Reviews (page 3 of 13)
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.
Fantastic album!
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
closer to a 9 but probably my favorite R.E.M so far
Love the old rock vibes
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.
FANTASTIC!!!!
A solid album. Worth listening to. Could have been a few other hits in my opinion.
Such a wonderful album. Fun, meaningful...cohesive without being one note. Anything you would want.
Classic early precursor to grunge packed full off catchy pop-punk tracks.
love this one
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!!!!!!!!!
Soundtrack of senior year of high school!
Meilenstein!
A fiery energetic foray into the mainstream. Still jangly but a little harder.
This was even better than I remembered
Very strong! Every song is perfect
Among my favorite REM albums
REM at their most rocking.
Kind of retro, but good tunes, more garage bandy-REM.
8/10
grew up on this, great memories
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
Love this 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
One of my teenage years favorites! Saw them in 1989/1990 at the Concord Pavillion, Calfornia.
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.
Un gran disco, varios de sus mejores temas y un sonido avanzado a los 90s
Good rock and roll music Super jangly guitar tones
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.
done 8/10
Their first masterpiece
Yes
Great album
Großartiger Sänger mit goßartiger Band.
This is a very fine album indeed. Pretty melodies and Stipe's gorgeous voice make me weak in the knees a bit. Plus End of the World is my favorite way to end a karaoke party. Love it very much.
R.E.M. defined college radio when I was in college, and I was onboard! This was my first R.E.M. album and it has still got it! A terrific that brings terrific memories that still sounds terrific today!
Strong album. I didn't like them when I was in high school. As my musical tastes have expanded I've grown to appreciate their music. This album reminds me of different times. Well worth a listen.
Fantastic album.
Great album, never listed to REM outside of the radio hits but I love their sound and cannot believe they were mainly an 80s band. I think my favorite songs that were new to me were Fireplace and King of Birds.
Not my go-to for REM, but good record overall.
Веома добар, допада ми се њихов стил иако нема неке дистинктивно генијалне песме на албуму. Концепцијски је веома пријатан за слушање. 9/10
Brilliant, one my favourite bands at the the top of their game. The guitar work is classic REM and one of the most unique sounds there is. The lyrics are enigmatic and intriguing, and the vocals are fun to belt out along with Michael. Released 36 years ago and still sounds fresher and more interesting than most of the rock music that's came since. FFIIIIIRRREEEEEEEEEEE!
Love these guys
Arguably the best record in an incredible career. The hits are on here, but "Exhuming McCarthy" is one of the best political songs they ever wrote, "King of Birds" one of the most beautiful, and the Wire cover "Strange" was about as hard as they ever rocked.
Boy does this sound good to me. This album sounds like the perfect bridge from U2’s earnest social consciousness of the 80s to the disillusionment of 90s grunge. The depth of REM felt like it finally put the nail in the coffin of self-indulgent 80s arena rock. Love the background vocals from the B-52s lead singer Kate Pierson (better known for her accompaniment on Shiny Happy People). Most songs were hits. Glad to discover King of Birds through this review. It’s the End of the World As We Know It is timeless. We all knew all the words at the time (or at least we thought we did). Feeling…Pretty… PSYCHED.
You don't have to go far through my previous reviews to see I am a big R.E.M. fan. I consider this album to be one of my favorites by them, definitely more so than Green. This is one of the first albums where the actual political lyrics of R.E.M. can be understood and are less veiled. This album is a reaction to Reagan-ism in the 80's, but like most of their political music, it's more referenced rather than have the listener beaten over the head with it. Fantastic album that incorporates horns into the R.E.M. sound and "King of Birds" is one of my favorite underrated songs. This album has two hits on it, both of which have been played incessantly, but those are far from the best songs on "Document."
Ripper of an album
Feel guilty having given prince a 5 star for an album with 4 hits but a few fillers. Admittedly open and closing track on purple rain are stonking. However with Document we have a gold standard 5 star classic. Start to finish every track matters on this album. This is the kind of classic that you can hold any other against.
i love rem and don't care who knows it. this album might be their best work of the 80s (though i've listened to green more) and it's just fun and well-done all the way through. finest worksong is a great opener and it just stays high from there. i know probably 95% of the words to it's the end of the world as we know it (and i feel fine) so i may not be an unbiased judge of character here. anyway this album is great, five stars. favorites: all of it but if i have to pick a few, finest worksong, welcome to the occupation, exhuming mccarthy, ...end of the world..., the one i love
First REM album and first LP I bought classic. Michael Stipe has such a beautiful voice, that to me is the main draw of this band. But they also have a discreet inventive streak that only sounds old hat because they literally influenced everything I heard since. Should ask the boys about them.
Been loving this since 1987
Don’t listen to REM much anymore but am always overjoyed when I do. Remember listening to this on my sisters bedroom in the late 80s. A Truly subversive rollicking rock band
This album perfectly captures living under Bush era politics and the beginnings of alt-rock. Peter Buck has such a unique sound that guitarists are still trying to replicate. I never noticed the punk and proto-punk influences before on the band's sound, but I should have. A solid album from start to finish.
Primo college rock, slow start into a strong middle and end, It's the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine) continues to be a truly great song
End of the World, Finest Worksong, One I Love
It was, in fact, him in the corner
Really enjoyed this one. Great production, songwriting, and music.
A classic. So much good songs here.
R.E.M. No. 5. Document is a snapshot of a band transitioning from indie rock darlings to unlikely global hit makers. Although they seem to have approached the brink with their increasingly accessible musicality, they ultimately did not sacrifice their morals and overall being. They may go on to make zeitgeist defining and, to most fans, better records in the future but if you want to catch a glimpse of how R.E.M. became the band casual fans know them as, start here.
Great album amazing songs
Loved this album since it first came out
i thought the album only had one bop, but i was proved wrong
Possibly peak R.E.M., although it’s a broad, flat peak. Definitely one of my favorites.
'Finest Worksong', 'Welcome To The Occupation', 'Disturbance At The Heron House', 'It's The End Of The World As We Know It', 'The One I Love', and 'Oddfellows Local 151'. Stipe at his most political and a well-deserved international breakthrough.
Document is there to prove that R.E.M. is not all inaudible, absurd lyrics and jangly guitars. Okay, the guitar is still pretty jangly, but the lyrics are political and clear as day!
Definitive late 80s indie pop. Best in class for this kind of thing. Soul and dance beats, funky bass lines, jangly guitar, interlacing melodies, bookish lyrics. A lot of indie disco floor fillers here.
Great album. Starts a little slowly but really picks up speed toward the middle. Very much an early grunge album before ‘grunge’ was used to describe music. 9/10
Excellent REM album
surprised at how much i enjoyed this— at least a dozen bands come to mind that borrowed from this one specifically too.
Uno de los mejores álbumes de los próceres del “rock alternativo”. Con un sonido pulido que toma estéticas del Jangle Pop y el Punk, la banda demuestra por qué se estableció como uno de los actos más importantes del indie, y una de las leyendas más grandes de la música contemporánea hasta la fecha.
Muito bom
Solid album.
Great album, includes two of my favourite R.E.M. tracks "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" and "The One I Love".
Just amazing to listen to. The non-singles are as good as the singles.
This is an all timer. Reminds me of high school. Also, great writing.
I have to begin by saying that I am a MASSIVE R.E.M. fan. Their first FIVE (!) albums before this are all perfect. Like seriously, there is no sign of weakness in FIVE albums. Insane. Even though I feel that this is the first R.E.M. album with any slight lack of perfection, it’s still amazing and deserves a full count of stars. I mean, it has two stone cold classics that aren’t even the best songs on the album. Who can complain?
This is a fucking great album! I was familiar with the big two singles, of course, but from start to finish this is just fantastic. "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" may be overplayed and joked about too often, but it's just a beastly good tune. I think the final two songs are my favourite, but I feel like my favourites may dance around this album with every listen. Also, I don't know how it took me this long in my life to make the connection that R.E.M. and The Tragically Hip are like poetry rock cousins. It definitely would have been interesting to have Stipe and Downie collaborate.
Solid album
Brilliant. Michael Stipe manages to fit so much emotion in his vocals and the music is very catchy.
If I had to pick a single REM album to recommend, this is probably the one. It's a high point of a stellar career.
Liked every single song on this record. A strong album overall, and probably the best I've heard from them.
Psst. Hey, you! Yes, you! Let me tell you a secret. Please don't tell anyone. Even though I consider myself a big rock fan, until today I haven't listened to any R.E.M. album yet. I know their songs mainly because of various radio stations. Alright. What about the "Document" album? I liked it. I appreciated that it felt homogeneous, and created a whole. 4.5/5
A classic!
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
Ich mag R.E.M. - 5/5
baita som
Know this album! Quite good. Probably their third or fourth best record.
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
Jangly masterpiece
love it
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.
Love me some REM.
A brilliant album, among their finest.
One of my favorites from the 80s.
Yes
Rem
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.
Classic!
movimento rápido dos olhos
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.
a classic for me, me enjoy
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
I enjoyed this one a lot.
A classic and a favourite. Glad to have a reason to listen 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.
Excelente
Great album!
My favourite REM album, and I still think it's their best.
The REM most people remember. I grew up to this album. The perfect mix of mysticism, poetry and a little politics. And oh that guitar. LEONARD BERNSTEIN!
great
Awesome
Knew a couple wasn’t too shabby for a nice easy mornings listen
Totally awesome.
New goodeeeeez
Really enjoyable listen. Learned from Reames that your pronounce every letter when saying the band name.
No thanks
REM feels like normcore Rush
Good.
R.E.M. finding their true sound for the first time, quite possibly their greatest album Stipe still sounds incomprehensible half the time though haha Favorite tracks: Finest Worksong Exhuming McCarthy It's The End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) The One I Love Fireplace
Solid, good working music.
My third R.E.M. album! And my god, this really concentrates what i like and dislike about the band. My biggest problem -and it already starts heavy on the first track- are the lead vocals. Something about them just sounds so strained and… whiny (for the lack of a better word) on some songs. That really is my biggest gripe with the band and i feel a bit pathetic because of it. What i do enjoy are as always the instrumentals - they are full and pack several punches. And in comparison to their debut, the production on here is so clear! Love that. There‘s also a nice variety in mood and tempo here and it strikes a good balance. I genuinely love how emotionally earnest REM are in their songs - well, often i‘m not really sure what they are singing about, but they transport emotions really well. Exhuming McCarthy is the one for me on here, while Oddfellows doesn‘t work for me at all. I‘m pretty sure i will return to this album from time time.
Pretty solid album I've somehow missed. I still like other REM albums better but this one is good.
3.5★/5 07.06.2026
It's always a pleasure to revisit R.E.M.'s discography. Their songs are just as relevant today as they were when they were first released.
I had this album on my pending list, and this was the time to listen to it. It is dynamic, fun and great for an afternoon listen. Great rock songs and good vibes from beginning to end.
Was pretty good, though I think I'd already heard most of the best songs on the album.
Good songs! Not fantastic but maybe 3.6!
favs: it's the end of the world as we know it (and i feel fine)
040726 22:27 4
Alternative Rock/Jangle Pop Favorite Tracks: Finest Worksong, It’s The End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine), The One I Love Least Favorite Song: King of Birds While there are a few standout songs for me, I did felt like most of the songs on this list are really just good, but not great. I think part of that has to do with how some of the songs felt a bit samey in tone, and it’s just alright. I have the album in my personal collection, and we shall see later in the future if this changes for me, but for now, I just think the album’s fine as it was. 7/10.
Cosa rara, pero me gustó este álbum de los REM y mucho. Nunca he conectado con ellos pero este disco fue la excepción. Grandes temas, hitazos y en general música poderosa y genial. Bien!
Very well made
#1 Great album to start off with, big fan of REM. Love the imagery throughout the album with the constant references to fire. Lots of catchy riffs & melodies throughout the album. Some highlights include Finest Worksong and It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine).
Alles solide und 2 banger 4/5
Really solid rock album with some really good political messaging. Some fun riffs and really good basslines. Was not familiar with Michael Stipe's lyrical game. Favorite track was probably welcome to the occupation
Did not love the last track, other songs good to great with the end of the world as a standout
Overall, this is a very good album. R.E.M. is one of those groups that I either like or can't stand their songs: with not much space inbetween. Most of these were good with a few real clunkers thrown in the mix. "Welcome to the Occupation" was a hidden gem.
Liked it. It was okay.
I never met an R.E.M. album I didn’t like. Solid 4 stars for this one.
Big respect to this band for having a sound that is uniquely their own, even when you can’t spot their influences.
❤️❤️I already like R.EM. a lot. This album was soo nice to listen to, I was so relaxed 💤💤 I had to shut if off and go to sleep cause I wanted to appreciate every song properly 💘 Thank you 💕💕💕
4/5. My favorite REM I’ve had on the generator so far. Of course “it’s the end of the world as we know it” is an all time banger, but a lot of the deep cuts were also great. I loved the intro track “finest work song” and “fireplace” especially. Takes their college rock sound of the first few albums and adds some more muscle to it. And in the strangest twist of all I can actually understand Michael Stipe here! And on this album he tackles a lot of the political anger and anxiety around the Reagan years of U.S. politics (unrelated to the review, but the one good thing Reagan did for the world was die.) But yeah, it makes sense that this was the album that started their launch to mainstream stardom because it’s a great listen.
Again REM in the last couple of weeks, I’m not complaining, I jammed to it while walking through the rain. It’s the end of the world as we know it is amazing :)
A classic.
If there's one band that defined the path from underground to superstardom in the 80's, it's gotta be R.E.M. Slowly but surely the band had built their chops, their skills, and their songwriting, and then dropped this absolute atomic bomb on the world. Their infectious blend of jangle pop and post-punk poetry gets infused with a healthy dose of anthemic production, evidenced in the statement of "Finest Worksong". It's no wonder they became a global phenomenon right after this, and even though it's not totally perfect, it's still a powerful record from a band about to explode.
4/5, really like their sound and how consistent the album is
I never really have much to say about R.E.M. records. They kinda defy reviews to me. But they're always solid listens. Obviously The One I Love and It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) are classics, but the rest of the album is just as solid.
I've always been pretty ambivalent about REM but this is a decent record
Good album, if imbalanced. Finest Worksong, Exhuming McCarthy, It's the End of the World As We Know It, and The One I Love are all great songs brought down by a duo of lesser tracks, namely Lightnin' Hopkins (he deserved better) and Oddfellows Local 151 (they presumably deserved better as well). Also, what is a skronky sax doing on an R.E.M. song (Fireplace)?
Disco claramente previo al boom de Out of time (1991) y de lossing my religion, a mi comprencion es un adelanto a lo que vendria en los 90´ con la musica alternativa, sin caer en seatle con el grunge nirvanesco y toda esa historia, sonoramente es más cercano a lo que vendria con bandas como pixies a mi gusto. Hablando del disco sonoramente, tiene una busqueda más punk en algunos temas como pueden ser "strange" o los "hits" de este disco que pueden ser "the one i love" y "the end of the word", buscando amigar lo alternativo/punk con ganchos más poperos radiales para poder abarcar rangos más grandes de oyentes, hasta donde tengo entendido este disco los ubica en el mapa del mainstream norteamericano. Ahora buscando diferencias con algun ejemplo sonoro contemporaneo, este disco salio en 1987, yo agarre un ejemplo totalmente dispar como es "appetite for destruction" de los guns and roses, por obvio que parezca en lo sonoro se nota una busqueda completamente distinta no quiero criticar mal al disco de los guns pero tiene una busqueda más concentrada en meterse en lo mainstream de la epoca, también se nota en este disco de R.E.M. una busqueda de critica politica (no es que en el disco de los guns no se usen referencias sociales), supongo que en una parte de las canciones un poco es esa la busqueda y se nota. Hablando directamente de sus canciones, no le veo puntos bajos como tal por ahí el ultimo track "oddfellows local 151" podria durar menos pero no se hace pesado. Para mi gusto personal los puntos fuertes son el track 2 "Welcome to the occupation", el tack 3"Exhuming McCarthy" y el track 7 "the one i love". Gran descubrimiento personal de una banda que solamente conocia sus hits de los 90´, si les gusta el rock más alternativo rozando lo pop es una buena recomendacion.
Fuck it, 4 for the culture, but there isn’t any culture, it’s just that I kinda like it. Plus it’s the end of the world as we know it
I hope we get some early R.E.M. (which I loved, and still love). I first became aware of them in 1983, I think, just before I moved to NYC (Columbia), and instantly LOVED their first EP, and then their first LP. I probably loved each album of their that came out slightly less than the one before, and by the time of this album, Document (their 5th LP), from 1987, I no longer felt compelled to purchase the album. Still, it's a pretty good album, and I'll give it a low 4. Weakest points: tracks 9 and 10 - Lighntnin Hopkins was a great blues musician, but the REM song with his name is not great, nor is the next track. My other complaint is about "The One I Love," which became (I think) their first top 10 single, but I always thought was kind of slight. The other eight tracks are good, though, headed up by "It's the End of the World [etc.]" - which features the biggest secret (sort of) weapon of REM: the harmony vocals of bassist Mike Mills.
Franchement un banger. Un des premiers albums de cette liste que j'aime bien.
I listened to this on the way home from my last major high school event, so maybe it was that mood that made me really like this, but I thought this was a huge improvement on the other R.E.M. album that I listened to. I thought the instrumentals worked better, his vocal delivery worked better, and there was just more for me to grab onto here. I was genuinely engaged with the songs that I didn't know, which I simply can't say for Automatic for the People. Favorites: It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine), The One I Love, Oddfellows Local 151
Know some of this, sounds good, like early R.E.M. Think I mentioned last time, early REM just doesn't blow me away. Still pretty solid 3.5 rounded up Heard before? Some Owned: No. 80/315 (25%) Will I get: No
Great album. Really evocative tracks.
What a great album. I don't know what genre I'd put R.E.M. into, they're just one of those bands that are so distinctive. I loved this album. So many tracks I'd never heard, but my two favourite REM tracks were on this album (It's the End of the World as We Know it and The One I Love).
Haven't listened to much R.E.M but I really liked this. A lot higher energy than I expected with some really great songwriting too. There's at least 2 absolutely fantastic songs on here but I thought all the songs on here were at least good.
It's one of their best. Lovely stuff.
#373/1001. Another R.E.M classic, I prefer this one over Green or Out of Time (but not over Automatic for the People). Simple yet interesting, familiar but truly unique.
A fun listen
Starts off strong with “Finest Worksong” even though lyrics are incoherent. R.E.M. songs are most times random thoughts—I gave up on trying to understand what they mean. It’s more a “this voice and random words work with the music” for me. I like this album better than “Murmur.”
Good
- I'm a fan of REM so probably quite biased - A few great hits, the majority are decent but not overly memorable on first listen.
More than two ok songs.
Love REM but prefer later albums
great lyrics !! great instrumental elements, not the biggest fan of lead singers voice but everything else was so well done I got over it
These guys are good.
Good album, I hadn’t heard it except for the hits.
Álbum com músicas marcantes e que foram influências importantes para toda a cena do rock alternativo dos anos 1990. TRI x HBB Kai.
Good stuff; it’s when this alternative band became mainstream (but this is the third REM album that has come up for me in the list… wonder about the random-ness of the generator)
Love R.E.M.! This is one of their best albums.
I’ve always loved “It’s the end of the world as we know it” and all of the best aspects of that song are the best aspects of the album as a whole. Great instrumentals, great harmonies, and political commentary that can be both funny and dire. Besides a few songs I just don’t care for, this album does a lot right, and I’ll probably like it more as time goes by.
R.E.M. so yes End of the world is one of my earliest music memories
Almost like a Beta version of OK Computer? (In the best way)
actually a really good album. Im glad I gave it a chance. fav songs its the end of the world and we know it. nice lyrics and interesting message
Recent, some filler
REM is a band I've always liked without becoming obsessed, so it's been interesting to finally delve into more of their albums. Document feels like a strong album from the outset. Finest Worksong has never been one of my favorites, but it's a solid start. The next several tracks keep up the quality while still adding some musical variety. It's kind of wild that two of their most well-known songs are right in the middle of the track order. It's The End of the World As We Know It and The One I Love are definitely my two favorite tracks here and deserving of their status as all-time great songs by the band. As many times as I've heard it, I still can't sing along with "End of the World." Even though I don't engage with the lyrics like some do, I can't deny being engaged by its exuberance. I can't help but wonder how well Document would be remembered without them. I think it tails off pretty hard after The One I Love. The sax on Fireplace doesn't fit here, and the vocals are pretty irritating on Lightnin' Hopkins. King of Birds feels like a meandering march, and Oddfellows just might be the least-engaging thing on the record. That said, I'd probably put this about on par with Green and both of those a full tier under Murmur.
like them, but nothing pops out
The songs have such a melancholy quality to them, but remain energetic. Good writing and composition, guitar playing is a highlight.
I’ve heard this before and I own it. I owned this on tape in the early 90s and picked it up again on CD about 15 years ago, so there was about a 10 year gap not having this in my collection after I lost most of my tapes. Lots of bangers here in the radio hits and deep cuts and not a few that drag. It’s a really good album.
Surprised by how much I like it. No real skips on here. The production is very of its era. Very sonically clear. The reverb is heavy, esp on the snare. Dont mind that, again very 80s. I get similarities between badmotorfinger and Epic by FAITH NO MORE in style and production, lyricallly not so much. I would say oddfellows was one of my less liked songs on the album. I like that the album generally sounded the same throughout, end of the world being the biggest departure in sound. Stipe's singing is classic REM here. Solid 4/5
Another R.E.M that was new to me. Found myself singing along instantly. Will definitely come back to this one!
I'm more of a post-Automatic for the People guy, but R.E.M. is undeniable
i love rem
This album already contained three of my “liked songs“ on Spotify. Definitely a stylistic change, but not an unwelcome one.
Not my favorite rem album but pretty good
So far, quite good! Skilled songwriting, nice production, punchy lyrics that play between scathing critique and fun. "Finest Worksong" and "Strange" serve as fun bookends for a section heavy in political commentary and interesting composition, with the latter being a weak foray into surf rock that's still nice to listen to. The songs between are great. "It's the End of The World ..." is a huge standout so far, very very high-energy and exciting. Quite punk. "The One I Love" is an ugly look into misogyny that's effective and well written. This sort of song only works 50% of the time, this is in the good half. "Fireplace" is interesting! Cool lyrical escalation, fitting into the broader theme of the record. Very good sax(?) solo! "Lightin' Hopkins" is dense and exciting. Nice bass, great drumming, cool structure, interesting lyrics. "King of Birds" is fantastic. Beautiful, experimental, what this album has been leading up to. That is, until "Oddfellows Local 151" hit me in the gut with a brutal conclusion of this criticism of Reagan-era "American Exceptionalism" with an extremely real look into reality vs idealism. Can't help but interpret this as asking the question "what do we do with our veterans, and native americans?" Overall, highly enjoyed this album. It's very clear that grunge took heavy inspiration from this sound, a sound that itself is a great mixture of UK rock, country, and blues. Super impressed, giving this a 4/5.
Amazing album, REM are a band I know I should have always been into but never got round to listening to them in depth. Loved it, amazing song writing, amazing musicianship. I’d probably give it a 5 but some of the production style is a bit too 80s for this kinda of music for me. Admittedly done really fucking well. But that is also something I’ll probably change my mind on in time. One to revisit!
Looking forward to this… I think I missed this album. I believe this is the first time I’ve ever heard it. I know Murmur, Green, Automatic for the People… this one was lost in the shuffle? I was glad to hear it! Boolean rating: yes, definitely worth a listen
13/05/26 (sim, nesse dia eu ouvi bastante coisa - não tuco do passado, eu n fui vagabundo, eu só fiz coisa ouvindo música de manhã, fui no evento e é tarde para fazer alguma das suas obrigações, fica de boa que vc vai fazer bastante do que você precisa amanhã) R.E.M me lembra meu pai, ele parece gostar da banda foi ele que me apresentou Losing My Religion (uma das primeiras músicas que eu genuinamente gostei e moldou meu gosto na vida), Shiny Happy People e Everybody Hurts espero que um álbum da banda n seja mid, pq essas músicas são incríveis esse eu já queria ouvir inclusive, a capa é bem pika a voz desse mano é bem foda essa do the end of the world é mto pika mds the one I love eu já tinha ouvido antes tbm???? na minha cabeça eu conheço mais dessa banda do que eu achava, meu pai realmente gosta mto dessa banda R.E.M é foda porque a sonoridade deles é um country rock bem eclético, sensacional daria 7/10 / 3.5, arredondo para 8 pq R.E.M merece por ser especial para mim
Good rock and roll uh music
Great album where R.E.M. started to get widespread notice. A couple monster tracks (One I Love, End of the World as I Know It) and a bunch of other solid tracks surrounding them. Really like this one.
I love everything REM. Murmur and LRP are probably my favorites but there's something to love in them all
you'll never get a perfect album from R.E.M, but you'll always get a good one.
Favourite Songs: Welcome To The Occupation Exhuming McCarthy
This is a very good album through which R.E.M. manages to deliver its usually verve, punch, and melancholy — always sounding original, with sparse lyrics.
Fuera de mi zona de comfort pero me ha gustado
Probably my favorite R.E.M. album of them all. I'm not the biggest fan of the band, at least not as big a fan as most people I grew up with, but this album is a solid 4. So much better than Automatic for the People, which was HUGE during my high school years and one I didn't really care for.
I never dislike R.E.M. but I hardly ever love them. This album is no different. 3.5/5.
I love Michael Stipes voice, and these songs are absolutely timeless. A great listen.
Recently discoverd R.E.M. and really like them but this album got repetitive.
I'll just simply always be a REM girlie.
A fine album. 3 singles that I love Last song could be a new fave
Good, would listen again.
i really enjoyed it. classic rock sounds. chill pero con energía. i’ll keep listening to it for sure. lovely
From the first notes it sounds like R.E.M. - they are unmistakable! It sounds incredibly fresh for 1987 - same year as Appetite for Destruction and Hysteria. Alt-rock indeed. I really liked this album - R.E.M. has always been sort of a "admire" band for me rather than a "love" and I think that is still true. 4/5, this sets the stage for the entire 90's sound that gave us DMB, Counting Crows, that whole sort of jam/rock/folk/fusion glueball of festival music and windows down driving.
Album 32/1001. Listened 4/27/2026. I knew most of it by heart. Classic REM. For me this ages better than a lot of music from that era.
Loved automatic for the people. Didn't really click with Murmur. Unsurprisingly, this is bang in the middle. Some great tracks - Finest Worksong, End of the World. One I Love - several passable ones that don't offend me. You can see it as a stepping stone to their later work, and definitely has more ideas than Murmur. Very good but not great. Deserves a 4.
Great album. King of birds is a definitional filler track but otherwise it rocks.
This album seems particularly fitting for the crazy year of 2026 and world events going on currently.
Very great album, 7.5/10 💞
Shoutout to the saxophone on Fireplace
Muy guapo. Este mola.
One of their best, an enjoyable listen.
Great rock, great writing and clever political political commentary. What's not to like. Love it!
Wire reference?
I really like REM, and while this isn’t their most polished work, it’s a catchy, jangly, fun listening experience. Michael Stipe may have also accidentally invented grunge voice on this album.
It's hard to believe this is from 1987. Sounds pretty modern to me. I don't love every song here, but even those are worth hearing. You can tell this is a band who has played with each other for years and have figured each other out. It's beautiful to behold. also - FYYYY-UHHHHH! FOUR STARS
First time listening to this album. Recognised 2 tracks. It's the end of the world as we know it and the one I love. Overall liked it, would listen to it again.
4/5
It's good. Got some classics on it, but their sound does not feel dated, really. I'm a semi-old man, but I feel like the music isn't as dated as some other stuff from the time.
Lead singer Stripe's vocals are incredibly unique and extremely enchanting. The instrumentation was great. The saxophone on Fireplace was a surprise and was very fun. Favorite Track: It's The End Of The World As We Know It - I'm kinda biased on picking this one since I've listened to it and loved it before, but it's still the best.
“Finest Worksong” — the sound of my first real exposure to R.E.M.; it felt bigger and sharper than what I’d heard before. - “The One I Love” — the song that was everywhere; the one that made me realize this band was becoming huge. - “End of the World” — pure energy; reminds me of hearing it on the radio and laughing with my roommate trying to keep up with the lyrics. - Deep cuts like “King of Birds” — tied to quieter moments in the dorm room, when the album played all the way through.
Really solid album throughout, I'd say all of the songs are good in their own way. I've always liked REM, but really only knew them for their hits; two of which are featured on this album. Strange was my favorite new song that I heard by them by listening to this. Favorite Track - The One I Love Least Favorite Track - Oddfellows Local 151 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The hits on here are bangers, and overall this album is solid. Great alt rock / grunge sound that's really well defined for being released in the 80s. 3.5 stars from me.
Mæ: Veldig mange av de her sangan høres litt ut som den der «this one goes out to the one I love». Albumet: Begynne å spille «The One I Love» Mæ: Aha. Æ kan skjønne koffor folk like REM, men æ tror rett og slett ikke det betyr at æ orke å bry mæ særlig mye om dem likevel. Det e litt som han norske Rem, han orke æ heller ikke bry mæ særlig mye om. Den eneste REM-en æ like e kanskje REM-søvn? Det e fint, æ like å drømme.
Not my favorite REM album but they are insanely consistent.
Nice! One of the architects of the alternative rock right there and this is their breakout album. Although I have to say after discovering their early days, I think that's there it's at, so I wish this list would have more albums from their early career besides Murmur. I know this is a strong 4 stars for sure, we will see if I give 5 or not.
A bit rockier than I would have expected from REM, although it’s still jangly indie essentially. I knew a couple of the tracks already, but even those I didn’t know held up well alongside them. Surprisingly good overall
Great stuff, obligatory LEONARD BERNSTEIN
Why didn't I listen to these guys more back in high school. This is great.
Es el album que tiene a "The one i Love", no hace falta decir mas.
Muito bom, escutarei outras vezes
7/10
Although I’ve heard this album before, it’s not one I’ve listened to much or indeed in a long time. Automatic for the People is my go to R.E.M. album but clearly this is one I should reach for more often. It has the jangly, upbeat indie rock that they are famed for, more variability and personality than some of their previous albums, and clearly their breakthrough album for those reasons. Speaking of jangly guitars, Welcome to the Occupation really reminded me of The Smiths on today’s listen.
I used to think REM was a great album band, but as I've become wiser, at some point - probably around this record - they became a singles band. 3 outstanding tunes on this album, maybe 1 or 2 other really cool jams, and then the rest is mediocre ho hum claptrap. I wanted to give this album 3 stars, but the fact of the matter is that "It's the End..." is a great tune. Fantastic. "The One I Love" is a pretty rad hit song if we're talking about the 1980s. "Oddfellows Local 151" is among the best tunes the band ever did. Got to be fair about it and give the 4th star for effort.
Document is interesting to me. Though it isn't a five star album all the way through, the roughness the band goes for something of note. Michael Stipe used to lay low in the mix mumbling away his melancholic messages in the microphone while the rest of the band would flutter away. Here, they mean serious business. Stipe isn't shy anymore, he's pissed! They're all pissed! Why? REAGAN!!! FUCKIN' REAGAN DAMMIT!!! So now they're writing and singing about the reality of America and playing their songs loud. It's not an overtly political record by any means, but it's an important step in the band's journey to becoming more outspoken. Not just speaking up in their activism, but in their music. Everyone is giving more effort into the recording and there is evidence immediately within Finest Worksong. Some of that can be attributed to Scott Litt making his production debut, a relationship that would last until 1996. Litt's direction along with the band's intent on re-invention created a perfect mix of good ol' college rockin' R.E.M. and new hit potential. This is how The One I Love becomes a smash on the radio though I always knew End Of The World better. I wasn't exactly alive in 1987 to remember hearing FIREEEEEE over the airwaves, but the charts say otherwise. This record proved that the Athens quad could play around in the big sandbox that was music. And the rest is history with Everybody Hurts and Religion bumping on the classic alternative station for eternity. Now while I speak positively about Document and its importance in the history of a band I care about so much...there's some parts that prevent it from getting a higher rating. I don't care much for the closer "Oddfellows", it feels like a simple "last track" on a CD rather than a proper closer. Am I asking for a big bang? I feel that Superman on Life's Rich Pageant or West of The Fields on Murmur put on the closer costume better. Oddfellows feels like an afterthought. I can't just go after that one, I also don't care much for Heron House. But that's two songs! That's it! The rest of the album has something I can take home thinking "Aw yeahhh R.E.FUCKING.M.". That or I'm picky? Five star ratings only go to albums where I feel the entire experience is put together and none of the songs - WAIT. I gave Automatic For The People a five star and that had Star Me Kitten! Doesn't that contradict the decision? Well, Automatic ends with Man On The Moon, Nightswimming and Find The River anyways. This ends after one mid closer, so I think I have a valid point. In the meantime, I think it's better to say that I like Life's Rich Pageant better. It does have Fall On Me on it. Nonetheless, a satisfied trip with one of my favorites (8/10, 4/5 on this scale)
4 1/2
First artist repeat... I'm not sure if I buy the argument for having some artists appear multiple times on this list. I enjoyed this more than Murmur! The epitome of late 80s/early 90s basement sleaze rock, haha. Hard not to bop to ITEOTWAWKI
R.E.M. was one of the first bands I remember going out of my way to listen to as a kid; we had CD copies of Reckoning, Out of Time and the mighty Automatic for the People in the house, which wound up being some of the first experiences I had with The Album as a format. Document is a batch of songs I'm less familiar with, save for its A-side closer ("It's the End of the World as We Know It...") and B-side opener ("The One I Love"), some of the band's first radio staples. as Michael Stipe's lyrics became more and more coherent, R.E.M.'s sound started to polish up in response. the band's trademark jangly guitar work takes a much leaner, heavier tone on Document which is apparent from beat one. "Finest Worksong" is a total firecracker with a two-word chorus that's perfect in its simplicity. "Welcome to the Occupation" uses bold, twisted political calls to action as a means to critique Reagan-era conservatism ("hang your collar up inside/hang your freedom higher," "freedom reigns supreme/fire on the hemisphere below/listen to me"); the following "Exhuming McCarthy" rips even further on that front. Stipe's voice cracks like thunder on pretty much every song; just five albums into R.E.M.'s career, he's pleading a case as one rock music's finest lead singers, whether he's mumbling or proclaiming. decent 8/10.
Could be my favourite REM,
One of REMs best efforts, seamlessly introducing elements of jazz, worldbeat and folk into their developing alternative rock sound.
Very good. Seems all similar but to heard real instruments on a song or mix it was something didn't know i need it
7/10 rocksito tranquilo
Very solid record. Songs and ideas feel fresh for the 80s. Vocal performance is grounded and meaningful. Can hear what would soon become 90s alternative. 4/5
My rating 4.2. This album is another nostalgia ride for me and also right in my wheelhouse. Love every bit of this record.
This is a great album. It’s hard for me to appreciate how impactful it was because I started listening to music in the post R.E.M. era so there was a lot of great stuff owed to their innovation.
Not sure if I enjoyed this or Automatic For The People More.
This is kind of a tough album to rate, but I did enjoy it throughout. I already enjoy much of REM, and it was fun to learn that they're considered the godfathers of alternative. The hits are great here, and the rest of the album is all well made and fun. There really isn't another band like them.
The song list has a couple radio classics in End of the World as we Know it and The One I Love. Finest Worksong isna good start. While the album has high highs it also had some kinda mediocre stuff on it, though I suspect I lack context for some of the political content. This one was released before my birth. I would love a modernised version of End of the World, that one would still be very relevant if updated for modern events. Aside from the classics mentioned earlier, I also liked Strange and Fireplace. I am a sucker for a bit of sax in a rock song. FFIIIIRRRREEEEEEEERREEEEEEE!
*1987. *Starts out strong with Finest Worksong. *End of the World and The One I Love are both on here too. *Just a solid listening experience all the way through. RATING - 7.5/10
Interesting lyrics, fun songs to listen to
There are so many R.E.M. songs that I love but this album taught me that there are also many R.E.M. songs that I can just take or leave. Four stars for this album because the good songs are just so good. I’d be giving it three stars otherwise. Album 21, March 19, 2026
Minimal exposure to R.E.M. prior to listening to this. First full R.E.M. album listen through. Very much enjoyed it
A very solid indie prog rock album and I enjoy it. Didn't get time to properly digest but it was enjoyable with some bangers that we all know and love :) a classique
One of my favorites from REM and this era of "college rock", which was the genre at the time. This one is full of songs catchy enough to stick in your head but not too polished that you would be considered uncool for liking them, especially in the 1980s. Guitars that are often fully distorted can also give way to more jangly arrangements backed with a rock solid rhythm section. The two hits on here that just about everyone has heard come back to back right in the middle, but the surrounding tracks are still worth your time.
It doesn't sound like it was recorded in the 80s, which can only be a good thing. Clearly a leap forward from their previous work. Excellent production and interesting music. Enjoyable.
Reminds me of Geoff Crowe - high school.
Album is a solid 4. Great singles, great flow, decent deep cuts. Well rounded and s good listen overall.
I hoped I'd get a more dancey album today and sure, close enough. R.E.M. have some serious bops. Not every track is a hit but it's still a great album.
This album feels like the moment R.E.M. truly came into their own, successfully transitioning from underground college rock darlings to a powerful mainstream force without losing their identity. The production by Scott Litt brings Michael Stipe’s vocals front and center, making the lyrics more audible, though no less cryptic, while the band adopts a harder, more muscular rock sound. It strikes a perfect balance between their earlier jangly aesthetic and a new sense of urgency and confidence. The record is incredibly cohesive, anchored by undeniable hits like "The One I Love" and "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)", yet the deep cuts are just as rewarding. From the driving opening of "Finest Worksong" to the haunting, atmospheric "King Of Birds", the musicianship is top-notch, featuring Mike Mills' signature backing vocals and Peter Buck's distinctive guitar work. It’s a tense, politically charged, and energetic masterpiece that remains one of the band's most essential and enduring works.
This is the REM, I am most closely recognize more so than Murmur. End of the World & The One I Love are the classics but Strange & Lighting Hopkins are fantastic. Overall a great album not a whole lot of filler. 4
Energetic and vibrant album with a lot of color. Instrumentation was great and the tracks felt unique while also sounding like they were a part of the album and what it was getting at. 7/10, Favorite Song: Fireplace
R.E.M. has always been one of those bands were I enjoy the hits and struggle to vibe with the rest of the album. This particular album, which have some of their biggest hits on it, resonates more so with me. Really enjoyed the vibe all the way through.
Endlessly cool. It's just a shame Michael Stipe sounds the same regardless of what he's singing.
A good template for the indie rock to come, especially bands like Deathcab. The intro guitar riff is quite nice, and this has the “end of the world” song we all love.
mouth gang I was afraid this was just gonna be another overrated boomer rock album but this is kinda sick
I reviewed Green last June and really enjoyed it, so I was looking forward to listening to Document today. Before starting this challenge I had tried a few times to get into R.E.M. but never fully got into them. These albums have really helped change that. Document sits in that interesting period before they became huge mainstream stars, and you can hear a band that is confident in its own sound. It feels rawer and a little more direct than some of their later records. The jangling guitars, slightly mysterious lyrics and driving rhythms all come together really well. There is a real energy running through the album that makes it an engaging listen from start to finish. I have always enjoyed their bigger albums like Out of Time and Automatic for the People, and I am sure those will still come up later in this challenge. Hearing the earlier records like this is giving me a much better appreciation of how the band developed and found their sound. Favourite song: The One I Love Least favourite song: None. Every track works well within the album Album artwork: A cool and distinctive cover that fits the late 80s alternative feel
Far and away the best R.E.M album I've heard because there seems to be actual emotion to it and makes me feel something for once. 7/10
Classic
While I generally enjoy R.E.M., it's appreciation more than adoration. I've listened to every album that has Bill Berry on it and I definitely like all of them, but a large percentage honestly starts to bore me halfway through. The exceptions are three albums that are coincidentally on this list: * Murmur, Document and Automatic For The People. Document might be my favourite, honestly. It's their first step towards a more polished sound and they pull it off very well. It's a punchy, fun and consistent set of songs (bar a couple of tracks near the end). I should definitely listen to some of their later work sometime in the future. I've heard good things about New Adventures in Hi-Fi, so I'll probably start with that one. Favourite track: Welcome To The Occupation
As a middle class white suburban male of a certain age, i am legally bound to give any R.E.M. album no less than a 3, and any 80s R.E.M. album no less than a 4. This was my introduction to them, and i would have given it a 5 back in the day, but it's damned only for not being *as* perfect as the four albums before it. Mainly, it's just a little bit of Side B filler that makes it suffer slightly - most of it is top notch.
America's greatest (or at least, my favourite) band takes their biggest and most important step, bringing rhythmic muscle and pop confidence to their established gawky genius - it loses some nervy intensity, but not much charm. Favourite tracks: Finest Worksong, The One I Love, King of Birds
Decent song
Enjoyable alt rock album. It's pretty consistent but apart from the singles I've already heard (The One I Love and End of the World), my favourite was Exhuming McCarthy.
Standout beloved tracks “end of the world..” and “the one I love” classic bangers. I love love REM’s distinct sounds, the bass, the guitar that’s constantly swirling. So atmospheric, bold, rich. I’m running for the train in the 90s to meet my anarchist friends.
Now this sounds like an REM album, at least this is the sound I think of when I hear it. Good album.
Another collection of bangers from REM, the consistency is astounding.
wait is REM good? i liked this
Good stuff. Clean vocals while still being a lil grungy. Lyrics are a little visceral in a rock and roll way.
Pretty good
REM is a white whale of mine. Never knowing more than the hits I've always been so curious as to why exactly they are so beloved and canonised. Two albums in on the project it's becoming clear, people love them as much for what they created as for what they represent, and those two things marry beautifully- the idea of artists as craftspeople, using attainable skills to make things of beauty that speak to common truthes and concerns. The idea of a band that isn't critically lauded because of their virtuosity, or their avant-garde experimentalism, or their shocking left turns, but they did the work, and the work was good. That is a band you can believe in and feel good about living with your whole heart.
Classic, good reminder of an album I once enjoyed that somehow got lost. Timeless songwriting and production value that still holds up. Still dropping to a 4, because of personal preference. 1 song made it to a playlist.
What a nice change of pace! I found my head swaying to the End of the World song without a care in the world.
Whenever I thought the world was going to end, it ended up being just fine. Like another tuesday. REM was ahead of its time with this sound and you should hear this album for the history.
A definite standout record, one of REM’s best. The opener is a belter, as is the first half of the album. 2nd half perhaps not reaching the massive standards. Deserving of its place.
Listened to this once all the way through last year and a couple of the songs a bunch of times. It's really a two hit album with a bunch of other good politically lyrical tracks on the first side. As good as REM is this probably their 5th best album.
I wasn’t ready to like this one m, but their vibe is pretty solid. Enjoyable, all the tracks are good. 4 stars
I really don’t know why we, as a society, stopped making music like this and started making buttrock instead.
I hadn’t listened to this one in years, so I really enjoyed hearing it again. To me, it sounds like it could have been a double album if combined with “Green”.; if you like one, you will like the other. As I have said before, sometimes Michael Stipe’s voice gets a bit whiny for me, but I think it’s still a very good album…four stars.
I had a brief R.E.M. phase at 15, I'm honestly a little giddy with excitement to revisit beyond the greatest hits CD or whatever it was that gave me access to them back then. It's so funny because it's not a style of music I ever consciously tried to ape, or even felt particularly in love with. But what I do know is that when I started writing my first songs in bands with friends at school, the minor, modal tonality, the parallel 5th harmonic motion, the lyrical sensibility, the narrow repetitive melodic ideas almost drone like, are hauntingly familiar. It seems like writing songs like REM just came very naturally to me. And I guess by that I mean the less good ones. `Oddfellows Local 151` really epitomises what I'm talking about here. The record really soars when the Jangle Pop shines through. It's the Smithsian guitar arpeggios. `Disturbance at the Heron House` breaks out of the melodic drones and does some trademark REM moves in it's switches between sections. By far and a way the biggest song on the record is `It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)`. The spiritual sibling and forerunner of Billie Joel's `We Didn't Start The Fire`, it's an absolute tank of a song, you can just imagine the crowd waiting patiently and going nuts for it when they finally blast it out. In a nutshell, the band has real range. Lyrically it doesn't have the elegance of early Morrissey, sometimes it feels like Stipe is just singing a list of lines he thought individually sounded interesting even though they bear no relation to one another, `King Of Birds` is the most blatant example of this. But structurally there are similarities to the Smiths that I don't think I appreciated before. There's an awful lot in this record, and Peter Buck deserves a lot of credit for bringing the jangle, cause without it I think Michael Stipe would have gotten very stuck in a rut. It's at it's best when the vocal melodies are running the show, it's at its worst when the chords are simply walking up and down in parallel with each word Stipe sings, a la `Fireplace`. It's a raw, pretty simple record, not a lot of funny business sonically, but it's the sound of a band cranking out songs and getting one banger for every two they make. It's a decent rate of return for mature garage band in the 80's.