Reviews (page 6 of 14)
There might be a temptation on my part to too easily write off REM as just another pop band. However, I am finding there is more to them and their sound as I listen to more of their music. A solid 4 for this album and another listen in the future!
The hits weren’t even the best tracks. Especially compared with their earlier stuff, it’s much more engaging and dynamic.
3.5 stars rounded up.
The album that put R.E.M. on the mainstream A solid records with two of my favorite R.E.M. songs - Finest Worksong and It’s The End….. Stipe has such a distinctive voice and this was the start of their prime. And the lyrics are top notch. There will never be another group like this and I’m glad I was along for the ride with them.
I never ever think to listen to this band, but when I do I usually end up thinking they’re pretty high quality
LEONARD BERENSTEIN
Good stuff. I can't listen to REM for long periods of time, like some other groups, so I can't give it a 5, but I do enjoy them.
Wasn't a huge REM fan but not really sure why...really enjoyed this. Can imagine hearing this while walking past West Dorm our senior year... For quite some time I thought that they were saying "Can I have some Tylenol" instead of "It's time I had some time alone". I like my lyrics better...
Sounds just like an R.E.M. album! Shocking, I know. In all seriousness, there's a couple of great tracks, and most of the rest are good but not particularly memorable. Unless you love R.E.M., then this'll be just what you were looking for.
Pretty good!
"Document" by R.E.M. is a landmark album that showcases the band’s unique blend of compelling lyrics and innovative sound. Released in 1987, it marks a significant evolution in their musical style, merging jangly guitars with socially conscious themes that resonate deeply with listeners. Tracks like "The One I Love" and "Finest Worksong" demonstrate their ability to craft memorable melodies while addressing complex issues, making the album a powerful commentary of its time. The raw energy and creativity present in "Document" not only solidified R.E.M.'s status as a vital force in alternative rock but also paved the way for future generations of musicians, ensuring its lasting impact on the music landscape.
This album is almost totally fucking awesome, just drags a bit sometimes
I can't even say why I like this, or R.E.M. in general, but I do.
A band with a message
Wow, REM goes harder than I ever knew.
it‘s the end of the world as we know it, and i feel fine..
One of those records where you can see the embryo of the 1990s start to take shape, as post-punk morphs into alt-rock via R.E.M's distinct cynical righteousness The production is flattering to every instrument, and Stipe's voice sounds incredible (as always!)
7.5/10 Not a big R.E.M. fan but this positively surprised me. Consistently good and interesting. Not nearly as pointlessly.meandering as I expected. Highlights: Oddfellow Local 151 The One I Love It's the End of the World Exhuming McCarthy Lightnin Hopkins
A good REM album?
Buen disco de REM
It turns out that R.E.M. wasn´t able to make a single bad record! Another strong album with the hits "It´s The End Of The World As We Know It..." and "The One I Love" and only a few weaker songs.
Had this a few days after Murmur, which I appreciate but it’s hard not to compare them directly. Document is definitely less fun and less catchy (End of the world as we know it… notwithstanding) but Finest Worksong is up there with my favourites. There are a few songs here that feel a bit samey and they were taking fewer risks at this point. I was tempted to give Murmur a 5 but rounded down in the end so it seems only fair as I’m feeling 3.5ish to round up this time.
Early REM all seems to be pretty consistent. I'm assuming this is the album that got them big due to the banger singles, and it makes sense since the rest of the album is pretty good too. The Wire cover in the middle was a bit of a jumpscare.
I never had a special opinion on R.E.M., and while I always knew their singles were good, I never delved deeply into their discography. Since this is their fifth studio album, I didn’t know what to expect. I already knew a few songs from the album, but I was thoroughly surprised to find that the deeper cuts were also really good. The themes felt very political and relevant to the times in which they were written. The One I Love is my favorite song from the album. There’s still that distinct 'R.E.M.' sound in every song, but it doesn't feel boring, and it doesn't get stale no matter how many times you listen to it. They're one of the very few bands that created a successful formula of having a standout sound in each song — you know it's R.E.M. as soon as you hear it, and I really like that.
Its the end of the world will always be a banger. Chicken little and growing up super nostalgic. Rest of album sounds pretty similar.
This feels ahead of it's time in terms of ushering in the 90's alt rock era. An enjoyable listen with some great tracks and not any duds. The standouts are the two hits "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" and "The One I Love".
A wonderful collection with 4 or 5 absolute highlights. 4 stars out of 5.
REM are a great band who I respect but the lead singer's voice grates on me.
Banger after banger after banger. Does get a bit samey by the end however. Documents approved.
Beyond the three singles, I was unfamiliar with the other eight songs - so it was nice getting to hear these for the first time. I wouldn't say they're overly strong tracks, with the side A four being noticeably better than the side B four, but I still dug the experience.
I think this can be considered R.E.M.'s first "real" breakthrough. "The One I Love" and "...End of the World..." both stand the test of time as two of the group's biggest songs. However, the rest of the album doesn't really follow their normal template that led up to this point, and instead opts to deliver a more "harder" rock sound with clearer vocals from Stipe. This was the first R.E.M. album produced by Scott Litt (first of many at the time), so this musical direction becomes clearer. There's still the familiar jangle pop here and there, but some sax and even a dulcimer is thrown in on the back half. I still slightly prefer "Automatic For The People", which would release a few albums later, but "Document' is still pretty strong for its runtime. A 3.8/5 seems appropriate. Favorite tracks: "Exhuming McCarthy", "...End of the World...", "The One I Love"
REM is one of those bands that I've liked but never really 'got into' like other bands. Monster was probably the album I listened to the most for some reason, and Out of Time and Automatic for the People were the ones I think of when thinking about REM. Document has gone underappreciated by me with the exception of the singles. The One I Love is the most jangle-pop song ever. It's great. End of the World is great too and seems appropriate for the times. I had never really listened to the rest of the album all the way through, but there are some other really great songs on here as well. Disturbance at the Heron House was a standout. Strange took me by surprise as well being a blues song.
Finest worksong - 3/5 Welcome to the occupation - 4.5/5 Exhuming McCarthy - 5/5 Disturbance at the heron house - 4.6/5 Strange - 3.8/5 It's the end of the world as we know it - 4.8/5 The one I love - 5/5 Fireplace - 5/5 Lighting Hopkins - 4.8/5 King of birds - 4/5 Oddfellows local 151 - 4.8/5 4.48/5
Bon REM des débuts, quelques tubes qui passeront dans leur rotation :”Finest Worksong”, “The One I love” et celle qui terminera la quasi totalité de leurs concerts “It’s the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine)”. Ça s'essouffle sur la fin avec un morceau avec beaucoup trop de saxo (“Fireplace”), une qui fait trop whoohoo whooohoho (“Lightnin’ Hopkins”) et une dernière chanson dont le riff n’était pas suffisamment bon pour le faire durer sur plus de 5 minutes (Oddfellows Local 151”). Ca reste un bon album, avec quelques très bons titres. Ca manque parfois de variété dans le songwriting, certains titres n’étant que des variations d’une formule déjà entendue sur d’autres albums. Et à l’échelle de REM, il y en aura d'autres meilleurs.
and this is why I love this list....challenging engrained views of bands/genres/albums that originated at a time and place in my life that have changed. Totally reassessing my opinion of REM as a result of this album.
has some of my favourite buck guitar work on here but the record flames out far too soon begins a run of spotty rem records in my opinion, can't beat their old stuff best song: the one i love worst song: king of birds
I really like REM and was fortunate to have listened to them live. It's the end of the world as we know it (and I feel fine) is one of the songs that marked my youth. I have listened all these songs before but never in order. I like the album a lot.
A lot of nice songs
Solid R.E.M. Didn't know this album (did know two songs,It's the end of the world as we know it and The one I love) really enjoyed it.
I was super into REM in my mid-teens and I remember this album quite well. They were a popular rock band by this point but not the mega stars that they would become with Automatic For The People. I really like the earlier sound captured here and if I could have seen them live it would probably have been in this era. Cool band. Cool album.
Now this is good rock and roll, uh, music
Another 4 star Going too far? Couldn't be further apart From Depeche mode for a start The bedrock of alt rock Times where people took stock Nuclear weapons and cold war R.E.M made it very far Later in the nineties This is beauty from the eighties
2 big hits and a lot of deep cuts. Stipes’ voice is monotonous but in a good way! Delightful
I found this so much more listenable and enjoyable than Green.
This is exactly the type of album I was hoping would be on this list. I have listened to it before and I likely will again. End of the World and The One I Love are just good songs. The album itself has some variety of sound and some clear devotion to a particular sound. If that makes sense. Like they know where they struck gold and mined strategically around that area. It just sounds good to me even before I dig into the creativeness of the music or lyrics or pairings therein and whatever. A band that can let its bassist shine is in my opinion one that has more than one ace up its sleeve. Individually the songs hold up and collectively I want to re-listen just to understand the political side of the lyrics more. It perhaps would be a 5 if I had reviewed more or even less albums but currently it’s a strong 4. Very solid with no notable flaws, but I tagged 5 songs I really like. I’ve got albums with 8-10 or more and I think I need to leave room for being blown away and not just impressed.
Awesome, rockin, REM is the best
Cool!
So much jangle. I love the combo of It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) and The One I Love. They're both fun, dark songs
Pretty good. Like most REM, it has a couple of fantastic tunes, but the rest is pleasant but sort of samey-samey.
R.E.M. are definitely growing on me, if only by exposure, but there is a certain sameness to the music here (low/high riffs, basically) that I don't think their later work has. That midpoint double-act of "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" and "The One I Love" is kind of breathtaking though.
4.1 3x couple classics
Really a 3.5 rating. Fun songs and such a unique voice. Most songs across movies for sure. But not my go to style
Not bad nothing special probably a 3
I forget how much I actually do like the early REM catalogue (through Green). Truly the ultimate "college" rock band. Guitars sound great, Stipe isn't mumbling on this one. The album is almost completely up tempo. I'd forgotten how good this one really is. And it's super accessible - I don't think you have to be in a specific mood to hear this one.
A classic R.E.M album with my favourite song of theirs “It’s the end of the world as we know it” That be a good karaoke song to learn
Own it
I've listened to R.E.M. before as an influential band on the alternative rock scene. I've heard the singles off this album, Document, and I consider them to be the highlights. The rest of the album is good, but I'm not quite over the moon about it as I would have liked. On a technical level, everyone in the band played well. In particular, Bill Berry's kept a driving rhythm on percussion, Pete Buck's guitar hooks were catchy, and Michael Stipe's off-kilter baritone vocals were complemented at times by the harmonized background vocals on songs like "It's the End of the World As We Know It (I Feel Fine)." My hang-up with this album comes from the lyrical content. I can tell from songs like "Exhuming McCarthy" and "Welcome to the Occupation" that the band tried to provide political commentary concerning the Reagan administration at the time. The problem is the imagery of the words is just opaque enough that the messaging doesn't work effectively. There might have been an attempt at balancing out the silly and serious tones with these songs, and as a result, it only felt serious to me with "Finest Worksong" and "The One I Love". I still enjoyed Document even if the songs didn't coalesce into a more meaningful impact. Regardless, the band still played well on this album, and as such it gets a solid recommendation from me.
Mycket bra skiva. Fantastisk pop. Bra röst. REM är given på den här listan. Finns bättre skivor med bandet men den här är värd en solid 4a.
REM är ett grymt band. Skulle tippa på att om jag betygsatte alla album skulle snittet bli högt. Just denna skiva har jag lyssnat en del på. På kassett!!! Då tyckte jag its the end of the world var bäst/roligast. Inte längre. Det är inte deras bästa skiva, men lägsta nivån är hög med REM. En stabil fyra.
Älskar R.E.M. och rent emotionellt så skulle jag vilja sätta en femma, men deras senare album från början på 90-talet är bättre och den här når inte riktigt hela vägen dit. Det är forfarande riktigt bra dock, så fyran är solklar.
What a time to be alive. Turning 18 and discovering lots of new exciting things. Music was changing for the better too. This album was my introduction to REM. A band who continually hit and miss for me. But this album grabbed me with the simplicity and perfection of ‘The One I Love’. Such an awesome rock pop song with harmonies, banging bass lines and dancing guitars. ‘Finest Worksong’, ‘Disturbance…’ and ‘Oddfellows…’ are other stand outs for me. Back then, I found the whole album fresh and interesting, and it still holds up well. 7/10 rounded to a low-ish 4.
I don’t know if it was the production or the quality of the music, but I swear R.E.M. never sounds like an 80’s band. Seriously, It’s The End Of The World As We Know It could have been released in the 90’s and I wouldn’t call it out of place. Maybe it Michael Stipe’s vocals or the Scott Litt production that give R.E.M. their sound. Document has to be one of the more cryptic, but refreshing albums of the decade. I think this might be the band’s most consistently good album to date. Everyone does their due diligence, from Bill Beery’s backing vocals to Peter Buck’s shredding, and the result is an extremely fun album. I tethered between a 4 or a 5 for this one. The score will show a 4, but it’s more of a 4.5. Favorite track: It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) Other hits: The One I Love, Finest Worksong, Fireplace, Welcome to the Occupation
I suppose that I have never been as much of an REM fan than I should be. All of their 80s output (and most of their 90s) can be argued to be classics. Document is probably not my favourite, but it does have a couple of their most known singles. Solid from start to finish and an important artifact of its time maturing the College Rock level of play to something that could occupy a greater range.
This is the second REM album I've gotten, after Green, and I feel pretty similarly about both. Another very good album, and a rare one where the second half is significantly better than the first half. Favorite songs are The One I Love and the last track.
Always been a fan of R.E.M. and The One I Love and It’s The End Of The World As We Know It are classics. Not sure I’ve listened to this whole album before, but I also think it has a good variety of sound.
I haven’t listened to this before, but I have a soft spot for Automatic For The People and Monster. This was great.
Good album. Reminded me of other REM albums I've listened to. Sometimes haunting lyrics, good musicianship, ahead of it's time or maybe in a time of it's own.
Good sound
Classic REM.
solid. sounded like REM. had some of their classics
good
I love REM, but this is clearly one of their earlier offerings, as it’s not as polished as some of their later stuff. I really enjoy It’s The End Of A World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine), as it’s quite different to the rest of the album. And Michael Stipe has a beautiful voice.
Enjoyable and recognised more than expected
R.E.M. getting more poppy, but still with an indie edge.
It's good, but it's not their best. It falls right between two great albums in their discography. It has a bunch of great songs, but in my opinion it falls flat compared to a handful of others in their discography
End of the world is worth at least +1 star
Lightnin’ Hopkins was my favourite song on the album.
I've never listened to REM aside from the odd single that I would hear on the radio or at bars, not quite grasping the appeal. Sitting down and listening to this album in its entirety has really piqued my interest! Definitely going to explore this group more, and revisit this album.
fajn
I only listened to two songs because I slept through the rest of the album, but I liked it
Enjoyable album with some super recognizable songs. Not an overall banger composition
I love REM have been listening since they came out-they came to Rutgers once while I was a freshman we thought they were the cooooolest... this is not my favorite album but I love how nicely it flows from Finest Worksong to the One I Love - It's the End of the World is always so fun
There are other albums I prefer more, but it was still a treat to hear his truly unique voice and their sound. It's been a beat since I've listened to them, and wow, it took me right back to when music was consumed so differently. I'd have my tape ready for the college radio station to record new music from KTXT. Some DJ friends premiered a documentary, "35000 WATTS: The Story of College Radio," and REM was front and center.
Vocals have never been clearer but this is ultimately Pete Bucks day. This album rocks and rolls and has riffs galore. The summation of their half decade rise - five albums in five years is such a different era - each album pushing them forward. The harmonies are still there the guitars are out front. Not a misstep from the Finest Worksong through Fireplace but then gets lost in the last quarter. S
Document is the only R.E.M. LP that I own, but it's been a hot minute since I've listened to all of it from start to finish. I've already reviewed Murmur (meh) and Green (loved it), so I'm excited to hit up my third R.E.M. album for this project. I wanted to really love this album, and while I think it's really good, it fell a little short of five stars for me. Document starts off with the criminally underrated "Finest Worksong," a stirring rock anthem that sets the tone for the album's themes of resistance, individual empowerment, and political corruption. "Welcome to the Occupation" slows things down a bit musically, but "Exhuming McCarthy" shifts back to a more upbeat song, with lyrics blisteringly critical of Reagan era politics set to a jangly pop rock sound that's almost impossible to not to tap your foot along too. Side 1 ends with one of the band's most well-known (and in my opinion, one of their best) songs, "It's The End of The World As We Know It." I love the opening drum blast, and the blistering pace of Michael Stipe's vocals make this one of the best rock songs of the decade. Bill Berry's backing vocals of "it's time I had some time alone" are absolutely perfect, and his vocal presence is a huge boon to the whole album. "The One I Love" is not one of my favorite R.E.M. songs, but it's a solid ballad, despite feeling a little out of place on this album. The rest of side 2 is good, and while I always enjoy R.E.M.'s music, there's not a lot on side 2 that I really love. I think it's objectively good (excellent songwriting, great guitars, and solid drumming), but it's just not something I really enjoy listening to, especially when you take all of R.E.M.'s catalog into consideration. This is a really good album, but it falls a bit short of greatness with me.
Pretty good. Low 8
Some great songs and anti-capitalist vibe on this one. After hearing Fireplace, I wished every other track on this had a saxophone part.
I liked it! Songs do blur into each other but it's an overall pleasant sound. I think it's a 3.5/4.
Fun music, end of the world is a very silly song
gonna try to bang this out for the last hour of work...definitly sounds like some new wave trendy music... i can see this as an inspiration for a lot of bands never listened to REM before
Entre Lifes Rich Pageant y Green, este disco es el puente entre ambos y supone la evolución definitiva en su sonido. Contiene además dos temas, It´s the end of the world y The one I love, que son dos obras maestras.Les deja una inercia imparable hacia la trilogía definitiva. Scott Litt logra el sonido canónico de REM y se convierte en su productor de cabecera para los próximos y findamentales 5 álbumes (la pentalogía pluscuamperfecta). El disco tiene una apertura potente con Finest Worksong, todo un clásico en sus conciertos. Welcome to the Occupation es un temazo con la chisporroteante guitarra de Buck, y el excelente bajo de Mills. Exhuming McCarthy es compleja y variada, con clara influencia de The B-52´s. Tiene un ritmo que luego seguirán en Stand (Green) aunque también tiene ritmos sincopados, cambios de todo tipo (meten saxo y vientos) y una voz que si no es la de Fred Schneider (The B-52´s) bien se le parece. Disturbance at the Heron House es otra gran canción en los parámetros de los REM más clásicos. Strange cambia ligeramente el sonido, con unos simpáticos coros que iluminan una gran canción ajena (Wire). Una de las pocas versiones en un disco de REM y cierre de la cara A. La apertura de la cara B es espectacular con It´s the end of the world y The One I love, dos clásicos de la música de fin de siglo. Poco o nada que comentar, simplemente escuchar (y ver sus vídeos musicales). En Fireplace meten un inquietante saxo (muy escaso en las canciones de REM) que no desentona en absoluto. Lightnin' Hopkins con otros estupendos coros, es el reverso oscuro de Finest Worksong. King of birds es una canción marca de la casa donde introduce mandolina, es una de las joyas de Document. Oddfellows Local 151 continua el lado siniestro y oscuro, supone el cierre del disco. Disco excepcional. 1987 tuvo muy buenos discos : U2- The Josua tree, Terence Trent D´Arby- Introducing the hard line according to, Depeche Mode- Music for the masses, Dinosaur Jr.- You´re living all over me, Prince- Sign of the times, Spacemen 3- The Perfect Prescription, George Michael- Faith, The Smiths- Strangeways here we come, Erik B & Rakim-Paid in Full , Hüsker Dü- Warehouse: Songs and stories, Guns and Roses- Appetite for destruction, The Jesus and Mary Chain- Darklands, Sonic Youth - Sister, The Triffds- Calenture, Michael Jackson- Bad, INXS- Kick, Pet Shop Boys- Actually, Aerosmith- Permanent vacation, Pixies- Come On Pilgrim, The Wedding Present- George Best, Simply Red- Men and Women, LL Cool J- Bigger and Deffer, Boogie Down Productions- Criminal Minded, 10.000 MANIACS - In my tribe. Radio Futura- La canción de Juan Perro, GABINETE CALIGARI - Camino Soria, Esclarecidos- Por amor al comercio, Los Ronaldos- Los Ronaldos, Pata Negra- Blues de la Frontera, Nacha Pop - El Momento , Alaska + Dinarama- Diez, La Polla Records-No somos nada, El Último de la Fila- Nuevas mezclas, Duncan Dhu-El grito del tiempo, Siniestro Total-De hoy no pasa, La Orquesta mondragón-Ellos las prefieren gordas, Héroes del Silencio -Héroes del Silencio y Loquillo y Trogloditas - Mis problemas con las mujeres. También Def Leppard- Hysteria, The Cult- Electric, The Sisters of Mercy- Floodland, Primal Scream- Sonic Flower Groove, Public Enemy-Yo! Bum Rush the Show, the Justified Ancients of Mu Mu (the JAMs, luego KLF)- 1987 (What the Fuck Is Going On?), Love and Rockets - Earth, Sun, Moon, The Communards-Red , Mike Oldfield- Islands, The Replacements- Pleased to Meet Me,The Cure- Kiss me, Kiss me , Kiss me, Sting- ...Nothing Like the Sun o Joe Satriani-Surfing With the Alien.
War ein ganz guten Album, würde ich so nicht nochmal hören aber einzelne Lieder aus dem Album vielleicht schon.
R.E.M.'s first great album, I think. Like the stripped-down sound, which gives a lot more room to the guitars.
We've had a few R.E.M. albums now and I'm starting to enjoy them. Will listen to more.
Solid album, enjoys the genre of music, wasn't to sure how the individual songs fitted together to create an album .
something about the tracks that aren't the stuff of legend strangely hook me a little bit more than "classic R.E.M." deep cuts. i love that period of R.E.M., they're like that cousin who's cooler and more down to earth than you, but that cousin now has a good job and a house and he's somehow cooler? and that's saying nothing of the two beasts right in the middle of the record. there's no cutting them out. "a serve", as the kids say. is it sacrilege to say i like seminal jangle pop band R.E.M. more after they "sold out"? am i stupid? am i gonna die?
Clearly a great influence to any indie rock and many other genres of the 90s and after.
Now this is rock. I'm giving it 4 stars because I'm stingy. Loved this album (hello?? the guitar riffs and strumming!), I'm glad I listened to it because now i have some new favorites.
It was good, it's unfortunate it was overshadowed by the other albums i was listening to right before it. A part of me was just waiting for it to end so i can go back to them.
7/9/24 A classic album by a classic band. One or two of their more known songs are here, it's an easy enough listen.
i’ve thinking for years that i needed to listen to more rem, and not just rely on the hits, and this album did not disappoint. ‘document’ showcases the band at one of their many peaks. michael stipe’s vocals are so satisfying to me, and they complement the band extremely well. i particularly enjoyed “it’s the end of the world as we know it” and “the one i love”. i feel inspired to listen to their entire back catalogue now, and am excited to see more of them.
love some fiercely political bangers 👍 favourite tracks: welcome to the occupation and of course it's the end of the world as we know it
I'm a little biased here because the two huge tracks here (ITEOTWAWKI and especially The One I Love) were kind of like childhood anthems for me. I grew up on Guitar Hero: World Tour, and The One I Love was my favourite song on there. Some of my best memories from the late '00s are jamming out on a plastic orange guitar with a Wii remote wedged into the back while my mom belted out "FIREEEEEE" at the top of her lungs. (I'm surprised our neighbours never complained.) So, as simple as the melodies and harmonies are in most of the tracks, R.E.M. gets a pass for pure nostalgia. The pure energy in the other track (with the funny long name) also bumps this album up significantly. Other than those two tracks, the songwriting isn't particularly memorable, and the main draws into the music are Buck's shining guitar arpeggios and Stipe's distinctive and heavily American vocal. I wasn't sure if R.E.M.'s music qualified as alt-rock, so I had to look it up, and it seems they're pioneers of the genre. I can definitely hear it towing the line between classic 70s rock, the clean, electronic "danciness" of the 80s, as well as something indescribable that's unique to alternative rock. 4/5 Key tracks: Finest Worksong, It's The End Of The World As We Know It, The One I Love
Probably more of a 3.5 than a 4 but I enjoyed it. Some greats.
I liked this but I think I need more time with it to decide if I love it.
Automatic for the people is better but this is still good
Great album with many iconic songs. Very joyable music :)
Very clearly the first instance of that recognizable "R.E.M." sound which would inspire many a 90's alt-rock band in the years to come. I don't think it's R.E.M.'s best album ever, I think that title belongs to 'Automatic For The People' but it's a very enjoyable album none-the-less and has a few big tracks too. I would listen to this album again on purpose Standouts It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) Oddfellows Local 151 4/5
These songs are all so familiar to me. They're ingrained on my consciousness even though I don't really listen to REM on my own.
R.E.M. is one of my absolutely favorite bands. Document is a strong album with many highlights - some of these songs still move me deeply to this day.
Not their best but still good
Standout Tracks- The One I Love, Its the End of The World
3 is too low, a 4 is maybe too high but there are some tunes on here.
This is like a 3.5 for me. I'm rounding up. I spotify-liked 3 tracks: Finest Worksong, End of the World as we Know It, The One I Love. The rest of the tracks have the REM sound I like, but the songs themselves are not as good.
Quite alright, just early alternative rock, isn't the most interesting thing ever but certainly quite enjoyable and will get through an evening
4.4 - I just love REM at the moment, but this wasnt the best album for me. But any REM album is 4 and above right now.
Something about this album was very comforting. I liked the saxophone on Fireplace. I thought Its the End of the World As We Know It would sound more We Didn't Start The Fire, but it felt very organic within the album. Fave Tracks: Finest Worksong, Its the End of the World As We Know It 3.8/5
REM at ots REMest.
These guys were better than I remember.
I liked it
It's a shame I don't think the back half of the album is quite as excellent as the first; Lightnin' Hopkins in particular I'd consider a bit of a low point. Overall a great album that while not as strong as Murmur IMO, dials down the jangle and ups the intensity to great success.
REMs REMiest album I think. At least it’s the one I consider quintessential REM
This would have been a 3 - were it not for „it’s the end ..“. I love that song.
So good, I had to listen to it twice!!
Just lovely
One of the best albums of the 80s.
Kinda good
Rating: 8.5/10 Consistently great songwriting, jangly, fun riffs. Melodic basslines and tight drumming. Another great album from this band. The consistency of this band is truly remarkable. Favorite songs: Finest Worksong, Exhuming McCarthy, Strange, It's The End Of The World, The One I Love, Lightnin' Hopkins, Oddfellows Local 151. Least favorite song: Welcome To The Occupation.
R.E.M is a top-5 band for me, and this album was a key player in making that happen. After getting into them thru Out of Time and Automatic for the People, Document was my first step into their back catalog and my realization that this “new band” I loved had a storied and immensely strong musical history. “Finest Worksong” is indeed one of their finest hours; “End of the World” and “The One I Love” are perfect, massive singles; “Disturbance at the Heron House” is great; “King of Birds” and the Wire cover are cool, too. Most of the other songs aren’t bad, just not my faves from the band by a stretch. Again, this record helped catapult me into assured R.E.M. fandom, but in hindsight Automatic, Murmur, and Life’s Rich Pageant all best it for me. Document is still a great record, tho. That’s how great of a band R.E.M. was, and still is.
I fought REM for a long time, but there's no denying the depth of their catalog. This album finds them firmly rooted in their craft, but still floating outside the mainstream. 'It's the End of the World as We Know It' was prophetic because it pretty much broke them into popular airplay, but it's probably my least favorite track on the disc. 'King of Birds' and 'Finest Worksong' are favorites, along with tracks that must have been spill-over from the last album, 'Fables of the Reconstruction', like 'Oddfellow's Local 151'. That is no slight, as that might be my favorite REM project.
Man, on this album they were fucking PISSED.
Enjoyed this.
When this album came out my buddy Mike came over to my house with this cassette and told me this was one of the best albums ever. We listened to it and at the time it didn't mean much to my 15 year old ears as some of the lyrics were advanced, but man did I recognize 'It's the end of the world…" as a monster. I've listened to Document here and there over the years as I've become a fan of R.E.M., and now see this as the bedrock album that establishes the familiarity of what we see the band as now. They'll take a break and go more poppy with Automatic before returning to their college sound roots and following the message they so well lay down in this album. 4/5
I'm a fan of R.E.M. and there's a number of songs on this album I am familiar with.
I have nothing to say about R.E.M., but this was really good R.E.M. Maybe their second best album. Now pretend I wrote a whole paragraph explaining all the intricacies and good qualities of all the songs.
For me, I always divided the R.E.M albums into the ones that came after and including Out of Time, and the ones that came before. I mostly know the former ones, while the latter are mostly terra incognita. Imagine my surprise when I listened to this album and it was at least on par with some of their later albums. It contains two monster hits (The One I Love, and It's The End of the World as We Know It), but the rest of the songs are extremely listenable as well. 3.5/5
Some good stuff here - better than the previous album generated (outside of Orange Crush)
3.8
Weird, fun and kinda different from everything else. Would listen again.
I'm always surprised by how much older all of REMs stuff is than it sounds. They were a solid decade ahead of everyone else for their whole career. Clearly influential. I like me a good protest band. Plus, all their songs are so simple, instrumentally, but so awesome.
REM was so overplayed and Michael Stipe used to annoy the shit out of me. When I was 15 I was listening to either rap or things like Def Leppard. REM was too alternative for me at that time. So...fresh ears years later and this is actually a damn good album. I hate saying it but it's true. The best songs are NOT the big hits IMHO, but the rest of the album. This album also reminds me a little of the Tragically Hip and I do love the Hip. It was hard to have 2 REM albums in one week but this one is much better than the last.
Leonard Bernstein, Leonid Brezhnev, Lenny Bruce, and Lester Bangs walk into a bar...
Love
I like R.E.M. 3.5
really liked this
Easy listening R.E.M. Stand-out: Disturbance At The Heron House
Really liked this album not too intense but not too slow to be boring. My favorite tracks has to be lighting Hopkins, with its drums, Fireplace with that sax near the end of the track and the one I love .
The end of an era as we know it!! This album marked the end of REM 1.0. Green followed and was a transition to the new REM 2.0, but this one capped off their greatest years. Was fun to go down this road again.
I enjoyed this album; great light rock sound, and an interesting variety of songs. Couple of songs I really like were “Finest Worksong” and “Exhuming McCarthy”. Classics on this album too.
Really don't have a lot to say about this album. It was a good listen from start to finish and I'd listen to it again. Definitely above average. 8/10 (4/5)
Has the literal theme of gen x
See? Proof that just because I have an album on CD doesn’t mean it automatically gets five stars.
Rock alternativo. Un par de megahits. Un 4.
This was my favorite R.E.M. album we’ve heard in this project so far. A bit more musically rich than the others with the hits here being two absolute bangers. End of the world is really fun and the one I love is excellent too. The saxophone one one of the later tracks was another surprise.
8/10
Great album
Even indekken: Ik ben geen echte R.E.M. adept. Feitelijk ken ik de hits en Automatic for the People. Ik ben hier niet mee opgegroeid, los van de radiohits. Ik ga het hamburgermodel toepassen. Het is een leuk album om te mogen luisteren. Een cadeautje vergeleken met wat je hier soms voor je kiezen krijgt. De twee hits op dit album zijn erg tof. Ik moet wel zeggen dat de 5 tracks voor de eerste hit voor mij wel erg op elkaar lijken. Waarschijnlijk omdat ze nou eenmaal een vrij duidelijke eigen sound hebben. Is dit een ramp? Nee, maar van die eerste 5 nummers word ik niet bijzonder enthousiast. Gewoon leuk. Hetzelfde gaat ook een beetje op voor de laatste 4 tracks, al lijken die iets meer een eigen identiteit te hebben. Al met al dus absoluut geen vervelend album om te krijgen. De gitaren klinken lekker, de band doet niet al te gek, ik heb weinig irritaties. Ik blijf steken op een lichte 4.
I was surprised to learn that this was REM’s 5th album because it feels more like a jumping off point for their music of the 90s. At the same time, it feels a bit ahead of its time with respect to the music of 1987. I feel like I was picking up early grunge vibes, and maybe even a little Dave Matthews. If those folks don’t cite REM as influence, they should.
A very good rem album, one that I had in my collection and I always enjoyed.
Honestly, probably not in my top 3 REM albums, i've struggled a little with it at times, but it is pretty good. lots of good, some okay, and a really weird sax solo in Fireplace. I know its from 1987, but that feels a bit 1982. sounds like a complete rip off of The Working Hour by Tears for Fears Seems unthinkable to give this album a 3, so i'll lean more towards a low 4, a 'just about' type 4. I dont know if i like Lightin' Hopkins or think its woeful. I like the backing vocals and the guitar kinda so im gonna lean towards liking it
Has some good songs.
The last good R.E.M. album
4/5, nice production, guitar, vocals
I wonder if I actually love R.E.M. but just forget to listen to them? This was great and I hope I don’t forget about it again.
After all the years I’ve listened to REM I’d never actually listened to this in its entirety. I will definitely be doing so again. Early enough to have that rawness to it it, but late enough to sound distinctly assured.
R.E.M. is good. This album is not one of the best, though.
I'm a sucker for REM and this album is fantastic although it's not my favourite. Unlike many bands, REM's words actually have meaning. Add a catchy tune and it's a winning combination.
Classic
Toll, REM sind die grössten und haben sich immer wieder gewandelt. Allerdings gibt es noch reifere Platten, darum keine Maximalbewertung. Oder wäre es schon alleine für "It's the end of the world as we know it" verdient?
Net geen 5 sterren. Het album heeft echt vangers, en de stem van de zanger is zeker aangenaam. Maar het gebrek aan zieke bangers heeft me weerhouden van douze points
Nostalgic and good!
Opening track makes me think The Killers stole a few ideas from em. A few tracks are quite dated but essentially their sound. The two singles are great and this is a nice album so start off this "challenge". After the album ended, Spotify sent me to later REM and that will always stick more.
A lot better than expected. i recognised a couple of these and thought it was a solid album. 3/4*
Some good songs - enjoyed its the end of the world as we know it!
As much as I enjoyed it, I feel like it's an album that would grow on me in future listens. For now though definitely a 4
Back when my group got MURMUR, I declared it my new favorite R.E.M. album. I was just so taken back by how much rawer that album is that I guess I got some kind "walking out of the movie theater" receny hype. Which I don't bring up to say that I suddenly think MURMUR's a bad album; just that, yeah, DOCUMENT is still my favorite R.E.M. album. It's the polish from producer Scott Litt, really. Applying it to the band's unique sound, which going too overboard with it... Gawd**damn**. The riffs and vocal melodies were always amazing, but they stand out so much more here. Some songs in the back half don't do it for me 100%, but throw on either of its two killer singles, and, woof, boy, I sure feel fine.
While I'm more a fan of early R.E.M, this album still is a banger.
Not my favourite REM album, but it's up there. A fine follow up to Life's Rich Pageant, which is a better overall album, but lacks the big singles that Document has.
One of the best albums from REM who had a run of classics from 87 -92.
Early REM I’m less familiar with. Let’s go! Not the most late-80s sound. That’s a good thing Brighter production than I expected. Crisp. Almost a little faith no more -esque Good first song. More Rock sounding than later REM. Liking this (Monster is my favorite of theirs, I like their harder sound). Less whining Song 2 is generic but pleasant. I like the walking bass line Song 3 well this is just REM. like if you asked AI to make an REM song. Again, nice fairly prominent bass line. 4 is pleasant. Nice little solo, doing something in there Definitely getting some early alternative influences in here. Lots. This is good shit End of the world. Well known song. One I Love. Also a major hit. This album is quite good. This is why I do this. Find some really good shit I never would have. Gotta get through the shit sometimes though Fireplace 5/4 good job. Oh that sax going off Lightning again sounds like Faith No More (later I know) Bird king - good, REM sound. Firehouse - wrapping up a really good album. Bravo 9/10 stars.
fun, rock. little odd. classic
Interesting.
Good one.
Landmark record from the band just reaching the peak of their powers from a mainstream perspective. There are the obvious super hits on this, and the whole album plays through well and is cohesive. Very strong and innovative in terms of lyrics, instrumentation, and production. I very much enjoyed revisiting.
This 5th album from the band is very much a statement record. Not only an expansion in sound with more guitar heavy tracks, but also some heavy topics from McCarthyism to the state of America under the Reagan administration. This would be their final album with I.R.S. but seeing them perform it live in ‘87 only cemented my love for the band. Finest Worksong is a great opener and Disturbance At The Heron House and King of Birds still rank high on my all time REM faves list.
REM knows who they are, you gotta give them that. Maybe not a ton of variation in their stuff, but they rarely miss. This album has a couple of their classics included. Great listen, easy 4
A solid listen with a couple bangers. Also gave us that great scene in Tommy Boy listening to …End of the World. I still struggle to connect with R.E.M.’s catalog outside of their major hits, but this is good enough for me to round up. 3.5/4
It’s really hard not to love REM. it’s like I really try to not like them. But I can’t do it. 3.8
I'm not a big fan of R.E.M., but this is slightly better than "Green" IMHO. As "Green" received a three, but was a 3.5, I have to go for 4 this time.
Good album
Some great songs, some a bit more meh. But some great lyrics.
Anchored by back-to-back classics in It's The End Of The World As We Know It and The One I Love, I enjoyed this album. No songs stuck out as bad or "skippable" and the flow was nice. I wish I had listened to this one completely sooner.
Great Album
I only really know the two big REM songs, but I really enjoyed this whole album.
Strong first half; weaker second half;.
Wasn’t v excited about another REM album but quite enjoyed it
Some solid alternative rock. 8.4/10 Best Tracks: “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine)” “The One I Love”
Good band making good music, not much else to say from me. Favorite song: The one I love (by far)
Best REM album I’ve heard so far 8/10
I've gone on about how much I love early REM in other reviews, however I've grown to love Document as a whole less and less over the years. It's still great, but the idea that it's a contender for their best record I find almost laughable now. Usually cited as a leap forward for their musical style and clarity of Stipes vocals, I'd argue that had mostly already happened, or was well underway, by the (far superior) Lifes Rich Pageant. Obviously lots still to love, particularly the less vaunted but absolutely classic REM songs like Welcome to the Occupation, Disturbance at the Heron House and Oddfellows Local 151. Fireplace is also low key great. Then you've got the massive songs which are of course fantastic and deserving of the attention. I just find stuff like Lightnin Hopkins (why the weird voice?) and Exhuming McCarthy a bit gimmicky, dated and annoying though these days, throw in a slightly average Wire cover, and King of Birds is very nice but a bit too similar to Time After Time. Standing on the shoulders of giants doesn't quite leave me cold but, perhaps this is where the recycling of ideas begins. All that takes the shine off and for me it's actually the worst record they released in the 80s. It's still 80s REM though, so that's a bit of a "shortest giant" competition. Also, wonderful and infinitely confusing photographic patchwork record sleeve. Like a precursor to today's cursed AI images.
It’s a great album that I wish I had discovered a long time ago. But it’s nice to find good music.
8/10 - fav tracks: 1., lightin hopkins i ona dva fejmus bengera
Bueno.
It's THE REM album. So many great songs and a great consistent feeling throughout. Awesome harmonies, tight music with the band's mix being perfection.
Lots of hits plus a cool cover of Strange by Wire
Like very much
Great album.
‘Losing My Religion’, ‘Everybody Hurts’, ‘Man On The Moon’: all songs that make me want to turn off the radio. Imagine my surprise then upon listening to ‘Document’ and hearing an album which is tuneful, catchy, and full of urgent, engaging riffs, as well as genuinely good songs. Still earnest like most of R.E.M.’s stuff, but it doesn’t feel cringe here. ‘Document’ is legitimately a good time.
Cool macaroon
Hell yeah I just started to get into R.E.M. over the past few years after receiving CD copies of their big 90s albums from my aunt and parents, but I haven't listened to this one yet. The exceptions being their smash hits “It’s the End of the World As We Know It” which I forgot about and "The One I Love". I’m surprised that I didn’t start listening to R.E.M. sooner, they slap and are one of the originators of the jangly guitar sound that was prevalent in the indie rock I listened to in high school. Not every song here is a total bop, but most of them are, especially the big singles. I will definitely be continuing my journey through their discography in the future. Favorite tracks: Finest Worksong Welcome to the Occupation Disturbance at the Heron House Is the End of the World As We Know It The One I Love
REM has more hits than I thought, this was a fun album. 7/10
the transition from one the greatest alternative bands of the 80s to one the most insufferable mainstream bands of the 90s, still more the former than the latter but you can see where they’re going to go wrong
Maybe i like rem now
Cannot understand why I do not have this album in my collection. Think I came to R.E.M. quite late so have their later, some may say, more popular albums but somehow this passed me by. Particularly when the album contains two of their most banging singles - End Of the World… and One I Love. Really good album. So good that I bought it today to enjoy and catch up on lost time. 4/5 21/2/24
A band I've never given a lot of mind but I really enjoyed this. It was a bit droney occasionally (particularly Fireplace) so missed out on the 5/5 but still really enjoyable, would listen again
Very good album with some iconic tracks.
Great album. I somehow never owned this “tape” back in the late 80s when I was listening to a lot of REM. I already have Finest Worksong, It’s the End of the World, and The One I Love, which are absolute classics!!!
Great album. Loved almost all of the songs!
Buen album para conocer la banda más en profundidad. Con un sonido que tiene colores propios de un estilo y similar a una movida general formada por más bandas.
I’be always loved “End of the World as We Know It”, so it was cool to hear the whole album, but it was a bit more folksy (?) than I would have thought.
Very good.
6/11, 55%
Har alltid tyckt att It's the end of the world as we know it påminner om introt till The big bang theory. 4 / 5
• Osäker på omslaget, lite stökigt och konstigt, inte nån favorit. REM NO 5 för det är deras femte album • Man har hört ett antal REM låtar, men inte jättemånga och aldrig ett helt album • Pretty good ändå • Vad betyder REM äns? • It’s The End Of The World As We Know It har man ju hört, låter som introt till Big Bang Theory, lite We Didn’t Start the Fire också Betyg: Detta är en av de smakerna av musik från 80-talet som är rätt bra (även om det finns bättre grejer), sångaren har unik röst => 4/5
Good indie rock. Finally grew on me as a band.
Een verfrissend, verrassend modern klinkend album, en dat voor 1987. Er staan geen grote hits op die je echt pakken, maar verder is deze muziek nog altijd lekker.
REM represents an interesting moment in music. At a time when music was overly commercialized, REM went against the grain to create their own sound. They certainly were a popular band, but they weren't doing what the market was dictating at the time. Plus they're excellent songwriters in their own right. Document is an excellent example of that ethos.
That wasn’t too Strange, but It’s the End of the World As We Know It. Of the REM albums this is The One I Love.
Tons of funs. Just a fun album overall. Hits and not. What a meaningful band.
The hard thing to remember, after all the years and all the listens, is how fresh and eye-opening this sounded when we first got our hands on it
excellent
Loved this more than I thought. Brought me back to Independence Day (movie) hearing it’s the end of the world. Followed by the one I love - amazing back to back singles.
I liked this album overall - R.E.M. has a fairly characteristic sound on this record, and they pretty much stick to it. He's not my favorite lead vocalist ever. A couple of iconic songs pick things up toward the end of 40 minutes that I felt like were generally pretty easy listening, if a bit stale. 8/10. Favorite Songs: It's The End of the World As We Know It, The One I Love No particular least favorites
REM keep surprising me. Born in 80 I wasn't exposed to them until this era of their music. They stayed consistent while also pushing boundaries
Never been a huge fan of R.E.M. 80's stuff, altough this one is a pretty solid album and worth a listen for any 80s rock enjoyer. Fav tracks: - Welcome to the Occupation - It's the end of the world as we know it - Fireplace
Last listened on cassette. Brought back Memories
One of their best albums in my opinion.
This album is from the 80s but it sounds depressingly contemporary, with songs about a crazy world teetering on the brink of destruction, run by right wing politicians and money grubbing billionaires who are “loyal to the Bank of America”. The jangly guitars and Michael Stipe’s nasal vocals have dated a bit more than the lyrics, but I still found myself singing along with and remembering most of the words to “End of the World as we Know It”
Somehow this is the first full REM album I've listened to, though I've always loved Michael Stipe's voice and whenever a song comes on. Love it!
Great listen. Some classics in there and the filler ain't too bad either
Dit pas puur genieten, ken eigenlijk weinig nummers van dit album maar ga ze zeker vaker luisteren
Good album mid career REM. More pop oriented.
I wanted 3 stars but Goof demanded EXTREMELY aggressively! Has some proper good songs on it. Has a couple that are a bit non descript. We are on a coach by the way. To Wakefield
Hyvää ja hyväntyylistä rockia. Unohdettu klassikko: The One I Love. Parhaat: The One I Love, Its The End Of The Woeld As We Know It
Gostei bastante. Especialmente as primeiras 2 músicas. É um estilo particular, muito identificativo
R.E.M is one of those magical bands (mostly - but not only - thanks to Michael's unique voice) that you can identify imediately even if you don't know the song so that already makes any album from them quite special. I was surprised to learn that this album is from the 80s as it has real 90s rock vibes, mainly because of the punchy songs and political criticism in the lyrics, so this is evidence that REM were pioneers and ahead of their time. I think it's a great album, very diverse but at the same time consistent, and it has The One I Love which I love (pun intended). I give it 4 stars because I find R.E.M melodies a bit repetitive after a while but it's still a great album.
Better than many of the other more generic '90s alternative rock bands.
how did they predict covid in the 1980s ! it’s the end of da world
Gen-X alt-rock/alt-country rage. I bought this album in my freshman year of college, and it reflected my youthful angst about Reaganomics, neo-McCarthyism, and other forms of inhuman division. Scott Litt brought REM into a larger audience with this album, particularly "The One I Love" and "The End of The World," both good songs played. to. death. This was, in my opinion, a great work and also the beginning of the end for REM. Litt's production made a lot of hits for them, but they lost their way with Green and particularly their 1990's releases Out of Time and Automatic For The People. For for a short shining moment, this was REM bringing themselves to a larger audience, on their terms. A great, angry album.
Some bangers on this one.
It's been many, many years since I've heard this album in its entirety, but I enjoyed the re-listen more than expected. Looking at the track list made me think this album had a bunch of filler, but I ended up enjoying the whole thing. I'm certainly biased towards R.E.M. since Adolescent Kyle spent a bunch of money on their CDs back in the day of Columbia Records (or whoever ran those CD by mail catalogs in the 90's), but Adult Kyle hardly ever listens to a full R.E.M. album (and then it's usually "Green" or "Monster"). Maybe I need to revisit them more often, beyond the singles.
Was a huge R.E.M. fan back in the day. Loved this and still love it.
R.E.M. is one of those bands whose songs I know well but I've never actually listened to an album. This was really good, familiar and yet new. If I took the time to really listen to the lyrics I'm sure I"d appreciate them even more.
Some good hooks in here. I like Disturbance at the Heron House. Couple big hits in It's the End of the World As We Know It and The One I Love. Strong stuff.
Easy listening, and I mean that in the best way. Lots of fun, love their style. My mom used to always say that she wants me to throw her ashes on the lead singer of R.E.M when she dies. Because my mom loves them, and I think we listened to this album when I was growing up, this is deeply comforting and enjoyable to me.
Now this is the REM that I know. Funny how I got two of their albums two days in a row. Certainly a bit more refined for their 5th album, they really focused in on their personal sound and the best ways to present it
This is definitely one of the better R.E.M. albums but that said, I'm just not all that excited about jangly pop songs.
I was a little late to the party with R.E.M. I never disliked them, I just didn't spend enough time actively listening to them to appreciate how good they are. This one is definitely something of a landmark in their career, marking a shift in style and their biggest success up to that point. There are some absolutely classic songs here. Overall, not my favorite work of theirs, but definitely a solid effort.
Solid work.
Solid album, includes the hits
The One I Love and The End of the World As We Know It are classics!
Easy to bop to.
One of the best sounding REM albums and three huge singles. Signature REM sound captured.
Rock, 1987 ->4
First listen (with exception of End of the World as We Know It) Excellent political commentary across the whole album. I should really check out more R.E.M.
Memories!
There are classic songs on here but also some decent tracks i didn’t expect from REM! Important for its time for sure.
Solid album. The One I Love was the song that got me into R.E.M. Still, probably 3-4 other albums I'd pick to listen to over this one from them.
Extra star for the sax solo. Not something I’d listen to on repeat, or often. Throw a couple songs in a mixed playlist; I’m good, no skipping. 🤣
Listened Before? No Never really felt like I needed more R.E.M. in my life, but that Green album was pretty solid and a year after this one. We shall see. Mixing on the Finest Worksong is very spread out. Drums give the sense that they were recorded in a huge hall, while everything else is much more forward and clear. Song is a low-key jam, especially during the outro, which feels like it would segue into an elongated jam sesh in a live setting. End of the World and The One I Love are timeless classics. Great pop rock. Lightnin' Hopkins gives some serious RHCP meets slide guitar vibes with the snarled vocals and meaty ass bassline. Really liked Oddfellows Local 151 as well. After a single listen mostly in the background, this is erring towards a solid 4. I found the songwriting to be generally solid and was grooving along at multiple points. Second listen leaves me in about the same place. I don't LOVE everything about this album, but I think it is entirely solid and well-done. Added to Library? Yes
It's the end of the world as we know it...and I feel fine... Don't listen much to REM, but this album has a history as the theme of our end of the world party in 1999 lol.
Yessss, I was feeling like R.E.M. today. Didn't really know their earlier work.
Good album. Haunting lyrics. Refreshingly original music.
Lenny Bruce is not afraid
Great entry from REM. I really like the dark bass lines throughout, and find that the heavier instrumentation perfectly suits REM and their lyrics. Fave tracks: Finest Worksong. Exhuming McCarthy, The One I Love, King of Birds
Easy to listen to with a couple a banger. Gets better when you give it more attention. 4 stars.
I'm not a big fan of REM, but there are some good songs in this album.
very good i now it
I love their trademark syncopated lyrics, love Michael Stipe’s lists of things, love how much he hates “business” and bureaucracy and the military industrial complex, love his keening for the death of the American soul—or the very absence, the never-having-been—that, irony of beautiful ironies, helped give us one.
LE-ONARD BERN-STEIN! I never got into REM when they first came out as they always seemed like "Grownups music" -now I'm a grownup so I like them. This was great.
I really liked this vibe. The one I love and it’s the end of the world as we know it are bangers. It was a fun album.
Not my favorite rem album but pretty solid.
Great band
Not my fave REM record, but still great. Last couple tracks (specifically Lightning McQueen) are weaker for sure.
It was a great album
Didn't know that I actually knew some of these songs. Can see the influence R.E.M. have had on rock & indie since.
Better than I expected, some familiar songs
Gotta love political commentary songs, especially if they seem prophetic
This was a nice reminder of how good these people were. Lyrics, melodies, harmonies. Yeah, glad I stretched myself to listen to this one. Good choice!
REM as REM was hitting its stride. Several songs in my 🌟Favorites
Absolutely iconic voice that goes from sounding great to annoying and then back to great again. Instrumentals are pretty generic but the singles from this album are absolute bangers. Doesn't overstay it's welcome and has some real emotion tied to the lyrics.
Some good guitar noise, not as good as Murmur.
REM is a good band.
I guess I needed to give them some more listens and give it more attention. This record I liked a bit more than the one I got two days ago. I feel it has a bit more punch and creativity, and the vocals seem better! Standouts: Finest Worksong, Exhuming McCarthy, It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine), The One I Love, Fireplace, King Of Birds, Oddfellows Local 151 8 out of 10
The darlings of the late eighties/early 90’s alt rock-indie turned major label stars, who can deny the sound and the lyrics?
This is a pretty good album right here. I listened to Murmur by R.E.M. a few weeks ago and I thought that was quite good. Honestly, I like Document more though. The band's sound is definitely a bit more refined here than in Murmur. Case in point, the singing. It was kind of hard to hear the singing at times in Murmur. Now, Michael Stipe's singing is at the forefront of the album, and it's quite good. He's a pretty good singer that is largely responsible for R.E.M.'s iconic sound. The instrument playing also adds to that, with the whole album having a consistent, yet not too repetitive, feel to it. The writing, I feel, was also drastically improved from that album. This album's a lot more political than I expected it to be, with songs that clearly commentate on things the Reagan administration and even a song that directly name drops McCarthy in the title. Overall, this is a great album that reaffirms the opinion I gained from listening to Murmur that R.E.M. is a pretty good band. High 4/5.
Nostalgia
Really good, a band clearly well into their creative flow.
Classic REM tunes. Good 👍
Never listened to a full R.E.M album before. This one was really good, I knew a few obvious songs like "It's the End of the World as we know it" and "The One I Love" and they still hold up. I had to skip Fireplace, found it annoying, maybe I'll get it when I listen again.