Reviews (page 6 of 15)
I find it hard to love REM. Their music just doesn't "hit me in the feels." They've got some undeniably quality songs, though, and many on this album. It deserves a . . .
Another classic without a single bad track.
I’m between a 4 and 5 on this album, but I will round up. All three of my kids (22, 19 and 11) know and love It’s the End of the World… completely independent of me. That’s kind of amazing, and fitting for what you could argue is their best song. I don’t really like the late album run of Fireplace to King of Birds. I appreciate them trying something outside their comfort zone with Lightning Hopkins, but that one in particular work. That said, lots good ones on this record and Distrubance at the Heron House is a personal favorite.
Easy 5 for me, as forecast when we rated Murmur. Exhuming McCarthy and Strange are my favorite not-as-well-known-as-the-two-massive-hits tracks. I didn't realize the latter was a cover for a long time, but it and Superman and Toys in the Attic and the Hindu Love Gods album confirm my opinion that REM is a great cover band, as well as great at most other things. Anyway, back to this: the last four tracks aren't as flashily great as the rest, and I confess that back in the day I didn't listen to them as much as the part before, but they are excellent too.
5/5 - This is an easy 5 for me. I had this on cassette when I started driving, and I played it on endless loop back then. Every song here has its own mood and is so distinct, but I recognize much of that is from familiarity. One of the best albums from the late 80s.
Favorite Track: One I Love
strange guete produkt
This album is best described as jangly, poppy indie rock before indie rock was a thing. It's obviously influential, being the breakthrough album of one of the biggest bands of the 90s. The lyrics are quite good, and the lead and backing vocals are both good, if not excellent.
Good stuff
Such good vibe on snowing day at my small room alone in the morning. Makes my mood to lift and want to continue today. Really like guitar in this album, maybe 'cause it's closer genre to me and overall songs are in my taste. "Finest worksong", the first song in the album, was a great start and I liked it to a good degree as I added it to spotify liked playlist. Did like "It's the end of the world as we know it" too, hits right there. The album was great at start and mid, but kinda starts to fall in the end. Not to offend, just not as good as at the beginning, still decent songs. Overall, I rate this album pretty high, 8.3/10
A great album by a great band. College radio wouldn’t be what it is without these trailblazers.
One of my top 20 albums. File under Fire. I saw REM on this tour and met the band backstage. How else can I rate this other than 5 stars.
Another forgotten gem from my youth. While no "Life's Rich Pageant", this album still has plenty of that lush sound I love so much from early days R.E.M.
I heard Losing my religion by REM previously, and this song is super annoying for me. The guitar is very annoying, and the vocalist's timbre is also annoying to me. And this album has the same annoying guitar and main vocalist, so it's a pass from me. I'm giving it 2 stars because the album has energy, and I'm sure some people might find it good. Oh, and one more thought that I had in my head while listening to the album was: It feels like I'm at my classmate's house, and his dad forces us to listen to his band's music.
gut, aber rem hat bessere alben
Surprisingly great album. Like hearing the crossroads of 80s and 90s indie rock. You can hear earlier influences like The Smiths and then feel their own influence to come with bands that will emerge after them. Good production and performances, really solid overall.
Solid album
Great, as always!
It’s the end of the world as we know it and I’m Here for it
non è che sia chissà quanto male ma mi sono rotta di ascoltarlo
Meh, monotono
Never really gotten into R.E.M. but this was pretty decent.
Not in my top three REM albums but if losing this album loses The One I Love, I'll protect this album with everything I got.
Not as many hits as Green, but def some recognisable stuff on here. Kind of reminds me of Green Day. Fun enough but not that memorable aside from the hits.
Brought back great memories
great, atemporal
Pleasant but didn't wow me.
I swore I already listened to one, but apparently this is my first R.E.M. album from the list. I'll admit that, for reasons not fully known to me, I've never particularly cared for Michael Stipe. Maybe I saw him acting too self serious in an MTV interview once upon a time or something. With the exception of the unavoidable radio hits (a few of which are featured here), my prejudice has kept me away from the R.E.M. catalog for most of my life. I'm willing to put that to rest and see what I've been missing... but does this list really need four R.E.M. albums? let's find out! I'm obviously jumping into the middle here. This is the band's fifth studio album and I'm coming in with basically no context for the four prior albums. My first impression is that the lyrics are very punk rock, but the overall sound is... not. If punk rock is cheap beer, this feels more akin to a cheap coffee. It's an interesting juxtaposition. "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" bridges the gap a little bit and I appreciate that. For the sake of belaboring a dead horse, we'll say there's whiskey in that particular cup of coffee. There's a thread here that extends forward to "August And Everything After" by Counting Crows (not on the list), which was/is an important touchstone album for me and would be at the top of my personal 'required listening' list. For that influence alone, I probably owe R.E.M. more deference than I've ever given them. R.E.M. deserves to be on this list, but I'm still undecided if I need to do this three more times.
Goofy songs structure and comically childish lyrics, with the thinnest level of depth possible. One of the most annoying nasally vocals performances I've ever heard as well. No idea how this band is so popular. Wholly unserious album
Great!
I've never been the biggest fan of R.E.M and their overall sounds and hits. Now that I've listened to a full record, I can say that I respect them. Still not my style though.
все хорошо.
Fun and enjoyable. 4/5.
Another reminder of how good R.E.M. were as a four piece. Great, indie rock from a band who were seemingly at the peak of their powers, if not their fame. Jangly guitars fight with distortion and the distortion wins this round to great effect. Stipe's typically obtuse lyrics are here, but the hooks and melodies are so strong who cares what he's actually singing about? Best Tracks: Finest Work Song; It's the End of the World as We Know It (and I Feel Fine); The One I Love
Whenever I've tried with R.E.M. in the past, Automatic For The People aside, I've never been that impressed. I just find them mildly boring at best, and quite irritating in some instances. This one began promisingly, but the style of vocals quickly wore thin, and there wasn't an awful amount of variety between tracks aside from a couple of standouts ("Finest Worksong", "Welcome to the Occupation" and "Lightnin' Hopkins"). I know these guys receive a lot of love, but I just don't understand it personally.
I've meant to listen to more of R.E.M.'s albums for years, so this was a treat. Love the jangle pop-ish sound so many of their songs have and this album has two of their greatest hits ("It's the End of the World..." and "The One I Love"). For that reasons, I tried to pick album tracks that weren't those hits to include from the album and that was pretty easy because this is a solid album. Went with "Finest Worksong" and "Strange."
All the songs sound the same to me. I think the songwriting sucks too, they repeat themselves constantly. Don’t think the lead singer has a nice voice. Some of the instrumental parts are cool but doesn’t make up for the rest of it being pretty lacklustre. Wasn’t a very enjoyable experience overall
Sounded good, but nothing I remember.
3/5
R.E.M. is fine, and thats about all I am willing to say about them. This album has a few hits I enjoy, End of the World and The One I Love are as famous as they are for a reason. Its a solid album but nothing really eye-opening to me. I'm not sure if I'm just on the wrong side of the Millenial divide on this one or not. It seems like older Millenials rever R.E.M. and their work and to me as a baby millenial/old Gen-Z they're just another radio rock band.
Decent REM, has a couple of hits, but I don't think it's their best. -It's the End of The World -One I love
Second half makes up for the first.
There are some classic tracks in here, but the album as a whole is not that interesting. Without The One I Love this would be a below average album. Finest Worksong and End of the World are also great. Beyond those its hard to see much value in the tracks here.
Oof
REM albums run into each other a bit, although the run of albums from Green to New Adventures all had some particularly great tracks. Like all of their first five Document is a good album.
Is it objectively bad music? No. Did I like it? Also no. I liked the hits, especially The One I Love and Lightnin' Hopkins, but all the rest sounded the same. I also find the lead singer's voice kind of irritating. 3 out of 5.
Really solid R.E.M. offering. Kicking off with Finest Worksong and also featuring End of The World and The One I Love. This is showcase of a great band that really honed in on what they do. There are other albums songs in their catalog that I prefer but this has been on vinyl purchase shortlist for a while.
REM stepped out of the college dorms for this one and it worked. Scoring them a timeless album that still rocks to this day. One of my favorites from this band.
- ei paskempi meno, oma tuntemus remistä on vaan aivan top kuunnelluimmista biiseistä ja tältä levyltä ei aivan suurimpia rem hittejä paria lukuunottamatta löydy - tämmöseen musaan pitäisi melkein olla nostalginen suhde että lähtis kunnolla - yllätyksekseni nautin levyn vähiten spotifyssä kuunnelluista biiseistä paljon - voisin kuunnella uudestaankin
Same as the others. Some really good songs, some forgettable.
great jangle pop, production could have been better.
A pesar de que aprecio la calidad del trabajo de R.E.M. su originalidad y la particular identitaria de su estilo y sobre todo de la voz principal, nunca logro conectar a un nivel personal con el sonido de la banda. Es una cuestión estrictamente subjetiva, simplemente no me gusta. Dicho esto, estuvo bueno aprender sobre el uso de guitarras jangle, que he escuchado en muchas bandas, pero de lo que no tenía conocimiento hasta ahora. También me aprecio la aplicación de instrumentos como la mandolina, que le dieron un sonido identitario a la banda. Así como considero que la musicalidad y la grabación es buena. Simplemente no conecto con el material.
Not bad, but not anything to write home about.
I liked this album way more than I expected. Their music brings forward feelings of paranoia mixed with a prosperous listlessness that I think really captured this era of American life.
End of the world and this one goes out to the one I love re both iconic songs for me. I didn't love the whole album but it was definitely a nice listen
50/50 some songs were unbearable some i liked hidden gem: oddfellows local 151 is the reason to listen to the end
Generally good, just felt really generic
need to listen to this more. but rn loving the beats and the vibe of it is perfect for autumn.
Some days this is my favourite REM album. Not today, but generally. Professional intriguing mainstream rock.
I’d written a bunch of stuff about this record but somehow that draft was lost to the ether. So, here is a shorter albeit accurate account of this record. It is not R.E.M.’s best record. It is not. Murmer is. And it is not close. Next is Fables. R.E.M. probably does not exist without Big Star, the Replacements, the dBs (Peter Holsapple and Chris Stamey), Don Dixon and the whole Athens and North Carolina scene. The guitar work on Document is excellent, Peter Buck demonstrates how to expand what would become alternative rock - jangling guitar with a pop sensibility best displayed on the gems from this record: Exhuming McCarthy, Welcome to the Occupation and the Wire cover, Strange. Stipe is singing clearly, the vocals are crisp and the lyrics interesting and wide ranging. The anti-love The One I Love is a solid track as is Finest Worksong, but these become tiresome as the sugar in them is a bit sweet. So with It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine). The last couple of tracks are just not interesting, save for the closer Oddfellows Local 151 which saves the album from falling of the cliff. This really was a transitional record for R.E.M. as evidenced by the dull title: Document. They were documenting the time when they were moving from college rock heroes to commercial rock stars. Really - go listen to Murmur and discover a band crafting a beautiful record that still holds up today.
This seems really smart.
I've always loved the idea of REM. I keep expecting it to grab me by the balls but it never does. Apart from a few standout tracks this did nothing for me.
chill. ok. some bangers. mellow.
It's the end of the world as we know it seems to be the stand out track. The rest is solid rock, but mostly forgettable. Might have been my cup of tea in yesteryear, but kinda feels like a CD I wouldn't miss too much.
Never listened to an REM album before, but this is pretty decent. End of the World is pretty played out but there is some solid stuff on here.
Ratings: 5: I will happily play this album anytime 4: I may occasionally play this album of my own free will 3: I will happily listen to this if someone plays it in the background 2: I will tolerate this if it is playing in the background 1: I will leave the room if someone plays this in the background Easy 5. A foundational building block in my musical journey. Hidden Gem: King of Birds
That one song is real catchy the rest is just okay
This felt pretty meh for me. I didn't hate it, but it was honestly pretty forgettable.
Enjoyed most of it. Nothing outstanding but overall pretty good.
Pleasantly surprised by this. Had heard the singles before but never listened to the album and really enjoyed it, would listen again. Favourite Track: it’s the end of the world
loved it
Finest work song, McCarthy, end of the world
a really great album. this is r.e.m. at one of their peaks. it's dour, a little obtuse, but really catchy and a fun listen. it's got hits on it to draw people in, but the album cuts are equally great. i especially love 'finest worksong.' ultimately, is it my favorite r.e.m. album? probably not. is it one of my favorite r.e.m. albums? yeah
8.09/10 4/5 REM is always pretty good and I love end of the world and the one I love
It's good, but I like what they became after this album more
Decent. Don't care for the vocal melodies or guitars but there is some solid songwriting on here. Favorite songs: Exhuming McCarthy, Welcome To The Occupation.
Really enjoyed the one!
ujdzie, stare dziadki pierdza pod ta sama melodie, nuda
Wszystkie piosenki brzmią dla mnie tak samo. Gdyby ten album był jedzeniem, byłby rozgotowanym kurczakiem z przesolonym ryżem.
Great
Nothing wrong with the album, but I just found myself struggling to stay engaged. Favorite Songs: It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine), Oddfellows Local 151
I've never listened to this album (33). Bald guy stuff, again. Still sucks.
2 classic songs on this album: “It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” and “The One I Love,” the latter reminding me of the Smiths.
If this is one of the albums I have to listen to before I die just kill me already. Enough.
Not too shabby
Solid album. Not for me but it was good
When I was young and received the CJP magazine, there was a recommendation for R.E.M. in it. At the time, they were still completely unknown in the Netherlands, yet they were already being recommended. Watch out: this band could become big.
I consider R.E.M. one of "my bands" because their sound captures something that I love and that nobody else has. However, the album experience is a little bit lacking in my opinion — it can be enjoyed, but I couldn't listen to it frequently. With that out of the way, "The One I Love" is one of my favourite tracks ever and many of the progressions in this album are jams. Interesting rhythms, instruments, and lyrics. The band mixes up the tempo then hit a cool groove, meanwhile the great voice of Stipe is waxing poetic and sometimes belts out lyrics. Calm and anger exist simultaneously, and I dig it.
End of the World as You Know It is enough
way better than murmur
One of my all Time favorite bands and my favorite album of theirs. This one is just exactly perfect and does NOT sound like it came from 1987 like so many other records of that era do (hell even In The Dark sounds more 80s than Document). Anyway, there’s hits, actual hits for the first time for them, and there’s an entire side A of killer rocking album cuts and weird shit like King of Birds and Oddfellows on B. I love every second of it, even if it’s what my REM obsessed friend calls “The Safe Choice”
R.E.M. just doesn't do it for me.
Great album with a couple of classics!
Absolute masterpiece by these guys at the height of their powers. Everything came together here as their sound continued in the harder-edged mode of "Life's Rich Pageant" only this time with more politically charged lyrics. "Fire" is the operative word with songs like "The One I Love," "Fireplace," and "Oddfellows Local 151." These songs are fiery and vital and, in these days, seem especially prescient. The song "Fireplace" with its call to anarchy in the face of a crazy world really resonates. And "Welcome to the Occupation" with its anti-colonial stance and "Disturbance at the Heron House" with the line "the followers of chaos out of control" says it all. This album hits hard and is one of their top 3 for me.
I only fairly recently have really realised how great REM were. I know people who were there love the earlier 80s stuff, and i certainly like it, but this is the one where Michael Stipe really spat the marbles out of his mouth and you can actually understand and appreciate the lyrics. As much as I love Automatic For The People and a few other albums, this is the band's pinnacle. The first three tracks, especially Finest Worksong and Exhuming McCarthy, start off the record with such a bang, and then you have the twin titans of End of The World and The One I Love, and it just doesnt let up. It's political (fuck you Reagan and all you've wrought), it's punk, it's fundamental to the history of alternative rock
This is one of my favorite REM albums and takes me back to my carefree childhood days. Improved production and clarity of Stipes lyrics were dramatic steps up from prior releases (although I enjoy those prior releases a lot too!)
The album that introduced me to REM
Strong opening, good hooks. Liking it more than I expected Nearing the end, strong album
Finally an album I have heard before and actually had the cd at one point. Great REM album with the classic jam, It’s the end of the world…
Une belle découverte, parfaite pour travailler!
"Document" is a much better album than "Murmur," showcasing R.E.M.'s growth and sound evolution. I enjoyed it.
Very good. I enjoy REM.
So this is the album that helped REM blow up and of course It's The End of the World as We Know It and The One I Love are songs that everyone has heard before. And their other best known songs came on albums after. The album is very upbeat and just feels optimistic. Michael Stipe has such a iconic and recognizable voice that it's almost a detriment. It sticks out and there isn't much of a vocal range. It's like a kazoo playing in every song, you can always hear the kazoo and no matter what you do, a kazoo sounds like a kazoo. It's a good album, but a couple run-throughs is enough.
This historically hasn't been my favourite R.E.M. album, but I had forgotten how many great songs there are on here beyond the well-known hits, as well as how amazing Michael Stipe's voice sounds. I'm giving it four stars, but it's a narrow miss for five, only because the album's final run isn't quite as good as the start.
Great album
A great album and I feel it’s probably the one that started the golden age of R.E.M. knowing that there is better to come from later down the line this one gets a 4 from me but it is a brilliant album
forgot how much I love REM. Under rated and underplayed (by me)
2/3
Liked this a lot. Weird to call them an underrated band given they did actually achieve massive mainstream popularity, but that's how it feels.
Oddfellows is the best song on this album IMO... the ability to make it sound so 'disregarding' is a trait unique to REM.
Strange was a surprising favourite, a different side to the monotony of ‘that’ REM sound. They all sound the same. Still One I Love - you can’t deny that’s a classic My husband only just learnt that the Chelsi line is Fire not Paella haha
My second R.E.M. album in the space of a week. For me, this one is better than Murmur but not as good as Automatic For The People. None of them, however, are necessary to be heard before death.
Never my favorite, but still good. Have always disliked End of the World
Always brilliant.
I see why this was a classic, but to me it’s quite boring college rock. Probably won’t listen to the album again.
A strong 3. Almost a 4. Wish there were half stars
an ok album
Indie jangle with rock edge.
Mais ou menos, gostei de algumas musicas mas em geral foi mais ou menos
Pre: I like rem not crazy about the slightly whiney vocal, don't know any songs on this album so will be cool to hear the non radio hits Post: I was wrong and did know a few songs, solid album but not compelled to go back to it
Yes.
3.6
Alright. 3
Good Album
Good classic album
"the one i love" 💖
Good
Didn’t get the chance to listen with 100% focus in all honesty
Some prime late 80s alternative / jangle rock right here. Everyone knows “It’s the End Of the World As We Know It”, but the rest of the album fits in quite nicely. I personally love the dulcimer on “King of Birds” and horns on “Fireplace”. To some this might sound like dad rock, but if that’s the vibe you’re looking for, you can’t do much better than this.
It’s the End of The World and The One I Love are great but the remainder of the album was disappointing. They were to go on to make better albums.
Some great stuff. I was never big into REM but, I totally get why people did them. Would totally listen to again.
An easy to listen to album with a distinctive sound. Only had heard It's The End Of The World As We Know It before, but the rest of the tracks are pretty consistent too.
Great trip down memory lane. So interesting to listen to the whole album.
1. Finest Worksong - 6 It's not a bad song is but a bit repetitive, especially in the bridge. Instrumentally it's a solid track. Really enjoyable sound on it. 2. Welcome To The Occupation - 6 Standard R.E.M. sounding track. Vocals okay, instrumentally okay, lyrically okay, it's nothing phenomenal but nothing poor either. The melody and pace are the most enjoyable parts of the track. 3. Exhuming McCarthy - 5 It's okay. Starts instrumentally brilliantly but that quickly fades into a less enjoyable sound. Lyrics aren't anything inspiring. 4. Disturbance At The Heron House - 5 Exactly the same problems and critiques as the track before it. Guitar solo is very enjoyable on this track however. 5. Strange - 5 Vocally it sounds rather unpleasant but lyrically it's a lot of fun and instrumentally it's really enjoyable. It's just the grainy rather strained nature of the vocals that keeps this track from being a great one. Almost like a budget Oasis. 6. It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) - 10 The pace of the song and the quickness of the verses is what makes this track so fun. Absolutely legendary track. Lyrically brilliant. The best track on the album so far. 7. The One I Love - 3 Lyrically very boring, it's a completely forgettable track outside of the awesome guitar in the bridge. 8. Fireplace - 2 Even worse vocals and lyrics than The One I Love. Extremely repetitive and boring. The sax, while nice, feels immensely out of place on the track. 9. Lightnin' Hopkins - 2 Vocally very unenjoyable and lyrically not really anything great. Instrumentally the drums are brilliant but they're the only pleasant thing on the track. 10. King of Birds - 3 Lyrics are just rando and at times good, at times completely pointless. The drum is fantastic on this track but that's about it. Sounds like a Renaissance Faire track. 11. Oddfellows Local 151 - 5 Lyrically a lot better but vocally the sound is still unpleasant. Instrumentally a solid track and the guitars sound excellent. They really lead the track well. Average Rating: 4.73 Adjusted to 5-Point Scale: 2.36 Rounded Down: 2 Stars
Sometimes I enjoy REM, but not today. Kind of a grating winy sound.
Wtf so so bad tried to rip my ears off but it didn’t help
Great record. Finest Worksong is a powerful opener, album cuts (esp. King of Birds) satisfy, and it had the hits it needed. End of the World is… ok, then annoying, but The One I Love is REM at their best. FIIIIIRRRRREEEEEEEEE!!!!
I think of my self as someone who likes R.E.M. I never really imprinted strongly on them in their heyday, but they have some great songs. Maybe I even look a little bit like Michael Stipe? This one is fine.
"Stroke, stroke, stroke." "Stop mocking me!"
Not quite sure what it is but I can't quite enjoy this one too much, maybe it's his voice. Still a decent album
I'm a big REM fan. Love this album, a bunch of great songs on it.
I listened to R.E.M. pretty much from the beginning when their odd, often un-understandable lyrics and different sound were perfect for my late teenage angst. By the time Document came out I was well past that and they changed as well. The lyrics, while still often odd were intelligible and the meanings understandable without digging to deep. For me this is about my favourite period for REM. Of course great music was still to come but for me this was when the changed from a band I listened to in order to seem a bit pretentious, to just plain good music.
Original indie sound, very influential band, enjoyable listen.
Not really that exciting.
#713. Do we really need four REM albums on this list? The answer is no. Unsurprisingly, I think this one sucks just as much as the other three. 2/5: shit.
Classic R.E.M., not bad but after a while it all sounds the same, the last song could've just as well been another song with different lyrics
This was unremarkable to me.
better than murmur, and better for the inclusion of the two big singles, which are undeniable. always liked "end of the world." my favorite thing about them is still peter buck, but michael stipe isn't my least favorite thing on at least those two tracks. something about their sound still goes through me though.
Sadly, I thought this was a guaranteed five great album, but they’re definitely are some stinkers. This band is absolutely phenomenal. Just found a couple songs brought the album down a bit overall great hits and we definitely listen to it again.
I can confirm that Mike Mills is very nice and cool to work with (he is the only member of R.E.M. that I have worked with but I will never miss a chance to mention it)
It's REM. It's good. Enjoyable. Not the best. Just good enough.
Pretty good! Kind of fall vibes!
Ah, I see why this is Radiohead’s favorite band.
One of the best from one of my all-time favs. I appreciate when a band shows many different influences while not trying to sound like anyone else
A damn fine album
This caught me by surprise…strong album, was too young in the 80’s to appreciate
Brilliant
Solid, uncomplicated work. It’s always a jumpscare when one of these has a widely known song on it. I wonder if there’s ever a time when a band compose a song and just know that millions are going to hear it, especially if it’s the song that sounds the most different from the others.
Decent, though the song featured in Family Guy when Peter gets a stroke is a bop. 3/5
Excellent album!
Good album I like song the end of the world and To the One I love
Pretty good. I don't feel like ever listening again but if I was forced to I would enjoy it
I was never a big R.E.M. fan. They always felt too vanilla - they SOUND amazing, I'm not denying that - just they always seemed shallow and vapid, like a corporate pop band - but then again, that could also just be me not clicking with Stipes voice, versus the solidly polished band playing behind him. It's a good album, no doubt. I love "It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" - but really, that's it for me. They felt like a band that had a few awesome hits, but a lot of "sounds good" output.
How come REM are always so dull?
All bangers.
Between 17 and 20 I was obsessed with R.E.M. But this album is another of many examples on this list of bland albums by bands who produced brilliant work. Reckoning is, for me, their masterpiece. But I'll take Murmur, LIfe's Rich Pageant, and even Fables of the Reconstruction in a heartbeat over Document. Those earlier works were so artistically powerful that they inspired an entire genre. But apparently they should be remembered for their first whack at making radio-friendly pop. Urgh. As my friend Chris Barron said when this was released, "Michael Stipes' lyrics were a lot better when you couldn't understand what he was singing." It ain't just the lyrics. It's like a nightclub when the lights come on at 2:00 a.m. or a photograph of Monet's Water Lily Pond; sometimes clarity obscures the magic. 425 albums in and my sublist of bands who produced brilliant albums but who have mediocre products on this list now includes: R.E.M. ZZ Top, David Bowie, Metallica, U2, Bruce Springsteen, the Cure, the Black Keys, Smashing Pumpkins, Sonic Youth, Paul Simon, Prince, Miles Davis, and the Go-Betweens. Given the GREAT music that those acts are responsible for, It's remarkable how many misses by them this list contains.
3,5
As is so often the case for me, a band's album with the heaviest guitars is my favourite album of theirs.
60
I like Michael Stipe’s voice. Especially when you can hear the words, which is the case on this album. The songs are good without any obvious filler tracks. A very good rock album! The closing track is a real gem! 4/5
Pretty good, quite similar songs across the album.
Not exactly my first REM record, I think that was Fables, but the first one I actually heard. I have incredibly distinct sense memories of hearing The One I Love on the radio in 1987, but didn’t hear End of the World until sometime in the early 90s, maybe part of a video collection or MTV revue around the release of Out of Time; the ramshackle video made them seem all the more underground/poor/relatable. On balance, however, I’ve never enjoyed Document as much as I always thought I would, at least based on their earlier and later material. It very much sounds like their first big reach to the rafters, not dissimilar from their contemporaries The Smiths and U2 or even INXS and Depeche Mode doing roughly the same either that year or just a few prior. That’s not a criticism, it’s fun to hear big sounding records and songs, just, Finest Worksong is not as compelling as what they would arrive at only a year or so later on Green. My sense is they were still trying to bridge their quieter or subdued material (even the upbeat stuff) to arena rock and just hadn’t put it together yet. Moreover, it’s still a question to me if that was ever the right guise for their talents, given the superlative efforts on Out of Time and Automatic vs the good, but not great material produced for Monster and Hi-Fi (which I love).
Good change from some other music. A few of the tracks were on guitar hero.
middle of the road, probably wouldn't listen to again
It feels fine
My favorite REM so far!
This is middle of the road rock of the time.
I like it more than I love it. The two big singles—“The One I Love” and “It’s the End of the World…”—still hit, but a lot of the rest blurs into similar mid-tempo jangle for me. The sound is sharp and focused (Stipe clearer, Buck taut, Mills/Berry locked), yet the back half can feel samey. Right now it sits in the solid-but-not-ecstatic tier for me.
The singer has such a unique voice. Overall decent though.
It's perfectly fine but I do wonder about albums that have cult followings or helped launch their careers that I'm not blown away by. what was the difference at the time or what am I missing? 3.5*
I actually liked this one. 4/5
Alternative album from before it was really a term that was in popular use for music. The jangly arpeggiated guitars over a more distorted guitar are a hypnotic signature of their sound, and it is all over this album. Solid performances and writing from all involved. The hit tunes from this album were in heavy rotation on the radio through the 90's and beyond. They definitely have staying power, and this album is way before his time.
I don’t get the fuss over REM
Two standouts and the rest is ok. Probably in that 3.5 range.
Classic album, one of my favorites by REM.
I really want to "get" this album. I really want to "get" R.E.M. Not that its by any means bad but I just don't love it like I see other people do and I kinda want to. I liked The One I Love and Exhuming McCarthy ... and of course The End of the World As We Know.
This album feels like all REM albums to me, his voice gets old, the music is somewhat nouveau for the time, but doesn't do much to move me.
Jangly guitars! "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" is a certified existential bop. I enjoyed the overall vibe and restless energy, but many of the songs sounded incredibly similar upon first listen. I'd likely add a couple of the heavy hitters to my rotation, but unlikely to listen to full album frequently.
Solid album, solid band. Very much leans into the indie folk side of punk but there's definitely a punk band in there. As with almost everything else I've heard by REM this album never properly grabbed my attention though end of the world might have done heating it for the first time. They are really good, not amazing, nailed on 4.
Not as good as Automatic for the People. Really like Oddfellows 151, not heard that before. Otherwise, End Of The World As We Know It, and The One I Love are the famous tracks. Didn't find it nearly as irritating as Green.
Not heard this album before. Most of it I thought sounded exactly like that later rem sound that I know them for but not quite there yet. But then there were other songs which were quite different to that later rem sound and more unfamiliar to me as REM. Obviously Stipes voice is pretty distinctive throughout. Maybe this was a kinda transitional album where they found that formula? Not sure if it's just because I'm familiar with them, but "it's the end of the world...." and "one I love" I thought were by far the strongest tracks here. One I love is the best. 3.5 but closer to 4. Automatic for the people still their best for me
Very famous songs on this album. 87 i had no idea. Doing this I have learned about the time periods more. It has been very interesting. The highlights for me were the hits. of course
pretty good stuff
tbh this was better than "Out Of Time" because the vocal felt more dull on it than on this one.
This kicked off a long day of listening to REM.
great album, a little too close from the 80s' rock for me
Another super influential late '80's/'90's alternative group that it seems like everyone loves and I just can't stand. They're just too kitschy and poppy sounding for me. Like, let's have these major chord upbeat sounding songs singing about oppression and some major social injustices. It's just never clicked with me. But, that was the early alternative schtick I suppose.
I was pleasantly surprised by the first REM album I got... which was their debut album. It was almost as if it was the lack of "REM-ness" that resulted in the positive reaction. So, in contrast, this one was very REM-y and therefore, not great, Bob.
Solid album, the use of different instruments and styles work really well.
I guess it’s objectively good but I can’t stand the singer’s voice.
Never listened to early R.E.M enjoyed it
This one is fine. Didn't love it didn't hate it. 3 stars
Не думал, что в этом списке будет что-то кроме automatic for the people или out of time из репертуара R.E.M. и document слаб по сравнению с этими альбомами
Feeling HATEFUL lfg!!
Good
Oof - really do not like this
I don't get R.E.M. Their music feels consistently mid to me, and I don't really know what am I supposed to like about it. It sounds kinda nice, yeah, but it doesn't do anything special; the music feels formulaic. Most of their songs aren’t really memorable. I don’t hate their output in the slightest, but if I had to choose one artist to listen to on repeat, there would be 200 other ones before R.E.M. (they’d go before 99% of pop rock, though). I don't know. I enjoyed this album fine enough, but It's the End of the World As We Know It and The One I Love were the only songs that stood out to me, because of their fun choruses. This sounds like a R.E.M. album, and that pretty much all I can say. If that's a good thing for you, I guess you would like this, but I feel completely indifferent to their style. 7/10
3/5
R.E.M.'s big breakout album. I totally get how people latched onto this. There are big anthemic songs, hints at the poppier songs that would come later, and a political consciousness that R.E.M. carried with them always. The first half of the album is perfect college rock. The second half, gets a little more experimental, but not that much. Saxophone on "Fireplace", the funkier "Lightnin' Hopkins", the plaintive "King of Birds" (a hint of things to come on Green), and a throwback to their post-punk roots on "Oddfellows Local 151". Overall the quality is exceptionally high, but I find that, while this second half is still good, there's just not as many memorable songs. Still a banger.
I love this album so much. By the time it released Document, the band’s sound was mature—but still, thank goodness, quirky and distinctive. Delicious! “Finest Worksong,” “The One I Love,” and “End of the World” would be enough to get me to five stars. But I’m pretty much *just* as keen on the deep cuts, especially “Exhuming McCarthy” and “Oddfellows Local 151.” The album is solid from start to finish. There’s simply no doubt: it’s a five-star offering. R.E.M. was one of the two or three preeminent bands of what I think of as *my* time, and this album shows the band at the start of its (long) peak. So, naturally, it has been one of the soundtracks to my life. Sniffle.
possibly not bad but I don't like it
Sometimes, it's hard to remember that R.E.M. every happened.
If I could give 3.5 stars, that’s what I would give this album but unfortunately I can’t so 3 will have to do Despite a few low moments, there was a ton to like here… -Michael Stripe delivered great vocals on just about every song -A big hit in It’s the End of the World… -A perfect runtime and amount of tracks, which made the listening experience even better There was a few forgettable songs, but the strength of the rest of the album more than made up for it Favorites: None Honorable Mentions: It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine), Lightnin’ Hopkins
No strong feelings. Not bad, not my fav
This album starts to see REM transition from indie jangle into more "alternative". Not my favorite REM, but overall still great. 4.5/5
Awesome album. Brings back lots of memories
I personally really like Michael Stipe's voice, but I know it's not for everyone. However, a pretty mid-album with their singles really being the stand out tracks (It's the end of the world... & The one I love)
I've always liked R.E.M. but hadn't heard much of their earlier stuff. I really liked this album. The distinctly R.E.M. harmonies, Michael Stipe's unique voice and the understated guitar are all great. It always seems like R.E.M. have just done their own thing and it has always worked for me.
I’ve always been a solid 3 on REM. I like some of their hits but never really my fav.
Solid album
I didn't realise there were so many bangers on here. I particularly liked the second song, Welcome to the Occupation
A document of a solid rock band
Not my jam for sure.
Demasiado convencional para mis oídos curiosos y mi hambre de escuchar algo con carácter que me llene.
Good album with politically charged lyrics/intent and snacks, punchy music. - 3.5/5
Love his voice
Kul val av album, inte så öppenbart. Särskilt som Document också är sista albumet på lilla IRS innan man blev sajnade till storbolag Jag är svag för R.E.M. åren före genombrottet med "Losing my religion". Båda albumen "Document" och "Green" är genomgående bra, lägg därtill en rejäl bunt fina singlar så har du ett 80tal som inte skäms för sig. Det låter indie utan att vara det minsta svårtillgängligt eller poserande Tre helt strålande singlar i "End of the world", "Worksong" och “The one i love". Den senare kvalar med lätthet in på min topp 20 lista av bästa gitarrpoplåtar från 80talet. Men skivan är jämn och i stort sett fläckfri från bottennapp, det är ett band som här vuxit in i sin kostym. Vill gärna lyfta Peter Buck som får alldeles för lite kärlek. Han är otrolig på att hitta små finuerliga men bedårande gitarrslingor, en amerikansk Johnny Marr fast kanske ännu mer karaktäristisk. Stipe däremot är ingen vidare sångare och jag kan förstå om man har problem med honom, det har jag själv i stunder. Men aldrig så det stör helheten märkvärt. Fyran är stabil varken uppåt eller neråt, det här är kvalitetsindie från 80talet. Lyssna också på The House of Love - The House of Love (88), The Triffids - Born Sandy devotion,
REM pre-Losing my Religion, när de fortfarande kunde kallas alternativa och lät lite råare. The One I Love och The End of the World As We Know It känner man ju till. Resten har jag nog inte hört tidigare. Även Finest Worksong och Stange är bra. Trots det kan man förstå varför det megastora genombrottet skulle vänta ytterligare några år. Stipes sång är absolut där. Men låtarna lite identitetslösa överlag.
Jag har svårt att förstå varför detta album finns med i boken. Ett helt ordinärt rockalbum. Dessutom ett ganska tråkigt sådant med svagt låtmaterial. Stipes gnällröst är svår att ta till sig. Texterna ska tydligen vara bra sägs det. Men vem orkar lyssna när framförandet går en att räkna minuter och sekunder till skiten är slut så man kan spela nått bra istället. 😴
Det är inte uselt, med det är trist. Här finns ingen låt som jag vill höra igen. Inga melodier som sticker ut. Väldigt grå produktion.
Not for me
Can I be honest? I never got the amount of hype for REM.
Solid. But, the thing I find with REM is that they’re not always great at stringing together a 10/10 record. This is one of those. It’s a solid effort, but it’s not Out of Time or Automatic for the People. It’s not even Orange or Monster. But it’s largely decent. It has a couple of my fave REM songs, and most of the others are solid, but there are a few skippable tracks. 3.5/5
Tam dinlemedim sori
Another R.E.M. album, another pretty good listening experience. I think I am understanding what made them so ahead of their time and influential, even if I’m not totally compelled myself. It’s a sturdy record that doesn’t blow me away but I can respect. Also, in an appreciated change of pace for this band, the engineering sounds great. I forgot how many words “It’s the End of the World as We Know It” has.
Like the sound, but a tad too slow for me.
Iconic album Lenny Bruce was not afraid
Enjoyed this one a lot, good to unpack boxes to
Ah yes, recognised the Losing My Religion singer. It's interesting how I didn't recognise him when we had R.E.M. the last time It was fine, not that interesting but listenable
Only good due to the 2 hits
Great lyrics, iconic sound. I didn't realize how old this album was. The sound doesn't gel with my personal taste, but the lyrics are reminding me to fight the good fight.
Konstigt att denna plattan är med här. Visst är den bra, och The End of the World ... är en total banger. Men efter denna kom fyra eller t o m fem plattor som alla är klassiker. Här stod de på randen till något stort, men de var inte klara än. Out of Time, Automatic for the People, Monster ... 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Denna - en fyra
Enjoyable album with a few very strong songs
Iconic 90s album. High Fidelity’s Cusack would be all over this, spinning it in the breakup periods. Loved it.
Classic REM, post-punk vibes. End of the World and One I love are classics!
Good album, It's the end of the world is one of the better songs ever made 84/100
Estan cheveritas, pero me suenan igual todas xd perdón
I was surprised to see this come up today - this is my third from REM and I don't feel like they need three albums on this list. Clearly this album is included because of End of the World and The One I Love. There would be no reason include this record if not for those two songs. I do really like End of the World, that's a fabulous song. But listening to these three albums has made me decide that I don't really like REM. I think a lot of it might be the way that Michael Stipe sings. They just aren't my thing and I hope this is the last one from them in my remaining 550 albums. 2/5
I hate REM
Cool album. Too weird in parts, but generally decent stuff.
Memories of my freshman year of college. Didn't understand the lyrics or appeal then, and 38 years later, the lyrics are mostly as nonsensical now. It's like what I remember college radio being like then, random words and sounds, though the music is more listenable than that was. Too ironic, too cool for me, but some memorable, singalong tunes.
This is a nice album, I had only heard it’s the end of the world and the one I love before and they remain my favorites from this. I was hoping to connect with other songs on here or feel it on a deeper level but it wasn’t happening. This is solidly a 3 for me, good album but nothing I will be coming back to often.
Not all songs are great, but its a pretty solid album. 7/10
Really like their sound, enjoyed this one a lot
It's fine. REM not my favorite, but perfectly cromulent 90's radio fodder
Sensing a theme here - despite containing perhaps my single favorite REM song (The One I Love) I hadn't spent a lot of time (or any) with many of the songs here. I'm an absolute sucker for this early indie jangle-pop sound and this does not disappoint in that vein. Finest Worksong comes roaring out of the gates, echoes of "How Soon is Now?" for sure. I love how much of a time capsule this is from 1987 thematically as well, so many socio-political references including the 392 contained in just End of the World itself (which is fun but not my favorite REM song by any stretch, although what other song allows you to shout LEONARD BERNSTEIN at the top of your lungs). Disturbance at the Heron House is another highlight I hadn't heard before. Really enjoyed this one overall.
As familiar as I am with REM, I don’t think I’ve ever listened to an album. They’ve always been down the fairway for me — a band people said they liked in high school because it was cool to say so. REM does fine for me with more straightforward rock songs with slower vocals (Finest Worksong). But as soon as we get into attempts to be clever, uptempo, major chord voicing stuff (McCarthy) I find it extremely grating. And End of the World has always been a hated song to me. Sometimes fine, sometimes annoying, sometimes different. Seems like a pretty solid 3 to me.
Several classics
cool. rock, des titres que j'aime plus que d'autres. parfois chill, parfois plus rapide. contient "the end of the world as we know it"
no
I will never tire of hearing The One I Love. Top-tier song for me forever.
pretty good, track I know best is It's the End of the World
Fantastic 90s alt indie rock. Top track: The One I Love / It's The End Of The World As We Know It
R.E.M. grow on me more and more with every album I listen to.
Personal favorite REM record. Songs are great, and the band is tight. Perfect mix of articulated vocals, but mysterious words.
It was ok. Not their best. Like automatic for people and greatest hits better
Maybe I’d like this more if I were a dad.
good sound
good album but not R.E.Ms best
Dad rock
2.1/not very engaging. best song is a meme for a reason
I love the R.E.M. sound: warm guitars, Michael Stipe's unique voice, the backing vocals, and the occasional mandolin. These guys combine to make one of the perfect bands for me. I hardly ever listen to R.E.M. on purpose, but it strikes as I write this that I'm probably never in a mood that I wouldn't want to listen to R.E.M. This album is also quite well recorded ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
carino molto movimentato in an English way, perfetto se viaggi in macchina lo consiglio per introdursi ai Rem
It was good, easy listening, inoffensive, I liked it.
Alright album. It's the quirky rock I would expect from r.e.m.
me lo he escuchado hasta la mitad bah
Es ist okay würde ich aber nicht regelmäßig pumpen
Bastante bien R.E.M. Debería escucharlos más.
Great lyrics on a decent album
Classic from the catalogue
Sorry, but I have established that I strongly dislike R.E.M.
Firstly, I think it is important to highlight how diverse this album is. To me, R.E.M. is usually just indie songs with catchy melodic guitar. But there's a nice selection of rock riffs and heavy bass to compliment some of the softer catchier songs. There was even a grungy one on there. Stipe sings with passion and there is a wide range of guitar to compliment his vocals. However, not a lot sticks for me. I ran to the album and it kept me moving, but not inspired to run faster or further. They'll always be a middle of the road band for me. 3 Stars.
This album is like a man in his mid-twenties slowly coming to terms with the fact that life doesn’t always work out how the fairytales suggest it should. He’s an excited young go-getter, working in what he thought was a career defining job. However he has been in this role since he left uni at 22, and his career hasn’t really progressed as quickly as he envisioned. He’s been in and out of relationships, not really finding the right connection with anyone. He’s still filled with hope for life, however there is a thought in the back of his mind that maybe the challenges and difficulties of life are a lot larger than he was told during his younger years. He doesn’t want to give up on his enthusiasm, but he’s beginning to.
A great collection of songs and enough diversity to keep you interested throughout. Sounds like a product of its times and in a good way. Any low points are overshadowed by the highs and some incredible catchy and memorable tunes in there.
The kind of REM album that "proper" fans gravitate towards - as more of a casual fan this is above average US indie fare with some stand out tracks to me, but maybe lacking so much of the identity that I think is stamped on their later, more pop-orientated material. Don't get me wrong, this is still a good album which occasionally wears it's influences on its sleeve while still managing to be it's own thing for the most part.
Can see why this album was a precursor to their popular breakthrough. Acoustic-ish guitar pop with a dash of the post-punk.
Not their best. Some great songs on the A side but lots of meandering experiments on the B side
A must listen in the REM catalogue along with Green and Automatic for the people. Gets better with every listen.
Close to a 5. Two of my Fave R.E.M songs on this album.
There are some incredible tracks on this album, but ultimately some of the filler in between is too much R.E.M. by numbers,. It's an unmistakable sound which I love, but they have made better albums
Interesting album from them. You can hear the transition from the Indy rock of the older REM to the newer sound that they were really known for
They have better albums
just another (tedious) REM album. Highlight is "Fireplace" with the addition of sax.
Enjoyable! Shocked at how much I recognized from either guitar hero or the radio. Bumping down a half star because it's not the greatest album ever.
I recognize a few of these songs. I do find that a lot of the songs have a similar vibe to them and listening to them one after the other is a little boring. I do not hate this at all but it isn't something I would pick to listen to myself.
I liked it, good rock album.
I like REM but songs not entire albums
Surprising to me that I enjoyed it as I didn't really listen to them back then.
Abbastanza mid Un po’ deluso perché ne avevo sentito parlare molto bene e alcune loro canzoni gasano molto
5 stars, duh