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Document
R.E.M.
1987
Wikipedia
Reviews
Like a review? Give it a thumb up to help us display relevant reviews!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.
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.
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.
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.
Cannot stand R.E.M.
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"
Really enjoyable listen. Learned from Reames that your pronounce every letter when saying the band name.
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.
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.
Reminded me of how great REM was and I never even heard these songs before, except End of the World.
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.
Great Album First time listening loved hearing song from the past. Besides the more well known songs also enjoyed Strange and Oddfellows Lodge 151.
The REM most people remember. I grew up to this album. The perfect mix of mysticism, poetry and a little politics. And oh that guitar. LEONARD BERNSTEIN!
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.
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
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.
Enjoyed WAY more than I thought I would, I was kind of expecting weird weenie rock and got sick jams and great production.
Good album. Singles are stellar. Lots of great tracks sounding more 90s than 80s. Solid album front to back
It's funny looking at the plays on spotify, it feels like everyone just stops this album after "The One I Love" The first half of the album was pretty great, with "Exhuming McCarthy" a great hidden gem. Ya'll know what the best song is already.
Excellent album, flows quickly and production is spotless. You can see how they were a favourite of Kurt Cobain after this .
Really great album. I had never listened before and I was pleasantly surprised. There's a reason they are such a huge influence.
Weird how much of a Talking Heads/TMBG vibe I get from this album. R.E.M. lyrics were so on the nose and political. I never really thought about it before.
One of alt rock 80s jewels. They never did a bad album, and this one is one of their best
4.2 - Shimmery pop rock that fits snugly into the late-80s indie era and also signals musical acts to come. Michael Stipe's vocals are throaty, muscular and clear. The album starts strong with "Finest Worksong", coming a peak in the middle with "It's the End..." and "The One I Love."
Solid 80s rock with interesting lyrics and a good amount of variety! I like his voice fine overall but there’s a few spots where it’s abrasive. Might be benefitting a half star or so from nostalgia, my dad plays these songs so much.
A good album, really a record of it's era. I have fond memories of this album when it was new. I wouldn't put it on to listen to it now though - so only 4 stars.
It's the big popular REM album. The one with "The One I Love" and "It's the End of the World". But this is solid alt rock that I can get behind. Admittedly not very familiar with REM outside of the hits. That doesn't mean I can't enjoy something like this though.
Unos R.E.M. primigenios, crudos en su sonido aún a veces garajero y metálico, de reminiscencias grunge por momentos. Potente.
Not my favorite REM album but it has some nice classic songs. The first few songs are repetitive but it gets better.
Liked this more than I expected. Good structure, great lyrics, and honest presentation. That opening track is a ripper, too.
Really enjoyable, but most of the songs are a little repetitive. That being said, The One I Love is my favourite
Yeah pretty cool, definitely carved out niche for the Tragically Hip, 54-40, Hootie and the Blowfish and some other alt rock of the 90's.
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
Absolutely fantastic album. Stipe’s vocals and Mills’ bass are just killer. Not to mention the fantastic Beach Boys harmonies here and there. It may not be R.E.M.‘s best work, but it does pretty well to showcase all of their strengths. Besides It’s the End of the World As We Know It, highlights are Exhuming McCarthy, Strange, and The One I Love.
It’s a great album. They really nail their sound here and you can see how brilliantly the four of them fit together. The first half is amongst the best stuff they’ve ever done. The second half isn’t quite as solid, otherwise this would be a five star album.
Strong from start to finish. It has been long enough since hearing it that I now love End of the World again. I would definitely like to listen to this more.
Unusually cheerful-sounding twangy soft-ish rock. A bit generic but I wouldn't mind listening to this in most contexts.
Love R.E.M., though i think every album they released prior to this was better (recognizing this gave them a ton of radio play). Still some great songs... particularly like the peculiar Oddfellows Local.
Some great music that has worn the test of time. I definitely do not listen to this one enough.
This album encompasses past, present, and future R.E.M. It's all there. Nostalgic for me in many ways. Most likely my introduction into "alternative music" or what we called back then college radio. So, it's always going to be an important album to me persoanally. Still in my regular rotation.
Lovely, nostalgic for the early 00's, makes me thing of white men and moby glasses. I didn't hate it.
I don’t think I was ever the proper age to really receive what REM was transmitting in their hey day. Now that I am older and super fucking wiser, I’m pretty much delighted anytime I hear them. Even on the kids channel on Sirius where they play “Shiny Happy People” ever 12 songs. And yet I had never listened to this record in full. It’s pretty damn great. And, at least in this moment, I’m happy I’m old enough to feel that way.
Believe it or not but this represented the first time I've listened to an REM album. It's good! Rocks harder than previously imagined, more saxophone too. Might try to 'get into' this band in my mid 30s, which feels a little tragic. Not half as tragic as hepping oneself to ie 100 Gecs though
Love the harmonies in End of the World and One I Love - listened to the those songs in particular a lot on road trips with dad. Also love how tink tink tink ride gets incorporated into a few of the songs. The drumming is actually sick across the whole record. Big Billy Joel sax on Fireplace. Oddfellows Local 151 is a amazingly spooky unsettling tune to close it all out. Always thought of them as early 90s dad rock, didn't realise they were so prolific from early 80s onward. Close to a five star but not quite
Great. Very reflective of the times, both musically and politically. "The One I Love" and "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" are great.
Pretty groovy. Definitely could listen to this and jam out a little if it came on, but I wouldn't choose it over most of my current music
Nomás por the one I love sube un chingo. Rolón. Y sube más por el himno llamado the end of the world as we know it.
Pretty good! I'm not huge into Alt-Rock, but I'm glad I checked this out. I will say that I think "King of Birds" would have been a waaay better song to end on than "Oddfellows Local 151". I was unsure about whether to give it three or four stars, but "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" is a classic, and tipped it over the edge for me.
The pride of Athens! Solid album. A couple of tracks that don't quite seem to fit in but really strong and enjoyable throughout, and with the two big hits. Holds up very well after almost 35 years.
Did a REM binge a while ago, so this is still relatively fresh in the conscious mind. It's a bit of a bridge album – doesn't have the fresh looseness of their first few albums, and the songwriting feels a bit forced. But it is better than Green, which I (personally) think is the weakest of their pre AFTP albums. Anyway. I only now found out that Jefferson Holt got the boot for what may have been an alleged#MeToo situation. It seems that he got our learned friends to keep the matter nice and quiet. Shows how much my thinking has moved on from them days. I always assumed he'd be fast and loose with the double entry ledger... REM and "College Rock" will always be synonymous in my head. Unwashed, unshaved, reeking of stale beer and cheap aftershave. The audience, that is. I do not say this mockingly. I got to REM at a slightly more advanced stage in my evolution, but I had been that dude. Just with different music.
Finally an R.E.M. album. Am a bit biased here as they're one of my favourite bands and their albums are top quality. The first half is fantastic, all killer and no filler. Hard guitars in Finest Worksong and Strange, and great vocal harmonies in It's The End Of The World. The second half starts strong with The One I love but the rest doesn't have the same qualities as the first. Out of their 4 albums on this list, this is my least favourite, though still a great album. Also has the best apocalypse song ever.
I have listened to (and own) several albums from R.E.M. I can't remember if I own this one, which may tell you something about my rating. Most of the tracks are on my "I would listen to this again" list, and one or two are on my "I WILL listen to this again" list. "King of Birds" might be my favorite track, followed by "Oddfellows Local 151". "It's the End of the World..." is probably my least favorite track. The song has been overplayed, and the novelty has worn off for me. This is not my favorite R.E.M. album, but I still give it 4 stars.
Much better than Murmur - this was the R.E.M. sound I was looking for. A few big hits, but even the tracks I hadn't heard of were quite solid rock.
Document might be one of their BEST ALBUMS, and as much as I like it, you’ve already heard at least one LP from the list. Nevertheless, you pretty much have to be familiar with “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)”. (8/10) FT: It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine), King of Birds, The One I loveL
Oddfellows Local 151 is one of my favourite REM songs. “A fiery statement, and its memorable melodies and riffs are made all the more indelible by its righteous anger.”
A solid album with a few of their biggest hits. Not too long, just some classic jangle pop.
The album that transitioned REM's jangle pop to rougher guitar riffs that would influence alt rock of the 90s. Vocals are clear, you can finally hear what he's saying. Album overall pretty good. Pretty coherent and full of great tracks. I'd say that there are more really good tracks on this album than any other except maybe Murmur or Automatic. The first two songs do great at establishing their new sound. I love the synths, drumming, vocals, and solo in "Exhuming McCarthy." "Disturbance of the Heron House" is a perfect blend of their old jangle and newer harder sounds. Skipping "Strange," you have the two classic songs everyone knows. Main downside is some songs kinda suck. "Strange" is a Wire cover, and it's a little too busy and fast-paced for either Wire or REM fans to like. None of the songs after "The One I Love" grab my attention, and I feel like stopping the album after that. "Fireplace" has a nice synth and jazz solo, but it's so out of place. I like the psychedelic jangly sound in "King of Birds," but not much else to offer. "Oddfellows Local 151" pretty decent. Favorites: Exhuming McCartney, It's the End of the World
This feels very quintessential REM. I think if you love REM you'll love this album and if not, you won't. I don't really have any strong feelings one way or the other, but can recognize the musicality of this work, so I'll pump it up by one star.
A good solid 4. Strong instrumentals and I suspect there’s some clever lyrics going on if I put a bit more effort in. But apart from the awesome energy of End Of The World there’s no thing very exciting or out standing.
A great listen. I was somewhat familiar with R.E.M before but hadn't listened to a full album before, and I enjoyed every song. Easily 4.5/5 Favourite songs: It's the end of the world as we know it, The one i love, Lightning hopkins
Really enjoyed this album! Early garage rock but it's still bangs. Obviously knew the big ones and enjoyed hearing the hidden gems.
Obviously I’ve heard a few REM songs before this but I’m definitely going to have to listen through the rest of there music after this. They have a very distinct sound and it’s just great. It’s the End of the World As we Know it, is just a classic. Not big fan of Fireplace but rest of the album is very good.
One of the good albums of the 80's. It certainly marked a turning point in the band's career with more consistency and maturity in the compositions and arrangements.
Some songs sound like they should be on a country album, and not on an album of one of the greatest rock bands. However, the tracks that made up for it were my jam, so this events out to 4/5 stars.
Fresh sounds when compared from the other albums that I have been listening to. A significant statement against the man, political. - critical of US involvement in South American affairs... look up banana wars. Fireplace has a sleek Jazz rift - overall pretty cool but a bit too polarizing for everyday listening in my opinion.
As godfathers of the alternative rock sound, I've been meaning to delve beyond the singles forever. And while there aren't really absolute bangers beyond the well known ones here, there's enough going on in each song that meant I was into this all the way through. I wasn't about all the clamour over listening to thematic songs when the pandemic started, but listening to It's The End Of The World... at this point, with all we've been through, and still are, was a bit of a moment. With it being the pre-CD age, it has a typical structure of a particularly strong first half, and I think I'll return to that regularly, with The One I Love added on for good measure. Shout out to the sound of the drums, majorly satisfying to my ears. Every member of the band's sound is iconic actually.
One of their finest. Standouts: It's the End of the World, The One I Love, Finest Worksong, Fireplace. Really every song is memorable. 4/5
Oof. This album is a very specific time and place feels. High School junior year. I think it was the start of my "I prefer their earlier stuff" conception.
This album is the seed of much that came after. Hootie? Gin Blossoms? Toad the Wet Sprocket? The Wallflowers? I can't help but hear all of them here. Stipe's lyrics would make a radical professor proud and leave a weird, straight A student radicalized. If I hadn't been in kindergarten, it would have been a lot of fun to be in university in 1987 and playing this tape over and over for my roommates. They would all sing It's the End of The World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine) or The One I Love, then leave me to finish out the rest of the album while I draw my first anti-Reagan sign. There is something raw in this that fits college radio but not in a way that should be dismissed. It's like walking into a library with people studying in various corners--some stressed over exams and others flirting with someone too busy explaining the importance of a too-often-quoted philosopher--and you feel fine.
Rem makes another good album. Idk if it’s as good as the last one I got but end of the world as we know it is still a banger
A bit shocking that this album came out a year later than Slippery When Wet, Look What the Cat Dragged In and the same year as Girls, Girls, Girls. When viewing from that perspective, I have a lot more respect for the album as a whole. REM was pushing a new sound onto the airways, and if you listen hard enough, the tinges of 80s synth retro can be heard within a mellow rock album. Maybe not the most ground breaking album of 1987, but considering the noise around them, a noble effort at creating a new sound of the moment. Maybe with more makeup, blaring guitar solos and lyrics about girls they would have had more than 2 singles come off of this album...?
4/5. From start to finish, it is packed with great songs. I know this album well. Love it.
Another fine collection of R.E.M. songs. Maybe the first album where Michael Stipes vocals are NOT unintelligible hilighting what a fine lyricist he is. Side 1 is particularly strong with not a weak song of the bunch, plus huge personal props for including a Wire cover (is this the first time they include a cover song?). Side 1 ends and Side 2 begins with the two hits, which are both excellent songs. After The One I Love, we get our first run of less than stellar songs in Fireplace and Lightnin' Hopkins. (It's weird and a little jarring hearing a sax in an R.E.M. song). The album ends on a particularly strong note with Odfellows Local 151. Not quite up to the standards of Murmer or Reckoning, but a damn fine album in it's own right. 4.5 🌟
A band I'd always meant to listen to more, but never found the time to. The album starts off fire with 'Finest Worksong' and keeps on rocking from there. I think I actually like the other songs on the album more than 'It's the End of the World,' which is still a certified banger.
Its good and a unique enough sound, but not overly great outside of the one or two big tracks.
I always think of REM as a 90s band but with this album firmly in the 80s you can see how heavily they influenced the alt rock of the 90s and beyond. Great stuff
Ég er í góðu skapi í dag og þessi ágæta plata hjálpar til við það. Enginn R.E.M. aðdáandi í sjálfu sér, en ég gæti þessa oftar.
Dont love it, but pretty good. Welcome to the Occupation is fantastic. Closer to a 3.5
Just another subpar alt-rock album. Not something I would choose to listen to. To me, it is average. Nothing stood out to me.
Decent album, unfortunately my two fav tracks remained two I already knew: end of the world as we know it & the one i love, these three stars are basically from those two tracks alone
Fine, run of the mill R.E.M. It’s kinda crazy how mid or non important they feel as a whole while still having multiple generational hits that everyone knows
"the end of the world as we know it" album Solid flow, solid singles, decent album (not an amazing album either though) 3/5 leaning towards 3.5
I really love REM, however I did not love this album, felt like it was a delivery system for the two main singles on the album
Turhahko levy turhahkolta bändiltä. Remillä on joitain ihan ok biisejä mutta harva niistä on osunut tälle levylle. Kakkosen ja kolmosen välimaastossa keikutaan, mutta menköön kolmosena tällä kertaa.
Great album, marking a big step forward for REM. Contains the landmark song End of the World which helped to combine rap and pop music.
Was never a huge fan of R.E.M or bands from their era. I always thought their sound was just really boring, especially the lead singer's voice. I just can't enjoy them the way I do other bands. I can't call them bad, but I certainly don't like them either.
Kind of background music for me, nothing that sticks in my mind or raises emotions, but not bad either
I can't get into REM, as much as I've tried. However I enjoyed bits of this. The guitar sounds are good. The Wire cover does not work
Perusvahvaa suorittamista. Joskus aikoinaan taisi olla R.E.M.:n kokoelmalevy mp3:ina ja tuli kulutettua nuo hitit aika puhki. Ihan ok kamaa tuo muukin tuotanto kuulosti olevan, ei tällä ihan kuuhun mennä, mutta kolmosta tarjotaan.
I love some R.E.M songs but I perhaps don't rate them as high as others. I haven't worked out why yet. This album is the same with some absolute classics amongst more mundane numbers.
Listened to these guys before, and never loved or hated them. I quite enjoyed revisiting this. I like the slightly odd songwriting, which is tamed into a conventional song structure. The music is fine, but can go quickly from feeling energetic and elastic to feeling quite dreary. I'm not a massive fan of the singer's voice. Final track, "Oddfellows Local 151" is possibly the best track, unexpectedly. Never really noticed that song before. They probably belong on the list as a seminal alt-rock band, but it's a 3 from me.
quite jangly and 80s ofc, not sure the few songs I heard did much for me as I wandered around - giving Noah's dad the benefit of the doubt and will say it's a decent band / record
yea, i mean it's REM, it's good, and I appreciate it more at this age, but it's still REM
the ONLY reason this gets a 3 instead of a 2 is because of Its the End of the World. Otherwise, i didnt really enjoy the album a whole lot
The album that launched R.E.M into the mainstream. Two of their biggest hits are on this album, and the rest of the songs compliment the big sounds and heavy guitar punch. The lyrics are weird, the humor is goofy, but the music is so fun.
Good REM album with two popular songs on it…couple other songs were real good but with other REM albums songs all seem the same
It was cool to listen to a full album by these guys. They have a pretty interesting sound. I liked the listen for what it was and can see why it made this list.
I want to like R.E.M., but the execution/style just feels a bit flat to me. I like the themes, but it's played too direct. It's The End of the World is a good track though. Kind of the times though.
Gutes rem Album! Ich weiß, das Frühwerk etc… aber ich finde bei dem das spätere Werk tatsächlich etwas besser
Finest Worksong, End of the World, and The One I Love are sort of the tentpoles of this one. And there's good stuff here and there, but mostly there's just the indie REM vibe that works for me. I can have it on in the background and not want to turn it off.
michael stripe's voice really does sounds like a spoon huh. i liked REM a bunch as a teenager, which is not REM's fault, but if they could avoid that in future i'd appreciate it. fav track: exhuming maccartney
I sometimes roll my eyes at R.E.M., not so much that they're bad just that I never really saw the greatness so many others talk about. This was a pleasant enough listen, even the big hit that was played on repeat on the radio back in the day
eh, it’s okay, 6/10 I’m not a big fan of that country/rock sound that was big in the 90s although I will give this album credit for being ahead of its time, using one of the most popular genres of the 90s a decade early is impressive I just don’t like the genre R.E.M. does have some other cool stuff tho
Two big hits on this album, but can't help but feel that's what's carrying the whole album. Intro track was solid and track 6 & 7 are obviously classics but the rest of the album felt pretty flat for me.
Not bad, some really good tracks I remember from way back. Most familiar was It's the end of the world and The one I love.
Not overly familiar of REM outside of a few songs. Never listened to this album. Decent.
I can't remember when Michael Stipe's persona started to annoy me. I tried to put that aside and enjoy the album. Good songwriting, good tunes, good bass, solid tracks. Close to giving it a 4, but Stipe still annoys me.
The end of the world is one of my favourite REM tracks, but the rest is just average REM
Love the bassline on the end of first worksong, welcome to the occupation is fun and singable, and of course there's it's the end of the world as we know it. I didn't even know that song was on this album and probably wouldn't have thought to look at this one
3.2 - good listen. A couple hits here - “The One I Love” “it’s the end of the world”. Stripe’s voice is always a classic.
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. I didn't realize It's The End of the World wasn't a Great Big Sea original. I'm partial to their sped up, more manic cover.
"It's the End of the World as We Know It" is a catchy tune, but the rest of the album pretty much blends together.
1001 Albums Generator Day 4 My knowledge of REM is pretty limited: I like Murmur, prefer Reckoning, I have Green and find parts of it quite irritating, but otherwise I mostly think of them as a good singles band. Knowing that they love Wire, and cover them on this album, I wonder if the title is a reference to Document & Eyewitness; an acknowledgement that these songs are based on secondhand reportage rather than personal experience. Predictably, I wasn't keen on their version of Strange as it sounds bombastic and loses the creeping dread of the original. However, I suppose it was more appropriate to the "morning in America" period that its appearance masks the fear and violence within. Exhuming McCarthy is one I'd been looking forward to hearing. It's a stiff Motown pastiche with a really funny refrain that made me think of management self-help books and team bonding away-days ("you're sharpening stones, walking on coal, to improve your business acumen"). I also like the sampled speech and typewriter. I don't think I've previously given REM enough credit for how funny they can be. For example, The End of the World is We Didn't Start the Fire, in a style that pre-empted (and maybe influenced) They Might Be Giants. I always thought of Michael as really serious and a bit pompous, when he's obviously just shy. I get that myself, so I should have known better. There are a lot of references to fire in the lyrics, which is apparently alluded to on the sleeve. At the risk of sounding like the bit on AllMusic where it lists 'themes' and always includes "guys' night out," that made me think of illumination, anger, destruction, knowledge and the Prometheus myth. However, the late 80s production and Michael's often oblique lyrics leave me cold. On my first listen, I was enthusiastic, but by the second I'd had enough of his brittle, keening voice and tendency to write half of a good melodic phrase and then run it into the ground rather than develop it. As a rule, I prefer their more open, jangly songs, where my favourite elements (Peter's melodies and Mike and Bill's vocal harmonies) have room to shine and there's less of a sense of going nowhere fast. Having said that, I get the feeling this one is a slow burner and I need to give it a bit more air.
Other than the two I knew already (It’s the End of the World and The One I Love) didn’t really get into this.
A very good REM album, right in the sweet spot between indie and pop. 3 seems a bit harsh but it's definitely 1 below Automatic for the people
The REM sound is developing nicely. Enjoyed this much more than their debut. The End of the World is a great song. Overall on a first listen good. I'm terrible at paying attention to lyrics mind so can't judge those.
Not heard this REM album apart from the singles. Not their best, by their high standards, but still good
I understand the influence this album had on 90s music and there's 2 or 3 very good songs, but I know R.E.M. and I think they made way better albums than this one.
Great album, but I dont get why it's in the top. Certainly not the best from the band neither the most iconic.
No honest person can look you dead in the eye and tell you that REM isn’t boring af …but that End Of The World song is fun
I owned this as a student - an investment in a CD, I kind of liked it then but it wasn't a favourite. Listening again, 3 good songs, the rest are less interesting
hva skal man si annet enn at dette er R.E.M og at akkurat sånn høres det ut. Gitarer og han fyren som synger. Her har man jo noen hits, men de andre er jo nokså i samme leia. Grei skuring. Jeg er digger det ikke, men syns det er nokså ok.
Das ist ja mal gar nicht so gut gealtert. Gerade mal so drei Sterne, wegen It’s The End of The World und The One I Love. Die zweite Hälfte ist insgesamt stärker.
I liked the beginning of the album a lot. The songs starting and after It’s the End of the World As We Know It aren’t my taste. Favorite song: Welcome to the Occupation Least favorite song: It’s the End of the World As We Know It
Definitely rough around the edges (which are made of most of the album with the exception of the couple of excellent songs in the middle). But in hindsight, you can see where the greatness of later albums came from.
Rough finish to the week with RUSH yesterday and R.E.M. today. Neither band has ever really been in my wheelhouse. Despite that I made it through and while this is not an album I'd go back to listen to it was an easy listen. I can see where some bands I probably love got influence from this but it's simply not for me.
The music is pretty boring and his voice is so grating. Not as bad as it could have been but not great.
No me gustó REM cuando comenzaron, tampoco cuando salieron en los Simpson, y ahora, pasados los años oigo este disco y tampoco me gustan.
Feels like a 2, but maaaybe a 3 because of tracks like 'It's The End Of The World' and 'The One I Love'. Its alright but not that much of a game changer. Feel like if it wasn't REM with their reputation then it wouldn't be that great. 2/5 cos I'm just not feeling the rest of it
Not my taste in alt rock. Don’t love their big hits and the other songs aren’t any better. Started decent but never picked up. Fireplace is a bad song. 3.8/10
59. Bom dia, queria pedir a música esquema preferido, dos barões da pisadinha. dedicada a um feliz aniversário do tio michel, em paris, e a esposa adelaide. PARA A MARIANA, DE TRANCOSO, E FAMÍLIA, PARA A DANIELA, PARA A MÓNICA E PARA O CARLOS, PARA A DALILA DO RESTAURANTE FUNCHAL E FUNCIONÁRIOS, PARA TODAS AS GENTES DE VALPAÇOS, BEIJINHOS PARA A DIANA E PARA A TRUFA, UM ABRAÇO PARA O MÁRIO, COM MUITA FORÇA, E AS MELHORAS DO PRIMO DANIEL, VAI TUDO CORRER BEM. para todos os ouvintes e colaboradores da rádio forum boticas, parabéns pelo bom trabalho, e para ti catarina um bom dia de trabalho. ANDRÉ, SAPADORES MotA: The One I Love "The time to rise has been engaged"
“Document” by R.E.M. (1987) The political critique that permeates this album is faddish and lacks a sense of both proportion and historical perspective. Remember, it was released in the seventh year of Ronald Reagan’s presidency, when his “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall” challenge had not yet borne its full fruit, and the nightly news was all about Iran/Contra (yawn). And the pop left had not yet discovered that Joseph McCarthy was right (no pun intended). There actually were communists in the State Department. And the Department of Defense. And Hollywood. Look, young people, don’t embarrass yourselves before posterity. No, R.E.M. lyricist/lead vocalist Michael Stipe comes from the school of ‘let’s get political because it sells’ (“Hang your dollar on me” in “Welcome to the Occupation”). The reason it sells is that ‘getting political’ gives the artist an otherwise undeserved social gravitas, if one is smart enough (and he is) to make the references obscure enough. Yeah, it works. It’s a formula. But it’s bad politics, and even worse in this context, it’s bad art, at least in the case of R.E.M. Lead vocal by Stipe has an idiosyncratic (and thus interesting) timbre, but is a little unsteady. Ok, it’s very unsteady. And his two-, three-, and four-syllable diphthongs are like fingernails on multiple chalkboards. Drummer Bill Berry’s backing vocals are not good. Sorry, Bill. Your drumming, however, is excellent. Compositions are heavy on plain, guitar-friendly chord progressions, including some silly pop throwback (“Exhuming McCarthy”). As an arrangement, “Oddfellows Local 151” stands out as very good. It could have been improved with a soaring lead guitar solo on the outro, but that probably exceeded the limited capability of guitarist Peter Buck. Throughout the album we are treated to nice, if simple, engineering and mixing of percussion (especially the cool intro to “Lightnin’ Hopkins”), with clean electric rhythm guitar. Overall, there are very good production choices, with a few nice supplemental instrumentals. But one could listen to this once, and that is enough. 2/5
Not the biggest fan of REM though they have some great songs. Just kind of blends in with the music of the time for me and isn't something I'd personally listen to over and over again.
Whilst I enjoy some individual songs, at an album level, all of the songs sound pretty similar to me. I don't think he's got an interesting voice to listen to
I've got to say--I don't really get the fuss people make about R.E.M. To be clear, I enjoy Man On The Moon, The End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine), and some of their other tunes as much as the average person, but to me, R.E.M. is about as standard as jangle pop gets. The structures of their songs and their melodies aren't innovative in the slightest, merely competent, and the window dressing of skronky sax and minor time signature shifts on a song like Fireplace doesn't change that one iota. Sometimes, R.E.M. stumbles on a hook or two. And this pretty much describes Document. That said, this came out in 1987, and by the standards of that time, it's a minor masterpiece. The only giveaway that this came out in the darkest days of the 80s is the mind-numbing echoey backbeat that accompanies almost every song. The guitars have a bit of grit. The lyrics are unusually literate and intelligent. I like jangle pop. And, while Document is nothing to write home about, I do appreciate craft, and this album has plenty of it. It's a meat and potatoes pop album. But over the course of 11 songs and 40 minutes, it all gets a trifle dull.
Dull folk rock that lacks songwriting flair and arrangement craftsmanship. Stick to the Byrd's.
Juz po pierwszym R.E.Mie widzialem, ze z tym zespolem sie raczej nie zaprzyjaznie, ale drugi pick tylko mnie w tym utwierdzil, document to piaty album w dyskografii tej hamerykanskiej bandy z roku 87, tym razem troche mniej doomersko, ale nadal tak jak sie gra zeby sprzedac traka dla sluchaczy, wiec latwy odsluch na nielatwe tematy, bo plyta praktycznie w calosci traktuje o hamerykanskosci, a o czym zaspiewac hamerykaninowi jak nie o wspanialosci hameryczki, no oczywiscie o tym jaka hameryczka zla i niesprawiedliwa, wiec bedzie o hamerykanskiej wyjatkowosci, ktora objawia sie w tym, ze wtracaja sie we wszelkie mozliwe sprawy na swiecie, ktore nie powinny ich w ogole zajmowac, wiec interwencje zbrojne i temu podobne szyngenjansy, kumulacja tego rantu jest najpopularniejszy trak z tego krazka, czyli its end of the world as we know it and i feel fine, wiec to rantowanie zbieranie przez pol albumu zostaje zakonczone przytaknieciem, ze spoko, hamerykanskosc jest sprytnie polaczona z motywem ognia i spalania ktory przewija sie przez rozne traki, tak burza skojarzen z ogniem, to takze cienie, strazaka i tym podobne pomysly, nie bylaby to zla plyta, gdyby banda potrafila zagrac wiecej niz jeden kawalek, bo praktycznie cale 39 minut brzmi tak samo, zarowno instrumentalnie jak i wokalnie, chociaz brzmieniowo rozni sie to od ostatniego krazka, ale nadal jest monotonnie jak bylo, tym razem plyta byla nagrywanie w nashville, a co za tym idzie musi czerpac z tej hamerykanskiej folkowosci, ktora nalecialo juz tamto miejsce i czuc to sluchajac tej plyty, na plejke dodam wspomniany kulminacyjny rant, jako najbardziej znany kawalek z plyty i pewnie jeszcze cos sie trafi od rema podczas czyszczenia listy
I had a friend who, about 20 years ago, used to play REM's greatest hits all the time. I was not a huge fan of them back then; some of the hits aren't bad but this is my first album experience. I'm not shocked that nothing here has changed my mind on the band. It's the guys voice I find a bit annoying I suppose, and the fact I just find this music really bland. More power to the people who like this but I like a bit more meat on my musical bones. Ohh, Strange starts off a bit like a watered down Green Day song, that was the highlight of the album. I can appreciate the hits from this album; they are solid enough. There are actually a few other flashes in here that go beyond mediocre.
For what it is and what it aims to be, it is good. The band's sound and overall production quality is clearly a template for countless bands to follow and songs like 'Its the End Of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)' and 'The One I Love' are anthems for that time period. I just don't care for it all that much. I don't connect with the lyrics, everything sounds uniform, and I find it all a bit bland.
This was good, but not spectacular. Two songs I knew before (It's The End Of The World As We Know It and The One I Love), both I like. Nothing else really stood out - although Exhuming McCarthy was a fun listen for the lyrics. Would I turn this off if it was on in the background? Probably not. Will I ever think, "you know what, I really want to listen to Document right now"? Probably not.
The one I love was the only interesting song on this album. I can't believe it's on this list
I feel that giving it 2 stars might be a bit harsh, but at the same time I thought it was really boring overall, save for one or two songs. They've done much better before and after that album so it's a bit surprising to see this one here.
R.E.M. is one of those bands I hear about all the time but have never listened to, and I see why. This whole album sounds like the hits they'd play on the indie rock public radio station of the era. Some is worth listening to, but on the whole it feels like inoffensive alt music. || Spotify following this album up with The Police immediately after only confirmed my thoughts.
yeah this isn’t really my kinda thing. sounds too dated and country weird that was so painful to listen to
weakest of IRS period
My first REM
Classic.
1-10 this is a 3