Reviews (page 10 of 14)
I want to like this more but it just lacks edge.
I kinda wanted to like this I didnt
It was ok
It's pretty good rock music, but I am not too crazy about it.
Nice good to listen rock
Production missing an edge to hold my interest. Cool vocal harmonies on some tracks. End Of The World is honestly he standout. Honorable mention to King Of Birds.
I really like the guitar work on this record. The back half is better than the front half. Stand outs: The One I Love, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Fireplace, Oddfellows Local 151 (actually an awesome closing track). Is R.E.M. a radio friendly punk band or a punk friendly radio band? Either way, I don’t really care. When it’s on, I don’t dislike it but I never like it enough to go back to it.
This album wasn’t too bad. I actually liked it more than I thought I would. There were some good songs on it and I could see myself listening to this album again.
Gotta be honest, I was expecting more. The best song for me is the opening track “Finest Worksong” while the obvious hits “end of the world” and “the one I love” build up the latter half, the first half is lacking something to keep me interested for long. It’s good but forgettable
Teils interessante Instrumentierung, aber von der Musik her nichts Besonderes.
Good album. Couple of classics but not my fave
Not really my thing sound wise, but the topics covered by the lyrics are interesting.
I know these guys. Do enjoy some of their tracks not sure what albums they are off of. I am really interested to hear what an album of theirs sounds like. Very R.E.M music to me. nothing special or out of the ordinary that I would think an R.E.M album would sound like 4 tracks in.
К этой группе смешанные чувства ...
Première chanson sympa
Pretty nice album, enjoyed having it in the background while I was doing stuff. It has this R.E.M. sound to it, as if I'm listening to Losing my Religion or Everybody Hurts. Overall, nothing too exciting but it was an alright listen.
Ok. Inoffensive. No stinkers, though I don't understand why End Of The World was released as a single because it's easily the worst track on the album. Apart from the track that bangs on about business acumen! Though both are passable. They do lose a point though for their shameless rip-off of the Kiss classic Firehouse... sounds nothing like it ...and they gave it the wrong title! 3½
I like his voice. Some of the songs are great.
Rigtig fint album 3,5/5. Første album der gjorde de gik fra Cult status til bredere publikum.
A real mixed bag of an album, the middle section is incredibly strong with the hits off of this being the highlights, but the second half feels completely aimless and altogether a bit sloppy at times, almost like they were just throwing stuff together and calling it a day.
Well... this album. I think this was the first R.E.M. album I listened to, and then R.E.M. became endemic to my high school experience. I can honestly say this is not my favorite R.E.M. album, despite its impact on me. Automatic for the People? Murmur? One of those two. I want to say Murmur, but if I am being honest, I probably would reach for Automatic for the People first. What I wouldn't reach for is Document. It is super interesting to me that this is their "big" album. Most of the folk I listen to music with don't rave about this album. I feel like the general experience I have amongst my friends is similar to my personal taste. Although I don't think anyone would find this album objectionable. Although it will be interesting to read each others reviews. This R.E.M. album is super R.E.M.y, but it doesn't feel like it comes together like their other albums. This sounds way too vague, but something feels like it is missing from this album. Just a gathering of grunts and greens, the cogs and grunts and hirelings, a meeting of a mean idea to hold.
I like R.E.M. fine enough, they've got some bangers but the band as a whole never really hooked me. This album is doesn't change that; it's pretty solid and an enjoyable listen but didn't really sway me one way or the other. Musically, the band is tight here and Stipe is iconic, but it's not really anything you've never heard before. Standouts are "Finest Worksong" "The One I Love" and "King Of Birds" Overall, pretty standard. Not the best I've heard, not the worst. If you've ever listened to the radio for a day in your life you've probably heard "It's The End Of The World As We Know It" and "The One I Love" so that speaks to the legacy of R.E.M. and I respect the hell out of that, but this is a pretty solid 3, almost a 4 for me.
Alright. It was background music and inoffensive. I get why people like R.E.M, but for my they lack hooks and it all kinda washes past you. Probably why I like Losing My Religion most, it's the one you can most sing along to.
Obviously, It’s the End of the World as We Know It is annoying as, but overall, it’s a solid 80s indie album.
Well... this album. I think this was the first R.E.M. album I listened to, and then R.E.M. became endemic to my high school experience. I can honestly say this is not my favorite R.E.M. album, despite its impact on me. Automatic for the People? Murmur? One of those two. I want to say Murmur, but if I am being honest, I probably would reach for Automatic for the People first. What I wouldn't reach for is Document. It is super interesting to me that this is their "big" album. Most of the folk I listen to music with don't rave about this album. I feel like the general experience I have amongst my friends is similar to my personal taste. Although I don't think anyone would find this album objectionable. Although it will be interesting to read each others reviews. This R.E.M. album is super R.E.M.y, but it doesn't feel like it comes together like their other albums. This sounds way too vague, but something feels like it is missing from this album. Just a gathering of grunts and greens, the cogs and grunts and hirelings, a meeting of a mean idea to hold.
3.5-3.75
It’s all good, but most of it just sounds the same to me. End of the world still hits and unfortunately still very on point even almost 30 years later.
No real gripes, but also doesn’t feel incredible. Of course I knew the song “The One I Love”, but I don’t think it ever hit me quite like during this album listen. That is an all timer song.
A couple of hits on here. Saved two songs. There isn’t a dud but it’s not too memorable.
7.5/10 I enjoyed the first half of the album a lot more than the second half, with exception of King Of Birds but that could just be primary bias - surprised that The One I Love is the single on this album because it's oddly mediocre in comparison to the rest. All together i like the big drum section & the slap bass but there's just something I don't love about it. The End of The World As We Know it just remined me of the big bang theory theme so idk about that one. Song added to playlist: - Finest Worksong - Welcome to the Occupation - King of Birds
Reminds me of high school. I like their earlier stuff more.
Nostalgic, classic REM!
First half is a 5/5 then it tails off in tir second half.
Pretty generic “rock”, with some little flourishes that make it stand out from the crowd a bit. Very thin sound though.
I have listened to this album more times than I can count. While not my favorite REM album I still enjoy it. My old roommate was obsessed with REM and I had gone through their catalog. The band never really latched onto me as it had him, but it reminds me of frantically cleaning our apartment from half empty beer cans, bongs, and cigarette butts when his Mom would make a surprise visit.
ist halt so dad rock. am anfang so hintergrundbeschallung, aber "it's the end of the world as we know it" ist SO EIN BANGER, so, kannte ich halt, aber zurecht war ich am viben. Insgesamt die 2. Hälfte vom Album generell besser als die erste overall kann man das gut machen, is nix weltbewegendes aber yeah. wär so bei 2,5 probably
A couple gems but overall not as captivating as I had hoped.
One of the better REM albums
Decent
was good, but not very many dynamics.
End of the world and One I Love are both bangers, but I didn’t love the rest
Klang für mich wie ein typisches R.E.M. Album :D Nichts besonderes, aber auch nicht kacke und angenehm zum Hören. Mag man ihnen die "Gleichheit" der Songs zur Last legen? :/ 3 Sterne
Second half is meh
I love the political aspects of this album, but it doesn’t speak to me the way other REM albums have. I appreciate that their sound isn’t bogged down in 90s tropes. There is some of that, but really only the loud, jangly, rhythm guitar.
This is the second REM I got here, the first being Automatic For The People. Both great albums. This is an interesting album, what many consider to be the last early period college rock darling album. This is their last independent label album, and is sort of the start of their transition into stardom, which will be at full swing in Out of Time, two albums later. This album already contains two quintessential REM hits - The One I Love and It’s The End Of The World As We Know It, showing the bands ability to write their own brand of its hits. Anyway I don’t know. I like it but it’s not my favorite and assuming Out of Time will also be here I think this is a bit too much REM.
The album gets progressively worse until you hit the middle, where they slapped their hits, and the continues to get worse. I liked “Fireplace”, though. Whole thing was too repetitive, could have benefited from some better arrangement of the tracks. Split up your two big hits, why don’t ya? Oh well, pretty good, even if I’m not R.E.M.s biggest fan. 3/5
Very good but nowhere near Automatic For The People
REM have a vibe all their own. I could always take them or leave them, apart from some beautiful tracks on Automatic for the People. Michael Stipe’s droning vocals don’t inspire much in me. Strictly mid-level for me.
Paar klassiekers, voor de rest beetje zaagplaat
Some really good songs here, and the rest are decent too. Feels a little dated in places, but overall better than I was expecting.
Pretty good! I grew up with a handful of these songs and had some of their albums
I am not sure about this one I feel it gives very hunger game vibes?. I liked a few songs, so overall I’d rate it 3/5. It’s quite nice and I see why people might like it I am just not sure if I will, I can def listen to the songs I like again
Definitely an improvement over the formless mumble of Murmur. I like the jangle pop direction and I think REM pull it off well. 6/10
"The One I Love" is the clearly catchy standout track, as a kind of ominously cryptic, almost callous, view of relationships. "It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" is controlled chaos, a rapid-fire fever dream of cultural references. This is the album where R.E.M. stops just hinting at bigger things and actually starts becoming one of the biggest bands in the world. It’s raw, it’s tight, and it still holds up.
Boring pop-rock. R.E.M. deserves max 1 album if any on this list, and this is not one of them.
62/1001 - Nothing happened but it wasn't awful sounding.
Albeit, still not my favorite artists, this is some nice easy 90's alt rock fare that I don't mind in the background.
Stipe's voice when he's trying to sing "angry" never really does it for me. The slower songs were good, and of course "It's the End of the World As We Know It" is great. 3.5 stars
A couple of highs, but I didn't find it especially inspiring. Some great vocals lines, harmonies and counter melodies though.
This album is where REM jumped the shark for me. It’s arena, rock disguised as jangle pop… Really feel they lost their way as an underground band. I hear so much of Scott Litt in the sound, to the point where it’s in distinguishable from the songs. Were they intentionally going for a popular audience here? Or were they the victims of a studio system that knew they had something with these guys? In either case aside from a few songs that I do enjoy, this is one that never gets played, by a huge REM fan. “ disturbance at the Heron house” “Welcome to the Occupation” and their cover of “Strange” are deserving. But I’d love to hear them produced differently
R.E.M. are the band I most regret not seeing, so it’s always good to have an excuse to listen to them. Document is one of their weaker releases in my opinion, but it’s R.E.M., it is still really good.
7/10 Had to choose between a seven and seven and a half on this one. Obviously has the iconic 'Its the End of the World As we Know It' and some other nice songs - especially 'Fireplace' with it's fantastically jarring sad solos. Unfortunately I just finds the vocal style a bit.. corny? Is that just me? Do I just dislike obviously American vocals? Maybe 🤷
meh kind of annoying and sounds like the old white bands
I liked it enough. The hits were the hits and everything else aside from the closer, Oddfellows didn’t do a whole lot to really pull me in. They’re very consistent with their output though, I rarely hear a song that I think is bad. 3 stars
Just not my style really I liked the instrumentals tho
R.E.M is just fine, never my favourite band, but never anything I've actively disliked. I probably prefer their 80's work over what followed in later decades. My favourite hit of theirs resides on this album, otherwise I don't really have any expectations. I've listened through the album once before but didn't really pay attention. Viewing this as a fresh listen. Finest Worksong Classic alternative rock guitars. Michael Stipe's vocals could be recognized anywhere. Very serious, not very charming. Ends well. Not much to say about the production, the track sounds fine. Isn't spectacular but does nothing wrong. Decent. 3.5/5 Welcome to the Occupation I'm not quite in the mood for this type of writing at the moment of listening. It sounds good, the instrumentation is quite well put together, especially appreciate the drumming. The lyrics are decent I guess, has a good message. Again, very serious to the point of approaching preachiness. I quite like the vocals. Short, which helps as the song is quite slow. Fine. 3/5 Exhuming McCarthy Don't love the mixing. The guitars are a bit loud. It's a bit heavy handed, feels like I'm being lectured to. Critical commentary has it's place in music, but it's a bit exhausting to listen to in this format. Like the background vocals. Fine. 3/5 Disturbance at the Heron House I have no idea as to what the lyrics are referring to. I like the drumming, has a decent energy to it. The guitars are really boring. The bass is boring. The vocal performance is fine. Might be better if I took more time to analyze and pick apart the lyrics, but I'm not doing that on a blind first listen. Average. 2.5/5 Strange A different energy to the song, quicker tempo. Awful chorus. The tambourine is really annoying and loud. A bit pointless. Average. 2.5/5 It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) Very fun to attempt to sing along with. Iconic chorus, hopelessly relatable at times. There's a mashup where they play this song alongside Billy Joel's We Didn't Start the Fire which is really funny. This song is honestly a bit carthartic after feeling a bit on edge about world affairs. The interplay between the main and the background vocals is magnetic. It feels like a very serious song, but I do think the lyrics have some fun bounce to them where the clever writing does something extra to keep me invested. The song has shrunk a bit on me in recent years after covid ended, and at the current moment of listening (12th of March, 2025) I don''t exactly feel "fine" about what feels like yet another "end of the world as we know it". That being said I still think it's pretty great. 4.5/5 The One I Love The other hit on this album. Great guitar riff, decent bassline. A bit repetitive. A bir moody. Decently dramatic. I like it. 4/5 Fireplace The bassline and the ominous background guitar makes for a quite dark atmosphere. Decent rhythm. The saxophone adds a much needed break in instrumental composition for the album. The chorus is a bit abrupt and lacks a kick, feels slightly monotone. A bit of a sonic shift. Decent. 3.5/5 Lightnin' Hopkins Another new sonic direction. The funky bassline and the guitar feeling a bit separate from the rest of the track works surprisingly well. Good drumming again. Too bad the vocals don't work, they're a bit nasally for my taste. The chanting "ooooh"s don't really work either. Inconsistent. 3/5 King of Birds Eastern motifs are unexpected. Dulcimer adds some psychedelia to the track. Really slow, meanders a lot on the verses. Does to much to be calming and hypnotic, but too little to be engaging. Honestly leaves it being quite a boring track. Really goes nowhere. Average. 2.5/5 Oddfellows Local 151 Had to look up the meaning of the song. Comes across as smug and pretentious. The only thing instrumentally that sticks out is the bassline, it adds moodiness to the track which I can appreciate. Fairly standard vocal performance, a few eccentricites at the end sort of sets it apart. All in all pretty laborous and uninteresting. Boring 2/5 It's the end of the album as we know it (And I feel whelmed). There's a lot of quality here, but the album really isn't that engaging to me. Most of it falls into the category "artistically solid yet uninteresting" Instrumentally, vocally, lyrically, in any aspect the album does not make me feel anything that makes me engage with it. The few songs that actually do break the mold do so by either being simple or by having clever writing performed at a high tempo. Current mood might have affected my enthusiasm for the album somewhat, so I'll probably revisit it at some point. It got a bit exhausting by the end, hopefully it grows on me. Low 3/5 Fave track. It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) Least fave track. Oddfellows Local 151
Well made, some real bangers, some real duds though too. I generally like Mike Stipe's voice and the instrument work is super solid. I'd say a 3.5 just because of those duds. Really was not into a bunch of songs toward the end.
3.5
A good album but not the best by R.E.M. A few weak tracks in my opinion.
2.8/5. I thought there were couple good ones in there with the rest sounding pretty much the same. Very distinct vocals and harmonizing. Big fan of King of Birds with its marching drums and Scottish esque vibe. Also big fan of the opening drums in the opening song. Good way to start an album. Overall: not bad R.E.M., you’ve got potential
Brings back fond memories of Guitar Hero
Not sure why there's would be multiple REM albums on this list... One was enough, if it was necessary to have in the first place. I just got some new ear buds, and this was my first time using them. The first song had the volume all the way up. Almost blew out my hearing. How terrible would it be to have the last thing I hear to be R.E.M.? Anyway, enough of the REM hatred. This is a pleasant enough album. Good musicianship, nice production, solid lyrics. It's actually a good album, but I like their next one better. I'm sure it will end up on this list, as well. The hits are favorites, and I liked Disturbance At The Heron House. This gets a 3.
Ohhh R.E.M again. Man, I don't know. I'm just not an R.E.M guy. I like Finest Work Song and End of the World As We Know It but the album for me is just ok.
Just not my thing. Instrumentally I don’t find it particularly interesting, and the lyrics don’t really speak to me, with the exception of some of the classics on this album. End of The World still holds up thematically in 2025.
Absolutely unreal that I got this album the day Cyclone Alfred is due to hit my home. I like to think that End of the World as We Know It is on loop in people's heads as they sell out toilet paper, gotta avoid that cyclone-induced spitty bum. Really not a fan of old mates vocal style. I don't like that weird American country twang. This reminds me a lot of America's (the band) Horse With No Name vocal style, but over a whole album. The instrumentals were great, very fit for the time - but fuck me I cannot get over how annoying this cunts voice was. The relatively short runtime made it tolerable, but if this thing was an hour I'd genuinely struggle. This is my first time listening to R.E.M, and I must say, pretty average album. The hits off this thing stand out like a sore thumb (in a good way), but there's not a whole lot of substance past those.
Psychic warfare to anyone who has ever had a blue collar job with a site radio where the crusty old cunts you work with won’t let you change it off triple M or whatever your equivalent local classic rock bloke radio station is. I won’t say R.E.M are my favourite - not a fan of the vocals personally but I’m not gonna argue that it’s perfectly cromulant music.
Two saved songs. Reading a book about them which gives them a favorable lean. Didn't love the whole album so 3 stars. I may not be punky enough for them to be my shit
Is that 4 or 5 REMs we’ve had? Liked that this one was slightly heavier but I think I’m done and will just skip anymore we get.
3 maybe 4
This got a little dull and repetitive for me.
Fun Rock album, I quite enjoyed
6/10
2.5 but I feel generous so I round up. Alright background music. Not a total utter waste of sound waves.
This is VERY gen x, maybe too much so
Great album for its time. Definitely listen to it again
If you haven’t heard it before, check out Great Big Sea’s cover of End Of The World, it’s Celtic rock awesomeness.
helll yeahhhhhh this fucking sucksssssss
Pues no está mal. Un álbum típico de R.E.M., el primero en encontrar la fórmula que les lanzaría al estrellato. Como ya dije en mi reseña de "Green", R.E.M. tienen un sonido alt rock noventero estándar, lo cual no es malo. Supongo que, en contexto, se puede ver como un álbum pionero que sentó las bases de ese sonido tan típicamente noventero ya en los ochenta. Además, se hace fácil y entretenido de escuchar, y la producción es muy buena. Pero siguen sin ser santos de mi devoción. Aunque en la segunda mitad del álbum se ven elementos más experimentales, me parece un rock demasiado "seguro", por decirlo de alguna forma; una fórmula puramente radiofónica. Ni fu ni fa.
It’s rare you find an album with such a marked difference in quality. The two famous songs are really strong and very catchy. Everything else is pretty uninspiring melody wise and musically. I’m guessing we have the next 2-3 albums coming, in my mind this theme continues but let’s see….
Loved the ones I knew, didn’t mind the ones I didn’t as background, but would I ever revisit? Nah.
Hm, klingt gar nicht nach 1987, überrascht mich. Ok, diese ganze Alternative-Indie-Rock-Welle hat mich nicht erreicht. Aber das Album hier ist hörenswert.
I liked this album quite a lot. It has some really good songs and the rest aren't bad by any means.
High 3
Nerd music Singles are good
6/10. Добрые и плотные. Альбом все равно качественный
If yesterday’s album was a 3.1, this is a 3.9. Almost a 4 but their voice just doesn’t do it for me
Yep, that's R.E.M. alright.
First? 3,5 /5 Again? 3/5
I can deal with a couple REM songs, but I find the singers voice grating after a while.
REM songs are pretty similar to each other. I have no idea why there are so many REM albums in this list but it's tedious.
For some reason this one has never clicked with me as much as others from this era of the band. Some great highs tho
If you heard one song you've heard them all. Whilst I enjoy an REM song, it's all a bit much of the same. End of the world is a banger, and drags it up from 2 to 3 stars
A rather good REM album.
Has some good songs, but I wouldn't consider myself a REM fan or huge enjoyer. The music is solid but don't make me euphorically want to hit repeat.
it's the end of the world as we know it (and this was fine)
i like R.E.M…. but i can’t ever seem to love them 3.5
Muzycznie całkiem moje klimaty. Mocne, brudnawe, wyraźne instrumenty - ciężkawe riffy, dobrze wyartykułowany bas, perkusja, która żyje, a nie tylko wystukuje rytm w tle. To dla mnie ta fajna twarz późnych lat osiemdziesiątych. Tekstowo natomiast jestem kompletnie pogubiony. Czuję, że to album, który ma misję. To album, który chce coś powiedzieć. Wreszcie album, który jest na coś zły i chce ten gniew wyrazić. Tylko ja niestety w ogóle nie jestem w stanie zrozumieć, jaka to wiadomość ani nawet w którą stronę jest wycelowana. Gubię się w niejasnościach, aluzjach, skojarzeniach. Czuję, że tam jest sens, ale jest on głęboko przędę mną ukryty. I nie wiem, czy winą za to obarczać moją nieznajomość kontekstu, moją niedostateczną znajomość angielskiego, mój brak poetyckiej wyobraźni? Czy po prostu autor specjalnie zaciemnia znaczenie, gmatwa sensy i kryje swoje przesłanie za kurtyną niejasności? Muzycznie czuję, że dostałem kawał soczystej surowizny. Tekściarsko mam wrażenie, jakbym stał przed dziełami sztuki nowoczesnej i nie miał w rękach programu wystawy, który wyjaśni mi, na co patrzę i jak mam to zrozumieć.
Starting to see where those early nineties grunge bands found their influence. Haven’t got any strong feelings about R.E.M but I can see why they’re popular. Top song - Exhuming McCarthy
Not R.E.M.'s finest work, and reminded me of why I didn't always like them in the first place.
2.5 probably
..I really love R.E.M. but honestly? This one didn’t really do it for me, there were a few great songs, but it fell a little flat. The one I love and it’s the end of the world are still amazing though.
Easily forgettable
# Album Name: Document # Artist: REM # Rating: 3/5 # Comments: I was honestly expecting more from REM. Its a pretty bland album with 2 good tracks. Shame really. # Top Tunes: End of the world / The one i love # Would I listen to it again? No
This is surprisingly upbeat, if in tone, and not lyrics. I must have played it hundreds of times previously, without ever really understanding the lyrics. I' still not sure that I do.
Ah just fine isn't it. I didn't massively care. Some a bit annoying. The one about Business Acumen was a fucking joke. But broadly not too bad
meh, it was fine. Just R.E.M. ennit. All sort of sounds the same to me, but it's not bad, just a bit bland. I don't think they really do it for me but I can see they are good.
The End of the World and The One I Love are 5 star songs on a 3 star album.
Ok.
The first stretch of this album is really good. Like those first 3 songs back to back to back hit quite well. Where this album suffers is the long road of mid that follows this. My only real highlight from this part was the Sax parts at the end of a Fireplace. The closer is a bit of an uptick, but this album as a whole lacks some of the hooks heard in other REM songs. Fave Songs - Finest Worksong, Welcome To The Occupation, Oddfellows Local 151
Really fun album. This is R.E.M. after they were huge and were able to take a risk this album is very political but still has fun tracks like it's the end of the world as we know. If feels like a bit of a downgrade from their previous albums and would only go further downhill but this album is still strong
Never heard a REM album before just songs, it was great. 3/5
Solid. Singles are obvious standouts. Mike Mills is an interesting bassist. Mixed feelings about Fireplace, but has to be one of the most different REM songs I’ve heard (multiple sax solos?!?)
Good not great
Rätt tradig. Några okej låtar. 5/10
Fine
I have always liked R.E.M. and the sound on this album is their good - but nothing on it rises to their best. Many great songs later, I'm not sure they've ever topped their first.
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