound kind of the same. I love the bass lines. Shaking through is a great track. I don’t know if I would be a n a hurry to hear this again.
better than the last r.e.m. album i heard, that's for sure
I can see why people call this jangle pop. It’s very jangly. Rickenbacker must have made some serious bunce off Peter Buck over the years. Given this came out in the 80’s, it still sounds pretty contemporary and isn’t as vastly different from the later REM stuff as I thought. Some excellent melodies and Stipe has always been a fantastic, if idiosyncratic, singer. There are elements here of what they’d later become; you can extrapolate tracks like Talk About the Passion right through to your Losing My Religions, etc. Strong album, not my favourite of theirs by a long stretch but much better than I remember from listening to it previously. This would be a dead on a 3.5 for me, but as we can’t give half marks I’m gonna have to get off the fence. 3/5
Firstly, I didn’t realise that R.E.M. had been around that long, secondly this album doesn’t sound like I’d expect an album from the early 80’s to sound, it sounds much more like a 90’s album, yet in the same way doesn’t feel old. I can imagine this album would have been an influence for bands that come later influencing that alternative late 80s and early 90s sound in the US. I think the album sounds well produced and has some really good moments. I enjoyed the opening track Radio Free Europe (the only one I had previously heard), 9-9, Catapult and Shaking Through. I will probably listen to this album again. It made the drive home on a dark winters Friday night while stuck in traffic enjoyable so it’s got something going for it.
Nice album. Nothing special but an enjoyable listen. The album was about as remarkable as this review
Decent R.E.M but not great R.E.M. For me, they've done much better albums.
Nothing crazy on this one. REM is fairly middle of the road for me as is. Catapult and Shaking Through were some of my favorites as they had a unique sound to them. The singers voice is fairly recognizable without being overly good or bad.
Pretty non-offensive early alternative rock. The singer of REM is very unique and I like his singing style. Just looked back and this is pretty much the exact same as my review to their last album
I'm not sure I know any of these R.E.M. songs at first glance. Pretty solid listen. Nothing really stood out a whole bunch to me. I feel like I should like R.E.M. more than I do. High 3.
Fun album. Laughing being the standout track. I just hate how every song is essentially the same drum beat
surprisingly, this is the first time I wouldn't consider something from R.E.M. to be horrible
Typisch melodramatisch REM. Niet bijzonder maar ook niet slecht.
The quintessential 90s sound. Which is pretty impressive for 1983 but it’s still grating in large doses.
Unintelligible lyrics but good tempo/music throughout.
I could see this albulm growing on me. Fav song: Talk About The Passion
1st track sounds like old Eve 6. I liked it. Kind of mid, but I bet it was awesome and different when it was released.
I like rem, I didn’t when I was younger. But I didn’t know anything then.
Good album, didn't stand out in any way to me though.
It's not the album from them that I'm most familiar with, but it's a very recognizable sound.
Competent late 80s indie, may have been groundbreaking at the time but difficult to see now 3*
I remember being impressed by “Automatic For The People,” but this album just kind of passed over me without leaving much of an impression. A little too same-y. You can definitely hear the influence this had on future indie bands, though. Favorite track: 9-9 Least favorite track: We Walk
This was fine but didn’t tickle my fancy. My favorite was “Catapult”
I've never been an R.E.M. fan, so this wasn't a great listen. The stand-out here was 'Catapult', which I actually went back at the end and played again. The rest may have been good for '83, but as a first time listen I didn't hear anything that changed my opinion of the band. Average at best.
Dull
Radio Free Europe is one of my favorite REM songs but the rest of the album kind of blurs together. Not a bad album by any stretch but I prefer Document and Fables of the Reconstruction to Murmur
Ja. Geht. Ein ganz schön leises Album.
I love parts of their catalog but they are quite uneven. This is not one of their better efforts.
Kelvollista. Kerran kuunteli.
Like a few other bands in this collection, I have a hard time being fair or objective to REM, largely because a guy I knew (and thoroughly despised) in college was such a fanboy of this whiny-sounding college-town band. But the upside of this is that I really haven't heard much of REM beyond what played on the radio way back when, so nearly all of this album is new to me (except "Radio free Europe", and also has the benefit of being a debut album, when they hadn't quite honed the somewhat smug and whiny sound that I (unfairly) associate with them. On the other hand, given that there are four REM albums in this collection, I'm not really sure why this album was included, except for perhaps the fact that this is the first album for the world to hear REM's fairly distinctive sound and style. It seems like a fine album overall, and I enjoyed "Moral Circle" and "9-9" in particular. And I know it's not fair to rate them down simply because the project's editors decided to inundate us with a band that I happen to have an irrational dislike for.
Props for their distinctive sound and I do like Radio Free Europe. But songs like Catapult and West of the Fields are annoying and I sort of wish they'd shut up.
To be honest, I was a little underwhelmed, though I have always liked the opening song, "Radio Free Europe". The other tracks are actually too Indie for me.
Nice this one. Early REM is good REM. Mind you, late REM isn't too shabby either.
I think REM has better albums
esperava mais, confesso, ainda mais por falarem ser o melhor álbum deles. Mas para debut, é muito memorável
Good album. I can’t believe it’s 42 years old!
Ok. I love some of their later songs, but this one has not captured my attention. I don't mind listening to it, but would not go back intentionally.
Meh
Bill Berry is a damn drum god
3.5
Trying to get into it but finding it difficult. There are some catchy parts for sure but also many boring parts. I'll just settle in the middle and consider it decent. I got into it more towards the end. Highlights: Radio Free Europe Laughing Sitting Still
Enjoy their music. Good band. Unique sound and songs.
R.E.M. are a super important band for some reason. I don't understand why. This is just ok, I suppose maybe you had to be there or maybe the oversaturation of knockoff wannabe R.E.Ms in the last 30 years has ruined the original. Important but not exactly great 7/10
Didn't love or hate. Definitely not their best stuff
Ставаше, минимум като радио музика
It's intriguing to listen to from a 'what did guitar music sound like *before* this?' point of view, but I'd wager the people who rate this R.E.M's best album are looking at it only from that point of view. The songs are fine but largely unmemorable, so I have to assume it's the album's (impressively fully-formed and cohesive) sound that got people salivating when it came out. 2.5 / 3
Murmur was yet another album that doesn't do anything insanely amazing but for what it is, its really solid. The album was a bit slow at the beginning but picked up by track 3. The tracks during that period of time were not exactly anything extraordinary but they were still solid fun tracks that i did enjoy. The vocals were not super special either but fit the music pretty well. This is a solid album but i genuinely don't really know what else to say about it other than just calling it a good album. Best Song: We Walk Worst Song: Radio Free Europe
What a debut from one of the GOATs.
I liked it enough, I never really listened to R.E.M. at length before there were a couple songs that I felt just flowed into each other that could be good or bad but I just thought it was okay. Overall I was happy to have the experience with more R.E.M. songs
Good album, sounds unique for other albums I've heard from that time period
Het is 1983, maar het klinkt al meteen als REM. Altijd knap als je je eigen geluid kunt uitvinden, daar niet van, maar niets op deze plaat springt verder boven het gemiddelde uit. 'Altijd kwaliteit gaat ook vervelen', zullen we maar zeggen.
Wat een onzin om nu weer een R.E.M. album tegen te komen. Moet ik mijzelf weer gaan herhalen. Dit album lijkt nog iets minder de R.E.M. handtekening te dragen, maar is net zo vergeetbaar als de rest.
Debuutalbums, fan van! Ik heb al eerder uitgelegd welke albums ze van REM hadden moeten selecteren, dus dat ga ik niet nog een keer overdoen. We horen al wel iets van het specifieke REM geluid doorsijpelen op dit album, maar het moet zich duidelijk nog meer ontwikkelen. Wat wel knap is, is dat het totaal niet klinkt als een plaat uit 1983. Geen synthesizers, drumcomputers en andere overdadig bombastische poespas. Ook geen zeurende zanger. Gewoon prima muziek. Het zijn alleen wel een beetje niemendalletjes, dus ik blijf ook na een tweede keer luisteren ergens hangen tussen een 3 en een 4. En omdat ik weet hoeveel beter REM kan zijn, neig ik naar een vergeetbare 3. Want er blijft simpelweg weinig van hangen. Aan de andere kant hoor ik dit veel liever dan 90% vd albums uit deze lijst. Ik ga het raten naar stijl: op de schaal van REM is dit niet hun beste materiaal. Dus toch die 3.
well there sure are better REM albums (i havent hear a full one), this one isnt bad but also isnt much.
It's allright
5/10…College Rock / alternative Rock
do you remember me im that face you always see
I really like his vocals and the bass sounds but I wouldn't listen to this album in my free time. Or maybe I would, I'm 50/50 on if I like it or if I don't.
i don't like the first album because the lyrics doesn't really sound good to me I would say though the instruments do sound good but the rest isn't good
1st song- I didn't like it because it doesn't make sense at all. 2nd song- its ok but I like it because it sound so good
I don't like most of the instrumentals the lyrics are ok. i give this album a 4/10
Excited to see R.E.M. show up today for the album of the day. They are as college jam as college jam gets, especially considering this was there first studio album. This was the first time listening to one of their albums. I liked songs like "Moral Kiosk"
3/5
Just didn't love it. Nothing stuck out.
yeah pretty good in a way its easy to the ears but forgettable cause i cant recall a single song ive listened to yesterday
For a band that's widely considered to have birthed alternative rock in its most contemporary form, R.E.M. has never quite appealed to me in the traditional sense. This debut album especially is unabashedly sleepy, hypnotic, and lulling. I understand that's likely the appeal of an album like this, with Michael Stripe's performances coming off as almost dream-like - vocally and especially lyrically, but sometimes I'm left hoping for something a bit more sticky or vibrant. This mood works particularly well in a song like 'Perfect Circle', a song very predictive of the melancholic-sounding direction the genre would branch into many years later. I quite enjoy listening to this album merely as a way of pinpointing certain influences. Influential sounds, song structures, and patterns are rarely this in-your-face - it's to the point where I'm left fascinated but the rudimentary nature of these roots still leaves me wanting something more. This is one of those albums that I just don't get *yet*. It's not without its highlights though, 'We Walk', 'Shaking Through', and 'Radio Free Europe' I find very enjoyable.
Un poco rollo. Un 3, por ser REM.
Classic band not their best songs
Albumi #27, 23.08.2024 R.E.M.:n debyyttialbumi vuodelta 1983
Sounds like REM tbf. Simpsons: Yes
Started off enjoying it, liked the vibe generally but nothing stood out.
very forgettable. not really my favorite genre. 80's music is mostly blah
Boat transistor on the combine Free washer on the sign Left on might go fly Wheat mango gone bye Yes, that makes as much sense as the lyrics on the album. Also, almost every song follows the exact same pattern - a jangly guitar line, driving bass line, straighforward drums, Michael Stipe singing nonsense, verse chorus verse chorus. It's also interesting and a little lame that you hear all elements of R.E.M. on this debut album. In other words, they don't evolve much (although their sound does get richer on Automatic for the People). I generally like their sound, but their albums are almost interchangeable to me. Favorite tracks: Radio Free Europe, Talk About the Passion, Moral Kiosk, West of the Fields.
I really got into REM but later than Murmur. Monster was the first album I really loved then I went backwards from there. But this was still very enjoyable.
I like it! I'll admit to being pretty distracted on my walk but the vibes were good. I think We Walk is my favorite, just cuz I'm *pretty* sure it's in 6/4. How do you rate these things 3/5?
A lot more melancholy than i remember
Not bad! Similar to the stuff they do later, but more holistic. Very one style
It's a solid first effort from R.E.M. "Radio Free Europe" was a fun opener. Here, R.E.M begun their journey. A few albums later, they improved their sound. But this album sounds like other albums from its time. 3 stars for "Murmur".
Massì.
Enjoyable.
3.1
This was probably seminal for indie music but now it is a very average REM album
Samesy
I get that R.E.M.'s debut made the list because it would have been unusual for its time, but 41 years later I don't hear anything particularly special about it. It's ok though. Something about We Walk caught my ear.
This was ok, but nothing great. I did like the radio hit "Radio Free Europe".
some of this sounds like it was recorded with a water bottle over the microphone but still good. the bass and rhythm section carry the whole thing. enjoy the glory days before REM discovered what a mandolin was
Very REM, not exactly my favourite style - but chill.
The first couple of songs are great, but the record becomes pretty homogeneous after about song 4. Don't get me wrong I enjoy the sound of it, but it could have been an EP
I'm not a big REM fan but liked this album more than I thought I would. 3.5.
The music on this album was unknown to me but is pretty good. No songs really stood out, though, other than the We Walk song.
The only remarkable thing about this record is the release date. In context, I’m sure it was a wildly revolutionary sound, but 41 years later it sounds like any other 90s alt record.
insanely strong DEBUT album??? there was a ridiculous amount of repetition and a lot of it blends together and sounds very similar, but overall a very cohesive and clean album that was moderately fun to listen to/it had great vibes/my dad would love this i think there were no BAD songs on the album but i fear it had a few tracks that were mid and boring (@ perfect circle) which were contrasted with a few really great and solid tracks (radio free europe, 9-9) 3/5 mayyybe a 2.5/5 if i'm feeling mean
Consistent quality album. Without the bangers of their later work. 7/10
A clean alternative pop/rock album. Every song is listenable, with great guitars and vocal harmonies. Lyrics are absurd af. Too jangly. Okayish. Favorites: Talk about the passion, We walk.
First time hearing these guys besides radio songs. Some good rock but nothing amazing
Great, dreamy, alternative rock. A consistent album but nothing hits the high water mark of the first track.
Not too bad, but definitely not as good as the R.E.M. album that I got a couple of weeks ago. Overall, it is a nice album that is good as a background listen.
averaging any emotional peak in both direction and still beeing worth listening is not average skill
This album was fine. Nothing really stood out to me. To their credit, R.E.M.'s sound style is very distinctive and it's clear how much it influenced music for the decade after they came on the scene.
Kicking things off with the debut album Murmur by R.E.M, I’ve always sort of known about them but have never listened to a full album until now. For starters this album does have a cozy, easygoing, and relaxed feeling to it. I enjoyed the instrumentation, and the vocals grew on me as the album progressed, and the lyrics serve their purpose, overall a decently good time! However, I don’t see myself coming back to this during any casual listening, it’s good but doesn’t wow me or excite me as much as it probably would’ve had I been there during their breakout years (as I understand they are very influential). The songs kind of bleed together near the end to me (tbf I’ve only listened to this twice now) so while enjoyable, it doesn’t leave me wanting to hear it again and again. That being said I’d be down to listen to more from the band to hear how they progressed throughout their career. Solid and enjoyable listen 👍🏻 My favorite song: Sitting Still
I always considered R.E.M a very strong group, but I have concluded that they only have quite a few hits that are really good. The rest, like this album, and the one we had one the list before that, is quite boring. Nothing that stands out or excites really. Weak 3.
This album really just passed me by. I'm not a great fan of R.E.M in general but thought this album sounded ok. "Radio Free Europe" is even a good song and the only one that stuck out as special. The rest I tried listening to multiple times during the weekend. While good to have on in the background it didn't really leave any lasting impression. We have had 3 R.E.M albums now and I think this is worse than "Automatic For The People" but better than "Document".
I can see the potential, but being more familiar with their later work makes this sound so clunky when listening to it for the first time. Maybe it's a grower...
This feels like lower-tier REM for me. They've got the nice jangly guitars and rhythms, and the usual backing 'ooh' vocals. It's all perfectly nice, it just feels a bit bland and samey to me.
Yes
Another one
song reco: radio free europe ⭐⭐⭐ overall, it was a good experience. it radiates sunday morning vibes. 🌞
Just like I remember them.
Besides the few popular REM songs I don’t think I’ve heard much else. Not bad.
Perfectly average. Nothing remarkable to note at all really but that's not necessarily bad. Great for a debut album. I enjoyed listening throughout and would listen again in the background. 6/10 (3/5)
Not used to alternative rock. Hard to grasp the words, but the album has a nice steady flow.
В целом ласкает ушки и на удивление не плохо состарился, однако вряд ли я когда-нибудь намеренно переслушал хоть один трэк из этого альбома
6/10 Прикольная, балдёжная темка. We Walk особенно зашла. Да и впринципе бодренько, можно с кайфом послушать в дороге например. Недостаток, разве что, в том, что все песни одинаковые какие-то, не очень хорошо запоминаются, мало изюминки в них. Ну а так, годно, в целом.
Bueno.
I've never gone quite this far back in R.E.M.'s discography. I also wouldn't have guessed that this was R.E.M.'s debut album if I didn't read up on it before listening. While a little understated compared to their later work, it honestly still sounds pretty polished and familiar. The jangly guitars, clean drumming, and melodic basslines and choruses, it's all there. R.E.M. would obviously go on to reach great heights after this, but "Murmur" was very much an announcement to the alt rock world that R.E.M. was here and ready for an extended stay. The current avg rating of 3.41 accurately reflects my feelings on this I'd say.
This was pretty cool. I honestly haven't listened to much R.E.M. outside of the hits so it was cool to see an early version of them and how they started out.
Number four from REM, and that's four albums without "Losing My Religion." Alex was really hyped on this one, telling me it was his favorite we've had so far. To me it's one of the bottom two, maybe my least favorite. I knew listening to it that it was either very early or very late REM, because it sounds much more subdued, lowkey. Stipe isn't singing as strong, either because he's getting old or because he's not sure of himself yet. Turns out it's their debut, so I'm right. And even though it's my least favorite I've heard from them, still a good handful of tracks I'm keeping. Subdued vocals aside, the melodies are great, and you could tell from a debut like this that these guys were going places. The last few tracks on here lost me a little bit, if this were trimmed to end before that point I'd be rating it higher for sure. I feel bad saying this on the one REM album that Alex liked the most, but this would probably be my pick to replace with Out of Time, to get both "Losing My Religion" and "Shiny Happy People" on this list. Shoutout to REM though, serious hitmakers, haven't heard a single album from them less than a 3.5, which is really good. Favorite tracks: Radio Free Europe, Laughing, Moral Kiosk, Perfect Circle, Catapult, Sitting Still. Album art: Some mysterious dried out forest shot, creeping vines and stuff all over the place. It's unsettling, actually reminds me of the creature from that Night Gallery episode, Brenda. I like it though, it's effective. 3.5/5
Started off great, got repetitive
Favourite track, "Laughing." "West of the Fields" is a weird one. The album kind of blends together a little too much for me. It's not bad music, but it isn't spectacular either.
very nice
- I am really not a fan of R.E.M. At all. I will say that I liked this album a bit more than I was expecting, but that is because I was expecting the absolute worst. I just find the band's sound to be annoying 99% of the time and very characteristic of what I do not enjoy about rock. - Lush sounds overall, but I am most impressed by R.E.M.'s ability to specifically focus on certain instrumental isolation. There are just distinct moments when the percussion, the guitar, or the piano will just pop out; those are the best moments. - Enjoyed "Laughing" (once again, those percussive isolations) and "Perfect Circle." - Found "Talk About The Passion" grating. "We Walk" was even worse. - This does sound remarkably forward-thinking for 1983. Still do not enjoy it overall, though.
A bit repetitive but otherwise good
R.E.M. has always been a bigger concept than artist for me. I love what they represent, but their music puts me to sleep.
I liked this a fair bit more than Document. Radio Free Europe is a good song. A few samey tracks though. A solidly high three.
70/100
R.E.M. definitely belongs on this list but they have better albums than this one. This is a fine debut showing a lot of promise for what was yet to come.
This was a bit dull. I'd heard the album before a few times and it never left much of an impression on me. Having relistened to it for the first time in decades, it's about the same as I remembered.
Was okay
I know some of REM's work, but not so much this album, aside from Radio Free Europe. The overall sound is good, but I didn't really get hooked by any of the songs.
Lost a star about halfway through.
Gæti hugsað mér að fíla þessa í botn ef ég hefði verið 23 árið 83 en annars bara ókei plata. Uppáhalds lag: Radio Free Europe
meeeeeehhhhhhh.
Not my favorite R.E.M. album. 3.
Not a fan of the vocalist. Similar to the Smiths, maybe worse.
It’s REM in the eighties - it feels just as you would expect, if you’re more familiar with their nineties outings.
Really solid all the way through. Not a bad song on the album. No stand outs either. I liked the bass tones and vocals.
The drums are always good with REM, but they really stand out on this one! On Moral Kiosk, they are really crisp! I like REM's slow songs the least, so Perfect Circle is the one that's a bit of a low spot. The songs feel a little too vulnerable when they are slow an moody.
Um álbum bem mediano, talvez na época tenha ajudado a consolidar o rock alternativo. Nenhuma musica é ruim, e todas são bem produzidas, mas sinceramente nenhuma me pegou. Eu daria 2.5/5 para realmente ficar bem no meio, mas como gosto de REM e não tem nada de ruim mesmo vou arredondar para cima.
Not R.E.M.'s greatest hits.
Loved the back half, still think I enjoy the later albums more (not that I’ve listened much)
Ok
This album is good, but here we are with another album that is just that, good. This certainly has some catchy bass lines and fun guitar, but every song sounded very similar. Looking at this in historical terms or even influence on future music does not make this a great album. It gets lost in history, because it's not one of the greats. You can influence greatness and not be great.
Listened Before? Y I dig this album in the way that I dig most early 80s alternative. It's decent background music but I definitely wasn't cool (or old) enough in 83 to really get into it back then... and unfortunately the very genre it helped create had passed it by tenfold by the end of the decade. Radio Free Europe is a classic. The rest of it is decidedly "meh". Added to Library? N Songs added to playlist: Radio Free Europe
Not listened to this album before. Pretty good
Some nice jangly moments but nothing special...
It got some good tracks and it’s a good debut album.
Was alright, nothing special
Good album. Didn't have any of the stand out tracks from some of the bands more acclaimed works, but still a good listen. 3.5/5 Might listen again
Listening felt like seeing a high school girlfriend who you’re still friendly with but have no romantic feelings for anymore. I once loved this and even more so because REM at Fiddler’s Green was the first concert I went to without any parents supervising, but now it’s just a hey how are you nice to see you type of thing.
The mood of this album was a little on the sad side, and I thought it was nice enough, but I didn't really like it all that much personally. I thought it was boring, and if I were looking for a similar mood there are other albums I'd prefer over it every time.
Good
R.E.M is always quality but I probably prefer their later albums. Playing Listens: 1 Fave Track: Pilgrimage Rating: 3
Inoffensive soft rock
This is a really cool debut album, love all the indie rhytms here. Maybe i expected a bit more 'cause in some songs it felt kind of repetitive, but is really cool.
Never really listened to old REM but lovely toons
Fresh for the year it was published. Similar songs that form a landscape, cozy but like a hotel you would never return.
Not bad.
It was fine, nothing to write home about. The mix yt music built afterwards was nice tho
it's alright. could see how this would be very popular when it came out. sounds pretty modern! don't think I need so many REM albums in this list tho.
I’m not the biggest REM fan and this album didn’t convert me, but it was enjoyable enough and there are certainly worse albums on this list. It all gets kind of samey as it goes on
Never really got R.E.M. Their hits are great and fine to put on and feel like it's the 90s. But this album just seems like a worse version of what the Talking Heads were putting out. And Michael Stipe loves to say borderline offensive things about Asian people...
I can understand the impact and see how many bands took insperation. but I do not like the way the lead singer sings. there is something so whiny about his voice. while this is not something he ever says he feels like someone who is complaning that women dont want nice guys anymore
Ok.
p chill. but a lil too whiny to be worth a relisten for me
Surprisingly solid for a debut album. A lowkey, softer sound than their future work that feels to me like a precursor to grunge. I dig it.
Tame. And not in a good way imo. But Ill give them the benefit of doubt? 5/10.
Feels out of place and makes me feel out of place but not in a necessarily good way. 2.7/5
Like many of these albums, listening in the current time and trying to recall how peculiar this music was when it was released is difficult. R.E.M. have been influential to so many bands and artists over the years that it doesn't sound as wild as it did in 1983. Radio Free Europe still grabs me like it did back in the day, raw and furtive and somehow also with a floating feeling.
Чуть ли не два подряд альбома R.E.M. подряд на 1001 спустя о-очень долгое время, когда я слушал их последний раз - и я чувствую себя довольно странно по этому поводу. С одной стороны это не плохая музыка, отличные песни, но не трогает, как когда-то. Лучшая песня - Radio Free Europe.
bit samey, nothing stood out
Hum.... hmmm... hummmmm... I think I liked it musically. Lyrically, I couldn't tell you a single word that was said. That about on par with my expectations based on the one other R.E.M. album I've heard. I think I just hear the lead singer's voice as a melody and not English of any variety. I might listen to this more. And, I think I might like it more if I listen to it more. But, for now I'm rating it at three stars for being interesting and for not disliking it, but I suspect I very well may want to raise it to four stars after two or three more spins. I just don't care enough to spin it more right now.
I think this album gets so much acclaim since it was at the forefront of this type of rock. At least to me this sounds ahead of its time for being released in 1983. Not my favorite R.E.M. album, but a solid listen and pretty good for a debut. 3.5.
A curious choice. Fairly average to my ears.
Further evidence that REM has always been over-rated. College rock sucks brah.
An album where all the songs start to sound the same.
first listen. typical REM album, pleasant to the ear but absolutely nothing stands out and leaves you wising it was heavier or there was more going on.
I would say I actively like REM, jangle pop, and adore indie music. But this album falls into the realm of being too proto-everything. The recording is incredibly muddy, the lyrics too mysterious and hard to hear, and songs often devolve into repeating the song title as a chorus. A start to an incredible band with great things ahead of them, but not a great listening experience for me.
R.E.M.'s debut album. Great basslines and driving drum beats, with guitars twinkling over Stipe's distinctive voice. Sparse verses with louder, busier choruses throughout. Lyrics are basically nonsense, but the melody laid down by the vocals are crucial to the cohesiveness of the tracks. Generally listenable and enjoyable. Musically could have been written yesterday, but mastering and recording gives away its age. I wouldn't be disappointed for someone to put this on at a dinner party, but I wouldn't ask for it myself.
I don’t care for R.E.M.
I really enjoyed this album. Somehow I missed REM back in the day. My loss! I think if I'd paid attention I would really have loved them. Oh well, now I like them a lot.
So far i like song 2, pilgrimage 4 is also ok, better than rush, better than eliminator
Really cozy! Feels like a movie soundtrack in a way. Really clicked with me for some reason. But songs can get a bit too repetitive like "we walk" for example. And the vocals throughout the album while good, are also quite unchanging. 3.5
It's okay!
5 Goodies: radio free Europe. Perfect circle, catapult, we walk
Standout tracks: Pilgrimage, Perfect Circle (A+ song), Shaking Through. Was an enjoyable listen, and I can respect how bold they were in their style for a debut album. Overall, it was decent, but did not match expectations based on the acclaim this album has received since release.
A great album by R.E.M. Listening to this expanded my understanding of the band to a greater capacity. I have always known them for their hits and to see this more raw and underground feel brings a depth to their work. My honest rating is 3.5 (3 because we can't do fractions with this UI) because I enjoyed a few tracks very much and it invoked a deep sense of nostagia but the rest of the songs weren't as lyrically strong nor as memorable. Some standout tracks are: "Radio Free Europe" "Talking About The Passion" "Perfect Circle" "9-9"
6/10 would listen again
alright, I just listened to "It's the end of the world" for the millionth time xD
Perhaps too “early REM” / experimental for me
Solid album with some standout songs-gets a bit drone-y though
Tight
It was okay, although I sorta like this genre of music, I tend to find it pretty boring. The last 2 tracks were really good though🔥🔥
Very calm sounding album. I only listened to a few songs as I was quite occupied with other things. There’s a good amount of songs, but they do sound similar to each other.
Fine, relaxing background acoustic.
It was interesting
I guess the sound was innovative. No major bangers though.
M'agraden moltíssim algunes cançons de REM, però penso que aquest disc (tot i que súper representatiu de l'estil de la banda) no té cap tema que destaqui per mi. Expected Lorenzo Rating: 4
Didn’t love it, but it was alright.
tem seu valor enquanto música de fundo, mas esperava mais profundidade... como diria meu amigo Ian: "nada particularmente me chamou atenção"
Amazing album
Close to 4
Not their best but enjoyable nevertheless. 3.5 from me.
This is the 3rd REM albums I've gotten. Though this is their debut album. I can defiantly see how they must've inspired several bands that would emerge in the late 80s and early 90s. Sounds ahead of it's time. Though I did like the other 2 albums I've gotten by them better than this one
Ich kannte nur die Banger von REM, mag scheinbar aber auch die unbekannteren Tracks!:) Gleichzeitig wird mir das Album keine schlaflosen Nächte bescheren. Klassischer "Trede-Vote" mit 3 von 5.
- Ich war nie großer R.E.M-Fan - Das beste, was ich über die sagen kann ist glaube ich, dass sie einen sehr charakteristisch und markanten Stil haben und den durchziehen. Finde die Hits von denen ganz geil. Leider ist keiner von denen auf dieser Platte - auch wenn mir ein paar Songs bekannt vorkamen. - grundsätzlich rundes Album aber hat mich wirklich unbeeindruckt gelassen 2,75/5
When I put it on my mom mistaked it for the rock band from her church and commented that they were playing better than usual. That could give you an idea of the music, that it could be confused for modern day Christian folk rock played at every large church across the country. That's how bland and inoffensive it is. Sure it's a step above your standard Christian rock, but not that much different.
Not bad
Not great, not terrible. 3/5
I liked this album but probably will never listen to it again.
this is gonna be an album I can appreciate for now but maybe some day it will click more. I can appreciate what it was doing for the time, I like the instrument work, and definitely its soft, mossy, murky texture. I think it only goes so far for me though.
p505. 1983. 3.5 stars. Not their best work - see Automatic For The People for that - but this good stuff, jangly guitars and some cracking tunes let down by filler and obscure lyrics.
This is my first R.E.M. album. I'm aware of their influence and some of their big songs, but that's about it. I feel like I owe this album at least one more listen, because it kind of washed right over me. There are moments of interesting instrumentation and turns of melody, but I have trouble understanding the lyrics and the mix is a little flat, so it starts to sound the same. I'm on the edge of really liking this, which is the same edge as leaving an album behind after a single listen. Highlights: Laughing, Moral Kiosk, Catapult, Shaking Through
I honestly had to double check the date this album came out a few times. It really has a cool indie rock sound that it could have come out like 5-10 years ago. The “Michael Buble playing in the background of a coffee shop” award goes to REM. This a great album to just have on in the background of a 30-40 minute drive. I did enjoy it more than the three stars suggests but no real standouts to make it a four.
I listened to this album twice through with it being a weekend, so clearly I at least somewhat enjoyed it. The second listen was from beginning to end straight through and some of the songs started to blend together so I think that detracts from it a bit. R.E.M.’s influence on alternative rock is apparent even with it being their first album. You could tell me this was released in the 90s and I would believe it because it sounds like it fits right in. Easy listening, great background music. Best songs were Radio Free Europe, Laughing, and West Of The Fields. It’s gonna be a three for me.
Pretty good sounding, standard REM fodder. Would listen to again. Not much more to say about that. High 3
A good album, I liked Radio Free Europe the most.
It sounds exactly like I think of REM sounding like but a bit less refined. A solid debut to be sure. Review is a bit behind original listen
Not my favourite REM album
I only knew one R.E.M. song before this (Losing My Religion) and it probably should've stayed like that... this didn't blow me away
listened to 30/01/24 at midnight
An album that sounds like it was recorded in 1986, and not 1983. These minor timeframes make a difference when they are your formative years. It sounds like a proper album - a body of work with each song relying on each other. Songs such as Radio Free Europe come across as being a bit jointed on a Greatest Hits. I enjoyed sitting down and listening to this, start to finish the way it should be. Blimey, there's a bit of funk in that bass. A half decent debut.
This album has some great songs, and some real filler. I like REM, and this has hints of their later greatness, but it's never been my favorite of theirs.
Liked the other R.E.M album more. Didn't hate this, but Green had an energy this album lacks in my opinion.
Solidly normal good ish stuff, I just don’t think they were trying to say anything of substance?
fino, chill 3.5
Kao chill al nekak dosadno, 4-5 puta sam ga puštao i samo zaboravio da slušam išta lol
I enjoyed this album.
The sound was probably fresh when it came out but it felt monotonous. Still a fun listen
Oikein kiva kontrasti mumisevasta (jep) ja siksi synkähkön oloisesta laulusta ja jopa iloisesta vaikka mollissa kulkevista melodioista. Aika tasainen massa biisejä kuitenkin, mikään ei nouse kovasti esille. Kolmannella kuuntelulla olisi voinut jaksaa keskittyä sanoihin, niistä olis voinut saada enemmän irti jo heti.
when i first listened to this album i was angry. i packed my angry eyes; just incase. i was listening to the beethoven 9 scherzo and living every note. i was bartending with great rage and stocking with furious anger. and the fentimans sparkling did know that i am the lord. now im listening with the peace and breezyness which this album was wrought with. and its really steady. i know it was revolutionary for the time and i dont care. cam always says that certain albums are "alright" and i always snap back with a belligerent and beethovian intensity, how can music be okay? it is good or it is not! and i will only listen to it again if it is good! but this is the closest thing i have gotten to understanding that an album can be like this. its okay. i dont think ill pick this up again often but the want may creep up on me once or twice in my life and it will be a pleasant surprise to me. now i need a classic cam metaphor as a closer. damn this is hard. "this album is like switzerland. its very neutral most of the time, but contains distinctive sweet treats." something like that idfk
I like the instruments and structures of their songs, but I'm not a big fan of the main singer's voice. 2 songs I like from R.E.M are actually not from this album (Find the River and Half a World Away)
It didn't like me. Probably is a good album for others. It's not bad but it doesn't move me.
Good album, not great. Enjoyed it as I have never heard it all the way through.
It wasn't bad some songs I liked then some songs not sure on. But it was quite relaxing in ways
No bad songs in particular, but it all started to sound the same after a while, a very 'safe' album in my opinion, and I love the indie genre. Not their best album either.
Perfectly listenable album that has a very late 80s sound, surprisingly it's from 83. No huge standouts and I don't think there's any of their hits here (admittedly not an REM expert) so it falls a little short of expectations.
Good album. Easy listening. Takes me back to the 90's. Curious choice of album for this band - I feel like they have bigger hits on other albums.
fine, doesn't thrill me 2.9
3/5
Did not enjoy, found it repetitive
Definitely ahead of its time and you can hear how this inspired bands like the Replacements and Uncle Tupelo. I wish I found more of the songs catchy or very memorable. A few good ones but I wouldn’t consider this a “no-skipper” myself
R.E.M.'s 1983 album "Murmur" is often heralded as a seminal work in the alternative rock genre, but upon initial listening, I found myself not entirely in the headspace to appreciate its significance. The album's jangly guitars, enigmatic lyrics, and Michael Stipe's distinctive vocal style create a sonic landscape that requires a more attentive ear. While I tried to acknowledge its influence and recognise its place as one of the "1001 Albums To Hear Before You Die," I couldn't immediately connect with it. Perhaps a revisit is in order, as the intricacies and subtleties of "Murmur" may reveal themselves more fully with a fresher perspective. Sometimes, certain albums demand a second listen to truly grasp their impact, and "Murmur" seems to fall into that category for me.
All REM sounds the same
Like really really well made toast
Not a big REM guy
Empieza a sonar una cancion despues de 40 minutos que digo ostia esta si esta guapa. Habia terminado el album y estaba sonando otro.
Can see how it was very influential, definitely ahead of its time. Not my flavor.
Always liked REM. Have Document, Automatic… and Up. Don’t have any history with this one though. Passion transported me back to summer ‘91 with that guitar sound. Like an aural episode of Pete & Pete. Overall a good debut but not as good as REM gets. No real hooks or bops. Songs added to Spotify: 1
Always been a casual REM fan so I enjoyed this one enough, but it didn't resonate in any way (aside from Radio Free Europe, which I've always liked). Definitely felt a little repetitive, sonically.
It's what I expected a full REM album to sound like. Not bad, but nothing sonically that grabbed me and made me want to listen again.
Good album
It was ok but no note worthy songs so very little to bring me back.
Inoffensive
Not on Spotify
Meh
Nettes Album, coole Band. Glaube, dass ich keinen Song gekannt habe.
Meh
Godfathers of alt/indie music. You can hear hints of what the genre would become throughout this album. All that said, there were only a few songs that really stood out to me.
Déçu mais pas choqué
I like R.E.M., but I cannot listen to a whole album of them, the songs sound too much the same.
I think with a few more listens I would really like this. 3.3 for now
Jangly and bittersweet poppy alt rock. This is a solid debut that sets out the sound REM spend the next two decades evolving. The best bits are the hyperactive interactions between the bright clean guitar arpegios (great right-hand work here from Green) and the melodic Beatles-y bass lines. The singing and lyrics are in Stipe's distinctive style, but don't reach the heights that would come in later albums.
6.5/10
Not their best album.
Some killer tracks that show the future promise of this band, but some mediocre tracks too.
I wasn't feeling this and was going to give it a 2, but "We Walk" was good enough to bump this up to a 3.
Postpunk på den gode måske, tager garagelyden og blander med gode hooks
Fair
Jangle pop. Sounds like Nirvana if Nirvana did pop. Good car music. I liked one of their songs. 2/3 star
Pleasant, but not very interesting.
Not bad.
Good, not as good as others. Somewhat one dimensional.
In three words: punkish, folkish, enjoyable. A bit aged sound.