Document

My beloved. This is not in my top 3 REM albums but it is so good. The only skip on here for me is Fireplace and it still has a well done crime show sax solo on it so who knows. The megahits are megahits but songs like welcome to the occupation, heron house, lightning Hopkins, king of birds, and odd fellows are all such solid examples of REM being the best at what they do. Honestly the last three songs in a row might be the best representation of REMs range in a three track run. Top ten band all time, maybe top 5. Have to point out (leaving out names but the group will obviously know) how funny the one I love is to me every time I hear it because a friend from high school named her tumblr after it in a move to show how much she loved her boyfriend, never actually listening to any of the lyrics in the song I assume.

Strong album all the way through. Even though the hits are in the middle of the album, I didn't feel a big up or down swing in quality around those songs. That being said, I'm not the biggest REM fan, but can definitely find myself enjoying them when they are on. Fireplace is definitely the worst song on here, but I enjoyed most of everything else. Decent 4

This is the R.E.M. record that I can really get into. The backhalf in particular is just one great song after another. They all play so well together and never try to outshine, they are a great band. I don't think I'll ever be a die hard fan, but I could throw this album on and know that I'll enjoy the whole thing. Soft 5/5

Probably the album that turned R.E.M. from a good band to a great band.

I don't know. I like but don't love REM. Good album 3.5

Might be a hot take, but I think Michael Stipe’s vocals are some of his weakest here; they didn’t bring the emotion or bite I’ve heard from him elsewhere. Favourite Songs: Finest Worksong, It's the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine), The One I Love. Least Favourite Songs: Strange, Lightnin' Hopkins.

I'm not getting R.E.M.. This is the second album by them I've listened to and I think I get them less than before. The lyrics are somewhat engaging and there will be a stray melody here and there that connects with me, but I'm not finding much to latch on to.

I've heard this many times before and enjoyed this a decent amount. It's not good enough to get a five from me though.

This was an interesting album, as it followed right after Jamiroquai and "Emergency On The Planet". Both albums actually seemed to try and create a vibe but in very different ways. While stylistically, R.E.M.'s attempt was much closer to my personal preference, the nasal tone of the voice did start to take away from the enjoyment about mid-way through the album. As such it will also receive a 3/5 but could have been looking at a score closer to 4, had the voice been different.

Liked the songs I knew already but thought the rest of the album was average and nothing special. 3/5.

Awesome

Besides two bangers it’s very mediocre

Takie se. 2/5

REM comes from the weird puberty of the 80s where music had to evolve from the rock legends of the 70s to the rebirth of rock in the 90s. I didn't like it but I was suprised when I heard the hit songs that this album contains. It's just weird to me, the sound, it's hard to pin down what they are going for and if they are nailing it.

This was maybe not as good as the other REM albums we've had, though it's got a few of the songs everyone knows by them. It's slightly edgier and a bit more of a distorted sound than Green, or even earlier, and while it's ahead of it's time, it's closer to grunge than previous work. I think Monster would ultimately be the "grunge" album, but I digress. Stipe's work in this is great and he loses a bit of that drawl from his earlier songs; something I appreciate. The musicianship is typically excellent and the songwriting is as good as ever. Compared to the other REM albums we've had on here it's not quite as good, so not a 5 this time, but still a good listen.

Shit. I think I really like REM.

A good solid REM album.

I like it. Don’t love it.

It's the end of the world as we know it and the one I love are worth the whole album.

Me encanta the end of the world pero lo demás me aburrió un poco.

Probably their best album. I was never a big fan because their songs sound similar from record to record. This album has some very good numbers on it and is worth adding to your LP collection

REM at their jangliest, mumbliest best. This is a good one.

I don't know that I've listened to this album from beginning to end since the late '80s. It's good, but R.E.M. has at least four albums that are better. This isn't one of their albums that I "must" listen to before I die. Good, but not great.

Love REM's hits but could never really get into the deep cuts.

How can I document 'Document?' Like this: it's a solid entry and that I rated eighth best album of 1987. It has a couple of monster hits on it and the whole album is solid and fits together. Top tracks: "It's the End of the World as We Know It," "The One I Love," "Finest Worksong"

like this! So much better than Murmur imho. Sounds more modern and a better highlight of Stipe's vocals and writing. TEOTWAWKI and One I Love are the big hits, but the rest is very good! REM was founded in Athens, Georgia, home of the University of Georgia, a school that once had Justin Fields in their QB room, but he transferred to Ohio State after some of the UGA baseball players called him an n-word. Kirby Smart eat shit O-H Brœthers.

--Finest Worksong...Stipe and the guitars sound good here --Welcome to the Occupation...plodding --Exhuming McCarthy...oooh, a bass groove! --Disturbance at the Heron House...interesting guitar solo. Other than that, meh --Strange...they sound like they're having fun here and it's infectious --It's the End of the World...classic --The One I Love...great song. Stipe especially shines here --Fireplace...I appreciate the odd turn with the saxophone, but it kind of derails the song --Lightnin' Hopkins...sounds like it's coming from a different band on a different album but it kicks! --King of Birds...filler --Oddfellows Local 151...not interesting enough to be the longest track on here

## 🔥 Documenting the Ascent: An In-Depth Review of R.E.M.'s "Document" (1987) 🔥 Released in September 1987, **Document** stands as R.E.M.'s fifth studio album and their final release for I.R.S. Records before signing a landmark deal with Warner Bros. This watershed record marked the band's transition from college rock cult heroes to mainstream contenders, driven by their first Top 10 single ("The One I Love") and a newfound political urgency. Below is a critical examination of its lyrics, music, production, themes, and enduring influence. --- ### 📜 **Lyrics & Themes: Fire, Politics, and Deconstruction** R.E.M. shed much of their trademark Southern Gothic mysticism on *Document*, confronting Reagan-era America head-on with their most overtly political statements to date. Lyricist Michael Stipe evolved from a mumbler into a searing commentator, channeling Cold War anxieties and institutional decay. * **Political Fury**: The album opens with a triptych of protest songs: "Finest Worksong" champions labor dignity, "Welcome to the Occupation" condemns U.S. imperialism in Central America, and "Exhuming McCarthy" resurrects Red Scare tactics with Joseph Welch's infamous "decency" sample . Tracks like "Disturbance at the Heron House" skewer political corruption through Orwellian animal allegories . * **Apocalypse and Irony**: "It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" captures nuclear-age dread via rapid-fire cultural references, contrasting chaos with euphoric resignation . * **Anti-Love and Deception**: "The One I Love" subverted wedding-playlist expectations with its chilling depiction of emotional manipulation ("A simple prop to occupy my time") . * **Recurring Motifs**: Fire symbolizes both destruction and renewal ("Fireplace," "The One I Love"), while labor and media manipulation thread through the narrative . *Table: Key Themes in "Document"* | **Theme** | **Example Tracks** | **Lyrical Focus** | |--------------------|----------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------| | Political Critique | Exhuming McCarthy, Welcome Occupation | McCarthyism, imperialism, corruption | | Existential Chaos | End of the World, Fireplace | Apocalypse, societal breakdown | | Emotional Alienation| The One I Love, Oddfellows Local 151 | Dehumanization, loneliness | | Labor & Creation | Finest Worksong, King of Birds | Artistic struggle, resilience | --- ### 🎸 **Music & Sound: From Jangle to Distortion** *Document* radically reshaped R.E.M.’s sonic identity, trading jangly arpeggios for muscular, riff-driven rock. * **Guitar Dominance**: Peter Buck embraced distorted power chords ("Finest Worksong"), surf-punk energy ("Strange"), and sludge-metal textures ("Oddfellows Local 151"). His chainsaw-toned solos defined the album’s aggressive edge . * **Rhythmic Precision**: Drummer Bill Berry adopted click tracks for mechanical rigidity, while Mike Mills’ melodic basslines countered with fluidity ("Lightnin’ Hopkins") . * **Experimental Touches**: Saxophone skronk ("Fireplace"), dulcimer ("King of Birds"), and Fairlight samplers hinted at future experimentation—though some felt these jarred with the band’s core aesthetic . * **Cover Reinvention**: Wire’s brooding "Strange" became a barroom stomper, highlighting R.E.M.’s post-punk roots . --- ### 🎛️ **Production: Scott Litt’s Arena-Ready Polish** After the organic *Lifes Rich Pageant*, producer **Scott Litt** (working with R.E.M. for the first time) amplified their sound for mainstream clarity: - **Vocal Forwardness**: Stipe’s lyrics—once buried—now commanded attention, adding urgency to polemics and pop hooks alike . - **Controlled Chaos**: The "chaos method" of writing (noise-jamming into songs) was tempered in mixing; wild samples were largely discarded for focus . - **Dynamic Range**: Remasters (especially 2005’s 5.1 mix) sharpened the contrasts, from the thunderous "Oddfellows" to the minimalist "King of Birds" . --- ### 🌍 **Influence: Alt-Rock’s Crucible** *Document* proved alternative rock could infiltrate the mainstream without compromise: - **Commercial Breakthrough**: It became R.E.M.’s first platinum album, peaking at #10 on the *Billboard* 200 and launching two iconic singles . - **Genre Blueprint**: Its fusion of punk energy, political lyricism, and melodic hooks inspired Nirvana, Radiohead, and countless ’90s acts . - **Band Legacy**: This album solidified R.E.M.’s "thinking person’s rock" identity, setting the stage for Warner-era triumphs like *Automatic for the People* . --- ### ⚖️ **Pros vs. Cons: A Balanced Verdict** *Table: Critical Strengths and Weaknesses* | **Pros** | **Cons** | |------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | 🔹 Landmark singles with enduring cultural impact | 🔸 Side two ("Leaf") lags after "The One I Love" | | 🔹 Cohesive political themes reflecting Reagan-era angst | 🔸 "Strange" cover feels slight vs. originals | | 🔹 Peter Buck’s career-best guitar work | 🔸 Saxophone on "Fireplace" polarizes listeners | | 🔹 Stipe’s lyrical clarity and moral urgency | 🔸 "Oddfellows Local 151" overstays its welcome | | 🔹 Scott Litt’s clean yet powerful production | 🔸 Lacks the warmth of *Murmur*/*Reckoning* | --- ### 💎 **Conclusion: The Crucible of a New Era** *Document* remains R.E.M.’s most explosive work—a fiery, conflicted masterclass in merging art and activism. While its second half unevenly sustains the momentum of classics like "End of the World" and "The One I Love," the album’s political rage, musical innovation, and studio precision cemented R.E.M. as America’s premier alternative band. It stands as both a Reagan-era time capsule and a template for rock’s future, proving that "the time to rise" had indeed arrived. > **File under fire**: A burning manifesto for the ages.

Really enjoyed! I really love Finest Work Song and The One I Love. Even though I rated them the same, I like this one better than Green.

I own this CD. The last of the "early albums" and not my favorite - that award goes to Life's Rich Pageant. There are a number of things I like about this album starting with guitar. I also like the second 1/2 of the album starting with The One I Love. I also like Lightnin' Hopkins, King of the Birds, and Fireplace. The first 1/2 has good R.E.M. songs, I just think they are average R.E.M. songs.

Great production, I just usually prefer more 'interesting' tracks 🤷‍♀️

I'm not the biggest R.E.M. fan, but they're alright and their hits are a deserved.

Nice! 3.4999, definitely liked it and fun to be reminded of the REM tracks I subconsciously know every word to. Nothing something I’d change if it came on the radio, I’d be pretty happy, but nothing I’m intentionally setting up to play again either.

En ymmärrä tätä

There were a few tracks that challenged this but mostly I found this album to be somewhat monotonous and boring. I'm not sure what it is - something between the vocals and the over produced drum sound create these droning melodies without enough highs and lows to keep you intrigued. The songs that I knew felt overplayed and cliched and the ones I didn't felt like they didn't have any hook to bring me in. At the end of the day, they are clearly a talented group and I am not surprised they have a cult like following, I just don't get that much of the appeal.

After receiving 2 R.E.M. albums from the list (Murmur and Automatic for the People) and one outside the list (my in-laws gave me their vinyl collection, including a copy of Green), I think R.E.M. have finally clicked for me. I really enjoyed this album and might have to go back and have another listen to Murmur and Automatic for the People now. That said, I still can’t get past how much Michael Stipe sounds like Gord Downie and every time I listen to R.E.M. it makes me want to throw on some Tragically Hip instead.

Seem to have a mental block with REM. Enjoy their singles quite a bit but their full albums struggle to click, same again with this one. This one definitely has a hit more bite and the hits are massive but still missing something. Top Three Tracks: Welcome to the Occupation, It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine), The One I Love Least Favourite Track: Exhuming McCarthy 6.7

Just a phenomenal album. Early REM were fantastic. What I like about it is that it hits a sweet spot where it mixes both their country and their rock influences perfectly. I love automatic for the people and I love new adventures and monster but this is like having the best of all of them.

1. The One I Love 2. Finest Worksong 3. It's The End Of The World As We Know It ( And I Feel Fine)

I've never cared for REM. Michael Stipe's voice just does not appeal to me.

My whole life, I've found R.E.M. hit and miss, and Document bears that out. I can't remember the last time I heard this, but this time around I thought it dragged—though it surprisingly picks up at the very end with "King of Birds" and "Oddfellows Local 151." Obviously "It's the End of the World as We Know It" is a classic of the era, and "Finest Worksong" remains great, so there's plenty to like here (and plenty you can skip too).

Transition album from indie to a more produced approach

jangle butt.

This album should be repurposed as a coaster.

Enjoyed this a lot more than I expected. The 2nd half after the hits was a surprising part of REM I've never heard before.

One of the albums that started it all for me.

My least favorite REM album of the I.R.S. years. Which makes it a 4.5 - that's how good REM was throughout the 80's. My favorite band growing up, period point blank. This one finally got them the 'hit' that they long deserved, so I'm happy about that. But it is the REM album I reach for last out of their first...10 albums? Dang!

They've got some hits and the ones that were hits have been overplayed. The ones that weren't just weren't.

It was a safe play, nothing horrible about it and just good enough that it was alright in the background 1 - would not listen to again 2 - if some one played it, I'd probably just zone it out 3 - didn't hate it, didn't love it 4 - saved some songs from the album 5 - would buy the album or already own it

I heard if you play each studio album by REM over the first season of Friends in order it lines up like Dark Side of the Moon played over Wizard of Oz.

https://i.ibb.co/Z4FkQLX/52dc430aac8b.jpg

Not bad. Most songs felt like background music though, some standouts though.

I've only heard this a few times.

I thought I would have enjoyed this more. I had their Best of Album on repeat when it came out and years after. I’d probably still play it often if a car CD player was still accessible. The back half starting at “The One I Love” was better for me.

I dont know why, but I have always found R.E.M. annoying. If you like them rock on but they are not for me.

I have never been an REM fan, but the fact that this album comes out in 1987 and has a sound that would dominate alternative music airwaves for the next decade does make one pause. In a sense, REM is a perfect example of alternative music because the scope of their music defies easy classification. The strong baselines, frequent use of ancillary rock instruments like tambourine, banjos, mandolins, saxophones etc. all show that REM was crafting a new sound. Not necessarily rock or even light rock, but something different. It is hard to imagine an early 90s dominated by singles from bands like Hootie and the Blowfish, Spin Doctors, Alanis Morissette, Counting Crows, Blues Travelers, Dave Matthews Band all without REM helping to pave the way. Poppier songs like "Strange" and "Exhuming McCarthy" showcase a sound influenced by the B-52s and pop music in general. Multi-instrumental songs like "Fireplace" defy classification, while songs like "King of Birds" and "Oddfellows Local 151" expose an exploration of folk ballad and grungy guitars respectively. REM is a bit of a chimera in that regard, and if you happen to like the form that chimera takes then this is an album you must certainly enjoy. Regardless of my personal feelings, it is a pretty solid album, but I would not put it on of my own accord.

For some reason, I went through a huge REM phase when I was 9 or 10 years old, which is kind odd, right? Like, what child actually goes HARD for this upbeat and optimistic janglepoppy stuff? But then I realized that it must have to do with its close adjacency to early, proto butt-rock. It's kind of the perfect segue band for a kid with growing musical taste: REM's music feels juuuust polished and melodic enough to catch a kid's ear but still "grown up" enough to feel cool and sophisticated.

Some classics in there.

Aside from Losing My Religion, this album seems to have the main songs that I’d think of when asked to say some REM songs. It’s pretty banging. End Of The World as we know it is an absolute bop. I’ve drank some absinthe so I’m going now because I’m sleepy.

Not my favourite REM album. A bit bland really.

N/A-Accidentally deleted my review. This album is definitely better than the last few albums I’ve gotten.

It's really boring... I'm not an advanced listener and maybe I don't know something that makes this album amazing but it's just fine for me. 3/5

REM are really great, I think they basically don’t have a bad album and this one is also a banger. The One I Love is such a great single.

Not a REM fan but this was good for REM

Precursor album for a lot of handfuls of classic alternative 90s albums. I got on with Doolittle the more I listened to it but R.E.M fa sho was like the first dose of this kinda sound. Cryptic lyrics, gritty but dreamy production, theres a bit of grunge baked into the edges. I can also see how Tool appeared right after this too, I hear a bit of Maynard in Stipe's vocals or vice versa. There is a beautiful jangliness to R.E.M's songwriting, particularly out of the gate and on Welcome to the Occupation. As far as unconventional vocalists go, I always got like a Weird Al vibe from Stipe's vocals. Maybe it's the nasaliness, and he does have that happy go lucky nature about him, little jig phrases like at the end of Strange. It's The End of the World.. has been one of my favorites ever since I was a kid! I remember bumping that shit on a mail order mp3 player in 2012 on the way to my 6th grade class. I can see how Stipe's vocals can be sort of an acquired taste at times but they're mostly pretty good. The One I Love is another huge highlight for good reason, incredibly fun and solid tune. The other songs are pretty rockin but they don't really have the same appeal as the heavy hitters. Kings of Birds is great as well though, I do think it could've been a bit cleaner without the bells. Oddfellows Local 151 ends the album in true obscure goth rock fashion, absolutely weird and haunting tune. All in all a great pillar album of what would be 90s alt though.

Tykkäsin!

Vielä alkuRemmiä ennen suurta Succesia. Pidän

Hyvä levy. 👌🏼

Paria biisiä lukuunottamatta tämäkin yhtye ollut todella vähällä kuuntelulla. Hyvältähän tuo kuulosti!

pretty good. r.e.m. does have a specific sound! i liked it though. “it’s the end of the world as we know it” is always good. nothing else stood out but i liked it nonetheless. 4/5.

Not my thing. Worst Song: It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) Best Song: Strange Added to Liked Songs:

It's interesting to me that REM is categorized as Alt Rock which took off in popularity and was the music I loved in the 90s, but REM kind of predated that and really first hit it big in the late 80s. They are a talented band, they've just never been my thing. I do like tunes like Losing My Religion, Nightswimming, Driver 8, but they have just as many songs that I don't really care for like Man on the Moon, Stand, or Orange Crush. It's very hit or miss for me and I think I've only ever owned Automatic For The People. That's a roundabout way of saying I've never experienced this album. Like anyone else, I've heard It's the End of the World As We Know It a bunch (Tommy Boy!). And because our middle school cafeteria got a jukebox installed in 1987, I am super familar with The One I Love, as that song was played basically every day by classmates at lunch. That means this album was already +2 on the love REM / hate REM count, which probably helped. That said, I actually enjoyed this record more than I anticipated. The first thing that really strikes me is how great the recording is. King of Birds is a perfect example: you can really hear all of the nuances built into this, whether it's the tweaked guitar, the varying drums, the overlapping vocals, etc. Beyond this, there are some cool songs beyond It's the End of me naming this song and The One I Love. Welcome To The Occupation was had some great harmonies throughout and is the type of song I generally really like. Oddfellows Local 151 was a cool closer, and just something a bit different, even for REM. It started to border on a harder rock song with the more prominent bass, which I don't think is the isn't super typical for their songs. Not everything is amazing on this record, and the quality of the songwriting wanes for me at times, but there's more than enough on here to warrant it's inclusion on this list.

I think there are some hits and catchy songs, but other than that, the album overall is just okay to me. Specifically, I think that most of the tracks were filler. However, I feel that production, instrumentals, and some of the lyricism done by Michael Stipe are actually good components of this album. But like I said, I feel that majority of the songs have no place on an album like this especially when you have a hit single "It's the End of the World As We Know It" on this album. It's crazy though to find out that this is an 80s album, to me, it defiantly has a 90s sound almost grungy or alternative in a way but defiantly didn't sound like something from the 80s. But to end this review, the album is just okay but does have a couple of songs that I did enjoy! Favorite Tracks: Welcome to the Occupation, It's the End of the World As We Know It, Oddfellows Local 151 Rating: 3/5

A solid album. Well produced. Good storytelling. Not particularly memorable for me though.

Aside from one of their most iconic songs, this album was a bit of a snooze fest for me.

Nice album, very spirited. Even though I like how this sounds and their vibe, these songs didn't stick out to me too much (note: The One I Love is one of my favorite songs from b.i.t.d.)

Lots of great music and ideas on this.

A solid album, theres no denying how important Document is to R.E.M. This is the album that got them going. It just wasn’t the kind of album that got me excited as R.E.M. isn’t entirely my thing. Although there were song I enjoyed on this album. Also probably an unpopular opinion I dislike “It’s The End Of The World As We Know It” like a lot. Favorite songs: Finest Worksong, The One I Love

Ok

9/10 9/10 8/10 8/10 8/10 9/10 9.5/10 7/10 7.5/10 6/10 8.5/10

++: Finest Worksong, I't the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) +: Exhuming McCarthy, Disturbance at the Heron House, Strange, The One I Love, Fireplace, King of Birds +-: Lightnin' Hopkins, Oddfellows Local 151 -: Welcome to the Occupation 5,8/10

These guys mean business from the very first pulsating riff and beats, and they don’t let up - the quality stays consistent and high throughout. “The One I Love” might be the weakest link on the whole album. A kick-ass achievement.

R.E.M. are always to listening to.

Being honest, I thought this one would be better. It's not bad by any means, they can certainly write good music, but it feels a bit average, particularly the first half. The run from "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" to "Lightning Hopkins" is by far the best part of the record, but besides that, I found the other tracks a bit bland. Instrumentally, they sound good but it's not my cup of tea, it isn't heavy enough to be rock outright, and isn't soft enough to be post-punk or alt-rock or something else. Maybe jangle pop isn't for me? The best songs here are the biggest hits, both "ITEOTWAWKI(AIFF)" and "The One I Love" are classic and very good tracks, super catchy each in its own way. The two tracks that come after are pretty good too, but don't reach that level. Everything else didn't really catch my attention.

Second half of the album is solid. I love the harmonies in End of the World.

Favorites: It's The End Of The World As We Know It(And I Feel Fine); The One I Love; Strange 4/5 (+)

Good album, great band, however I tend to find many of REM's songs to be a bit more background music; I don't often really focus on them other than a few of them.

Fantastic. It's not the masterpiece of R.E.M., but it's still pretty good. The two obvious singles are easy to listen, the rest is still pretty good. You can really see the evolution R.E.M. starts to make here pays off.

Why couldn’t we have a R.E.M. reunion instead of an Oasis one? 4.3

90s. Political

I listened to R.E.M. a lot back in the day. I prefer Automatic for the People, but I enjoyed Document. Four stars. I miss Michael Stipe (not that he's gone, I just never see him around anymore).

funny how i was listening to finest worksong while doing my not finest at work

Great album, I love the bigger focus on rock music from R.E.M. in this album

One of my favorite REM albums as Michael could finally be understood more and the instrument play became more sharp with some great riffs and drum play.

They have BNL vibes but can provide their own unique flavor at the same time. I know BNL came after them.

I do love that I can tell what Stipe is saying but still have no idea what he means, he’s like a reverse Eddie Veder on this album. Everyone sounds really good it’s just that about half the album doesn’t make me feel anything, just doesn’t really do anything for me. Sleeper songs, “Lightnin’ Hopkins” and “Oddfellows Local 151”. Have no idea what those songs are about but they sound good.

love opening with Finest Worksong. it's a good album, but the final 3 tracks kinda ramble & loose their momentum. Life's Rich Pageant much stronger album.

Not for me but I see how it can be a great album for people who love this genre. Surprised there was a song I had heard before on this (End of the World) The One I love was also good. 5/10

Incredible, timeless, angry, beautiful. My favorite album from a band reaching their peak

Cool vocal melodies and weaves.

Still clicking with REM but it’s always a pretty pleasant listen. Just watched that Looney Tunes movie that used the end of the world song.. made me chuckle. Very Chicken Little of them

Definitely a lower tier rem for me but I just gotta give it up for stipe and his boys. They made some hits!

listened to this on cassette on my new tape deck this morning while I got ready and while R.E.M. has never been my fav band I really do understand the appeal! they are pretty good and bisexual !

The 2 hits were great, the rest was solid rem, enjoyed the harder rock sound

I like the voice and vibe of REM. Reminds me of one of my faves (They Might Be Giants) it's just that fun, nerd punk kinda vibe. I like a lot. I've loved Automatic for the people, so I'm expecting good things from this album. People who don't enjoy REM I think just have no whimsy. All this has shown me is that I like things that are interesting and REM is definitely that. I think I might like Automatic for the people better BUT I still really like this one.

Very cool

Not a bad listen. I think overall, not as good as the stuff I know them for, but still enjoyable.

Everything by REM sounds alright to me, but this is far from their best. Document sounds really clear and well done, but no songs really stood out to me. Personally, I find murky sound of Murmurs and 90s R.E.M. more interesting.

REM is a classic

5/5

Unique sound and good songs

Document is a departure from the Post Punk/New Wave sound of REMs first four studio albums, delivering a more mainstream and poppier sound. Closer to Out of Time and Automatic for the People, whose sound catapulted REM into Global MegaStardom. A solid record with great singles and zero filler!

It’s The End Of The World As We Know It //

Another saved album. 10/10

I love REM, top five favorite bands. This is a 5/5 album & not even in my top three of theirs.

Really Excellent Music Red Egg Man

Michael voice is on point. I love REM since being a kid and their early stuff really resonates with me.

Already familiar with R.E.M. from their earlier Fables of the Reconstruction album and its hit Driver 8. They had a new sound for the 80s with unique tempo changes we weren’t used to. But we remember Document No. 5 well as we had it on CD in Haverhill and it got a lot of play. All songs are good, lead by Exhuming McCarthy (very political), End of the World (nothing like it at the time), and The One I Love. We’ll be hearing from these guys again. L = (2.8*s) very nostalgic. J = (3.6*s) great selection for the 1001 Must Hear List!

Document is less of a R.E.M. sleeper than Automatic but both are good ones. Can't go wrong with the frantic pace of "ITEOTWAWKI(AIFF)" and "The One I Love" is a classic. "Lightin' Hopkins" I had forgotten about but really like. There are a few slower, weaker tracks towards the end on B-side. Stipe can get a little whiney as well but it's not overly annoying. With their 5th album making the list, I expect a few more earlier recordings showing up as well. This one gets 3.65 stars.

R.E.M. continue to surprise me with how creative they are. They definitely carved out their own signature sound, but they managed to keep it relatively fresh and varied from album to album somehow. I can't understand how Stipe's whiny vocals work but they do. I've become a big R.E.M. fan over the years. Document is an example of some of their best work from their prime. It's solid pretty much all the way down the line and has a couple of top hits included. I wouldn't begrudge anyone who says they aren't a fan of them, but their albums continue to engage and scratch a certain itch for me. File Under Fire because this is a great one. 3.86 stars

Meh

An R.E.M. album worth having.

Angular and musical

It was good. Enjoyed more songs than i remembered

Liked this one overall! Odd fellows Local 151 was my favorite song.

Enjoyed this. Hadn't really listened to it before, but knew the singles. Worthy album for this list. Foreshadows style and themes of later albums.

Awesome album. One of those records that’s hard to believe I’d never listened to before, but at least I’ve discovered it now.

2.5 stars “How does it feel to be in R.E.M.? It feels good!” Almost my entire experience with R.E.M. is filtered through Scott Aukerman and Adam Scott’s hilarious, unhinged music podcast, U Talkin’ U2 To Me? The R.E.M. season (they called it R U Talkin’ R.E.M. RE: ME?) is probably my favourite, because Adam Scott was such a nerdy fan of this band since he was a teen. Because of this show, I’ve listened to all 15 R.E.M. albums, plus some extras. My tl;dr is R.E.M. didn’t know how to edit themselves. Their first EP and full album are pretty great and then they released an album nearly every year. They’re a good singles band, with huge swathes of mediocre filler leading to increasingly diminishing returns. Document is the album that produced their first big hit single, The One I Love. That and the other big hit, The End of the World (which, as Scott & Scott note, Billy Joel ripped off 2 years later with We Didn’t Start the Fire), are not bad, but R.E.M. has better singles. I like the third single from the album, Finest Worksong. The album tracks are kind of blah, but I do like the jangly stomp of Exhuming McCarthy. Adam Scott said he used to walk around his high school hallways putting his Walkman headphones on people and forcing them to listen to this song. Oh to have been one of his classmates. I also thought Trouble at the Heron House was alright. Strange is a cover of a Wire song, but not better than the original. I’ve rounded my rating up to 3 stars because this prompted me to re-listen to the very funny Document episode of R U Talkin’ R.E.M. I’m wondering how many more R.E.M. records are on here… Murmur better be one of them, because I think it’s the only one that holds up as a full album. Re: the podcast, I recommend it, but only if you will enjoy the following things: a) deranged, absurdist improv with gags that last years b) Scott Aukerman faux bullying Adam Scott about his ever more successful acting career (and basically everything) c) many tales of their early lives and careers d) oh also the music… they cover U2, R.E.M., Talking Heads, Chili Peppers, and The Boss I keep hoping they’ll do a Radiohead season. Hopefully they’ll sneak one in between seasons of Severance.

I have come to terms with my R.E.M. situation. I get it now. Well.. not it... i mean me. I get me now. I just hate the man's voice. It does matter if he's singing an indie rock classic or a politically charged deep cut, i don't care for the man's voice. I tried. I really did. I've been trying for 20 years. His voice just doesn't click for me. Its annoying. I don't want to listen to him spew out his own version of we didn't start the fire. It's just plain annoying. I'm done with this band.

Objectively good, just not my style. The songs you know from REM are on this album.

Overrated with a couple of ok songs. 2.5

not for me

Listens: 2 Standout Tracks: It's The End of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine), The One I Love. This album is fine. I have no bad things to say about it. The two most popular songs (above) are excellent and show off the best of what R.E.M. can be.

A good album, but not one of his best.

Meh

It was decent

It's a very good REM record, doesn't quite stick the landing.

I'm not even 50 albums in and this is my 3rd REM album. What I have discovered is that I love REM more than I thought I did. All 5 stars so far, but Document is below Automatic for the People for me.

Favorites: Disturbance at the Heron House, It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine), The One I Love R.E.M. are a decent band, but I don't think their sound has ever impressed me as it has others. While I found Document to be a pleasant listen, there wasn't a lot I latched onto unfortunately.

As a college student in the early 90s, this was crossing a band in regular rotation. After I (temporarily) grew out of my metal and punk rock phases, bands like R.E.M., Pixies, Sonic Youth, etc ruled my world for a few years. R.E.M. was also a favorite of my wife's. She's a UGA alumnus, should I expect anything less? Document is solid and catapulted them into stardom. But it's not my favorite R.E.M. album. 4/5 #101

Great album

This is my third REM album and I always find a new way to hate them. At first I hated them because they were an inaudible mess and they gave me the sense that they thought they were better than me. Now, I hate them for the opposite reason. They sold out to make a generic rock album. At least before I hated them but they were principled assholes. Now they sold out who they were and it's just sad. It's not even that this was even really that bad of an album, but they came into this one with so much history and they just threw it all away to sell out. Maybe I can't be pleased. Maybe this band was never meant to be loved.

2/3- Still not a huge RE

at least 2 songs were better than the end of the world as we know it.

R.E.M's greatest hits album was a constant CD in rotation in my car growing up. This album did not disappoint

Tiene muy buenos momentos, King of Birds en mi opinión es la joya del álbum, crea un paisaje sonoro muy bello con el uso del dulcémele. La letra me transmitió el principio de todo lo que sube tiene que caer y la música transmite melancolía pero también reflexión y aceptación, es una gran canción. Destaco el uso de saxofón en Fireplace que quedó muy bien. Es un álbum entretenido sobre todo en su segunda mitad (y Exhuming Mcarthy en la primera que es otra de mis favoritas). Sus letras son más oscuras de lo que puede sonar la música y eso es interesante, me gustaron las letras.

First listen

I listened to this album so much in high school it shows up in my fingerprints. It could use a re-master - it sounds thin by modern standards - but it is peak R.E.M. before they became beloved by regular people, unabashedly precious and jangly and teenage mysterious and despite that, kinda fun, which was a new thing for them.

A great example of literate mid-80s jangle-pop filled with killer hooks and melodies. You can hear the influence of the band’s Athens peers like The B-52s and Pylon, but also the Talking Heads. Occasionally Michael Stipe’s nasal vocal delivery grates, such as on “Lightnin’ Hopkins.” But “Oddfellows Local 151” and “Finest Worksong” are great tracks, and “It’s the End of the World (And I Feel Fine)” and “The One I Love” are generational touchstones.

I'm sorry, I love R.E.M. but do not love this albums. Lightnin' Hopkins, wtf.

Just enough singles you remember to keep you interested but before they got too mainstream.

I don't think I have ever actually listened to this entire album. It's what you'd expect from R.E.M. Good hooks. Fun songs. I want to hate "It's the End of the World..." but I can't. It's just a well written song. LEONARD BERNSTEIN. We can save our hate for Billy Joe's version ("We Didn't Start The Fire").

It was ok

good sorta classic rem

First best album i heard growing up

REM are ok. A greatest hits band for me personally.

Rock fm managed to play all their famous songs without actually teaching the audience that they are playing those songs

love a few songs on this record!

It's fine. Got bored here and there

A transitionary album, taking the band from college rock darlings to pop stars.

An Athens, Ga classic.

Whiny pointless garbage

I listened to this right before starting the generator, and it's even better than I remembered.

Really enjoyable album. My REM knowledge was basically Automatic For The People, Out Of Time and Monster, but I knew both The One I Love and It’s The End Of The World As We Know It from this album, and I really liked the rest of it too. Happy day.

I really enjoyed this one all the way through, steady enjoyable songs for the most part.

Quite a few songs I knew. Ok mixing for range of instruments

I started to listen to the album just hearing the R.E.M. sound, not really thinking about the lyrics at all, but the second song "Welcome to the Occupation" made me rethink my approach to the record as a whole. I hit restart and opened up the lyrics to try and read in a bit more, and was met with a general cry against the American government machine. I don't know why I didn't initially catch that "It's the end of the world as we know it" came from this album, but it was an instant recognition, as well as "the One I Love". Fireplace was cool with the saxophone addition, but I think I need a second listen to the album as a whole with more time.

Very eh, very dry, wasted my time, thank you.

I almost groaned when this album came up as my next selection. As an early REM fan, my associations with this album was that it was REM’s “sell out” album. The production was too slick. You could hear Michael Stipe’s words, for god’s sake. However, re-listening to it, I was taken right back to the height of the Reagan years. The songs truly stand up to almost 40 years of aging. It sounds as vibrant and relevant today, if not more so. The deeper cuts on this one are as solid as the “hits.” “Welcome to the Occupation,” is like a blow to the gut, especially witnessing what is going on in the US today.

Standout Songs: Finest Worksong Disturbance At The Heron House It's The End Of The World As We Know It The One I Love Fireplace Lightnin' Hopkins Oddfellows Local 151 Another incredibly fun album, and an absolute joy to listen to. Stipe’s voice is so beautiful. I’ve always loved R.E.M.’s music when I would hear it on the radio, nice to listen to one of their albums in it’s entirety. And I’m definitely glad this is the one I got. One of the best albums I’ve gotten in this project so far (day 41).

This is much better than R.E.M.'s other album, "Murmurs". "ItEotWAWKI" isn't even the best song on "Document". The first song sounds 20 years ahead of its time. This week seems to be amazing so far. Better yet, my WiFi is back. 4 stars for "Document".

Meh

it's finally something i've listened to before! (i've listened to around 10% on the albums on this list for what its worth.) r.e.m. was always on my radar for a period of time, but i never picked them up until recently (think, like, three days before writing this review). i picked this album as my first foray into their expansive discography because i heard a cover of "the one i love" from a very early sufjan concert while he was touring michigan/seven swans (so, prior to the release of his most acclaimed album illinois, which i'm also looking forward to getting as my album of the day from this website). i was intrigued and decided to give it a shot - and i enjoyed this album a lot more than i expected. "the one i love" is my favourite off this album, but i also enjoy the entire package of post-punky guitars, pleasing vocals and witty lyrics. i'm a huge fan of the tracks with a moodier sound; probably a deeply unpopular opinion but "it's the end of the world as we know it" grows more annoying as i listen to it once more.

I liked this! Sounds like classic 80s. Also found out the lead singer is gay so happy pride again!

i mean, it’s ok?? a little weird at times but it’s pretty good :D

Boooooring.

Automatic for the People has long been my go-to R.E.M. album, but Document gives it a real run for its money and maybe even beats it. It’s raw, energetic, and political without ever feeling preachy. There’s a sharpness and urgency here that makes you do more than just listen, you feel it. The sound is fantastic. The guitars snarl, the drums march forward, and then there’s Michael Stipe’s unmistakable voice, walking the line between cryptic and desperate. He sings with a sense of insistence that gives the songs both tension and depth. “The One I Love” and “It’s the End of the World…” are obvious highlights, but the album holds up all the way through. Even the deeper cuts feel essential, like there’s no filler here. This isn’t just a great R.E.M. album , it’s a great rock album. A document, yes, of a time, a sound, and a feeling that still resonates today. 5/5

What can I say. Very REM. nice sound, steady groove and structure. Didn’t particularly grab me, but good enough and Stripe a clear sound throughout. Some slight variations in some songs but general a 4/4, inoffensive trot throughout. Again unsure if the familiar songs are better or just recognisable. Pleasant enough (3.5)

A little late in life to really appreciate REM, but they are amazing, as is this album!

A very tardy listen - I just thought it flowed nicely, lovely jangles and Stipes vocals always hit. Couple of huge singles, rest was generally enjoyable, especially the first 3/4 songs

Has its moments but for the most part is background music

Damn good album.

Definitely a lot punkier than other REM albums I've listened to

이건 그냥 노래가 좋네.

Some great, classic songs. Some duds.

Pas mon style, c’est boriiing j’ai même pas réussi à tout écouter. Je sais pas pourquoi mais ça m’agace.

A really solid album but the thing I find with R.E.M is it all sounds the same

Sounds like REM

I want to like this more but it just lacks edge.

I kinda wanted to like this I didnt

Når ikke helt toppen, men har perlen «The one I love».

3.5

To be honest I don’t need to listen to rate this a 5. But I will listen again and act like I haven’t heard it thousands of times. Of all the great covers R.E.M. has given us, Strange is by far the best. Yep still 5 stars after another listen. File under Fire.

R.E.M are like Springsteen or Dylan for me. I don't stan them like a lot of people do, but it's obvious why they're an all time great.

FIRE

It was ok

It's pretty good rock music, but I am not too crazy about it.

Nice good to listen rock

Heard it before. What can I say, it's nice to listen to R.E.M. 4/5

Production missing an edge to hold my interest. Cool vocal harmonies on some tracks. End Of The World is honestly he standout. Honorable mention to King Of Birds.

I really like the guitar work on this record. The back half is better than the front half. Stand outs: The One I Love, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Fireplace, Oddfellows Local 151 (actually an awesome closing track). Is R.E.M. a radio friendly punk band or a punk friendly radio band? Either way, I don’t really care. When it’s on, I don’t dislike it but I never like it enough to go back to it.

3.5

1001 Album of the Day #276 R.E.M. - No. 5 Document [1987] It's no secret I consider Document, Green, and Out of Time R.E.M.'s trifecta. Also that I hold all of their albums up to Monster in high regard. This album to me, however, is their crown jewel? (10) ★★★★★

Probably my favourite R.E.M. record. "The One I Love" and "King of Birds" are the highlights for me. 4.5 stars

I'm definitely not as high on Document as a lot of people. I think all three singles are terrific -- "The One I Love", "It's the End of the World as We Know It" and "Finest Worksong" are all perfect -- but I think when you get past those, this album is a bit of a mixed bag. I do like "Disturbance at the Heron House" a good bit, but stuff like "Lightnin' Hopkins", "Fireplace" and "King of Birds" are sort of mid for R.E.M. Still a very good to great album, but not my favorite from the band. 4 stars.

4.5

A very good document from R.E.M but not their best one. That would be either Automatic For The People or Murmur. This one has a punchy, tight, more rockin and polemic feel and maybe 3 or so real classic tracks - Finest Worksong, It’s The End Of The World As We Know It and The One I Love and at a push maybe Exhuming McCarthy. Not so many good tracks on side B so it’s perhaps a bit of a rushed document. Overall grade A minus.

This album wasn’t too bad. I actually liked it more than I thought I would. There were some good songs on it and I could see myself listening to this album again.

Gotta be honest, I was expecting more. The best song for me is the opening track “Finest Worksong” while the obvious hits “end of the world” and “the one I love” build up the latter half, the first half is lacking something to keep me interested for long. It’s good but forgettable

Not the best REM album, but it's still got some belters on it. The singles are definitely the standout tracks, though.

I don’t hate it, but really not my thing

Two great hits, good flow.

That’s great. It starts with an earthquake. What a great listen. Another classic.

Fav: It’s The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) Least Fav: Oddfellows Local 151 R.E.Mbo No. 5 is a good album, even with that odd closer

Teils interessante Instrumentierung, aber von der Musik her nichts Besonderes.

Et par meget gode sanger. Høy og jevn kvalitet på musiseringen.

This one has the song where they say a lot of words about the end of the world

4.5 sadly, exhuming mcarthy is more relevant to 2025

Classic 80s REM

Very good album with cutting lyrics. While they do have better albums, this one is a great jumping off point to get into R.E.M.

Outstanding

good Album, liked it more than the other R.E.M. Album I had to listen to before

Great album. Have loved it since it was released.

Love love live

Incredible

Good album. Couple of classics but not my fave

I was only familiar with the singles released from this one, and that was a mistake on my part. I’ve always loved It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) and The One I Love, but Oddfellows Local 151 is a dark, twisted ending to this great album.

Definitely a 4

All the energy and sparkle you expect from 80s REM.

This is a pretty hefty document. An impressive fifth and final blow out on IRS records before shooting off into superstardom. Their incredible success as a band is in part thanks to the singles It's the End of the World as We Know It and The One I Love which both make it onto close to 100% of all mix-tapes spanning REM's 15 albums. With some notable exceptions, its a darker record than most of their output, moving closer to what we saw with Fables of the Reconstruction. Unlike Fables though, the songs are relentless, robust and overbold. Finest Worksong feels like you're in a boxing ring with the band, getting absolutely pummeled. They just don't give up. My favourite songs tend to be the brighter ones. The lyrics to Exhuming McCarthy are really funny. "You're sharpening stones, walking on coals, to improve your business acumen." The way Michael Stipe's vocals dance around the piano stabs and strumming is a genuine delight. The pummeling continues with It's the End of the World... but here they are pummeling you with kindness and slightly niche references. "LEONARD BERNSTEIN." Its a timeless song that feels more relevant with each passing year. My enjoyment of the record does cool slightly over the course of the closing tracks, but it still stands as easily one of their most important and popular albums. While in my opinion Lifes Rich Pageant from the year before stands as their best release, there is no doubting that it is Document which got bums on seats.

Forever grateful to my friend Richard informing me that early REM is as good as or superior to middle REM!

Not really my thing sound wise, but the topics covered by the lyrics are interesting.

I couldn't get into the vocals, and the production on the first few tracks felt lacklustre to me. I feel like the theme in this record was consistent throughout the tracks. I liked the latter half of the tracks more, but marginal at best. Favourite Track(s): It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine), The One I Love Least Favourite Track(s): Finest Worksong, Strange

i like the sax solo on fireplace other than that this did nothing for me

Great 80s album but could you tune the snare drum down -2? Jeeeeeeeez.

I know these guys. Do enjoy some of their tracks not sure what albums they are off of. I am really interested to hear what an album of theirs sounds like. Very R.E.M music to me. nothing special or out of the ordinary that I would think an R.E.M album would sound like 4 tracks in.

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Supremely mid

Solid from beginning to end. Even when it gets all psychedelic it works. R.E.M. at the top of their game here!

Solid tunes and hits that i didn’t know the origin of. I liked the production and the range of the songs on this one. Would live through the end of the world as we know it again.

Première chanson sympa

Dont like rem

It still sounds contemporary. Great songs and production

Pretty nice album, enjoyed having it in the background while I was doing stuff. It has this R.E.M. sound to it, as if I'm listening to Losing my Religion or Everybody Hurts. Overall, nothing too exciting but it was an alright listen.

Uma obra inteligente, enigmática e sútil.

I liked Document quite a bit more than i thought i would have. I thought that this album was just gonna be good and nothing else just like the last two R.E.M. albums i looked at but i was proven to be wrong as this one in my eyes goes beyond being just good. The songs were all incredibly lively which was the main thing that made me like this album more than the past two R.E.M. albums i looked at. There are several more aspects i like too including the fun melodies, great musicianship from each instrument and the lyrics and vocals were also very well done too. This album was also paced just right. It may not be a perfect but its still a really good album. Best Song: Fireplace Worst Song: Welcome To The Occupation

R.E.M. at the height of their powers. This album shows a lot of musical chops. The bass is forward and obviously heavily influenced by funk music. The sax solo is a nice touch. And Michael Stipe's haunting voice is perfect. Overall a very enjoyable album!

Two good songs w/mucho filler

I’m sure there is someone’s taste but it’s not mine.

Finest Worksong - 4/5 Welcome To The Occupation - 4/5 Exhuming McCarthy - 4/5 Disturbance At The Heron House - 4/5 Strange - 3/5 It's The End Of The World... - 5/5 The One I Love - 5/5 Fireplace - 3/5 Lightnin' Hopkins - 3/5 King Of Birds - 4/5 Oddfellows Local 151 - 4/5 Average score - 3.9/5 (rounding up) having already heard Automatic For The People last month, i think i can confidently say i enjoyed this album a little bit more. maybe it's the fact the songs sound a bit more upbeat and faster paced? this kind of sound isn't typically what i choose to listen to regularly. however, i liked most of the tracks just fine, and i could see myself going back to listen to R.E.M. in the future

“All the way from Athens, GA”

Ok. Inoffensive. No stinkers, though I don't understand why End Of The World was released as a single because it's easily the worst track on the album. Apart from the track that bangs on about business acumen! Though both are passable. They do lose a point though for their shameless rip-off of the Kiss classic Firehouse... sounds nothing like it ...and they gave it the wrong title! 3½

I like his voice. Some of the songs are great.

Highlights: "It's the end of the world" und "The one I love". Sehr gutes Rock-Album 4/5

Rigtig fint album 3,5/5. Første album der gjorde de gik fra Cult status til bredere publikum.

One of those albums where the songs all sound kind of the same. My Spotify was (inadvertently) set to loop, and I didn’t realise I was halfway through a second round. I suppose that’s what you’d call cohesive. Not bad at all. 4/5

A strong collection from Rapid Eye Movement that showcases some of their most well known stuff and generates a few deep cuts as well

A real mixed bag of an album, the middle section is incredibly strong with the hits off of this being the highlights, but the second half feels completely aimless and altogether a bit sloppy at times, almost like they were just throwing stuff together and calling it a day.

Good album, not their best

Well... this album. I think this was the first R.E.M. album I listened to, and then R.E.M. became endemic to my high school experience. I can honestly say this is not my favorite R.E.M. album, despite its impact on me. Automatic for the People? Murmur? One of those two. I want to say Murmur, but if I am being honest, I probably would reach for Automatic for the People first. What I wouldn't reach for is Document. It is super interesting to me that this is their "big" album. Most of the folk I listen to music with don't rave about this album. I feel like the general experience I have amongst my friends is similar to my personal taste. Although I don't think anyone would find this album objectionable. Although it will be interesting to read each others reviews. This R.E.M. album is super R.E.M.y, but it doesn't feel like it comes together like their other albums. This sounds way too vague, but something feels like it is missing from this album. Just a gathering of grunts and greens, the cogs and grunts and hirelings, a meeting of a mean idea to hold.

I like R.E.M. fine enough, they've got some bangers but the band as a whole never really hooked me. This album is doesn't change that; it's pretty solid and an enjoyable listen but didn't really sway me one way or the other. Musically, the band is tight here and Stipe is iconic, but it's not really anything you've never heard before. Standouts are "Finest Worksong" "The One I Love" and "King Of Birds" Overall, pretty standard. Not the best I've heard, not the worst. If you've ever listened to the radio for a day in your life you've probably heard "It's The End Of The World As We Know It" and "The One I Love" so that speaks to the legacy of R.E.M. and I respect the hell out of that, but this is a pretty solid 3, almost a 4 for me.

The One I Love’ by R.E.M. is probably the first song R.E.M. I really remember—not just hearing, but seeing. It was on MTV, back when the channel actually played music videos all day. I was a freshman in high school at the time, and by then, I was already deep into metal—Metallica, Slayer, Iron Maiden, all of it. But something about that song stopped me. It was haunting in its simplicity—just this raw, echoey guitar line and Michael Stipe’s voice cutting through. It didn’t sound like anything I was into, but I didn’t change the channel. I just watched. I wouldn’t say it made me drop metal or anything, but it planted a seed. Eventually I started listening to R.E.M.s earlier albums and was blown away, Document is not on par with those but this still holds a place in my heart, hence 5 stars.

This record is the last of the best of REM. It still has the sound that made me love the band but starts to show the direction they end up going.

Enjoyed this all the way through. I know End of the World was everywhere for a while but I still like it.

I just really like R.E.M. and find most of their albums to be pretty great. This one is no exception.

Really enjoyable

R.E.M. macht eigentlech no gueti Rock musig. Vorallem "It's the end of the World as we know it" fühli no rächt. De räscht esch au sehr okay, mer esch jetzt aber nüd als banger ufgfalle.

It started out a bit lacklustre and unfocused, but about mid-way it started to come together. In the end I found it to be a perfectly fine album with some quite inspired and engaging parts.

OK but didn't grab me that I must relisten to it. Has The One I Love on so still an all-timer for memories of Guitar Hero alone. Favourite Tracks - It's The End of the World / One I Love / Lightnin Hopkins

Some real classics on this one. A mood.

Alright. It was background music and inoffensive. I get why people like R.E.M, but for my they lack hooks and it all kinda washes past you. Probably why I like Losing My Religion most, it's the one you can most sing along to.

Ugh

Obviously, It’s the End of the World as We Know It is annoying as, but overall, it’s a solid 80s indie album.

Pretty brilliant, not perfect.

c'mon

A quality album. 5 stars for It’s The End Of The World As We Know It, which brings the album as a whole up to a 4 for me. As always, male artists of the 80s and 90s rock genre do uptempo way better than slow crooning.

Of its era I feel. It hasn't aged well generally. I wouldn't listen a 2nd time. The well known tracks that emerged from this album have their own resonance.

Well... this album. I think this was the first R.E.M. album I listened to, and then R.E.M. became endemic to my high school experience. I can honestly say this is not my favorite R.E.M. album, despite its impact on me. Automatic for the People? Murmur? One of those two. I want to say Murmur, but if I am being honest, I probably would reach for Automatic for the People first. What I wouldn't reach for is Document. It is super interesting to me that this is their "big" album. Most of the folk I listen to music with don't rave about this album. I feel like the general experience I have amongst my friends is similar to my personal taste. Although I don't think anyone would find this album objectionable. Although it will be interesting to read each others reviews. This R.E.M. album is super R.E.M.y, but it doesn't feel like it comes together like their other albums. This sounds way too vague, but something feels like it is missing from this album. Just a gathering of grunts and greens, the cogs and grunts and hirelings, a meeting of a mean idea to hold.

One of the many solid albums R.E.M. albums. I’m glad I have this LP in my collection. I was happy to give this one a spin again; I didn’t catch their cover of “Strange” the first time around. It’s pretty good, but I still prefer the original Wire version. “The One I Love” still slaps. I tried to find some sort of relevance in the lyrics to “It’s the End of the World as We Know It” in relation to you know, everything being terrible, but no such luck. It’s a fun song! The lyrics are straight stream-of-consciousness nonsense. This is basically all I have to say about this record, but it’s making me think about this band in general, so follow me off on a tangent if you will. I like R.E.M. They have a lot of great albums (and some not so great), but I can’t quite decide if they’re a “Greatest Hits Band”. Let me give you an example of what I mean by this- Tom Petty. I fucking love Tom Petty, but pick up his Greatest Hits. It’s all you really need.* He’s got a couple of really good albums, like Damn the Torpedoes and Full Moon Fever, but that Greatest Hits comp is perfect. You’re not missing out on anything by just having the greatest hits. *Later on, after Greatest Hits was released, Petty got together with Rick Ruben and made Wildflowers. This album is perfect, and is essential listening. I’ll give you an opposite example- Bob Dylan. He’s got Greatest Hits records, but if you just stick to those you’re missing out on SO much. This is an artist with a fascinating multi-faceted career with so many changes and phases and multitudes of style and sound. You need to dig deep. Where does R.E.M. fall here? I can’t decide. There are people out there who are 5 or 10 years my senior who revere this band for how groundbreaking they were, and I feel like I’m missing something. I’ve got 3 of the early records that are considered some of their best, and I like them, but I still haven’t had that epiphany moment with them yet. Well, I’ll keep listening. That’s what this whole thing is all about.

3.5-3.75

The music is great. Stipe’s voice is very much an acquired taste though. But overall, I like this album. The stand outs are the singles.

Pick your review, you have 2 choices: 1.) Better than Frank Ocean but not as good as The Beatles or even The Monkees. 2.) Reminds me of William Faulkner.

Didnt really like the vocal style at all

Finest Worksong 3.8 Welcome to the Occupation 3.6 Exhuming McCarthy 3.4 Disturbance at the Heron House 3.3 Strange 3.6 It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) 4 The One I Love 4.2 Fireplace 3.4 Lightnin' Hopkins 3.2 King of Birds 3.4 Oddfellows Local 151 3.7 Score: 3.6

Auch geil, End of the World einfach n klassiker

7/10 This is a good foundational record. I like R.E.M for the next few albums a bit more. 4-30-2025

La voz de michael stipe esta zarpada, bien adelante, y la bateria no se queda atras. Es un disco que los representa, con una guitarra que siempre esta sobre todo en sus primeros discos, y tiene mas forma que los discos anteriores, que son mas disparejos. Temas favoritos: finest worksong, welcome to the occupation (locura de ambiente crea), the one i love, lighting hopkins Tema que no me gusto: its the end of the world as we know it, es demasiado todo.

gran introduccion a la banda, album concreto

Was not in the mood for today's offering so went back and listened to this. The second best album by the first best American band. This and Green (their best in my unpopular opinion) cut through the hair metal and teenybopper music of 1989 and made me the weirdo I am today.

The album that made R.E.M great. Probably one of the best political rock albums of all time. Often overshadowed by the other albums of '87, but it's hard to compete with great albums like The Joshua Tree, Diesel and Dust, Kick, Appetite for Destruction, Kiss Me Kiss Me Kiss Me, Hysteria, and Music for the Masses. Even so, this is probably my second favorite of the year (after Joshua Tree) and gets a well deserved 5 stars.

It’s all good, but most of it just sounds the same to me. End of the world still hits and unfortunately still very on point even almost 30 years later.

Great album. Reminds me of high school.

I had never listen to the album in full. It’s great!

Not generally an REM fan - but this was a great album. Tight and not much filler and through and through a well paced record.

No real gripes, but also doesn’t feel incredible. Of course I knew the song “The One I Love”, but I don’t think it ever hit me quite like during this album listen. That is an all timer song.

Meh.

Rating: 4/5 | Favorite Track: The One I Love --- I really enjoyed this album and really appreciate REM as a band. This is by no means a perfect album but It's the End of the World As We Know It and The One I Love really elevate this to an essential listen.

A couple of hits on here. Saved two songs. There isn’t a dud but it’s not too memorable.

This is the first album in a while that I actually want to return to, I feel that there is a tonne of depth below the surface which was fantastic in its own right. Rating: 4.5

Good.