Reviews (page 13 of 15)
Nice rock with some kind of hypnotizing vocals. "It's the end of the world as we know it" is timeless classic that will be played in different radiostations until the end of the world.
Not mind-blowing but pleasant enough
solid dad rock
Prima album.
Onmiskenbaar een R.E.M. album, met o.a. "It's The End Of The World As We Know It" en "The One I Love". Lyrisch en muzikaal prima, maar verdient vooral lof aan de bovenvermelde nummers. leukste nummer: The One I Love Album introduceert de later kenmerkende R.E.M. mandoline.
A classic!
I love REM. Never my first go to band but everything they do is sort of a warm blanket. This isn't my favorite of theirs, but it listed me up none the less.
Some good songs, but few of them have never been ones I would listen to.
Mir ist aufgefallen das Rock nicht so mein Ding ist. Also ich finde es nicht schlecht aber keine Ahnung.
Eig ziemlich gut gemacht aber die Stimme hat iwie was cringes. 6/10
the good and the bad of REM’s fifth record Document are easily encapsulated by one song: “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)”, a fist-pumping pop-rock hit that stands out from the rest of the album as a highlight. the song (and, by consequence, the rest of the record) is pure fun — the lyrics are humorous and stuffed with pop culture references that wield in making points about larger society. there’s a rawness to the sound, sure, however that doesn’t mean it isn’t groovy enough to get your feet tapping. but goodness the album as a whole is so steeped in the style and lore of its era that it unfortunately doesn’t transcend into timelessness. this here is a record that was released in the 80s, and there’s no escaping that — whereas their later work (particularly the masterful Automatic For the People) managed to overcome the constraints of time, Document just sounds dated, and that sonic disconnect is deeply prevalent now, almost 40 years later. it’s not a bad record by any definition, but it doesn’t amount to much than just a relic.
-Album flows well -Decent production -See shades of later bands in this album, influencial - ages well
I'd do 3.5 if I could. But this was good.
Generally strong throughout with the big songs putting it over the top
Meh. I like this band but this album only has two good songs. Jammed right in the middle of some pretty boring stuff.
Very impressed. Holds up well - really enjoyed listening to it walking the dog.
Good album
There were a few songs I didn't especially like but most I liked quite a bit.
Consistent blend of alt rock and pop as they blew up into the mainstream
Interesting mix of 80s and 90s style. Personally I was not a fan. Didn’t enjoy the voice of the singer. I did enjoy the oddfellows song though.
Easily R.E.M.'s most vibrant, upbeat album and one I had largely never heard before (though it contains my favorite track of the band's in 'One I Love'). Appreciated the changeup in rhythms from the somewhat slow pace the band usually favors for faster, more energetic, and alive arrangements. Not sure too many tracks stuck with me after an initial listen outside the mega-popular singles, but definitely a welcome listen after my last few R.E.M. outings on the list.
Reasonably Enjoyable Music.
It's the End of the World as We Know It is is a gem of a song but the rest of the album is pretty damn good too
Album was okay, really enjoyed the instrumentals, but the vocals ruined it for me. Exhuming McCarthy sounds like its straight from some commercial
All the classic hallmarks of REM is here. The jangly guitars, the cryptic haunting wails from Michael Stipe.. this is 80s alternative at its best. Accessible yet sounds a bit underground like the best years of university. Second half feels a bit weak I find but the first half makes up for it and I found myself singing along to One I Love while vacuuming. Solid effort.
Highlights: It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine), The One I Love, Oddfellows Local 151
Klasyczny REM, "It's the end of the world ..." spoko, reszta jakoś mi nie podeszła.
Liked the last song best, can't quite get over his voice
Very enjoyable. Feels like Modest Mouse took some inspo in places. Will listen again for sure.
Fun through back! B+ album.
They were fine- decent beats, but not my taste.
Best songs: it’s the end of the world One I love Good songs: disturbance at heron house Overall: great instrumentals, repetitive at times, terrible singing voice. Lyrics kinda suck 4.5/10
Ich mag R.E.M. - 5/5
4.5 outstanding
Meneer Stipe en kornuiten slagen er niet in om, afgezien van die paar pareltjes, mij echt te boeien met dit album. Vervelend hoofd heeft ie ook, maar dat terzijde.
Heerlijk, tijdloos album!
Helemaal top!
6th March 2023 Listened during the morning while working from home. Busy day working, dad and Seb round in the evening. Sounds like REM finding their sound and growing in to the influential band they will become
I had heard a few songs off this already. I enjoyed it and i'd like to get more into r.e.m., theyre pretty good. Songs that stood out to me, Finest Work Song, It's the end of the world as we know it, the one i love, Welcome to the occupation, Disturbance at the heron house, Strange
It was ok has like two songs on it. That I think are a few of the more popular R.E.M tracks
First impressions are vital in rock and pop music, which is why a decent album can usually be lifted immeasurably by a strong opener. A opening track is a mission statement for everything a band or artist stands for. It’s a signal of what you’re about to hear, a call to arms, a war cry. The stakes are never higher for the artist as they fight for an audience’s attention, set up stall and shoot for the sun. Many of 1987’s hit albums are frontloaded with a killer opener: Prince’s “Sign O’ The Times”, U2’s “Where the Streets Have No Name”, Guns n’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle”. But perhaps nobody does it better than R.E.M with “Finest Worksong.” Titanic, swaggering drums, two notes hammering away incessantly on the guitar, a quick bass fill. Then Michael Stipe’s first line, scorching through the noise: “The time to rise has been engaged”. Pay attention, everyone: R.E.M are no longer jangling in the sidelines of alternative rock. This was their first big brush with mainstream success, and it practically explodes from the speakers. From there, we go from strength to strength. “Welcome to the Occupation” is assured and moody, with some subtle organ adding body and depth. “Exhuming McCarthy” see-saws a happy-go-lucky melody from one key to the other with a playful malice. There’s a brilliant cover of Wire’s “Strange”, injecting it with even more finesse and energy than those criminally underrated British post-punks could muster. And “The One I Love” nails the art of the “is-it-sweet-or-is-it-sinister” love song, with a solid riff to boot. But there’s no use arguing: the glorious centrepiece is “It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)”. Frantic stream-of-consciousness lyrics, almost unintelligible, rattle over a rapid drum beat and a sparse rhythm guitar. We crescendo into a perfect chorus with a very well-measured counter-melody from Mike Mills. The apocalypse never sounded so enticing. In the last third or so, nothing quite matches up. The strong melodies dissipate a little, the lyrics become less focused, the song structures looser and more repetitive. But R.E.M have done all the heavy lifting: content to relax a little, they settle into serviceable alt-rock territory. There’s a soft-rock in 6/8 with a standout saxophone solo, and there’s a snare drum march with a taste of mandolin, which will later surface in a much more prominent role in 1991’s “Out of Time”. They’d reach greater heights after this, and perhaps had a more ardent cult following before it, but “Document” is a lively picture of R.E.M with the world at their feet, and only one way to go: the stratosphere.
baita som
Het iets meer rockwerk van de band. Zeker te appreciëren
not good
Love the stories with each song.
The two monster songs on this are, well, monsters. I surprisingly don't have an REM song I play on guitar. I considered playing "The One I Love". It's a catchy tune and so easy to play but I just can't sing songs that are so mean. I read that bf/gf's will ask DJs to dedicate this song to their better half when they are having a huggy bear / kissy-face moment. I understand that the song is even played at funerals. I guess a lot of people get a nice warm feeling from the title and the first two stanzas so they ignore the third stanza. I considered playing "It's the end of the World . . .". It's also easy to play on guitar but nailing lyrics is too daunting. The lyrics are great and the pace is intense. It's funny that the lyrics are basically finished after 2 1/2 minutes but they just keep singing the chorus for another 1 1/2 minutes rather than ending the song. I guess they had what would normally be four minutes worth of lyrics but just decided to sing them in 2 1/2 minutes so may as well keep it a four minute song, lol. Michael Stipe must have a blast singing it live especially seeing audience after audience try (and fail) to sing the lyrics at his pace.
REM are a tough one for me to judge. Their radio hits throughout the nineties were far better than the other mega bands and I appreciate that, especially with the amount of time I was spending in rental cars in places like Calgary. Still, I wasn't rushing to buy their albums, especially after their lyrics became audible. In this case, I like the 2 hits, particularly The End of the World, with its sense of humor. The other songs are solid, my favourite being Oddfellows, maybe because it's just slightly outside of the REM musical boundaries.
This has a couple of their biggest hits but the rest of the album fails to impress
Quite liked this - not very familiar with REM but would happily listen again or others
God damn Your Finest Worksong feels like it lasts forever. End of the world is a classic, but listening to this album made me realise I don't enjoy REM as much as I thought I did
Klinkt goed maar is enigszins saai
Know this album! Quite good. Probably their third or fourth best record.
I always forget how much I enjoy REM. High 3.
Brilliant, with a few tracks that are even better than that! It's the end of the world ... and To the one I love are stone cold classics. Also features the shortest review of another artist's album - " 'Standing on the Shoulders of Giants' leaves me cold" - Mr Stipe is obviously not a fan of Oasis's later work!
Excellent
YEAH! REM! Can you really go wrong with REM? I wonder if people actually know ALL the lyrics to ITEOTWAWKI...great song though. Michael Stipe's voice is so irreplicable. What a pleasure it must have been to hear him in the studio. I can absolutely hear where their influence has passed down from this record. King Of Birds - I love the sound of the Dulcimer. Very Trashcans! Notable Songs - It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) Lightnin' Hopkins 6/10 - it's a good album but I know there are better REM records than this one.
only a 3 as I like (know) their other albums more good stuff none the less
No me ha gustado mucho. Sólo It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
3.5 stars. Exhumimg McCarthy is the hidden gem here for me
A few great songs on here then a lot of dad/country rock sounding songs 3/5
Buuuuuuuu
Better than their debut
Classic REM. Great album, but provide not their best.
Good
Meh. Whiny nerd rock.
Jangly masterpiece
80’er rock, noget af det er okay, men ikke lige min kop te generelt
Good fun cheesy music
Not the most consistent R.E.M album but each side is bookended with fantastic songs and Exhuming McCarthy also shines. Lots of stuff here to enjoy even if they've done some of it better elsewhere
I'm kind of shocked I didn't hate this. The singles are overplayed garbo, but there are a couple of decent deep cuts on here that make up for them.
love it
nyt oli harvinaisen tylsää settiä, tiedän että varmaan tykätään.. nimekäs bändi kuitenkin MUTTA VITTU 3.56???? JA JARRE SAA 3.0x vittu nämä hömelöt ei ymmärrä mistään mitään.. jokainen biisi tässä on vittu sama indie rock rämpytys vimputus ainoa kunnioitettava asia on vokaali ukko tykkään siitä mutta musiikki niin paskaa että en rupee tutkimaan lähemmin lyriikoita ILMEISESTI ON HYVIN KIRJOITETTU... EN TULE KOSKANA TIETÄMÄÄN...iso pettymys HUOH huokotellaans HUOH HUOH HUOH end of wordl
I reviewed most of the songs individually. I liked the album as the whole, but it wasn’t anything crazy IMO. Just several solid songs in a row. Finest Worksong Good classic rockish song with “your finest hour” getting repeated like a billion times. Also glockenspiel 😍 Welcome to the Occupation country vibes??? Anti-govt I think. Anti-work very much so. Big fan I think. Exhuming McCarthy more anti-establishment stuff and general rock talking about the corporatization of America. Disturbance at the Heron House A story about a protest at Heron House, whatever that may be. It’s not very detailed but it is what it is. Talking about craziness too. Need to google some context for this later. Strange Talking of a weird occurrence. I think something bad because of the line “keep your eyes glued to the floor”. Makes me think dictatorship. It’s the End of the World as We Know It banger song, but also a song about the current issues in the 1980s that talks about the apathy related to the slow destruction/changing of both the planet and humanity as the world is reshaped by globalization and industry. The One I Love goofy ahh love song… never mind it’s about civil disobedience.
I like REM, a lot, but I didn't recognize many songs on this album. It sounded good, but nothing stuck with me. I'm hoping for more from them in the future.
Абсолютное говнище. Единственное, предтеча гранжа и поп-панка. Бессмысленный альбом. Мир бы ничего не потерял без этого альбома и без этой группы.
I think I said in some previous R.E.M. review that my interest peaks at Life's Rich Pageant, but hearing this for the first time in years, I was reminded I listened to this album a whole lot over the course of three years or so, back in my cassette days. And it's pretty rocking to be honest. I'm not convinced most of the lyrics aren't nonsense, if high-toned and intellectual sounding nonsense. And it marks to me the turning point to the mostly serious R.E.M., whimsy pretty much evicted from the music, and not to the better.
pretty good. nothing special, but i like REM
One of the soundtrack of my youth
Dimery has his moments, four REM albums in the list but not Reckoning/Fables of the ReconstructionRecontruction of the Fable/Life's Rich Pageant? Document is treading water, so much of this could have appeared in the earlier stuff, you can tell they are bored. Oddfellows and Welcome to the Occupation are wonderful, REM at their best, but the rest is paint by numbers stuff. And no I don't like the biggies, The One I Love and The End of the World, in fact the latter gives me the shits. This is not their finest hour.
Enjoyed this! Was more "rock" sounding than I remembered - great guitar tones! I still have no idea what most of the songs are about, but maybe I'll pay closer attention next time.
The first 4 tracks sound just a bit samey, but from there the album really gets interesting. The 2 big singles, The One I Love & It’s The End Of The World As We Know It, still shine after all these tears. And Lightnin’ Hopkins & King Of Birds both embellish Side 2, as do the horns on Fireplace. Not their best, but pretty good, nonetheless.
Everyone in my family sings along in the car with "It's the End of The World As We Know It" when it comes on the radio. The singles from this album (End of the World, The One I Love, and Finest Worksong) are probably three of the best rock songs that REM ever released. The rest of the album is pretty good, with fair tunes, although the lyrics teeter on the border between opaque and nonsensical. At least they are not bone-headedly dumb (like the Def Leppard record that I reviewed yesterday). This was the first of REM's string of albums with producer Scott Litt that were their most commercially and critically successful. He took their previously muddy production aesthetic and cleaned it up. Nothing revolutionary; clear production, muscular guitars and drums, and mixing the vocals further towards the front. The more focused approach made it evidently clear that REM were a pretty tight and accessible rock band, capable of mainstream success and radio play. It's no surprise that Nirvana's record company later asked Litt to mix some tracks from In Utero to make them more appealing for radio play. REM have enough depth that you didn't feel like an idiot listening to them even though their lyrics are more impressionistic than literal. Maybe that allows the listener more scope to project their own meaning onto the canvas?. It does leave them open to misinterpretation (The One I Love is a stalker anthem commonly mistaken for a love song), or just puzzled listeners (I mean, what the hell do the words of Lightnin' Hopkins mean?). A better-than-average album, with three or four standout tracks.
Interesante álbum con hermosas bass-lines y riffs de guitarras. El side one te presenta con letras cargadas de crítica a la América de los '80s lo cual se aprecia y por otro lado el side two es bastante más relajado en ese aspecto, centrándose en otras cosas, que tampoco está mal. En general todos los temas son buenos y me gustaron, siendo Welcome To The Occupation, ITEOTWAWKI(AIFF) y Oddfellows Local 151 mis temas favoritos.
Buen disco, divertido de escuchar. Musical y sonoramente no muy variado. Bastante típico de su época, sin llegar a ser icónico como otras obras de su momento.
Primero que escucho del grupo. Siempre los tenía como "esa banda de los 80s que los boomers conocen mínimo un tema porque tiene varios hitasos". Pero es mucho más que eso, si este es su primer (o de los primeros) album va por buen camino a que me guste en general la banda. 8/10
Yeah, was alright
It was a 90’s journey but apart from the singles I didn’t feel I “got” it
7/10
I've listened to most of these songs again. While influential, the ones I hadn't heard didn't really catch my attention.
не случилось ярких любовей на этой пластинке, хоть и хорошо
musically this album checks all of the boxes. great melodies, riffs, and lyrics. but for some reason it's just not doing it for me. i think it's michael stipe's voice. i'm definitely not denying that this is one of the best albums of its time.
Ohh this R.E.M. album I really enjoyed. It sounded great. Maybe I like the earlier stuff than the later album that I got.
I knew this album anyway, although hadn't listened to it for a long time. Lovely blast from the past.
very very good. i really should listen to more rem, it pairs quite nicely with some of my other playlists. it paired really well w the smashing pumpkins and some pearl jam that i queued.
After listening to this album, I have reason to believe that the members of R.E.M are 9-5 blue collar workers. Album wasn’t bad. Reminded me of vermont
1/5- Getting ready for work and after work
Ok every now and then
Good but I wouldn't go out of my way to ever listen.
Love me some REM.
geggjuð
A brilliant album, among their finest.
Document has the one hit, a sharp corner which ties the sculpture together. Before End of the World, convention elevated; After, something slightly more dangerous but utterly absorbing. On balance, it feels like a deserved breakout, just on the right side of good.
definitely feel like I'd really love this band if I spent more time with them. Can definitely tell this was an inspiration for bands that would come in the 90s.
This is the kind of music that you can imagine hearing live just based on the record. I love the guitars.
Solid overall. Nothing stood out to me as being particularly great or notable, will need to re-listen to verify the rating later.
One of my favorites from the 80s.
Bruh I keep bamboozling myself because all these albums start out alright but fall off so hard and then I'm second guessing myself. This is can't be put on the same pedestal with some of the other 3s I've been giving. I like R.E.M. a lot though. Give them a year or two, they’ll come around.
Meh.
Not my favourite REM album but a worthy effort with some excellent tracks, including the seminal "It's The End of the World As We Know It".
Leuke popmuziek. Ik vind "Exhuming McCarthy" een leuk liedje, maar ook "It's The End Of The World As We Know It" en "The One I Love" staan op dit album. ****
Yes
Just not that good. REM is also not my music. Had potential but really didn’t do much for me.
Rem
The whole album is held up by “It’s the end of the world as we know it”
REM is okay. No song stuck out in particular but it was good. Maybe listening through it a few more times I would appreciate it better
Eh found it kinda blah
good 3/5
Favourite song: Welcome to the Occupation
Sits right there between a 3 and a 4...
The beginnings of a great band
mid
I like REM but I have to say, this record is just not getting me there. Aside from End of The World, none of the songs are very interesting compositionally or even lyrically. The track about "business acumen" was just so flat and dumb. I'm only halfway through, hopefully there's an uptick on the back half... So the back half was better instrumentally. The songs felt more varied, even though the lyrics were still pretty blah (looking at Fireplace specifically). The closer was good: moody, simmering, dark. Overall not my favorite REM by a huge stretch.
What an absolute treat 80's R.E.M. is! Yes yes yes yes yes!! They are at the peak of their alt rock niche here, doing some of their very best work. Their fundamentally unique R.E.M. sound thrums through every note of every song so joyfully. I love all the tracks, can't pick a favourite. It's a perfect R.E.M. album. If you wanted to know who this band really is, all radio hits aside, this is the album to get deep into. It's just so bloody goddamn GOOD. Endlessly listenable because of that peppy playful instrumentation layered within the subtly moody and contemplative lyrics. There's just as much to enjoy when listening from the shallow end of the pool as there is when plumbing the depths. That's the best thing about R.E.M. - you can listen and find something interesting to consider or toy with on every level.
A super collection of songs here, summing up the energy and great i die sound of the early R.E.M. before going mainstream
Ihan hauskaa rallattelua.
Diissentti rokkipläjäys
Good album top to bottom.
Really enjoyed this 80s rock album. I imagined early REM being mumbling and airy fairy music, but it’s as good as Out of Time and more fun, but not as high-brow as Autimatic for the People. Very good!
Is this peak REM? It just might be.
TIL just because it's called "college rock" doesn't mean it's suitable to listen to while doing lab exercises.
Absolutely solid. There is clever, songwriting and good melodies. They are a distinctive band. However, this did not make me want to revisit their back catalogue. The album definitely still stands up and is perfectly listenable. You don’t have to listen to this at home though, because somewhere you go this week there will always be an REM track playing.
Classic!
Holt mich sehr ab! Die Stimme ist der Hammer.
Pretty damn good
Every once in a while I think that maybe I should dive into the R.E.M. catalog and then I listen to an album and decide that I’ve pretty much got the gist
This one goes out to the band I love All killer no filler. Not my favorite band of all time but I'm never mad when they're on.
movimento rápido dos olhos
- Listened to this before - Good, but not as good as REM's best - Fav songs: Exhuming McCarthy, It's the End of the World As We Know It, Dusturbance at the Heron House
Almost a 2 is it weren't for some of the riffs and melodies. These guys do be winey!
Aside from a couple of well known songs, its ok.
A band squarely in transition. Without two tracks this would sit deeply in the lineage of the first four albums, while perhaps introducing a slightly heavier sound. There is a small town wierdness that pervades tracks like Oddfellows Local 151 and Disturbance at the Heron House. But then there's two tracks that mark the absolute point at which world domination became a possiblity. REM at this point were the ultimate slow-burners: five albums in and their final form was only just emerging.
This kind of early 60s rock and roll just doesn't do anything for me really. I appreciate the cultural significance but I wouldn't ever seek out listening to it.
classic college album. Not as good as I remembered, but still very solid.
The One I Love es la mejor. Ya encontraron el sonido que en los 90s los hará exitosísimos, les falta pulirlo y lo harán en el Green para llegar al Out Of Time. Esto se nota, pues este álbum les da su primer disco de platino. 3.5 Estrellas que subo a 4.
Pues un disco de R.E.M. que no es malo pero no es el que trae los éxitos comerciales o las rolas más memorables. No significa que no me haya gustado, pero no le veo sentido en la lista. Leyendo un poco veo que es cuando empezaron a usar mandolina, pero pues tampoco creo que eso sea el detalle que lo haga un must. En fin, 3.5 que dejo en 3.
Again a great album by REM, I think even better than the previous one, 2 days in a row 4.5/5
Funny I got it after their debut album... Defintly more to this album... From more interesting sonorities to also some songs are more "rememberable". Solid 3.5/5
Aika tyypillistä REMiä. Eli ihan hyviä biisejä ja mielenkiintosia yksityiskohtia muttei mitään erityisen mieleenpainuvaa. Paras biisi: The One I Love tai Oddfellows Local 151
okay, this is probably my first "objective" review. the best way I could describe this album is Southern Classic Rock with hints of Country? don't get me wrong, it's better and more listenable than a lot of other albums, but it doesn't really have the oomph for me. I guess I'm not really a fan of Country/non-electric stuff in general. no favorites this time, all of the songs kind of sound the same.
The crunchier, grittier side of R.E.M. Maybe not quite their stellar best, but an important and interesting part of their cannon. Rating: 3.5/5 Playlist track: It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) Date listened: 25/10/22
Cool
Listened Before? Y Oh yeah. REM at their early best. This album has been in my semi-regular rotation since the 90s, so nothing really new for me here but it was a pleasure to listen to it again. Added to Library? Was already there! Songs added to playlist: It's the End of the World as we Know It, Oddfellows Local 151
I liked it at the beginning, but as i continued i really wanted to stop listening. it sounds like something my old fiction teacher would cry to while watching virgin suicides
I forgot how much I loved this album. Every song is interesting and stands on its own. I would have given this a five star rating but Michael Stipes vocals can get a bit tiring. Great song progressions and prodiction. There is always a lot of nuances to the instrumentation and sound scape.
Front to back excellent. Straightforward song structures but solid playing that makes each a great platform for the many voice Stipes' brings: Sing-songy King of Birds; punk-y Strange; darkness of Welcome to the Occupation-- an earworm around every corner. The popular songs are great, if overplayed. But the lesser known tracks make it great - I still sing Oddfellows Local 151 when I drive past a firehouse with kids in the car -- they don't know what or why but it makes me feel good.
REM has a signature sound and Michael Stipe has a unique voice. There is no song I’ve heard by them that I would mistake for another band. A lot of their songs are similar but not the same. I’m not their biggest fan but I like them well enough. The songs ‘It’s the End of the World..’ and ‘This One Goes…’ are ingrained in my memory because of constant airplay at the time and occasionally even now. Here are some thoughts on other songs on the album: I like the guitars in Exhuming McCarthy Strange - Solid. If you’re going to name a song after Lightnin’ Hopkins it should be better. Much better. King of Birds - My favorite on the album. Odd fellows Local - Love the rhythm of the drums and bass. Second favorite song.
As if the star rating didn't say it already, this was a dramatically more enjoyable experience than listening to "Automatic For The People." While I struggled between a 4 and 5 on this one, this represents REM at its peak, IMO, so it gets the 5. It's the most benevolent blend of Michael Stipe — you can understand the words he's using, but I still don't know what he's taking about, and he's painting just outside the lines of his range and sweet spot as a vocalist. The pacing of the album is excellent, paring REM at its most playful (End Of The World) with its most earnest (The One I Love) — at least on this album — and it all works really well. It's also the band at its best in terms of sharing vocal duties. Whoever produced this did a good job with the talents of the band members. Bill Berry's drums sound great (love the gated bass drum on "Lightnin' Hopkins"), Michael Mills is used to his best effect, Peter Buck has loads of different guitar sounds going on — good stuff. This, for me, is where everything coalesced and it never got better for the band.
This was nice to hear again, though it didn't make me eager to dive back in to their catalog. Guess I'm just sort of over them, though that's not the fault of this album. This was their new album when I first started listening and for the most part I think it holds up well. Nice big sound. I don't know that I ever need to heard End of the World again, but that's not their fault. Fireplace is still a banger. The last three tracks are weak, though. This is more of a 3.5 for me. I'd round up, except that Lifes Rich Pageant and Murmur are on here and those are better.
1987 R.E.M. Classic
Never listened to this before but I loved it. Dark and gloomy with very jangly guitars. Hits and deep tracks were great. And 1987 is the best year.
:|
2/5. An interesting rock album with some standouts but probably not going to visit much later.
Album no.100 on the list! I somehow made it to 10%. Just couple years more and we're done with it. This is a second R.E.M. album on this list, and this time we have one of the earlier records - "Document" from 1987. It's already fifth album in their discography, which is very surprising to me, I always thought of R.E.M. as a more recent band. But nevertheless, when comparing this album with previously rated "Automatic For The People", I definitely prefer the older tracks. Their style is very unique and has put a mark on every record they produced, but "Document" has, in my opinion, better mix of melancholic melody, exalted lyrics and, at times, happy and uplifting vocals. The best example is "This is the End of the World (as we know it)". Great song, which works well on many layers - as a political statement, as an entertaining single and as a bit more sophisticated instrumental theme. Other great song from the album is "The One I Love", which is another successful single and is very pleasant to listen to. In general, R.E.M. music is not the most complicated or hard to execute, but when they hit it right, it's a really cohesive and fun music, and they definitely found the right tone for this album.
Classic Michael Stipend
Ja mislim da mi je ovo njihov najdraži
Prvo, posjedujem ga na vinylu. Čim čujem ovaj album ili Fables of the Reconstruction - sjetim se odlaska u Fordu ka prvom poslu u Starom Petrovom Selu. Nekako me smirivalo s obzirom kakav sam bio. Uglavnom, tu je nastala ljubav prema R.E.M.u. Općenito stvarno odličan album. Zamisli ti to, prvih 5 albuma i ostane im to najbolje ikad, još bi dodao Automatic for the People kasnije što su napravili, ali u osamdesetima su bombardirali sa jebenim albumima - kao Smithsi (ali mi nisu u tom levelu kvalitete potpunog albuma). Jače od čet'ri zvjezdice for sure.
Cool and chill
Sad but only like the really popular REM phase. I don't really like the jangle stuff and I find Stipe annoyingly oblique at times. The One I Love is a banger. Dont like the list song. Everything else is solid but unmemorable. Played it again when i realized Spotify had put it in shuffle mode. There is some guile in the album but hey....Classic 3
Masse bra, men de er ikkje heilt på topp ennå
Very 90's. Mostly fun, some rambly bits
Prefs : Finest Worksong, Exhuming McCarthy, Strange, It's the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine), The One I Love, Fireplace Moins pref: Lightnin' Hopkins
Worth listening to, lyrically thought provoking and great song writing. Tho personally I do not enjoy most of micheal stipes voice, I find it testing and distracting, personally. Songs like “the one I love” is great but overplayed and the vocals stand out to much in a way I can’t enjoy repeated listening. “End of the world” stands out as different from the rest of the album. Could be perfect to other ears. Also the guitar tone sounds so similar to what they do for the next ten years it sounds like this album could have come out in 1995
a classic for me, me enjoy
It’s a great album that I’ve actually, surprisingly, never listened to. It sounds cohesive without all the songs sounding too “samey”. I like it a lot. It has two songs on it that I know super well. Never knew they were from the same album! Like the other songs I’d never heard. Will defs listen again. “King of Birds” is a high point.
Eeh, pass. Good production, don’t like the lead singers voice
Not too bad
I liked it. I didn’t love it. I liked it more than I didn’t though
I think this album was pretty much what I expected. I'm glad to listen to more R.E.M. and see what their sound is like beyond the hits. I enjoyed the album. My favourite song is The One I Love.
Solid and unspectacular
You know, I liked this more than Out of Time
Super solid. Best track: It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
Good album catchy, second song McCarthy really good. Nothing blew me away though
C'est bon du R.E.M.!
Like RHCP, REM has a distinctive sound that makes any song of theirs easily identifiable as belonging to their band. They do what they do well!
I had a little more hope for this album. It was good but the rest of the album didn't live up to It's the end of the world as we know it. Still a good listen and I do enjoy their sound but the rest of the songs were just alright.
I don’t think I’ve ever given R.E.M. the time of day but I love their sound.
The classics are good. Honestly some of the other songs just sounded repetitive or too similar sounding, I was hoping for some differences and more creativity. Still fairly solid.
niet zo heel interessant uiteindelijk
didn’t totally finish but will go back to this one. it’s been saved.
I liked this album alot even if its kinda wordy in some sections. Im starting to think 1980s post punk scene is one of my go to genres now
Some of my favorites were non this album! Really enjoyed it!
Enjoy me some REM. Super solid album.
Not particularly fond of his voice. Some songs feel like they have similar melody. Did enjoy several songs.
3/5 Top Song: It’s the end of the world as we know it
3,5/5 poppig aber nicht zu sehr Happy Energetisch Nett 80er rock Leicht heavy Gitarre Pop voice Chillig Kann man auf jedenfall machen Kann man gut anderen vorspielen Ziemlich konstant ohne viel Abwechslung
I liked it a lot but the early tunes were a bit less memorable to me mostly because u have already heard a couple R.E.M albums however it elevated from a very good record to a fantastic one at the midway point when "its the end of the world as we know it", probably my favourite on the record, plays, ending side one. One of my favourite things about the album is the band energy that gives even the filler tunes an essential feel. Also the production was was great great, and their first album with Scott Litt. Also the guitar was really good
Couple of good songs. Not great overall.
Solid, but enjoyed the previous R.E.M. album more
In an era of repetitive and generic post punk new wave, these guys were doing something so unique and original and timeless, aging better than the biggest groups of the 80s. Michael’s voice is such a tool in the songwriting of the group and the quality production, guitar riffs, melodies, underrated harmonies, make this a perfect album.
Just something I really like about the sound of REM. The guitars, Michael Stipe's voice, always a good time
Really cool relaxing
Excellent album
I didn't have a lot to say about this one, but it was consistently good 4/5
Great album. You can tell they realized the direction of their sound early on.
Kinda just sounds like all the REM songs I've ever heard. There has never been a more REM sounding REM album.
3.5/5 Favoritas: - Welcome to the occupation - Strange - It's the end of the world as we know it - Lightnin' Hopkins
Solid album, hate their vocals
Heard it before?: yes, I think this is my 3rd listen Enjoy it?: yes! The songwriting and power in this is fantastic, a common theme with REM Favourite song: Track 6 - It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
Not as good as the previous albums, the lyrics here are pretty repetitive and silly. Side A has some good songs tho. fav tracks: Finest Worksong, Exhuming Mccarthy, The one I love
Album does nothing for me, just overall meh
Need to listen to more R.E.M. Pretty cool album.
I enjoyed this one a lot.
Top 3: 1. Oddfellows Local 151 2. It's The End Of The World As We Know It 3. The One I Love
good shit
Production is awesome I love Exhuming McCarty. Really playful tones and groovy twists It's the end of the world is a classic vocals when he sings "Fire" on The One I Love are amazing Lightnin Hopkins is such a unique yet familiar rock piece. Very unique sounds being used in the forefront of the song. Decently bold King of Birds was cool but ended up sounding kind of drone-y to me near the end Bass work on Oddfellows is great. Drums work really well with this bass sound. And I like the Guitar's tendency to veer into distortion towards end of notes in parts of the song. 7/10
Great lead single, decent rest of album.
Interesting album. You can hear newer songs were definitely influenced by these earlier sounds.
A classic and a favourite. Glad to have a reason to listen again!
Was not really into it
One of the last REM albums before they really took off. Really don't like End of the World, although it was a huge hit for them - clever but annoying. The One I Love is a favorite of the REM catalog and Finest Worksong is strong from this album. Didn't really fully relate to the REM experience, but this album has a few strong songs, as most REM albums do.
What can I say. It's R.E.M. You pretty much get what you're expecting. This album has a few of my favourite R.E.M. songs on it so that was good listening.
REM is cool and this is a great project
It's the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fine. Great song off this album, as well as "the one I love" good examples of early 90s alternative rock.
C’est correct, sans plus. C’est plutôt générique comme album
Je n'accroche pas tant à R.E.M. On dirait que c'est le genre de band qu'il fallait être là à l'époque pour vraiment apprécier le travail qu'ils font par rapport à ce qui se faisait. J'aime quelques pièces, mais pas aucun album en entier à date. Comme ici, It's The End Of The World As We Know It est une pièce importante de cet album que j'aime beaucoup. The One I Love aussi est importante pour le groupe, mais elle ne me rejoint pas. Je reconnais l'importance du groupe pour le rock alternatif, je reconnais que ça semble différent pour 1986 et je crois que cet album a sa place dans cette liste, mais je n'ai pas envie de courir me le procurer ou même d'y revenir.
This was R.E.M. that I wasn't too familiar with, other than the two in the middle which are part of the fabric of time. The rest kinda spanned the life of the band.
Yes thanks. What a great album.
It's one of the albums out of R.E.M's incredible productive era, 6 albums in 6 years. And this one falls in between the other two great albums Life's Rich Pageant and Green. But where the other two albums are a bit more stable in their quality, does Document have some of the best and worst songs of this period on them. It starts incredibly strong with "Finest Worksong" and "Welcome To The Occupation". It goes down a bit with "Strange" and "Exhuming McCarthy" then picks up immensely with It's The End Of The World As We Know It," "The One I Love" and mostly "Fireplace." Then "Lightning Hopkins" pushes the album down again. It might not be a perfect album, but it's and album I will always listen to with a lot of pleasure. 4,5*
not bad. I don't dislike REM
Didn’t know this album before - just End of the World as We Know it and to the one I love. Stronger start of album than end.
A significant portion of my feelings about REM were shaped by the scene in Tommy Boy of them singing “It’s The End…” on the road-trip. Michael Stipe’s voice has been incepted into my brain. Overall I liked this album and if I kept listening it would keep growing on me. Also am I wrong in thinking REM is a proto-ska band? So much brass. Highlights: The One I Love, Exhuming McCarthy, sax solo in Fireplace.
didn't love or hate it. Like The One I Love, and shoutout for making a song called Exhuming McCarty probably about Reagan/Bush folks. Glad I didn't live through the 80s... For the poliitcs, and also because the music kinda bland.
Guess I had a lot of preconceived notions about REM. Enjoyed this considerably more than I thought I would. Even the non-hits have depth and appeal. This is kinda like the anti-U2 album. I can understand how they got famous and why now.
Love all the old classics, didn't hear a lot that I hadn't listened to extensively here in the past. There was the one exception though, loved 'Oddfellows Local 151' which is a song that if not new to me I've not often heard!! Great track. Solid album, great band. I recall partying in Athens and hearing the locals down there rave about what great guys they are. Always amplifies a band in my opinion if they're good people.
I spent most of my high school years trying to avoid R.E.M. because that's what all the yuppie kids listened to. However, there's really no hiding from their jingles. It wasn't until college that I actually started appreciating Stipe's vocals and the music of R.E.M. Though less refined and poppy than their later releases like Green, OoT, and AFTP, it's good and perhaps underappreciated. You can't deny the Finest Work Song and certainly End of the World which is really the album of the 20th century. Document seems like one of those transitionary albums that introduces college rock into the mainstream leading the way for more artsy bands of the late 80's and early 90's.
Oldie, goodie, and yet not as exciting as i remember.
I am coming to realize that R.E.M. might be the most consistent band of the 1980s? Going back a few hundred albums to review “Document” after listening to “Murmur,” I’m now excited to dig into “Green” and “Automatic For The People” when they arrive. The hits here, deservedly so, are “It’s the End of the World and We Know It” and “One I Love,” but under the radar it’s the opener and closer that not just bookend but carry this album. “Finest Workhorse” and “Oddfellows Local 151” are less heralded but set the tone for an album without a weak spot.
This music sounds pretty dated to me. It bounces between a 2 and 3 for me until It’s The End Of The World As We Know It and The One I Love pulled it just above the JBZ (Jeff Buckley Zone).
REM is another band I know enough about, and like we’ll enough, but haven’t owned any of their albums. Probably should given how much I like Tragically Hip and the comparisons people make about these bands. This album is really good. Every song on the run from the start is so solid, up until The One I Love. Then. It looses steam a little bit and peters out to finish. But overall still really fun. Looking forward to listening to more of their albums now
A fantastic album where I think REM found their voice for their subsequent albums.
Lame besides the 2 tracks that anyone ever hears anymore.
Just REM
+ Its the end of the world as we know it + The one I love
MID. End of the world is my soft spot tho
I don’t wanna hear what they have to say I just wanna dance. Sounds like the one I love 11 times in a row
It's a decent album. I never was a huge R.E.M. fan to begin with. Better than I expected, though.
Liked this better than most REM I've heard, but still it was just ok.
Liked this a fair bit, "Strange" and "The End of the World" were really good.
I’ll be real, I think they probably peaked with Murmur, but this has some incredible rock music as well. “The One I Love” is an all-time hit for a reason. There’s a couple of skips depending on my mood, but I definitely intend to keep this in my collection for a good while. B+
Solid album. Has a couple great songs and some good deep cuts. 3/5
I like a lot of R.E.M's music, but this isn't my favorite album.. It's not terrible, but it's not one I'd listen to again.
This is a record slightly ahead of it’s time. Feeling like Sub Pop Seattle circa 1992 except five years early. This album also has my favorite R.E.M. track on it. A simply excellent display from a hall of fame band.
Standout Tracks: Finest Worksong, It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine), The One I Love, Fireplace, Oddfellows Local 151
This album gets a boost by being constantly played in my home growing up. Songs like "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" and "The One I love" are all time classics. The rest of the album is honestly a little bland, but the memories give it the extra point boost. An all time favorite!
It was alright but not my style. There wasn't even one song that caught my attention but it's good enough as emm background music. 4/17
Enjoyable. I'll look more in to a-ha but wasn't my favorite. Take on Me is a classic still, but other than that, decent album.
The saxophone is Fireplace nearly killed me. I encountered several songs that I would actively avoid in the future. I think I may not be a fan of the R.E.M. guitar sound. It lingers too long. Then add the constant cymbals. Too much sound at every moment.
no!
Fine. 2.5/5. Had some more out less memorable tunes. Enjoyed the alt country mixed with indie vibes. Otherwise feel no reason to revisit.
I know the big popular hits of theirs but I am less familiar with the rest of their work. I was very eager to check them out. Along with "its the end of the world", I have heard "the one i love". The third song that I really enjoyed that was previously unknown to me was "finest worksong". I'm excited to listen to more of their albums.
The 5th REM album was the first one I knew. They had a streak of 8+ five-star albums...
Very decent album that exceeded my expectations.
FIRE
My birth year. I remember my dad listening to this in the truck, along with rush and dead can dance and Peter Gabriel.
4.75
We'll, it has one of my favourite songs ever on it, and the One I Love too. Don't know the rest going in. I know people say REM were a huge influence on bands after them. I never quite got it, but the tracks that aren't the above are basically every American band from the first half of the 90s. And I finally get the REM leading to Radiohead thing. I'd give it a four as an album. But a five for influence. As that'd be 4.5, I'm not going to be mean, and I'm going to round it up. Side note... I'd completely forgotten that REM were a four piece originally!
i missed the bit of their career where they were a bit different and interesting. for me they are very much entrenched in the middle of the road making music for stadiums full of people to sing along too. so listening to their earlier doesn't make me think of some small band playing stages to 1000 people, it just makes me think of the song getting soullessly repeated to a stadium. its fine i supposes. i won't be bothering to listen to it again.
Like crying at a funfair. Fun fact: Michael Stipe uses elephant dung to exfoliate his skin.
Reasonably Entertaining Music
Disco un tanto flojo de un gran grupo. Tranquilo de escuchar y bien elaborado
Late 80s alt delight
Although I know some REM albums very well, for this one but not this one; here just know the hits. Of which there are many. After giving it a listen through I have no problem saying I like REM. This is a strong album. Not perfection, but lots here to like.
Meh
my 4th or 5th favorite rem album. probably their 3rd or 4th best.
I've yet to understand the appeal of a band like R.E.M. Their lyrical content is always well thought out and relevant like this one. They definitely explore different styles and play with different timbres, but I guess the general rock vibe doesn't click. Even their singles don't do it for me which is a shame. I hope they click with me someday but this one unfortunately was only okay.
Back to R.E.M. again. Blergh. I mean, Stipe's voice isn't too bad, and the three songs I knew were good. The one song with saxophone (!!), that was an interesting change of pace. But then there's just... Stipe. Maybe it isn't his voice. I mean, I listen to Neil Young and Ian Anderson and like them. They are just as nasal and whiny. But I just find Stipe so pretentious. And R.E.M. makes me think of 120 Minutes from MTV, and "oh, we're college rock. We're more ART." I don't know, it just somehow annoys me more. So the non-hits were a bit better than the last one, and the sax was a pleasant change of pace. But not enough to turn my loathing of Stipe around, sorry.
I don't think I've ever listened to this album, just the hit singles (The One I Love is still a classic). Not as good as when they hit their peak in the early 90's but still a solid album. Great energy, great guitar work, great lyrics. It's worth digging into the non-singles. If you like edgy plus Neil Young-like political & contemporary commentary, check out Welcome to the Opposition, King of Birds, or Oddfellows Local 151. If you want more up-tempo rock, check out Disturbance at the Heron House. If you want a bit of both, check out Exhuming McCarthy. I also really like their up-tempo version of Wire's Strange. And for a cool up-tempo version of ...End of the World... check out Canadian band Great Big Sea. This album is definitely the beginning of their upswing.
I think we all have one or two of those bands that a lot of other people like that for some reason just won't connect with you. This band is one of those for me. Not a fan of R.E.M at all. I bought this album decades ago mainly for the strength of the 3 singles thinking that I would enjoy the rest of it but most of the rest of the album except for the last track just bores me. "Oddfellows Local 151" is pretty solid song though. Based on these four songs I think I can round up a 2.5 to a 3.
The “big” songs off this album are fantastic: Finest Worksong, It’s the End of the World as We Know It, and The One I Love are classics for a reason. The non-hit songs on side one sound formulaic - similar guitar sound, bass line, drum beat, vocal style. It’s a good formula, don’t get me wrong, but very repetitive. The exception is Strange, but that makes sense since it’s a cover (originally by Wire). Side two gets a little less formulaic, but I don't find it all that memorable (except The One I Love, of course). Giving it a 4 because the greats are great, but not a 5 due to the fact that the others just aren't sticking with me as well.
R.E.M. at their loosest, most confident and most fun. Great mix of tunes, “A Finest Worksong” is an awesome opener (banged live, too), “Exhuming McCarthy” a boisterous blast and “King of Birds” a beautiful toning down toward the end. I’ve never loved the hits as much as others, though “The One I Love” holds up as a lean, classic. I have a long history with the band so hard to stay objective, but this record still sounds bold and fresh and fun, and continued R.E.M.’s hot streak that lasted well over the decade, a run that holds its own against that of any other band, ever.
This album is a wonderfully produced college rock/alternative rock statement piece. The signature arpeggiated guitars and Michael Stipe’s distinctive voice are at the forefront here. Stipe’s lyrics are insightful, sarcastic, funny, and rank among some of the best. REM is certainly influenced by new wave, but I wouldn’t group them in with that genre. They really do have a unique sound that can be heard in later alternative bands especially within grunge.
Have played this several times, and, sadly, nothing is standing out beyond The One I Love and End of the World. I thought the lyrics might make me look more favourably on the album, but I can't say Stipe's songwriting does much for me - when it comes to radical lyrics, these don't stand comparison with say Drive By Truckers. in summary, a bit disappointed with Document
Another fine collection of R.E.M. songs. Maybe the first album where Michael Stipes vocals are NOT unintelligible hilighting what a fine lyricist he is. Side 1 is particularly strong with not a weak song of the bunch, plus huge personal props for including a Wire cover (is this the first time they include a cover song?). Side 1 ends and Side 2 begins with the two hits, which are both excellent songs. After The One I Love, we get our first run of less than stellar songs in Fireplace and Lightnin' Hopkins. (It's weird and a little jarring hearing a sax in an R.E.M. song). The album ends on a particularly strong note with Odfellows Local 151. Not quite up to the standards of Murmer or Reckoning, but a damn fine album in it's own right. 4.5 🌟
C'est correct comme on connait REM
Excelente
Another solid REM album, way better than my expectations.
Definitely rough around the edges (which are made of most of the album with the exception of the couple of excellent songs in the middle). But in hindsight, you can see where the greatness of later albums came from.
The last of their great ones in my opinion.
4.5/5. Very solid. Nicely draws the line between heady lyricism and catchy, jangly pop-rock. Also very predictive of 90s bands like Lemonheads and Gin Blossoms
Yeah baby
Great album!
Enjoyed WAY more than I thought I would, I was kind of expecting weird weenie rock and got sick jams and great production.
I liked the beginning of the album a lot. The songs starting and after It’s the End of the World As We Know It aren’t my taste. Favorite song: Welcome to the Occupation Least favorite song: It’s the End of the World As We Know It
Solid 80s rock with lyrics that will make you want to sing along and rebel
Pretty good! I'm not huge into Alt-Rock, but I'm glad I checked this out. I will say that I think "King of Birds" would have been a waaay better song to end on than "Oddfellows Local 151". I was unsure about whether to give it three or four stars, but "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" is a classic, and tipped it over the edge for me.
Overall not completely amazing but this gets 5 stars for the fact that "The One I Love" and "It’s the End of the World as We Know It" are so perfect.
My favourite REM album, and I still think it's their best.
not bad, two good tracks, classic rocking
Really good, enjoyed this a lot
Ég er í góðu skapi í dag og þessi ágæta plata hjálpar til við það. Enginn R.E.M. aðdáandi í sjálfu sér, en ég gæti þessa oftar.