Reviews (page 11 of 15)
They're ok
The hard thing to remember, after all the years and all the listens, is how fresh and eye-opening this sounded when we first got our hands on it
excellent
Hated the accent
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 always thought I liked R.E.M., but now I am questioning that. Maybe only in small doses. I struggled immensely with the singer's voice in this album. 2/5
Cool
Half of the songs sounded like the intro to the Big Bang theory, their style sounded very dated to me.
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
Loved this more than I thought. Brought me back to Independence Day (movie) hearing it’s the end of the world. Followed by the one I love - amazing back to back singles.
I liked this album overall - R.E.M. has a fairly characteristic sound on this record, and they pretty much stick to it. He's not my favorite lead vocalist ever. A couple of iconic songs pick things up toward the end of 40 minutes that I felt like were generally pretty easy listening, if a bit stale. 8/10. Favorite Songs: It's The End of the World As We Know It, The One I Love No particular least favorites
REM was one of the last bands that developed organically and not as some sort of Frankenstein assembled in a label’s office. They have some excellent work to their credit and some of it is on this album; but they couldn’t just entertain they had to preach and they’re such a bunch of hypocritical whiners listening to them becomes intolerable. Good riddance.
REM keep surprising me. Born in 80 I wasn't exposed to them until this era of their music. They stayed consistent while also pushing boundaries
tres moyen
Okay - not my favourite. Some great songs though. Enjoyed the second half much more than 1st.
Never been a huge fan of R.E.M. 80's stuff, altough this one is a pretty solid album and worth a listen for any 80s rock enjoyer. Fav tracks: - Welcome to the Occupation - It's the end of the world as we know it - Fireplace
Last listened on cassette. Brought back Memories
One of their best albums in my opinion.
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."
Not my type of music but giving it a try
I hate REM
Pretty mid older rock.
Classic early precursor to grunge packed full off catchy pop-punk tracks.
Fun instrumentals, big hits, not crazy about the singer Michael Stipe.
A few good songs but overall not super memorable
This album is from the 80s but it sounds depressingly contemporary, with songs about a crazy world teetering on the brink of destruction, run by right wing politicians and money grubbing billionaires who are “loyal to the Bank of America”. The jangly guitars and Michael Stipe’s nasal vocals have dated a bit more than the lyrics, but I still found myself singing along with and remembering most of the words to “End of the World as we Know It”
For years I was a bit surprised to hear many people from a variety of (rock and metal) subgenres citing REM as a reference, as I knew them mostly for their big hits. Then I started to dig a bit, and was amazed by what I heard. Document is a good example of why people revere REM. It's well written, it's coherent, it's 5 stars rock with a nice twist, Stripe voice is great, and we can hear their influence in many bands to come (hard to come with a more proto-grunge song than Strange for example). I love the way they chose stripped down sound in the midst of the '80s craze for overblown sound. This is solid.
Somehow this is the first full REM album I've listened to, though I've always loved Michael Stipe's voice and whenever a song comes on. Love it!
Only a couple bangers imho
Great listen. Some classics in there and the filler ain't too bad either
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
love this one
Primajima
Dit pas puur genieten, ken eigenlijk weinig nummers van dit album maar ga ze zeker vaker luisteren
End of the world was wel nice ofc maar kwam er niet heel erg in
Good album mid career REM. More pop oriented.
I wanted 3 stars but Goof demanded EXTREMELY aggressively! Has some proper good songs on it. Has a couple that are a bit non descript. We are on a coach by the way. To Wakefield
Hyvää ja hyväntyylistä rockia. Unohdettu klassikko: The One I Love. Parhaat: The One I Love, Its The End Of The Woeld As We Know It
Gostei bastante. Especialmente as primeiras 2 músicas. É um estilo particular, muito identificativo
R.E.M is one of those magical bands (mostly - but not only - thanks to Michael's unique voice) that you can identify imediately even if you don't know the song so that already makes any album from them quite special. I was surprised to learn that this album is from the 80s as it has real 90s rock vibes, mainly because of the punchy songs and political criticism in the lyrics, so this is evidence that REM were pioneers and ahead of their time. I think it's a great album, very diverse but at the same time consistent, and it has The One I Love which I love (pun intended). I give it 4 stars because I find R.E.M melodies a bit repetitive after a while but it's still a great album.
REM are the band that KEEPS giving. I love their big hits and even know some deeper cuts but haven't ever deep dived into their early catalogue. This album fucking ROCKS!!!!!!!!!
Better than many of the other more generic '90s alternative rock bands.
how did they predict covid in the 1980s ! it’s the end of da world
Gen-X alt-rock/alt-country rage. I bought this album in my freshman year of college, and it reflected my youthful angst about Reaganomics, neo-McCarthyism, and other forms of inhuman division. Scott Litt brought REM into a larger audience with this album, particularly "The One I Love" and "The End of The World," both good songs played. to. death. This was, in my opinion, a great work and also the beginning of the end for REM. Litt's production made a lot of hits for them, but they lost their way with Green and particularly their 1990's releases Out of Time and Automatic For The People. For for a short shining moment, this was REM bringing themselves to a larger audience, on their terms. A great, angry album.
Lightnin Hopkins could be a Chili Peps song.
Some bangers on this one.
It's music. Not great, not terrible. There's a couple of timeless classics on here.
It's been many, many years since I've heard this album in its entirety, but I enjoyed the re-listen more than expected. Looking at the track list made me think this album had a bunch of filler, but I ended up enjoying the whole thing. I'm certainly biased towards R.E.M. since Adolescent Kyle spent a bunch of money on their CDs back in the day of Columbia Records (or whoever ran those CD by mail catalogs in the 90's), but Adult Kyle hardly ever listens to a full R.E.M. album (and then it's usually "Green" or "Monster"). Maybe I need to revisit them more often, beyond the singles.
Hits are hits, but otherwise it's like pretty boring
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.
Was a huge R.E.M. fan back in the day. Loved this and still love it.
Soundtrack of senior year of high school!
More fond memories.
R.E.M. is one of those bands whose songs I know well but I've never actually listened to an album. This was really good, familiar and yet new. If I took the time to really listen to the lyrics I'm sure I"d appreciate them even more.
Some good hooks in here. I like Disturbance at the Heron House. Couple big hits in It's the End of the World As We Know It and The One I Love. Strong stuff.
Easy listening, and I mean that in the best way. Lots of fun, love their style. My mom used to always say that she wants me to throw her ashes on the lead singer of R.E.M when she dies. Because my mom loves them, and I think we listened to this album when I was growing up, this is deeply comforting and enjoyable to me.
Gear: Aür Audio Aurora Mix: 🤷♂️ Musik: TREFFER! Kaum eine Band lässt mich so schnell den Raum oder Freundeskreis verlassen wie R.E.M. Wertung: 💀/5
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
Now this is the REM that I know. Funny how I got two of their albums two days in a row. Certainly a bit more refined for their 5th album, they really focused in on their personal sound and the best ways to present it
Meilenstein!
A fiery energetic foray into the mainstream. Still jangly but a little harder.
This is definitely one of the better R.E.M. albums but that said, I'm just not all that excited about jangly pop songs.
I was a little late to the party with R.E.M. I never disliked them, I just didn't spend enough time actively listening to them to appreciate how good they are. This one is definitely something of a landmark in their career, marking a shift in style and their biggest success up to that point. There are some absolutely classic songs here. Overall, not my favorite work of theirs, but definitely a solid effort.
Nice album with two outstanding good songs !
Good, but not quite the vibe at the moment. Worth a relisten
Da ga meg lite
It's an R.E.M album. It's OK. Played several times, it's a bit of a grower I think.
Solid work.
Solid album, includes the hits
solo una canción se nota le faltaba un algo a esta banda para despegar
The One I Love and The End of the World As We Know It are classics!
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
Zeikerig
Geen Losing my religion? Nu al bagger! Nee dit album ken ik natuurlijk niet, en buiten de grootste R.E.M. hits zijn ze voor mij ook onbekend. Het album is voor mij dan ook grotendeels generieke rock. Ik word er niet warm of koud van. It's the end of the world as we know it(And I feel fine) doet niet alleen een poging om de langste titel ooit te zijn, maar doorbreekt het album met iets meer fun. Daarna kom ik er achter dat The One I love ook een grote hit was! Nice! Helaas is voor mij de rest echt best wel saai. FAVO: It;s the end of the world as we know it, The one I love
Easy to bop to.
This was even better than I remembered
Nr. 110/1001 Finest Worksong 4/5 Welcome to the Occupation 3/5 Exhuming McCarthy 3/5 Disturbance At The Heron's House 4/5 Strange 3/5 It's The End of the World 4/5 The One I Love 4/5 Fireplace 3/5 Lightnin' Hopkins 3/5 King Of Birds 3/5 Oddfellows Local 151 3/5 Average: 3,36 Pretty good, but their style isn't my personal favorite.
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
Haven't listened to this since I obsessively listened to "The End Of The World As We Know It" back when Independence Day came out
I've never been a huge fan as I found them a bit repetitive - maybe the sound of Stype doesn't quite do it for me. But this is a really good album with some great songs and very consistent.
Very strong! Every song is perfect
Like most of the albums on here this album has obvious merit. It sounds great and the production and song writing were top notch. I tried to find a foothold in so that I could enjoy is with my heart rather than my head, but didn't manage it.
Objectively this is a good album, the lyricism and instrumentation is brilliant. It's surprising this is from 1987 not 1997, what a pioneering sound. Clearly inspiring for the grunge alternative scene that followed, you can hear the tendrils this type of album left for artists to come.
One of the best sounding REM albums and three huge singles. Signature REM sound captured.
The godfathers of Indie Rock. I prefer Automatic for the People, but there is no denying the success of Document. Not many pop/rock bands in 1987 were adding dulcimers and watching the songs climb the charts. Stipe jumped the shark in the following years, but this album is solid.
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
I feel like this is a 2.5-2.75, but I was actually pleasantly surprised by this. The hits are true hits, so I’ll give this a 3. Good harmonies, good musicianship.
Rock, 1987 ->4
First listen (with exception of End of the World as We Know It) Excellent political commentary across the whole album. I should really check out more R.E.M.
Interesting mix of punk and prog rock, with arpeggiated distorted guitar riffs, punchy active bass lines, and shiny reverb drums. Vocals are flat and uninspiring, and melodies are barely present and muddied with nonsense lyrics and distracting backing vocals. Album really shines in the middle as the sound focuses more on driving beats and clear guitar work. I don’t understand the R.E.M. hype, but an enjoyable enough listen. Stand out tracks include “Disturbance at the Heron House”, “It’s the End of the World as We Know It”, “The One I Love”, and “Fireplace”.
After listening to this album I now understand why I can't stop mistaking REM songs for They Might Be Giants songs. Some solid late 80s Indie Rock with well-known songs like It's The End Of The World As We Know It (go listen to the Malcom In The Middle theme...), flanked by tracks with some surprisingly recognizable sounds. Think Butthole Surfers (Pepper), Beck (Loser), and maybe even some Barebacked Ladies - had no idea that this REM album proceeded all of those bands and their hits.
Fireplace is slow and repetitive like country and is boring
Among my favorite REM albums
Memories!
REM at their most rocking.
There are classic songs on here but also some decent tracks i didn’t expect from REM! Important for its time for sure.
Solid album. The One I Love was the song that got me into R.E.M. Still, probably 3-4 other albums I'd pick to listen to over this one from them.
Extra star for the sax solo. Not something I’d listen to on repeat, or often. Throw a couple songs in a mixed playlist; I’m good, no skipping. 🤣
Like american idiot but the 80s
Listened Before? No Never really felt like I needed more R.E.M. in my life, but that Green album was pretty solid and a year after this one. We shall see. Mixing on the Finest Worksong is very spread out. Drums give the sense that they were recorded in a huge hall, while everything else is much more forward and clear. Song is a low-key jam, especially during the outro, which feels like it would segue into an elongated jam sesh in a live setting. End of the World and The One I Love are timeless classics. Great pop rock. Lightnin' Hopkins gives some serious RHCP meets slide guitar vibes with the snarled vocals and meaty ass bassline. Really liked Oddfellows Local 151 as well. After a single listen mostly in the background, this is erring towards a solid 4. I found the songwriting to be generally solid and was grooving along at multiple points. Second listen leaves me in about the same place. I don't LOVE everything about this album, but I think it is entirely solid and well-done. Added to Library? Yes
Not a bad album. Some songs I don't recall hearing. some good hits. 3 stars
There's something about REMs vocals that sound cheesy to me. A couple of songs I recognized, but pretty boring honestly. The last song was a pretty lame song to end the whole thing on. Seemed like this album had some doom & gloom themes to it that I didn't really jive with. Was disappointed in this one.
I like the genre name Jangle Pop. I always thought that End of the World was really cheesy but when it is played in the middle of the album it jams pretty hard. REM has always been a cool band to listen to, something about the singers voice is very nice. Nothing super special though
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.
Kind of retro, but good tunes, more garage bandy-REM.
Enjoyed it, but wasn't one of my favorites.
It's the end of the world as we know it...and I feel fine... Don't listen much to REM, but this album has a history as the theme of our end of the world party in 1999 lol.
Yessss, I was feeling like R.E.M. today. Didn't really know their earlier work.
8/10
grew up on this, great memories
Good album. Haunting lyrics. Refreshingly original music.
Lenny Bruce is not afraid
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)
Great entry from REM. I really like the dark bass lines throughout, and find that the heavier instrumentation perfectly suits REM and their lyrics. Fave tracks: Finest Worksong. Exhuming McCarthy, The One I Love, King of Birds
An excellent entry from R.E.M. I've always enjoyed their music and this album is no exception. Great sound and production on this one. Really open, kind of bleak soundscape while still being catchy as hell. The lyricism and delivery are also excellent. Lots of political themes here but delivered in a witty, sarcastic way that still feels extremely relevant to this day. All of this AND the album holds two of R.E.Ms all-time hits. I also get a really strong Tragically Hip vibe off of this one. I actually wasn't planning on giving 5/5 when I started writing this, but the more I reflect the more I realize this album has everything you could want. Fav Tracks: Exhuming McCarth, The End of the World, The One I Love, Fireplace
Two famous songs, the rest of the album was interesting
A nice album by a band "everybody" knows.
Easy to listen to with a couple a banger. Gets better when you give it more attention. 4 stars.
I'm not a big fan of REM, but there are some good songs in this album.
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
Love this one
very good i now it
I love their trademark syncopated lyrics, love Michael Stipe’s lists of things, love how much he hates “business” and bureaucracy and the military industrial complex, love his keening for the death of the American soul—or the very absence, the never-having-been—that, irony of beautiful ironies, helped give us one.
I grew up a huge REM fan and it’s fun looking back on albums I loved as a kid. When I was 10 or 11, I was determined to learn the lyrics to It’s the End of the World as We Know It and remember spending an hour with my cassette player transcribing the lyrics. It was a pain in the ass, but now I have a pretty great karaoke song always up my sleeve!
No
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.
LE-ONARD BERN-STEIN! I never got into REM when they first came out as they always seemed like "Grownups music" -now I'm a grownup so I like them. This was great.
Pois nin tan mal, houbo algunha canción que me gustou pero nada destacable a verdade. Lévase un 5.5/10.0
I really liked this vibe. The one I love and it’s the end of the world as we know it are bangers. It was a fun album.
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.
Not my favorite rem album but pretty solid.
Great band
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.
Meh
Not my fave REM record, but still great. Last couple tracks (specifically Lightning McQueen) are weaker for sure.
One of my teenage years favorites! Saw them in 1989/1990 at the Concord Pavillion, Calfornia.
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.
I like his voice. Some songs I recognize. Overall not very memorable
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.
Phenomenal
I see why this is on the list. There is a lot more depth than I realized and this album is damn near prophetic.
It was a great album
Didn't know that I actually knew some of these songs. Can see the influence R.E.M. have had on rock & indie since.
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
Better than I expected, some familiar songs
I listened. I fast forwarded. I remember. I am not a huge fan.
I only really liked three songs on the album. And those were always overplayed on the radio (Finest Worksong…). Not my favorite REM album.
Gotta love political commentary songs, especially if they seem prophetic
Tandy Scale Rating: 2.75 Best Songs: It’s The End Of The World As We Know It, The One I Love Foot Notes: I’d say this one has hits and misses some really good hits and then a lot of filler songs Would I Listen Again: Some songs yes
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.
Un gran disco, varios de sus mejores temas y un sonido avanzado a los 90s
Overall: I hate to be the one to say that the only tracks I really enjoyed on this album are the radio hits that I'm familiar with, but that is my truth. The rest of the tracks were just a bit all over the map and I couldn't find myself into them. I really have always wondered if I would enjoy R.E.M. outside of the radio hits, and never took the time to explore. I was pretty excited that this record popped up and was genuinely ready to give it my full ear. I'm actually bummed my ear did not enjoy it as much as I anticipated. But I'm hopeful with the large discography there will still be other songs out there I enjoy, they're just not from this record. Track Breakdown: End of the world - I hate to be the one to say the only album track I enjoyed is the radio hit that I'm familiar with, but this might be my truth. The one I love - I have always really enjoyed the bass line in this track. Fireplace - It took alot of effort to not skip this track Oddfellows Local 151 - I enjoyed everything about this track, minus vocals. Felt that was worth noting.
Good rock and roll music Super jangly guitar tones
This was a nice reminder of how good these people were. Lyrics, melodies, harmonies. Yeah, glad I stretched myself to listen to this one. Good choice!
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.
REM as REM was hitting its stride. Several songs in my 🌟Favorites
Document: R.E.M #5 review It's the end of the world as we know it but this album will never end. 1: Finest Worksong: This song has some great guitar riffs, and some amazing sounding drums. This song has a great 90s rock sound. 6/10 2: Welcome to the Occupation: This song continues from the last song, and still has a great 90s rock sound. I have read that it is about American intervention in Central America. The only complaint I have with this song, is that it's a little to short. 5/10 3: Exhuming McCarthy: This song has a different sound than the previous two songs, it feels like it has a bit of a twang to it, but I could be wrong. There are some very interesting instruments in this one. This song is from the title and lyrics, clearly about McCarthyism. I don't have much more to say, another solid 6/10. 4: Disturbance At The Heron House: I have no idea what more I can say about this album, it's 90s alt rock, the lyrics don't have a ton for me to go into like I did in my Kid A review, and the songs are pretty similar, this song nets a 6/10. 5: Strange: Despite what the title says, this song is another 90s alt rock song from a 90s alt rock band. They say there's something going on that wasn't here before, but this song feels like we're hearing stuff we've already seen in this album. 5/10 6: It's The End Of The World As We Know It: I really like this one, the lyrics have a stream of consciousness feeling, which if you can't tell, is very similar to what I'm going for with these reviews. This song has the singer rambling about things, and it overall just sounds really good to my ears. 7/10 7: The One I Love: This one seems like a love song from the outset, but that's not what it is at all. This song feels like it's from the perspective of a person who views their partner as something to occupy their time. 5/10 8: Fireplace: This song definitely exists. I have nothing to say about this one. I do not particularly like this one, but I don't hate it. 5/10, perfectly avera 9: Lightnin' Hopkins: This song feels like a shock ;) since this song feels much flashier than the rest of the songs on the album, with the almost choir sounding background vocals, and the quick and snappy pace of the song. 6/10 10: King Of Birds: This song feels like something that would be played in a marching band, with the rolling drums. Other than the rolling drums though, this song feels the same, this album is starting to drag on imo. 4/10 11: Oddfellows Local 151: There's nothing here for me to talk about here. I am tired of 90s alt rock. This album is starting to annoy me, every song feels the same. I was beginning to get tired of this sound at track 5. I'm so glad this album is over now. Time for the overall part. 4/10 Overall: This album is exhausting. This album is only 36 minutes, but it feels like its so much longer. This album has a few good songs, but I cannot earnestly reccomend it as most of the album sounds the same. The reason the base scores for the album slowly got lower throughout the review is that this album was starting to grate on me, with every song feeling the same except for 2 songs that are actually good. 4/10, just listen to the highlights, this one feels so long. Highlights: It's The End Of The World As We Know It. Lightin' Hopkins. Lowlights: Fireplace, King Of Birds, Oddfellows Local 151.
Very much the REM-sound and feels very much of that time. Seems like Maritime was heavily influenced by their singing melodies.
not convinced
One of my all time favorites
An absolutely fantastic album all around. There really isn’t a weak song on here, though I totally could have done without “Lightnin’ Hopkins.” My favorites from the album are “Finest Worksong,” “Welcome To The Occupation,” and “The One I Love.” One of R.E.M.’s best albums and definitely worthy of being on this list.
mixed bag of warbling welcome to the occupation strange the one i love
Absolutely iconic voice that goes from sounding great to annoying and then back to great again. Instrumentals are pretty generic but the singles from this album are absolute bangers. Doesn't overstay it's welcome and has some real emotion tied to the lyrics.
I don't like R.E.M. me thinks
Some good guitar noise, not as good as Murmur.
Still probably my least favorite of the IRS era, so much of it feels underwritten, or like a one-note predecessor to Monster. "Welcome to the Occupation", "Exhuming McCarthy", and "Oddfellow Local 151" still rule though.
done 8/10
Their first masterpiece
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.
REM is a good band.
I guess I needed to give them some more listens and give it more attention. This record I liked a bit more than the one I got two days ago. I feel it has a bit more punch and creativity, and the vocals seem better! Standouts: Finest Worksong, Exhuming McCarthy, It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine), The One I Love, Fireplace, King Of Birds, Oddfellows Local 151 8 out of 10
Yes
Mid
The darlings of the late eighties/early 90’s alt rock-indie turned major label stars, who can deny the sound and the lyrics?
2.0 The hits are the hits, and the rest stinks
R.E.M. is a band I like but don’t love. Some good songs on the album, 3/5 for me.
Great album
This is a pretty good album right here. I listened to Murmur by R.E.M. a few weeks ago and I thought that was quite good. Honestly, I like Document more though. The band's sound is definitely a bit more refined here than in Murmur. Case in point, the singing. It was kind of hard to hear the singing at times in Murmur. Now, Michael Stipe's singing is at the forefront of the album, and it's quite good. He's a pretty good singer that is largely responsible for R.E.M.'s iconic sound. The instrument playing also adds to that, with the whole album having a consistent, yet not too repetitive, feel to it. The writing, I feel, was also drastically improved from that album. This album's a lot more political than I expected it to be, with songs that clearly commentate on things the Reagan administration and even a song that directly name drops McCarthy in the title. Overall, this is a great album that reaffirms the opinion I gained from listening to Murmur that R.E.M. is a pretty good band. High 4/5.
Großartiger Sänger mit goßartiger Band.
somehow more repetitive and boring than murmur. no point in this album being here if murmur exists Significant 30/82 Liked 14/82 Added 4/82
Nostalgia
Really good, a band clearly well into their creative flow.
Classic REM tunes. Good 👍
Not a big fan of R.E.M., but this was listenable.
Never listened to a full R.E.M album before. This one was really good, I knew a few obvious songs like "It's the End of the World as we know it" and "The One I Love" and they still hold up. I had to skip Fireplace, found it annoying, maybe I'll get it when I listen again.
Better than average Rock album 2 great single push it to a 4. 3.6
What a delightful, charming little album. Love me some R.E.M.
I never really understood how REM influenced grunge but i see it now - the first track especially could be off Pearl Jam's 10! Fave track was the last one i think (something 151?) Not counting its the end of the world and one i love cuz i love those already lol. Probably give it a 3.5 but ill probs round it up cuz it's INCREDIBLY solid and consistent... worst tracks are okay, best tracks are life changing.
OK, but not my favorite R.E.M. album
It’s ok
Bit too boring apart from 2 songs
As always with R.E.M. it manages to be boring and interesting at the same time
Not the most entertaining album, it kinda trudges along until we get to İts the end of the world. Then it just trudges along again. The lyricisms are clever and insightful but the music itself isn't very engaging.
This album seems like a bit of a bridge from R.E.M.s previous albums and their future releases, it was somewhat of a breakthrough into the mainstream for the band not an easy feat as most mainstream bands were either hair metal or very poppy. The production is pretty good with the album having more of a live energy and cleaner vocals that are at the forefront of the mix. Lyrically Stipe has a lot to say. In taking a quick overview of the bands earlier albums I do miss the janglier guitar work by Peter Buck. Overall, a really good album that seems to be R.E.M.s big foray into radio friendly territory. Favorite songs; Disturbance at the Heron House, End of the World, King of Birds.
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
Probably a top five R.E.M. record, there's a lot to love here. The production feels a little more polished than their earlier work, which I might be more inclined towards, but remarkably crisp for 1987. Michael Stipe's vocals take centre stage with a commanding presence and expressiveness. The track list is pretty stacked (psyched) here and it was great to revisit this one. I think they have stronger albums, but there's some all-timer songs here. Favourite songs: Disturbance at the Heron House, Exhuming McCarthy, The One I Love, It's the End of the World, King of Birds
About time I fill my REM blindspot. I've really been deep sleeping on them! A solid album, nothing more nothing less.
Alt rock classic, before my time, but I love this album. I only knew the 90s REM and took me until I was older to dig back into their catalog… which had sooner
Maybe a 5 star album, not sure. but really good.
Enjoyable album by REM. I can't believe it's from 1987 though. There are tracks on it that band and could be mistaken for modern alt rock songs.
Couple of bangers there
I appreciate the inventiveness of the album, which bringes 80s pop/rock and the emerging 90s alternative scene. Some moments are brilliant, but it does not resonate completley with me at a deep emotional level. I am However a bigger REM fan now than a hour ago.
Bijzonder vervelende plaat. Ik wilde het een kans geven ondanks R.E.M., maar het blijkt toch gewoon R.E.M. Van alles wat er weinig moet zijn is er teveel (gitaren, gitaren, drumfills, productie, vocals, arrangement,...) en van alles wat er veel moet zijn is er te weinig (groove, oprechtheid, leegte, schone klanken,...). It's The End OF The World staat hierop, dat is de moeite. The One I Love was een hit, maar is vervelend. Misschien ooit eens de platen hiervoor checken, toen het nog niet over-produced was en minder bekend (kort gedaan, op Reckoning en Murmur zingt hij toffer, zit er minder arrangement in de weg etc...) Maar da's voor een andere keer.
Not only is this the best reason for a whole group of guys in a car to shout out. \"Leonard Bernstein\" all at the same time. But it's a damn fine album as well.
could i write poetry to this? y
Before this, R.E.M. was just a college-radio band. Then, all of a sudden, you could understand what Michael Stipe was saying.
I'm one of those sickos who likes REM's 90s stuff more than their early stuff.
Not really a fan of his voice
Pretty nice. Does sound like radio music for a whole album
Average REM songs
3.5
High 6 - Low 7
3.5
ok
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.
ya know just wasnt for me
Ми, не
Generally an overrated band
R.E.M. is a little too Gen X for my tastes but they're pretty fun.
I’ve never really delved into REM’s archives, but maybe I should have. They were a definite influence on my favourite band, The Tragically Hip. The sound of a “pop grunge” with a matching voice and excellent guitar work. A few stories thrown into the lyrics for good measure. A very solid 4+.
Some good upbeat rock and roll. "It's The End Of The World" and "The One I Love" are obviously amazing, but I really like "King of Birds" and "Oddfellows Local 151" as well.
The opening bars could be mistaken for Pearl Jam. REM are just coming to their peak by this album. Several standout tracks as well as the singles - I like it.
This album comes just before I really became an R.E.M. fan with their next two albums. "The One I Love" is certainly one of my top songs by them. I had never listened to this whole album before like the next two. So why didn't I like this more? It may be because I am feverish today, but I couldn't get into most of it, and I also really wasn't having that saxophone. And I may have transposed "Leonard Bernstein" and "Leonid Brezhnev" when trying to sing along to "End of the World." Both were mentioned, so I didn't feel too bad.
This is what I expected from an R.E.M. album. It was good, but not something that I really dug.
This is a very fine album indeed. Pretty melodies and Stipe's gorgeous voice make me weak in the knees a bit. Plus End of the World is my favorite way to end a karaoke party. Love it very much.
R.E.M. defined college radio when I was in college, and I was onboard! This was my first R.E.M. album and it has still got it! A terrific that brings terrific memories that still sounds terrific today!
it's got end of the world. it's rem. 4 stars
Rem - geht so, trotzdem interessant
Good, good rock, some songs were pretty forgettable tho.
I’ve always found it strange that REM achieved the massive success they did given their sound and the era they got big during—I’m not complaining! I love REM. But there is something to their sound that sounds so particular and niche for them to have become one of the biggest bands of the 80s/90s. I’m more familiar with their next three albums, (“Green,” “Out of Time,” and “Automatic for the People”), so this one feels more novel to me. Of course, the big hits (“…End of the World” and “The One I Love”) are genuine classics. I enjoyed most of the other songs too (although tracks 5 & 9 got slightly irritating) and I appreciate this earlier sound for the band. Side note- amazing that their fifth album is still an “early” album for them.
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.
One of my fav rem albums can hear them getting their sound ready for automatic.
This is good, though its a sound that is pretty played out to my ears.
Still not a fan of REM.
Strong album. I didn't like them when I was in high school. As my musical tastes have expanded I've grown to appreciate their music. This album reminds me of different times. Well worth a listen.
Enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Oddfellows Local 151 & The One I Love bang. Can see this growing on me in the future.
Fantastic album.
This is the first time I’ve actually listened to a REM top to bottom. If I’m being honest I was always turned off by their terrible album covers (maybe a bold statement, but I stand by it). I gotta say, I immediately heard “the influence” so many people claim they have. Wild to think music like this was being made while Def Leppard was still out there making sure hair metal stayed somewhat relevant. I also love that REM is a Georgia band, within those jangly Electric guitars you can hear the influence of the weird south. There’s even a dulcimer and reference to lightning hopkins! Two of these tracks are radio classics, but the album works as a whole. I especially loved disturbance at the heron house and exhuming McCarthy. As well the cool jazz break in fireplace was really cool. This is definitely an album I’ll return to, and maybe It will teach me to not judge an album by its Cover.
The year is 1987, Iran-Contra affair, the Unabomber is at large, the first Starbucks outside of the US opens, Platoon wins Best Picture, and the Simpsons first appears on TV as a series of shorts. The world is still disillusioned by the Cold War and seems like a crazy, crazy time. Context is so important to enjoy this album because it really is a product of its time. Since it's release, the singles have dominated the airwaves to the point where the phrase "It's the End of the World as We Know It" is essentially synonymous with the band R.E.M. However, outside of "It's the End..." and "The One I Love," there is a different sound present. "Fireplace" loses a bit of the garage rock vibe and adopts a more jazz attitude as it calls for use to "throw the walls into the fireplace" to dance. The first half of the album presents a dark vision of the future, while the latter half is more hopeful. It's almost a shame that the two hits have performed so well because it's to the detriment of the rest of the songs included.
Not a huge fan of the lead singer. His voice is kind of abrasive.
Great album, never listed to REM outside of the radio hits but I love their sound and cannot believe they were mainly an 80s band. I think my favorite songs that were new to me were Fireplace and King of Birds.
Have never been a fan of REMs sound, have tried several times with murmur and automatic and sadly document was the same. Just don’t respond well to their jangle pop and cadence choices. Also I find Michael stipes voice annoying. The hits of this one are stand outs, everything else blended together. Just not for me.
I don't know, kinda boring
Not my go-to for REM, but good record overall.
Almost 4
Another banger from R.E.M
Poucas músicas legais
No había escuchado mucho más que Loosing my religion, el ressto suena parecido y no me gusta, no me cierra la nasalidad del cantante.
Alan lämpeämään tälle bändille enemmän. Minun mielestä tähänastisista levyistä paras kokonaisuus. Sopiva menevä mutta alavireinen tunnelma muutamilla hyvillä hittibiiseillä. 3/5
Jää kauas Murmurin taiasta ja bändillä on muitakin parempia levyjä. Mutta hyvä tämäkin, varma kolme.
Tässäkin taas hittirocklevy. Ihan toimivaa, ainakin niiden hittien osalta, mut kokonaisuutena ehkä vähän laimea. 3/5
Good not great
2/5 I don't think this really added anything to my life tbh. Chicken little song (End of the world) isn't as good as 8-year-old me remembers. It wasn't terrible per se. And i added two songs to the playlist, i reckon they will get skipped semi frequently.
Веома добар, допада ми се њихов стил иако нема неке дистинктивно генијалне песме на албуму. Концепцијски је веома пријатан за слушање. 9/10
Always forget I really like R.E.M.
Some of the earlier albums (Murmur, Reckoning and Life's Rich Pageant) I would rank higher than Document, but it's an important record for the band as it helped break the band more into the mainstream, for better or for worse. Hits such as, The One I Love and It's the End of the World...attracted attention on MTV and the band moved further away from their "indie-cred". This was the last album I deliberately bought, it's good, but there is more filler than their previous records and their music begins to lose their charm and uniqueness (the reason I started listening in the first place) after this album.
Great record and some serious hit singles. Really appreciated this listen.
Great album. Heard everywhere when I started college. Sometimes hard to determine if it's a good song or good memory
Highlights: It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine), Exhuming McCarthy. I only know of R.E.M.'s hits, so it was a fresh listen for me. It wasn't a boring listening experience, but it wasn't pleasant one either. The sax solo was an odd choice in Fireplace. Michael's voice was screeching while holding some notes (eg in Strange "riiieeeeeeghht"). Many of the songs sound similar to me. I might change my mind when I listen to Automatic For The People or Murmur. At least one R.E.M needs to be on this list. Document isn't it IMHO. Overall: 4/10
Every song sounded the same, and the sound isn’t particularly good. I recognized the 2 big hits on there. Nothing bad but definitely not a band I’d delve into their discography for.
Brilliant, one my favourite bands at the the top of their game. The guitar work is classic REM and one of the most unique sounds there is. The lyrics are enigmatic and intriguing, and the vocals are fun to belt out along with Michael. Released 36 years ago and still sounds fresher and more interesting than most of the rock music that's came since. FFIIIIIRRREEEEEEEEEEE!
This album has a consistent Americana indie jangle going on (kind of like Tom Petty twang meets the Smiths chime with some U2 bombast). The two huge (The One I Love & End of the World) hits are memorable anthems I'm still happy to hear after thousands of listens and the album tracks are all solid to great. Peter Buck has fantastic guitar sounds, inventive parts, and great hook. The rhythm section is tight and expressive. Michael Stipe's vocals are charismatic, earnestly open and his melodies catchy and engagingly overwrought. The songs are concise pop gems with a just right blend of power-pop bright energy and post-punk snarl. The production is flawless and it all sounds crisp, clear, and perfectly balanced. But for some reason despite liking every component of REM individually their albums have never really clicked with me. I put them on, sing along to the hits, and enjoy the rest in a kind of zoned out way. Favorites: Oddfellows, The One I Love, Occupation, Disturbance
Ebbs and flows from pop to heavy good balance quality tracks. 7/10
Love these guys
I know I enjoyed it, I remember listening, but I dont remember engaging. Its interesting but uncompelling background noise. Disappointed in my reaction to a group so many others like. I Guess they are not really for me. 2 stars.
I love this album.
I don’t often think about the craft of rock but I think about it when listening to R.E.M. sometimes. They released a lot of excellent music and even if I don’t love it the way I love my favorite bands, I’m always impressed. They knew their craft and they always had a lot of ideas. Most of this album is strong from a melody perspective and the band fleshes out each song with great playing and interesting details. And the lyrics are smart. A lot of lyrics seem to be focused on criticizing politics. “It’s the End of the World…” and “The One I Love” are great songs and two of R.E.M.‘s best. They show off the band’s range too. They could be playful and fun, or dramatic and melancholy. I was impressed by the range of this album in general.
Great start. I love the riff and syncopated drum part. Man is the master bus SLAMMED with reverb though. "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" and "The One I Love" are both absolute bangers, and the former is definitely one of the most well known pop rock songs of all time. But the rest of the album lacks really far behind those two. It's like R.E.M. have two modes- one that makes incredibly catchy rock songs, and another that makes really just "mid" level songs. This is a hard rate for me. I didn't particularly love any tracks besides those two that I mentioned, and usually when an album on this list is like that, I give it a 2-3 out of 5. But those two stand out tracks are just so good that alone they would be a 4. I think a 3 is the most fair compromise for me here.
Arguably the best record in an incredible career. The hits are on here, but "Exhuming McCarthy" is one of the best political songs they ever wrote, "King of Birds" one of the most beautiful, and the Wire cover "Strange" was about as hard as they ever rocked.
Well. I guess R.E.M. wasn't overhyped. The two singles are still the ones that do it most for me, but I also really enjoyed the vibes of "King of Birds" and "Strange." The album is somewhat homogenous to me but that might be because I don't listen to much of the genre. Solid listen!
Mostly not into it
1 good song
A classic indie/alternative album, but not exactly my cup of tea. I love a few R.E.M. songs, and a couple are on this album, but the rest are just pretty good to okay.
Konečne niečo počúvateľné. Nice
drønkedelig og alle sangene lød ens :/ hader michael stipes stemme
Af 80er postpunk at være er det ikke helt mærkeligt nok til at være interessant, men der er en del fede numre alligevel. Huskede den som bedre