Document

Very REM. I don't know what they sounded like before, but obvs sorry recognisable here with their early hits. I like it. I'd listen again. Don't think I'd pay for it though. Three stars.

reasonable album. not entirely my cup of tea but it's very put together, cohesive, and well produced.

I've heard this album many times. R.E.M. is one of my favorite bands. Document fits in between their early masterpieces and their later pop-oriented (and more successful) albums. The band sounds great, as always, although some of the music (Finest Worksong, Disturbance..., King of Birds) seems like retreads of songs from earlier albums . Others (It's the End..., The One I Love, Exhuming McCarthy, Strange) are the first move in the direction the band would showcase in later albums. All in all it's a bit uneven. Despite my love for the band I'm only giving it a strong 3 stars.

It's not my favorite, but it's good. I enjoyed listening to it once more, but don't feel like I need to rush out and buy the vinyl or CD versions to listen to more frequently. One of the songs did lead me to go to a biographical play about Lenny Bruce while I was in NYC, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I guess that means a 3.5...

I cannot stand the voice on this guy but some of the songs were kinda fun 6/10

The back REM catalog is still so dense for me it is hard to digest.

It was alright.

gseh irgendwie viel smiths i dem. aso etz im erste song. er het e geeili stimm. han alli songs bis jetz recht guet gfunde aber au nüt wo mi umhaut, es tönt scho bitz noch 90er obwohls no tüüf ide 80er drin isch. schono gute. aaah its the end of the world kenni. coole song. nöd meh. the one i love au no cool, ich mues mir amel sege wie früe das isch für so alt-rock. bin etz bi king of birds und s haut mi immernonig um, sini stimm isch sehr eige und cool sie spieled guet und d songs sind interessant aber s isch afoch au nöd gnueg interessant zum mich mega mitneh oddfellows 151 dings isch chli hässiger, findi geil.

rem nanie glost freumi ahh es isch rdcht def leppard, fun oke und die nächste lieder sind sehr langwilig hahaha nöd schlecht aber sie laufed iwie eifach ok it's the end of the world sehr cool! find echli schnelleri pace tut am lied guet megaaa nöd zueglost wnl oddfellow no cool? hertists 3 sit langem

a solid album with some solid songs, the one i love is a massive fave for me, the second half of the album kind of melded together a bit much for me though.

Boomer/Gen X Dad rock, few catchy guitar riffs 5ish/10

After reading the reviews here i cant help but feel like I missed something, maybe I need to come back to this one.

While I enjoyed AfTP quitte a bit, this album doesn’t have as good songs. After listening twice, I can only recall one chorus. Boring.

Don't really understand the love for this record. It's R.E.M. but with all the charm and ingenuity stripped away in favour of a populist varnish. Michael Stipe's voice has always grated with me, so its foregrounding on this album doesn't play to the band's strengths. Namely, Peter Buck's jangling arpeggios. They're here but diminished in number. Maybe I'm being conservative, but I think Murmur is a better record than this. Of course, it being R.E.M., there are still a number of really solid pop tunes here (the singles, in particular, are strong). But despite breaking the band out of the confines of college radio obscurity, this doesn't sound like a group at their creative peak. Disappointing but still worth a listen.

You can hear the roots of grunge. This is a rare album that kind of peaks in the middle

To this day, Document had remained one of two early R.E.M. albums I hadn't listened to all the way through, along with Fables of the Reconstruction, which I hope to get to eventually. Document sounds to be a turning point for R.E.M. as they transitioned from jangley post-punk to a more pop-oriented alternative rock. Everything went downhill following Document, and in my opinion, Document was part of that downfall. I find myself disappointingly underwhelmed. Other than the two songs everyone knows, there’s nothing here that’s grabbing my attention. It’s not… bad, but it’s not classic R.E.M. 3.4/5

it was all right i guess

I enjoyed this well enough. It didn’t grip me enough to want to revisit it, or explore more from R.E.M. this was a perfectly neutral 3.

Sounds like a pretty classic rock album, but no songs in particular stood out to me

Felt like early REM

Not bad for REM who are usually annoying

Not half bad! Quite sonically similar, but great production too, sounds BIG, baybeh. Favourite tracks: Exhuming McCarthy, Disturbance At The Heron House, It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine), The Only I Love, Lightnin' Hopkins.

No puedo creer que me haya gustado un álbum de R.E.M. Igual tampoco la pavada

I’m not especially drawn to R.E.M. but this is a decent album.

Note the greatest, I still enjoyed it although I wouldn't listen to it all the time.

The singers voice is keeping this from a 4 but the songs were mostly pretty good. I enjoyed Finest Worksong the most

Mid but its got a few classic dad jams

Enjoyed it but found it quite samey. End of the World was of course the highlight.

Good strong opening song, the album tracks nicely compliment the strong singles released from it. Fine album from a great band.

Its ok, just not that in to REM

Good opening track

Fairly middle of the road album in my opinion. I think for my last review (Green), I summed it up perfectly. I want to like R.E.M., but I just think they are kind of whiney and it doesn't do it for me. This album was fine, but I am not going to seek it out on my own.

Solid 3! Good surprise with the end of the world song and a nice listen throughout.

I enjoyed this album a lot more than Green, especially with two of R.E.M.’s biggest hits on the track listing, but I’ve put myself in a conundrum. I gave Green a three and I think Document is better, but I don’t think it’s a four. It did make for a good road trip album and it does have the sound that you’d expect from R.E.M., I just need a ten star scale more than I have so far on this list. Mostly only coming back to this one for Its The End of The World and The One I Love, but I’ll be alright with the other songs coming up on a shuffle.

My dad used to play a lot of R.E.M. songs on his guitar when I was growing up. I never realized all those songs were from the same band. I loved them so much when my dad played them, but I really don't like the actual version. I guess I like R.E.M.'s song writing, but hate their sound.

It's the end of the world as we know it!

Didn't like it much but has some great songs

Not bad. Pretty distinctly REM. Some good hits on here.

I liked this. But I dont think im gonna listen again, so a strong 3

Not bad, a few standouts

Putting any one of these songs on and I would be fine, but as an album it annoyed me. I would not choose to listen to this again. So much of it is Michael Stipe's voice. It's not bad, it's just such a specific thing, it gets tiring after a while 2.5 -> 3

OK

Used to hate REM, now I'm mostly indifferent give or take a few songs of theirs. I'm pretty indifferent about this album as a whole too.

Yeah I'm familiar with a couple of the songs on here, but this music is just boring to me.

Midnight oil but without the bogan I gave Lupe Fiasco and Gun Club a 4 but not this, SUCK IT

It was either a strong 3 or a weak 4 and it felt rude to give it a better score out of pity Gives Sam Andreas vibes for some reason don’t ask

Always like the REM sound but this went straight through me. Fine, I guess? None of the hits.

представила как хорошо быть фанатом группы, когда новый альбом раз - и точно такой как ты и хотел, все эти гитары, гармонии, гнусавые голоса, сильные метафоры. непосвящённому нормально, возможно стоит в них погрузиться, но правда извне кажется что это бардовское творчество какое-то

Continues the band's transition from college rock darlings to mainstream pop rock superstars. Highlight: "Disturbance at the Heron House" (REM sound, but done well), "Strange" (the looser feeling works), "King of Birds" (martial drumming and Eastern sounding guitar throughout (a bit Beatles-esque musically))

Quite reasonable really. I wasn't expecting much. Although I know the famous ones, I had previously not been impressed by other tracks that I had heard. But this is quite good really. Got to be worth a high 3.

'LEONARD BERNSTEIN' I've been shouting that out without fail for the last 35 odd years since I first heard that song. This starts with the banging 'Finest Work Song', and is a solid album from start to finish. Not an album I turn to very often, but I know it's there if the mood arises. I now feel I was overly generous to Deep Purple yesterday as I want to give this a 3 too, but this is infinitely superior. That is the problem with scoring out of 5...

One of the few REM albums I enjoy. Really good pop/new wave at its peak

I know a few REM songs. A few good ones on this album. Some very interesting lyrics. Not typical at all.

This was alright. I like some of REM’s songs and I liked some of these, but not a lot of them.

R.E.M. is a good listen

Some good songs. Not as hard hitting as I was hoping or expecting. Not bad I guess, just my fave. 3 stars for avoiding that awful typical 80s production and foreshadowing the sound of the 90s.

didn't do a lot for me, but it sounded good

Sounds exactly like REM. All songs sound quite similar.

Enjoyed hearing this album again. Not their best, but Fireplace is a gem

Pretty good. You can hear Pearl Jam picked up influence from this.

Good but not great

This was better than yesterday's music. But still not a fan overall.

Finest Worksong was a great opening track with fantastic sound. Most of the tracks were pleasant enough and very REM. The singles End of the World and One I Love are still great listens. Overall, short, pleasant album, but nothing innovative or truly great. 3

Okay

This isn’t really my fave but I respect REM and their journey— sonically this was cohesive but kinda one note 😬

5/10

Went in knowing some songs. Ended up enjoying the whole album. REM definitely has a signature sound, and it really seems to come together on this album. Plus the hits definitely hit. Overall- good album, but not quite a 4 star.

It's aight. I'll need more listens to it, but i like some songs, others just kind of blend together.

Pretty good album although I prefer their later work. This is still pretty creative and chill vibey. I'm sure that I will be listening to some of these songs again but don't need to hear the whole thing again.

Another slightly different than what was expected at the time R.E.M. album. Nothing special, but the nods to country-folk and pop punk are nice.

pretty good but wasn't clicking for me

It’s The End Of The World As We Know It is a classic, but otherwise it’s not totally my thing. Good, but nothing I don’t think I’d seek it out.

Meh, REM just doesn't do it for me. I've listened to multiple albums

Fine

It's fine. Not my jam.

I'm not a fan of REM, and couple of the tracks were fun but the whininess of his voice is too much for me

Doesn't leave an impact

Album starts off solid with “Finest Worksong” and the hits “The End of the World” and “The One I Love” still hold up. Tough call on this one as the rest of the album was pretty middle of the road.

I liked One I Love and End of the World, but the rest either didn’t make an impression on me or were annoying

This could not have sounded more R.E.M. But only one standout really. Simpsons: Yes

certainly a good album. R.E.M has a clear style and musical genre flowing throughout. Each song had a good style and feel to it. The album would work wonderfully for a film soundtrack or background music however it didnt speak to me in a way that would lead it to become regularly revisited.

So, this wasn't bad. End of the World is an obvious standout. Not much to remark on, honestly.

Sorry if I ever gave the impression that I liked R.E.M. enough to warrant more albums, the list mistook my tolerance for enjoyment. Its fine, but no more please, Mr. Stipe.

Can we be done with R.E.M. please?

I had this CD back in the day, I really enjoyed it at the time, along with Automatic for the People. This seems edgier and sharper than Murmur, which I did not care for.

That was alright

I do really like Stipe's utterly unique vocals across R.E.M's work, and this could probably considered one of their high-water marks as a group, but I didn't find myself super invested. Doesn't help that one of the hits on this album has become a total meme.

beetje wisselvallig... paar goeie, paar doorslagjes van die goeie

some catchy songs here and there

It was fine

It was alright but I do feel like a lot of their songs sound similar.

Good, but not my favorite R.E.M. album. I feel like this album is all about the big singles and the deep cuts are rather lacking and forgettable. Key tracks: Finest Worksong It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) The One I Love

It's ight. Didn't hate it and didn't love it. Best - It's The End of the World As We Know It (But I Feel Fine) and The One I Love Worst - no bad songs besides some mid 2.75-3.00/5

Very good album, would be happy to revisit in the future

A very nice album. I was familiar with the top hits It's The End Of The World and The One I Loved. I don't think I've heard the rest of the album yet. I quite liked it. But it probably won't be on my playlist very often. 3/5

Unremarkable

Thisnis the most hot-cold I've run on an REM album so far. It has some truly classic songs on it, but also a few that just fall flat. Probably a 3.5. But I'll grade on an REM-curve.

I might have REM fatigue but this just felt like REM trying to be a bit more rock than alt-rock (especially Lightnin' Hopkins) and it doesn't work as well as the other albums we've gotten so far. And the horns on 'Fireplace' are epically bad. That said, even when REM is bad, it's still more mediocre than outright terrible.

The “sounds like Counting Crows lead singer” cinematic universe

-I really liked the first half of this specifically, the second was maybe a bit weaker but still pretty good? this is the second REM album ive had on here so far and i think I liked the first one better but I’m glad I’ve discovered them -Favorites are Finest Worksong, Welcome To The Occupation, and The One I Love

Exhuming McCarthy is such a Barbie Girl Bop.

Wow, this album is incredibly mid. His voice is interesting and some of the songs were relatively interesting, but very much a bore. 2.6/5 -> 3/5

8/12/24. I typically love REM but didn't like this album as much as their later ones. Still some standout tracks on it!

Out of Time was one of the first albums I proudly owned. The thing for me with R.E.M. (and maybe more specifically early R.E.M.) is that while the hits really hit, I find many of the other songs to be incredibly boring. Not bad, but boring. They do have a very particular vibe, but I think it comes out much more fleshed out and fully formed on Out of Time or Automatic for the People.

This is a solid REM outing with 2 awesome tracks: "End of the World" and "The One I Love". I remember discovering REM for myself via the "One I Love" video. I recall being home sick from school and watching one of the UHF channels that played music videos. And I remember seeing the video several times during that sick day. I definitely was hooked based on that song. It led me to buy the "Eponymous" album which is my only experience of early REM. From then on, I was an REM album consumer. So I have less fond feelings for the early REM albums since I basically went straight to the best of material.

Another good one from these lads

sadly didn't do anything for me... which is mad cos im a big fan of 90s REM. +1 star for the two hits

3.5 liked murmur better

+1 for “It’s the End of the World As We Know It”

Hey i knew a few of these

This was very childhood. Laura knew a song, but I didn't.

R.E.M. are the definition of shitbang average and I’ll fight anyone who says otherwise. Never ever heard a great album from them, each and every one is middle of the road safe soft rock with a belter or two sprinkled in. This is no exception.

I went to school in Athens and parents love them but I still can't get myself to like them. The intricate guitarwork can be good but never pays off in a satisfying way like Television does. It's alright and maybe the next album is the one where it clicks for me but not this one sadly. I think the closing track was definitely my favorite. Raing: 3.1

Somehow survived the 90s without ever listening to an REM album! This was very REM. Some great songs there but I like them better as singles.

I need to listen to this album a few times to fully enjoy it.

I’m learning that I like REM more than I thought or knew.

really boring alt rock (though tbf this is from the 80s). nothing really clicked with me if im being honest. i may just be the wrong audience for this because i can see how someone can enjoy this record but not me tho. i can say some songs are solid but rem just aint it for me. even those tracks are solid but also just ok. the rest of the tracks just dragged down the record even further for me. both side a and b were pretty equal to me as in both were just ok. overall its not bad but just boring and aint for me. 2.5 but 3 here personal favs: finest worksong

This is the sound I expect from R.E.M. Good. Always gotta love 'It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)'

Typical REM. Solid effort that is their signature sound.

I just didn't enjoy it that much. I tend to like that style, but I feel that very often (for all artists in the genre not just R.E.M), the songs just drag on. I like them for a bit and then wish they'd just stop. They'd be a great band if they kept all their songs under 2 minutes 30, but after that I just feel like slitting my wrists.

Det var fint

Hmm, very uneven. A couple of good ones, a couple of quite bad ones.

I love REM but I think this is a relatively ok album from them and don’t think it should’ve been on the list

Unremarkable but the end of the world as we know it is always fun

Alternative rock. REM is one of those bands I loved growing up, I’m not sure why. I still feel like they’ve got some of the greatest songs ever written, but they’ve also got plenty of forgettable tracks as well. This album is the same. A couple great songs, and a bunch of other ones that I forgot as soon as they were over.

definitely is a heavier rock offering than previous R.E.M., and it feels like the vocals are mixed better. Definitely has an alternative rock x post punk feel to it.

I only knew “Stand” and “End of the World” going in—everything else was new terrain. But “Oddfellows Local 151” stirred something weirdly personal. When I was a kid, my dad owned the old Oddfellows building in Erie, Colorado. It felt enormous, abandoned, and faintly haunted—a great dusty gathering hall with creaky floorboards, dark passageways, and closets full of forgotten ritual objects. Most memorably: a child's coffin, complete with an actual old child's skull, supposedly used in Oddfellows ceremonies. So yeah, that song landed a little differently for me.

Really like The One I Love, but the rest are all kind of background music for me.

some real bangers in the early going and some real cringe stuff towards the end. 5 for first half and 2 on second.

Musically it's solid. It's the End of the World As We Know It is an all time classic. The One I Love I've grown to appreciate over the years even though it has been overplayed. But Michael Stipe's voice irritates me too much to really love this band. Also I prefer Wire's version of Stranger over this one. Still a decent offering.

Pretty good

Decent album. Couple of stand out tracks

song reco: the one i love ⭐⭐⭐ another r.e.m album. it was good.

Not my shit Still a good and complete album tath create a genre

Ok

It's easy to forget how boring and mainstream REM became. I used to love them. Finest Worksong, brilliant. Makes me want to listen to Green again, which was their best record.

I always associate R.E.M. with 'Losing My Religion' but no song on this album comes anywhere close to that song.

In general, I'm not the biggest R.E.M. fan compared to other similar artists of their era. Their hooks and some other elements of their music is catchy and checks my usual boxes. There's something about Michael Stipe's voice that kind of grates on me. I did enjoy quite a few tracks on this record, but likely not enough to want to revisit this. Notable Tracks: - Disturbance At The Heron House - Strange - It's The End Of The World AS We Know It (And I Feel Fine) - admittedly I don't love this song, but it's one of their most recognizable songs - The One I Love - Fireplace - cool sax solos

REM is cool and unique. Also, not my thing.

two songs in the middle, sandwiched by stuff that is not popular, for good reason. not bad at all.

I love the hits, was surprised by some songs, and a little bored by others.

Hit after hit. This is the album you all know but didn't know the name. S'OK.

Pretty good. Knew a couple of tunes and those stood out...Probably should return to it.

Le daría 3.5, pero ajá. Está bien, las canciones se disfrutan, pero en ellas no pasa algo muy interesante como paran ser el centro de atención. Es agradable escucharlo de fondo. Suena muy americano.

ok

joa, REM ist halt nicht ganz so mein Fall

More my kinda thing. The End of the World is a classic. The rest not up to the same standard but listenable.

No me ha gustado mucho. Sólo It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

Not as good as Murmur or Green but End if the world is a classic. I also liked the one with the chorus about walking on coals but can’t remember the title. High 3.

REM is okay. End of the world song I’ve always found a bit annoying. Rest of the album is decent

I don't understand all of the critical acclaim they get. I think they are an overrated band with a handful of good songs, but nothing more. This album just reinforces my feelings. It's perfectly adequate.

Didn't find it all that engaging beyond the two songs I knew ("It's the End of the World as We Know It" and "The One I Love"). It was fine.

A couple of really solid songs make for an enjoyable listen even if alot of the tracks didn't resonate with me.

Meh not bad

A bit hit and miss for me. I like the later albums but can see mumurings of thier later hits. I always rank REM and The Smiths together.......not sure why...

good album.

2024-06-01...

This album is really good, it just is missing something. You can definitely hear how much it influenced what came after. Michael Stipe has such an interesting voice, truly unique and I feel like it isn’t talked about much. It almost feels like he’d be a poor singer but isn’t. Sadly too many songs on here are forgettable and samey. The hits stand out, so does McCarthy but the rest really melded together

Pretty cool 3.5/5

I don’t know, it’s kind of just another R.E.M. album to me. It’s fine.

I like R.E.M. okay and that's pretty much how I felt about this album; it was just okay. I honestly expected better but it wasn't bad either.

Interesting voice, likeable, but unfortunately somehow doesn't appeal to me. However, there are worse albums and I appreciate the craftsmanship.

The singles here are huge, but the rest of the album doesn't have the rougher edges I liked from their first couple of records.

Ben wel een beetje klaar met REM, maarrrrr vind toch it’s the end of the world ALs we know it en the one I love echt heel goed. Maar ga drie sterren geven ivm de herhaling.

Fireplace +++ Oddfellows Local 151++

This is a solid album. Most of the songs are palatable with a few highlights along the way. It doesn't reach the highs of superior albums, but the lack of clunkers makes it a nice listen.

They have some amazing one-off songs but I just can't get into REM albums.

Un album cohérent, dont les pièces se répondent, et où la basse est omniprésente.

pekne instrumenty

Nice, fun Rock album. Although I wouldn't consider this one of their top albums, it's still a good listen. Would be 3.5 if they did half stars.

5/10 very monitone

Welcome To the Occupation Disturbance At the Heron House Strange It’s the End of the World As We Know It The One I Love Lightnin’ Hopkins I find the pitch progression on the lyrics repetitive. the lyrics however are well written and interesting.

It's definitely an R.E.M. album which is clear from the first 3 seconds. While I can see why this would be a game changer and breakthrough at the time, it's not my favorite of what would be yet to come from the band. Solid tracks and certainly worth repeat plays but doesn't have the makings of Automatic or Monster. Standout Tracks: Finest Worksong, Exhuming McCarthy, It's the End of the World As We Knot It (And I Feel Fine), The One I Love

Nice album. I like some REM but this album felt the same as their entire catalog for me. Some great songs and amazing high points. But some very meh and forgettable in between. A solid 3.25

Distinctly R.E.M and I’m not a great fan but it was listenable with lots of familiar tracks. A passable 3*

Solid.

I respect R.E.M. Although they are not fully my kind of musicians, they kept their style throughout the years and delivered a lot of great compositions.

It's not a bad album, just never have been able to get into R.E.M.

This album was new to me even if some songs were not. Birds and snakes and aeroplanes, etc. I really love Michael Stipe's voice and the band's instrumentation and the general vibe on this album. Left of west and coming with in a hurry with the furies breathing down your neck. Some of these songs live rent-free in my brain slash and burn, return, listen to yourself churn. Locking in, uniforming, book burning, bloodletting. In general I liked the album, maybe except the two final songs. Light a candle, light a votive. Mountains sit in a line. Leonard Bernstein. It's a 3.5, rounded down to 3. Birthday party cheesecake jelly bean boom

Honestly, not too bad. "It's the End of the World As We Know It" was the worst song on there, but the rest were pretty OK! I'd say 3.5 stars, but I'm still in a bad mood from Beck, so I'll round down.

yeah sure

I like the songs well enough, but I feel like the last several of them just sound like The One I Love again and again

tell me why i didn't know "its the end of the world as we know it" was an REM song. either way, i love me a bit of dad rock.

My least favorite of the IRS years - feels like a band in transition that doesn't really find its new identity until Out of Time. End of the World As We Know It will always bring a smile to my face though.

All in all, a decent album and the source of two everlasting songs by them: "It's the End of the World as we Know It" and "The One I Love".

The album have good song, but none is better than The One I Love, this song is just so good, in every way, it is one the same veins as the albums, but it is significatly better i think. Musicaly this is some alternative rock, jangle pop, a bit like an american version of the Smiths, and this is a good thing. The album as a brighter side than the Smiths tho, more fun and with a cool vibe. Welcome to the occupation was one song that i enjoy, disturbance at the heron house too. Fireplace and kings of birds have very cool musicality and vocals performances Other than that i didn't find the album so cool or thta have struke me very hard, like i did not love it but i dont hate it either. But to be honnest The One i Love really ring the total up for me.

Okuuu. 7/10

Another R.E.M. album. Another album where two of the songs are bangers and the rest are forgettable. 5/10

consistently okay throughout, not my favorite

I’d like to give it a 3.5, but not a 4.

Proto-Incubus feel, I like

Always dubious about REM albums on account of their history. The singles were fine but the rest was a bit Meh. The algorythm threw up lots of better music from the period.

Couple good singles…the radio play they got. Michael Stipes voice is a little irritating if you have to listen to it for an entire album

I didn’t like that Strange cover.

I enjoyed the album about an average amount. For me, there were no tracks that I was eager to return to (although I did appreciate the Lenny name drop in "It's The End of the World as We Know It", the standout track of the record) but I can understand why it was influential and successful. Likely won't keep it in my rotation but it was a good way to start of my listening journey :)

I was previously familiar with End of the World As We Know It and The One I Love. They're the best two tracks on the album in my opinion. The rest of the album is fine, but nothing particularly special. Don't see myself coming back to listen to the full album very often, but the aforementioned songs are great.

Not what I expected the vocals to be? Like I know there popular songs but guess never realized it was R.E.M? More similar to Counting Crows than I thought, was expecting heavier/grungy, not as peppy. I like it, but maybe a little whiney at times. Listened in the car and a lot blended together. I like the guitars. Their bio mentions how R.E.M helped shift punk into alternative, I don't know if I can agree with that for this album specifically. Google categorizes them as "rock" and "folk" which i think is a bit closer. Top songs: Finest work song It's the end of the world

Some absolutely amazing songs on this. But the other less popular songs really blended together and did not do it for me. 3.5 is where I'd put it but I think I gotta go 3 since 4 should be reserved for no bad songs

Whenever an REM song comes on shuffle I’m never mad, but I’m also never particularly thrilled either. That’s how I felt about this album. They make perfectly good rock songs and this album is a fine crop of tunes. Good not great. Solid 3 Fav Songs: Finest Worksong One I Love It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

Some classic songs on this album. Liked this more than the other one of theirs I’ve listened to on this list. 3.5/5 Might listen again

It's the End of the World As We Know it is a classic obviously, some other good songs here too. Feels like a 3.5.

Other than the radio hits, kind of unremarkable overall. Stipe's voice has never done it for me but he is a good lyricist. Hard to believe this was recorded in 1987.

Some good hits and local boys 151 was a great surprise

Its alright

Solid album. Good songs

ok but pretty forgettable other than The One I Love

The most consistent R.E.M. album, although without the heights of Automatic. 3 apocalypses out of 5 ☣️☣️☣️

Pretty good. Pretty boring. I like two songs quite a bit but probably a 3 overall.

A couple of amazing songs, a good sound, but it's not their best album for me.

3.5 I haven't listened to R.E.M. much beyond the greatest hits, but I was pleasantly surprised here. Pretty enjoyable all the way through and not as samey as I was expecting based on the little I knew before. Nice surprise sax in Fireplace and Indian sound in King Of Birds. Exhuming McCarthy is joining the obvious in the regular rotation.

R.E.M. De band met die grootse uitstraling, maar die toch altijd saaie brave muziek levert. Ook dit album gaat redelijk ongemerkt voorbij. Veel van hetzelfde. En als het dan toch wat uit de band vliegt, zoals The End of The World..., is het eigenlijk slechter. Ok, deze band is gewoon gespecialiseerd in saai en braaf. Houd het dan maar zo. Als het voorbij komt, luister ik het wel. Geloof niet dat ik het zelf zal opzetten.

2024-03-08...

It was a decent album. I knew a couple of songs. It was not particularly a strong album. The second half struggles. It is not a 3 but I will round up.

I have a feeling that if this was the first R.E.M. album that I had heard I might have liked it a bit more than I did. Unfortunately I listened to Automatic For The People only 53 albums ago, and this does not live up to it. AFTP is an absolute masterpiece in my opinion, getting this after was a bit of a letdown. I actually re-listened to AFTP tonight because I was afraid I was over-rating it in my head compared to this, but no, that album is absolute fire. I think this album is perfectly fine overall, maybe even good. It's a bit less polished than AFTP, a little harder of a sound, maybe a bit more political thematically. My biggest gripe is that the sound is pretty consistent throughout to me, and very little stands out. The songs are mostly about the same pace, there isn't a whole lot that is really attention-catching overall. The one exception is the middle of the album. Song #6 is "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" and then #7 is "The One I Love". These are two of R.E.M.'s better-known songs, and for good reason. They're both great, and they carry the album quite a bit for me. I think this is a classic 3.5 star rating album from me, I'm like mildly positive on it, so I'm going to make a gut call on which way to go. I do really like Michael Stipe's voice, and he's really great when he's either letting it loose a bit or doing something a bit softer like "Everybody Hurts". This album was a bit more middle of the road on average and I don't think showcased him as well. One thing I will give them is that this sounds a bit ahead of its time, so I'll give them credit for that. There was still a lot of synth nonsense going on at this time, and they managed to pull off a pretty approachable (early) alt rock album in '87 without falling into that trap, so good on them. Favorite song: It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) Other: Finest Worksong, Welcome To The Occupation, The One I Love, King Of Birds 3/4/24

Ni fu ni fa, REM és molt repetitiu. M'agrada l'estil però fins a cert punt. S'ha de dir que "It's The End Of The World As We Know It" és un temazo. Expected Lorenzo Rating: 3

Fine. Didn’t blow me away

Hitazos! Se me hizo largo al final; pero siempre es lindo escuchar a rem

Historic album with a sound that is already very recognizable.

R.E.M. sounds uniquely like themselves, always identifiable - particularly Stipe’s voice. Generally good songwriting here - some good lyrics, solid hooks, enjoyable music. Some fun, some tender, serious, silly, upbeat, slower. It shows nice range in the band. Couple of excellent songs, couple of misses. It’s a well made album and enjoyable listen, but I’m not sure if the album sticks with me long-term. I was grumpy on my first listen and thought that colored my view but a later revisiting didn’t change much.

This was frustrating for me. I went into this album really wanting to dig it, as I feel like so many of my favorite bands love R.E.M. and I have not dug much into their discography, and I had a hard time connecting with it. The songs I recognized, like "End of the World" and "One I Love" are good songs, but most of it just seemed like kind of run of the mill alt-rock. I wonder if it's a sort of "Seinfeld is unfunny" problem where so many people have copied these R.E.M. records that they lose a bit of their uniqueness? Idk. I can see myself eventually returning to this album/this band and loving it, and cursing at my past self, but for now this is only getting 3 stars.

I know this album well, but it's not one I would normally choose to listen to. It was nice to play it through, but once every couple of decades is enough for me. I'm going to give it 3 stars. Back in the late 1980s I had a friend who was a massive REM fan and this was really their last great album as far as he was concerned. The next album (Automatic for the People) drifted just a little too far from their roots into pure pop music and then there was a gradual decline. Some of the hits on this album remind me of the incredibly dodgy night club we all used to go to on a Friday night when they had their alt/ indie-rock theme and REM would feature alongside The Cure, The Smiths, The Pixies, and similar bands of that era. Heady times indeed.

Solid REM album

Decent album, great musicianship but it didn’t feel particularly stand out or impressive Stand out songs: Strange It’s the end of the world

Again another album I feel I should like more but it doesn’t feel new or special to me. Just a well rounded band with some classics. Stand out songs : It’s the end of the world as we know it The one I love Welcome to the occupation

Whatever

tres moyen

Okay - not my favourite. Some great songs though. Enjoyed the second half much more than 1st.

As a broader fan of R.E.M I thought I would like this more, but the only songs really worth re-visiting for me are the ones I already know (It's The End Of The World As We Know It and The One I Love), which are obviously great.

It rocks pretty ok if you are in the mood. 2nd track is smooth. Late 80s is all I gotta say. Cheesy fillers though. 6 and 7 are legendary but not quite my taste. I enjoyed 8 more than 6 tbh. Lyrical and technical wise, ok I guess. Some tracks can be listenable on a few occasions

Favorite tracks: "It's The End..." & "The One I Love."

Fun instrumentals, big hits, not crazy about the singer Michael Stipe.

A few good songs but overall not super memorable

Only a couple bangers imho

Bra skit!

Indie-Gitarrenrock, oder auch Alternative Rock, zwischen Headbanger und Pop, dieses Album ist die Vorstufe der Erfolge in den 90ern, gut, aber bei mir zumindest, kein Bedürfnis dieses Album ständig hören zu müssen

Primajima

End of the world was wel nice ofc maar kwam er niet heel erg in

Lightnin Hopkins could be a Chili Peps song.

It's music. Not great, not terrible. There's a couple of timeless classics on here.

This album is the sound of REM. Some of it is a bit bland but some of the tunes are just a great mix of awesome music.

Me gusta, pero me faltó algo más de emoción en la música, un poco de riffs más arriesgados o algún solo de guitarra.

I don’t know if it’s because I’m in a good mood but I liked it more than I thought I would.

More fond memories.

Oh shit, both It's The End of the World As We Know It, and The One I Love are on this album!

Never been a huge fan of REM and this is the first time I listen to this album all the way through. It definitely reminds me of the 80's and still has a couple of catchy tunes.

Boring honestly

Nice album with two outstanding good songs !

Good, but not quite the vibe at the moment. Worth a relisten

It's an R.E.M album. It's OK. Played several times, it's a bit of a grower I think.

solo una canción se nota le faltaba un algo a esta banda para despegar

It hurts to say, but “The One I Love” and “It’s the End of the World As We Know It” carries this album on their backs. It’s a shame too because “The One I Love” is one of the most perfect songs to ever exist, and I wanted to fall in love with the rest of the album, but the rest never hits the same high for me as those two songs do. Sometimes the hits are the hits for a reason (and I’ve learned I have to be a bit pickier with rating these albums the further I get in). Will forever love Michael Stipe’s vocals though and I admire how political this album is. Solid 3.6/5 Fav Songs: The One I Love, It’s the End of the World As We Know It Least: Oddfellows Local 151

REM are by today's standards a dated band. However their fifth album Document feels relatively fresh and fun undercut with the angst of an alt rock band. Best: It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) Worst: Oddfellows Local 151

Exhuming McCarthy is a catchy one I’ve never heard before. Ah, this album has End Of The World and The One I Love on it. Yep, those are pretty iconic. I'm completely sick of them, but this album makes sense to me. Definitely enjoying all the rest of their songs on here that never became hits. 3/5

Fireplace is slow and repetitive like country and is boring

Something about Michael Stipe’s voice has led me to not listen to a crazy amount of REM. That being said I think it works pretty well with the instrumentals on the first few songs. Nothing really crazy special but sounds like some solid alt rock. Exhuming McCarthy is the first song that really stands out to me. Especially that one baseline. Kinda rolled my eyes when End of the World came on but realized I’ve never really sat down primarily to listen. Such a happy toned sad song. Feel like “The One I Love” was on a rock band or guitar hero. Another one I’d probably like a lot more if I hadn’t heard it a million times before. Another solid baseline on Lightnin Hopkins. Oddfellows Local 151 has some gothic darkness to it that I love. Overall I really liked some part of this album and wish I could give it a 3.5, but I don’t see myself coming back to it much except Oddfellows.

Enjoyed it, but wasn't one of my favorites.

I have never been a lover of R.E.M, and this album didn’t change my mind. It was perfectly serviceable rock, but it didn’t blow me away at any point. ‘End of the world’ is a clear stand out and I liked a few other tracks, but I also found some tracks to be annoying. The back-up singer really took me out of a lot of the songs, his voice isn’t good. Nothing insulting overall, but no higher than a six, but I have to rate out of five so three seems the fairest.

Overall I like REMs sound but probably wouldn't go out of my way to listen. It's the end of the world as we know it was my favorite track from this album (and probably one of their more popular songs)

Two famous songs, the rest of the album was interesting

A nice album by a band "everybody" knows.

It was fine. A lot of repetitive tones. The back half of the album is the stronger half which feels strange from a flowing and capture perspective. Would love to give half stars as this would fall in the 3.5 line but can't give it the 4 so it's a 3.

Good but not great, liked a few on there but overall not the best

For me this as an exceptionally average album. I didn't particularly like or dislike anything.

Heard of R.E.M and the classic Everybody Hurts, not this album though. Alternative from 1987. Slightly recognise “it’s the end of the world…” but otherwise all a bit new to me. 3.

Another R.E.M. record. Like every other one on this list. I'm hearing it for the first time and it already feels so familiar. R.E.M. is truly part of the our musical conversation in the US. This album was fine, but didn't strike me as being particularly great.

R.E.M. finnst mér fín hljómsveit en hún hefur aldrei verið í neinu sérstöku uppáhaldi. Fín lög og allt það en smella samt ekki alveg við mig einhverra hluta vegna. Get alveg hlustað á þessa plötu en líklegri til að gera það með einu og einu lagi, frekar en heildarplötu sem ég gleymi fljótt.

Upbeat and feelgood, enjoyed probably 80% of the tracks. If I had to criticise it, it's a bit samey. I was never really able to get on board with Stipe's voice but the musicianship from the rest of the band is great - not particularly complex but effective.

The album was fine to listen to, but nothing stuck out to me. Good background music.

Another one that's fine, but not as deep as it thinks it is. "Strange" has a fun Mountain Goats vibe to the vocals, but lyrically is the same kinda meh as the rest. "It's the End of the World as we Know It and I Feel Fine" is the standout, very patter-song. And "Fireplace" is oddly compelling.

Non amo i REM. Comunque, prime tracce gradevoli e ancora fresche dopo quasi 40 anni. Poi un crescendo di sonorità anni 80 (con tanto di sax). Non lo ascolterò di nuovo, credo, anche se disconosco la qualità e la marcia in più dei REM

Slow start for me on this one with the first song. It got better as it went on. Had no idea this where It's the End of World came from.

I enjoyed the songs I knew but was overall bored with the other songs.

This one goes not per sé out but is laf. De eerste helft dan. The end of the world blijft okay Fireplace saxsolo is nice Tweede helft plaat experimenteler in instrumentatie en songstructuur===> vele malen beter dan eerste helft. Dit is duidelijk heel vaak nagedaan,soms toch ook beter.

Very much the REM-sound and feels very much of that time. Seems like Maritime was heavily influenced by their singing melodies.

not convinced

mixed bag of warbling welcome to the occupation strange the one i love

Finest Worksong It's The End Of The World As We Know It The One I Love

No me ha gustado mucho. Sólo It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

Some great tunes on here. Not everything was amazing but a solid outing. A very concise album.

Mid

R.E.M. is a band I like but don’t love. Some good songs on the album, 3/5 for me.

Not a big fan of R.E.M., but this was listenable.

OK, but not my favorite R.E.M. album

It’s ok

As always with R.E.M. it manages to be boring and interesting at the same time

This one is a hard one for me to rate. It's undeniably a tight, well-produced record. REM is at the top of their game, and despite their best efforts, tracks just leave me with a sour taste in my mouth. I found Lightnin' Hopkins extremely grating on my ears. The verses of It's the End of the World plays in the tradition of Dylan's Subterranean Homesick Blues, but end up serving as a bridge to Billy Joel's We Didn't Start the Fire. But it also has a few all time great REM tracks. Fav tracks: The One I Love, Disturbance at the Heron House, Finest Worksong

About time I fill my REM blindspot. I've really been deep sleeping on them! A solid album, nothing more nothing less.

could i write poetry to this? y

I'm one of those sickos who likes REM's 90s stuff more than their early stuff.

Average REM songs

High 6 - Low 7

3.5

Short and sweet. Two timeless hits and a bunch of late-80s activism language. Not for my time.

p566. 1987. 3.5 stars. Quality jangly 80s guitar with some great songs and quite a bit of filler. Not their best work - see Automatic For The People for that - but still good.

Generally an overrated band

Rem - geht so, trotzdem interessant

Good, good rock, some songs were pretty forgettable tho.

It’s really just fine. I feel pretty neutral about it. It’s good just not my kind of jam.

I know understand why I’ve heard some of these songs way more than others….

One of my favorite bands from the late 80s/early 90s era. I should listen to them more outside of just their singles. High energy album with some thoughtful lyrics. A lot of what I like about simple rock.