Document

Interesting that this is the one that finally broke Stipe and Company through. Maybe listeners were just yearning for fire. R.E.M are forever on my list of Top 5 all-time favorite bands. Sometimes they're even number one on the list. Personally, I rank Murmur, Automatic for the People, Reckoning, and Fables of the Reconstruction ahead of this one. It's their first album produced by Scott Litt, and to my ears, the first full album where Stipe's vocals are firmly front and center - no more trying to decipher what Michael was singing about (and R.E.M. famously never printed their lyrics in liner notes, at least not until "Up" and Bill Berry retired). It still allowed for an ironic misheard lyric during "End Of The World". I know I wasn't alone in thinking he sang "no beer" instead of "no fear" (and frankly, I prefer "Uh oh, this means no beer"). The band's secret sauce has always been Mike Mills' backup vocals, which are also prominently displayed here. I love his "Time I spent some time alone" refrain on "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)". That song provides a better history lesson than Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start The Fire" ever did. It made me want to learn more about Lenny Bruce, Lester Bangs, book burning, and cheesecake. Mills' backup vocals shine on every track, "Lightnin' Hopkins" in particular. That's my favorite track on the album. First appearance of a saxophone on an R.E.M. album. It shows up at the end of "Fireplace". Maybe Berry, Buck, Mills and Stipe knew fire was the key to finally crack the Top 10 (it seems fire is mentioned on at least half the songs). This is the album (along with Automatic For The People) that rewards repeat listening. Go for the 25th Anniversary Remastered Edition, so you can keep listening to their Work Tour show from the Netherlands in support of this classic album. Everyone should hear the live version of "So. Central Rain" on that edition before they die.

As if the star rating didn't say it already, this was a dramatically more enjoyable experience than listening to "Automatic For The People." While I struggled between a 4 and 5 on this one, this represents REM at it's peak, IMO, so it gets the 5. It's the most benevolent blend of Michael Stipe — you can understand the words he's using, but I still don't know what he's taking about, and he's painting just outside the lines of his range and sweet spot as a vocalist. The pacing of the album is excellent, paring REM at its most playful (End Of The World) with its most earnest (The One I Love) — at least on this album — and it all works really well. It's also the band at its best in terms of sharing vocal duties. Whoever produced this did a good job with the talents of the band members. Bill Berry's drums sound great (love the gated bass drum on "Lightnin' Hopkins"), Michael Mills is used to his best effect, Peter Buck has loads of different guitar sounds going on — good stuff. This, for me, is where everything coalesced and it never got better for the band.

Cannot stand R.E.M.

I was rather devoted to this band in the 80s and into the early 90s. Always loved their style. Stipe is a heck of a lyricist and I like his voice. I'm still a huge Mike Mills fan. Bill Berry is so solid. I don't recall seeing or hearing Peter Buck's name in any discussions about great rock guitarists, and I think that's a shame. To me, one of the clearest hallmarks of a rare and special guitarist is I can tell who it is as soon as they start playing, and Peter Buck is in that small group of guitarists with a true signature sound. I am not interested in someone's shredding ability, hyperspeed, or whatever...I want to hear your unique voice, regardless of instrument. Love these guys and this is a strong album.

While not exactly my usual cup of tea, you have to recognize that this is definitely a well made album, even by today's standards. Timeless songwriting and production value that still holds up, even having been produced in the midst of mid-80's big synth/reverb fads. classic, for sure and glad I was made to listen to it again

England was slow to catch on to the REM thing, and I feel I sort of missed the boat because of that. If they had caught me late 80s/ early 90s, at my most impressionable I think I'd be a total fanatic. They are really good. I know most of the songs here, but had no idea these were from 87. I feel my youth was robbed of REM. Love it.

The godfathers of Indie Rock. I prefer Automatic for the People, but there is no denying the success of Document. Not many pop/rock bands in 1987 were adding dulcimers and watching the songs climb the charts. Stipe jumped the shark in the following years, but this album is solid.

Like most of the albums on here this album has obvious merit. It sounds great and the production and song writing were top notch. I tried to find a foothold in so that I could enjoy is with my heart rather than my head, but didn't manage it.

Has some solid songs, but REM doesn’t always do it for me.

I've heard 2 songs from this but never bothered with 80s REM on the whole, so kinda interested to see if this grabs me. First song is pretty cool, kinda heavier rock than I expected. The rest is really good, this is a great album. 4/5 easy. Would give it 5 but Michael Stipe hates Australia so gotta chip him for that lol.

Objectively this is a good album, the lyricism and instrumentation is brilliant. It's surprising this is from 1987 not 1997, what a pioneering sound. Clearly inspiring for the grunge alternative scene that followed, you can hear the tendrils this type of album left for artists to come.

Athens' finest. Been a big fan of REM thru my dad. First time I've sat down and listened to Document though. Lot of great ideas on here that make for a truly monumental alternative rock record. Favorites tracks: "Exhuming McCarthy", "Strange", "Finest Worksong"

Classic brilliant REM (but I'm biased - I saw the Green tour live back in ooh 1989?)

Fuck yes. My favorite R.E.M. album, and frankly, it’s not even close. It towers over the others for me. “Finest Worksong” kicks it all off in style, and it never lets up. So happy this is on here. 5/5

FIRE

Overall not completely amazing but this gets 5 stars for the fact that "The One I Love" and "It’s the End of the World as We Know It" are so perfect.

I've never been a huge fan as I found them a bit repetitive - maybe the sound of Stype doesn't quite do it for me. But this is a really good album with some great songs and very consistent.

Good album. Singles are stellar. Lots of great tracks sounding more 90s than 80s. Solid album front to back

Like american idiot but the 80s

Interesting mix of punk and prog rock, with arpeggiated distorted guitar riffs, punchy active bass lines, and shiny reverb drums. Vocals are flat and uninspiring, and melodies are barely present and muddied with nonsense lyrics and distracting backing vocals. Album really shines in the middle as the sound focuses more on driving beats and clear guitar work. I don’t understand the R.E.M. hype, but an enjoyable enough listen. Stand out tracks include “Disturbance at the Heron House”, “It’s the End of the World as We Know It”, “The One I Love”, and “Fireplace”.

Oh I already know this album. Fantastic

This album ruled. Really fun to listen, really interesting instrumentals, and the perfect voice to go with the subject matter and style. It is really funny to listen to "It's the End of the World as We Know It" from 1987 and compare it to today, when the world is considerably more warped then anybody could have imagined back then. Favorite track: The One I Love

HL: “End of the World”, “The One I Love”, “Finest Worksong”, “Strange”, “King of Birds” July 22, 2023 REM #3 Was thinking that, if I didn’t vibe to this album at least I’d have “The One I Love”. Well then again, REM haven’t yet steered me wrong

Early doors R.E.M. Brings back a lot of great memories of when I was first getting into them. Document is definitely one of the best from the “IRS Years” before they switched record companies over to Warner.

R.E.M. veering into pop territory seemingly by accident. Still has shades of their earlier artier stuff. Michael Stipe is more in your face. Mike Mills weaving in tasteful homespun backgrounds. Bill Berry offers his best performance with his impeccable timing, and adding darkness to the orchestration. Peter Buck driving this whole thing without overwhelming it. This feels like a band who enjoy playing together, no one is trying to elevate themselves above the music. Great production, almost too spotless. A fantastic album that I've always loved and I wish I had more time to write about it.

Reminded me of how great REM was and I never even heard these songs before, except End of the World.

Da bomb dot com

Thank god it’s about time I got some REM on this list and it’s my favourite album of theirs!!! It’s the End of the World As We Know It always makes me jump around like I’ve got a live weasel in my pants. I also try to sing along and only succeed at shouting “Leonard Bernstein” at the appropriate moment. That’s joy, kids. This album sparks joy.

I feel like REM are one of those bands I hear and go "oh yeah, I love REM!". And this album is pretty much 11 songs of me going "oh year, I love this song!". It's a bit jangly, it's a big proto-grunge, its a bit garage rock. Love it.

From the opening strains of the guitar, you know you're in for some solid rock genius. Definitely a top-25 rock album of all time. Every tune is good, the lyrics are great, and Mike Mills' backup vocals and harmonies are highly underrated as perfecting the overall sound of the band. Too many great songs to mention, but I'll just add that "The One I Love" is *not* the love song many of us thought it was. Oh, and I believe it was around this time that Rolling Stone proclaimed the band as "America's Best Rock and Roll Band."

Document No. 5! I love, love, love R.E.M. up to and including Monster, and then i just...... Don't. Luckily, this is one of their best albums and it is amazing 😁 5 / 5 stars.

For years I was a bit surprised to hear many people from a variety of (rock and metal) subgenres citing REM as a reference, as I knew them mostly for their big hits. Then I started to dig a bit, and was amazed by what I heard. Document is a good example of why people revere REM. It's well written, it's coherent, it's 5 stars rock with a nice twist, Stripe voice is great, and we can hear their influence in many bands to come (hard to come with a more proto-grunge song than Strange for example). I love the way they chose stripped down sound in the midst of the '80s craze for overblown sound. This is solid.

So many good songs

+ Its the end of the world as we know it + The one I love

Another great collection of songs!

Perfection

I’ve been to Athens Georgia, maybe that’s the difference. This is often considered to be REM’s best record. ‘87- the height of Reaganomics, AIDS fear. Yet, the Cold War was over, the Berlin Wall was crumbling and we were still in an era of civility at home- even if four more tours of Republican Tax-The-Poor economic plans were looming with GW Bush following in Ronnie’s footsteps. Recorded in early ‘87 in Nashville they began to experiment with new instruments. They starting recording the same week the Simpsons debuted on a brand new TV network- FOX. This was one of the first times in my life where ‘scandals’ loomed large- Iran-Contra affair, Jim Bakker and Gary Hart were both having affairs- a notable televangelist and a presidential candidate. I was younger than my son is now when this album was made but it still sounds valid today. It still is valid today. But this album is so cohesive. It feels warm. It feels Athens-y. That town is interesting to say the least. It is the definition of a college town- bars and kids and music and warm damp air everywhere. I spent one night there- it’s worth the tale if you ever want to hear it- but it ended with me finding my acoustic guitar (one that I had searched the tri state area high and low to find) at the back of a piano store: a Yamaha Compass Series. It’s still with me to this day. That was about 25 years ago. The album- this recording- has so much depth. Vocabulary- English and musical. It has this strange mix of hopelessness and hope that makes me feel like every song is “yearning”- and it’s up to the listener to feel whether it’s yearning for comraderie or solitude. Hold me or leave me alone. It’s also important to note that at the time Michael Stipe was still very much in the closet and the vibe of this album seems to fit that to me: look at me! But I can’t show you the REAL me.. I can’t imagine. Essentially I’d say this album has a few down moments but no bad songs. It’s an incredible record of a band that was on the cusp of becoming the first big ‘stadium’ band (and only) of its genre and its contemporaries. I would also like to point out that this is the album to point at if anyone ever questions REMs musical skill. There is a LOT going on and it’s a great example of a band fitting together perfectly. It may be the best performances of each of their recorded careers, especially Bill Berry. That man is so underrated. I’d give it a 9.5/10 so……..

I think this may be R.E.M.'s finest album. It's the perfect blend of their early rawness and later more pop-sounding music. A masterpiece. 5 stars.

The last great REM album! The writing is on the wall for what will come. It's better produced, less mumbly than previous albums, and songs like Exhuming McCarthy are starting to show some of that later pop sound they'll become popular for, but this is still a fantastic album showcasing all the reasons I originally fell in love with this band. Finest Working, The One I Love, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Oddfellows Local 151 all define what was great about "college rock" in the '80s. I may not love the trajectory they took once signing to WB, but the IRS years are undeniably one of my favorite runs of any band ever.

Document is a great example of a sort of album that doesn’t get talked about too often. An album that is overshadowed by the big singles, but is still really solid if not great. It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) and The One I Love are definitely the best songs on the album, I’m not going to deny that. But so many of the other classic albums that have one or two big singles that I’ve had during this process are so reliant on the strength of the singles that the deep cuts all struggle to keep up momentum. Document is first and foremost a good, solid collection of songs. Every one is memorable in it’s own way, whether the hooks come from the instrumental, the vocals, or the lyrics. This is the sort of album that people should try to write, the singles getting big because they’re good songs because all of the songs on the album are good, rather than because they’re good songs on otherwise middling attempts, or because they were specifically designed to get big. It’s clearly a labour of love, an art built from passion, and it comes through with how easy to listen to, yet instantly relistenable it is. I’ve made the observation before that I don’t use the word a lot, but I think it’s fair to say that Document is a masterpiece in how to write and structure an album. I love it so much

Great, a pleasure to listen to. I've heard a Best Of from REM quite a few times, but this was the first time I listened to a full album of theirs. I don't think there wasn't a single song on it that wasn't very good.

The 5th REM album was the first one I knew. They had a streak of 8+ five-star albums...

We'll, it has one of my favourite songs ever on it, and the One I Love too. Don't know the rest going in. I know people say REM were a huge influence on bands after them. I never quite got it, but the tracks that aren't the above are basically every American band from the first half of the 90s. And I finally get the REM leading to Radiohead thing. I'd give it a four as an album. But a five for influence. As that'd be 4.5, I'm not going to be mean, and I'm going to round it up. Side note... I'd completely forgotten that REM were a four piece originally!

Went into it expecting a solid 4, got won over even more by the lyricism and extra guitar work the whole way through. Is it possible REM has multiple 5-star albums?! I think this is one for sure and I know for a fact this isn’t my favorite record of theirs!

Listen To Me........ Love how prominent and well recorded the drums are on this. Not only a great album musically but also production wise. Document came out when I was in college and and when I had just broken up with my high school girlfriend. The One I Love hit just right at the time for sure, such a bitter song. 5/5

Their finest hour

This was a meaningful album for me

I think there is a strong case for this album being their best.

Enjoyed WAY more than I thought I would, I was kind of expecting weird weenie rock and got sick jams and great production.

I used to think that Michael Stipe was the best thing about R.E.M., but now I think R.E.M. is the best thing about R.E.M. The band works so seamlessly and enthusiastically together. It feels like their friendship and deep collaboration lends itself to an optimism in the music. Long live R.E.M.

A great record from top to bottom from a band that was growing ever more confident and both toughening and loosening up their sound. In positioning as a more traditional rock band, R.E.M. also expanded and enhanced their sound, with consistently strong and interesting results. The songs are all substantive, whether oriented toward the fun and crowd-pleasing or darker notes. Trusting himself, Stipe is all in on every song. “Finest Worksong” was/is a great opener, both in recorded and live forms (suiting the bigger arenas where R.E.M. had landed and where they delivered awesome shows on this tour ). “Exhuming McCarthy” just bangs while “Occupation” and “Heron House” and “Oddfellows” are shadowy and edgy. “Lightnin’ Hopkins” rips and burns. “King of Birds” is lovely and haunting. The hits were/are hits for a reason and show the range of creativity here – "End of the World" is the aural equivalent of the cover of "Sgt. Pepper's" and awfully good fun in a mod-psychedelia sort of way. "One I Love" has never been a particular fave, but its classic simplicity packs contained power and demonstrates that they could deliver in the most straightforward ways, as well as in sprawling, outre, and even flat-out weird modes. Full disclosure: one's a total R.E.M. homer, having grown up in Georgia in the same generation, seen a bunch of shows across several tours, starting in bars and gyms with Reckoning tour. Their last several records leave one fully unmoved (so one's not totally unobjective), but one puts their first five (or even 10) records, very much including Document up against any other band’s on an all-time list. 4.5/5

This album was a solid fixture in my brain when I was 16 years old. The first time I drove on my own to a concert was to see R.E.M., in support of this album in the fall of '87. I listened to Document constantly in those days, so it means a great deal to me and is tied to so many memories. But it's also just a great album to listen to, even now. Every song is engaging and memorable. Document was the album that first brought R.E.M. into the mainstream spotlight in a major way. The quality of the album is terrific, with the band going for a tighter, more accessible musical style than on their earlier albums. The cryptic/quasi-political/frequently confounding/strangely whimsical lyrics are a deal breaker for some, but they shouldn't be. This is really an excellent album from one of the most uncompromising bands in rock, playing at their peak. They also opened the door to broader success for a lot of alternative bands with this album, and I'm forever grateful for that. Fave Songs (All songs, in order from most to least favorite): Welcome to the Occupation, Oddfellows Local 151, The One I Love, King of Birds, Finest Worksong, It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine), Lightnin' Hopkins, Disturbance at the Heron House, Exhuming McCarthy, Fireplace, Strange

Great Album First time listening loved hearing song from the past. Besides the more well known songs also enjoyed Strange and Oddfellows Lodge 151.

Classic work from a great band

What an impact this made on me as an innocent teenager! REM came to me from another planet where I started to think about Jingoism and Realpolitik. Plus the prevalent dark southern funky groove. I was also mesmerized by the winding, braiding lyrical loops... "They've gathered up the cages, the cages and courageous, The followers of chaos out of control." "Throw the walls into the fireplace." "...point to point. Point observation, children carry reservations" .. and so on. Not sure what the scientific designation might be. But I'm sure Scott & Scott on “R U Talkin’ R.E.M. RE: ME?" ripped into that topic at some point in-between recursive episode bits.

Loved this album, REMs best work

Haven't listened to this since I obsessively listened to "The End Of The World As We Know It" back when Independence Day came out

I like the genre name Jangle Pop. I always thought that End of the World was really cheesy but when it is played in the middle of the album it jams pretty hard. REM has always been a cool band to listen to, something about the singers voice is very nice. Nothing super special though

I feel like this is a 2.5-2.75, but I was actually pleasantly surprised by this. The hits are true hits, so I’ll give this a 3. Good harmonies, good musicianship.

Nr. 110/1001 Finest Worksong 4/5 Welcome to the Occupation 3/5 Exhuming McCarthy 3/5 Disturbance At The Heron's House 4/5 Strange 3/5 It's The End of the World 4/5 The One I Love 4/5 Fireplace 3/5 Lightnin' Hopkins 3/5 King Of Birds 3/5 Oddfellows Local 151 3/5 Average: 3,36 Pretty good, but their style isn't my personal favorite.

After listening to this album I now understand why I can't stop mistaking REM songs for They Might Be Giants songs. Some solid late 80s Indie Rock with well-known songs like It's The End Of The World As We Know It (go listen to the Malcom In The Middle theme...), flanked by tracks with some surprisingly recognizable sounds. Think Butthole Surfers (Pepper), Beck (Loser), and maybe even some Barebacked Ladies - had no idea that this REM album proceeded all of those bands and their hits.

Not a bad album. Some songs I don't recall hearing. some good hits. 3 stars

Boring

Bad

I just can't get into the stilted, stuffy, self-serious vocals…

I'm not sure i can write bland for every review but I'm going to again for this one

no thank you i'm good

Excellent REM album

surprised at how much i enjoyed this— at least a dozen bands come to mind that borrowed from this one specifically too.

Great album. Starts a little slowly but really picks up speed toward the middle. Very much an early grunge album before ‘grunge’ was used to describe music. 9/10

Uno de los mejores álbumes de los próceres del “rock alternativo”. Con un sonido pulido que toma estéticas del Jangle Pop y el Punk, la banda demuestra por qué se estableció como uno de los actos más importantes del indie, y una de las leyendas más grandes de la música contemporánea hasta la fecha.

Really enjoyable listen. Learned from Reames that your pronounce every letter when saying the band name.

Definitive late 80s indie pop. Best in class for this kind of thing. Soul and dance beats, funky bass lines, jangly guitar, interlacing melodies, bookish lyrics. A lot of indie disco floor fillers here.

Muito bom

No thanks

Great album, includes two of my favourite R.E.M. tracks "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" and "The One I Love".

Just amazing to listen to. The non-singles are as good as the singles.

This is an all timer. Reminds me of high school. Also, great writing.

Solid album

Document is there to prove that R.E.M. is not all inaudible, absurd lyrics and jangly guitars. Okay, the guitar is still pretty jangly, but the lyrics are political and clear as day!

Solid album.

I have to begin by saying that I am a MASSIVE R.E.M. fan. Their first FIVE (!) albums before this are all perfect. Like seriously, there is no sign of weakness in FIVE albums. Insane. Even though I feel that this is the first R.E.M. album with any slight lack of perfection, it’s still amazing and deserves a full count of stars. I mean, it has two stone cold classics that aren’t even the best songs on the album. Who can complain?

This is a fucking great album! I was familiar with the big two singles, of course, but from start to finish this is just fantastic. "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" may be overplayed and joked about too often, but it's just a beastly good tune. I think the final two songs are my favourite, but I feel like my favourites may dance around this album with every listen. Also, I don't know how it took me this long in my life to make the connection that R.E.M. and The Tragically Hip are like poetry rock cousins. It definitely would have been interesting to have Stipe and Downie collaborate.

Brilliant. Michael Stipe manages to fit so much emotion in his vocals and the music is very catchy.

It's the End of the World as We Know It is is a gem of a song but the rest of the album is pretty damn good too

A classic!

Ich mag R.E.M. - 5/5

Psst. Hey, you! Yes, you! Let me tell you a secret. Please don't tell anyone. Even though I consider myself a big rock fan, until today I haven't listened to any R.E.M. album yet. I know their songs mainly because of various radio stations. Alright. What about the "Document" album? I liked it. I appreciated that it felt homogeneous, and created a whole. 4.5/5

baita som

Know this album! Quite good. Probably their third or fourth best record.

Excellent

love it

Liked every single song on this record. A strong album overall, and probably the best I've heard from them.

Brilliant, with a few tracks that are even better than that! It's the end of the world ... and To the one I love are stone cold classics. Also features the shortest review of another artist's album - " 'Standing on the Shoulders of Giants' leaves me cold" - obviously not a fan of Oasis's later work

Jangly masterpiece

Ohh this R.E.M. album I really enjoyed. It sounded great. Maybe I like the earlier stuff than the later album that I got.

One of my favorites from the 80s.

A brilliant album, among their finest.

Yes

Love me some REM.