Document

Something about it doesn't hit with me. Not sure what you call this genre but it's in some weird middle ground I don't really like. Will I listen to again: 0%

‘Losing My Religion’, ‘Everybody Hurts’, ‘Man On The Moon’: all songs that make me want to turn off the radio. Imagine my surprise then upon listening to ‘Document’ and hearing an album which is tuneful, catchy, and full of urgent, engaging riffs, as well as genuinely good songs. Still earnest like most of R.E.M.’s stuff, but it doesn’t feel cringe here. ‘Document’ is legitimately a good time.

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

Cannot stand their vocals

Cool macaroon

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

Not really my thing, but “Its the End Of the World As We Know It” is a classic and my favorite. We listened driving on the turnpike and maybe it wasn't the right setting for it. I was sleepy.

Hell yeah I just started to get into R.E.M. over the past few years after receiving CD copies of their big 90s albums from my aunt and parents, but I haven't listened to this one yet. The exceptions being their smash hits “It’s the End of the World As We Know It” which I forgot about and "The One I Love". I’m surprised that I didn’t start listening to R.E.M. sooner, they slap and are one of the originators of the jangly guitar sound that was prevalent in the indie rock I listened to in high school. Not every song here is a total bop, but most of them are, especially the big singles. I will definitely be continuing my journey through their discography in the future. Favorite tracks: Finest Worksong Welcome to the Occupation Disturbance at the Heron House Is the End of the World As We Know It The One I Love

REM has more hits than I thought, this was a fun album. 7/10

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

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

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

The songs I recognized were good, but overall it was pretty mid. Listening immediately after Cowboy Carter did not help its case. 4.8/10

Auch langweilig.

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

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

I feel like returning to Automatic For The People to confirm that I wanted to poke it with a stick - do something! - and then compare but I can already say that this one here is all what's good about R.E.M. with... nothing else really. Needs no poking. Nice album.

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

the transition from one the greatest alternative bands of the 80s to one the most insufferable mainstream bands of the 90s, still more the former than the latter but you can see where they’re going to go wrong

Some good hits and local boys 151 was a great surprise

Fantastic album!

Its alright

childhood classic… in a catalog of so many nearly flawless albums it is not their very most perfect and i think it suffers from late 80s syndrome at times as they occasionally did but still awesome music to be bald to. it’s the end of the world as we know it is such a completely perfect song through and through that the whole album is five stars for me just from that. i think i figured out i was transgender at around the same time i realized both my dad and i sing “it’s time i had some time alone” instead of “it’s the end of the world as we know it”. above all else i will always identify as being Millsian. was fun to revisit welcome to the occupation and disturbance at the heron house i think they are truly fantastic. what needs to be said about the one i love… everyone’s always known this is a great album. brings me back to my ipod days

Yaaay

Maybe i like rem now

Solid album. Good songs

Cannot understand why I do not have this album in my collection. Think I came to R.E.M. quite late so have their later, some may say, more popular albums but somehow this passed me by. Particularly when the album contains two of their most banging singles - End Of the World… and One I Love. Really good album. So good that I bought it today to enjoy and catch up on lost time. 4/5 21/2/24

Not for me

A band I've never given a lot of mind but I really enjoyed this. It was a bit droney occasionally (particularly Fireplace) so missed out on the 5/5 but still really enjoyable, would listen again

Very good album with some iconic tracks.

Great album. I somehow never owned this “tape” back in the late 80s when I was listening to a lot of REM. I already have Finest Worksong, It’s the End of the World, and The One I Love, which are absolute classics!!!

Great album. Loved almost all of the songs!

Buen album para conocer la banda más en profundidad. Con un sonido que tiene colores propios de un estilo y similar a una movida general formada por más bandas.

closer to a 9 but probably my favorite R.E.M so far

Outside of the two everyone knows, this is dead boring

Nobody needs to hear FOUR R.E.M. albums before they die. NOBODY. Stop it

few bangers, rest rubbish

I’be always loved “End of the World as We Know It”, so it was cool to hear the whole album, but it was a bit more folksy (?) than I would have thought.

Very good.

Я любил эту группу когда-то [давно]. И этого альбома в моем их исследовании не значилось. На самом деле очевидно почему: по большей части этот звучит как бездушный филлер вокруг двух с половиной отличных песен. Как бы грустно это не звучало. Лучшая песня - It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine).

ok but pretty forgettable other than The One I Love

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

6/11, 55%

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

Love the old rock vibes

Har alltid tyckt att It's the end of the world as we know it påminner om introt till The big bang theory. 4 / 5

• Osäker på omslaget, lite stökigt och konstigt, inte nån favorit. REM NO 5 för det är deras femte album • Man har hört ett antal REM låtar, men inte jättemånga och aldrig ett helt album • Pretty good ändå • Vad betyder REM äns? • It’s The End Of The World As We Know It har man ju hört, låter som introt till Big Bang Theory, lite We Didn’t Start the Fire också Betyg: Detta är en av de smakerna av musik från 80-talet som är rätt bra (även om det finns bättre grejer), sångaren har unik röst => 4/5

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

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

Good indie rock. Finally grew on me as a band.

just couldn't get into it. if i never heard any of these songs again i would be fine. i don't like the singer's voice, it drove me up the wall.

Een verfrissend, verrassend modern klinkend album, en dat voor 1987. Er staan geen grote hits op die je echt pakken, maar verder is deze muziek nog altijd lekker.

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

R.E.M. maakte al 90s muziek in de 80s. Goede ritmesectie met bas en drums, lekkere gitaarriffjes van Peter Buck en de fijne zang van Michael Stipe. Van R.E.M. krijgen we ook weer meerdere albums voorgeschoteld en het leuke is dan dat je met zo'n rijk oeuvre de albums ook een beetje onderling kan vergelijken. Wat me gelijk opvalt is dat Out of Time niet in de lijst is opgenomen, terwijl ik dat toch een van de betere albums vind. Ondanks dat Losing my Religion er op staat, wat inmiddels een oorwurm is geworden. Ik zet tegenwoordig de radio uit als dat gedraaid wordt. Er zijn door deze lijst 4 albums gekozen en ik zit me dus af te vragen welke 4 albums ik zelf zou kiezen. Ik zou persoonlijk niet voor het debuutalbum hebben gekozen, maar de snoblijst zet die er natuurlijk altijd in. Als je dan uit de rest er 3 moet kiezen, dan wordt het toch best wel lastig. Want ook al zijn latere albums zoals Around the Sun muzikaal gezien hardstikke interessant, is het R.E.M. wat het meeste tot de verbeelding spreek, van de albums rond 1990. Eigenlijk is hun dubbelaar In Time: the Best of R.E.M. 1988-2003 het album van R.E.M. dat ik verreweg het meest geluisterd heb. Dan hoef je gelijk ook niet meer te kiezen tussen de albums an sich en kun je het debuutalbum en Around the Sun er ook gewoon lekker in zetten. En dan als beste of meest iconische album Automatic for the People. Oh ik moet nog een cijfer geven hiervoor he? 5 sterren natuurlijk.

2024-03-08...

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

FANTASTIC!!!!

REM represents an interesting moment in music. At a time when music was overly commercialized, REM went against the grain to create their own sound. They certainly were a popular band, but they weren't doing what the market was dictating at the time. Plus they're excellent songwriters in their own right. Document is an excellent example of that ethos.

REM não é meu favorito

That wasn’t too Strange, but It’s the End of the World As We Know It. Of the REM albums this is The One I Love.

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

Aside from a couple finer moments to pull out of this mixed bag of tracks, this REM album ends up falling in the same vein as the group’s other safe and often boring “dad rock“ albums.

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

Tons of funs. Just a fun album overall. Hits and not. What a meaningful band.

A solid album. Worth listening to. Could have been a few other hits in my opinion.

Fine. Didn’t blow me away

Such a wonderful album. Fun, meaningful...cohesive without being one note. Anything you would want.

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