Reviews (page 9 of 12)
I love some R.E.M. songs, but I’ve never loved an R.E.M. album. For example, Pop Song 89 and Orange Crush were excellent, but The Wrong Child and Hairshirt were not enjoyable. They’re great songwriters, but I think part of the issue is that I’ve never liked Michael Stipe’s singing. Now that I think about it, he doesn’t sing but rather talks through my favourite R.E.M. song (Man on the Moon), and yells through the other (Shiny Happy People). Anyway, 3.5 stars.
[3.5]
Another REM album i enjoyed and don't know why. I do like their 80s stuff
I am notoriously (at least among my music-discussing friends) not a big REM fan, though I definitely respect what they did for alternative music/culture, and there are some REM songs I do love. If you care about why I think I don't love REM as much as some others my age, ask me about my Older Sibling Theory. All of that being said, the hits on this album are among the first REM songs I remember being exposed to on MTV (after the tracks off Document that got a lot of airplay) and I generally like them. I like this album now but it annoyed me back then. I also like most of what REM did before this album more than I like what they did after it, so this was kind of an inflection point.
Few good songs but brought down by others on the album being quite uninteresting.
pretty good. reminds me of the music dad listens to (because he actually does listen to R.E.M. LMFAO). put this on while studying, ‘twas an easy listen. i liked it well enough, wouldn’t really go out of my way to listen to much BUT i did like “Turn You Inside-Out” because it was more similar to what i usually listen to! solid 3/5 (would give it a 4 but i have a feeling there will be some genuine 4’s down the road so i’d rather be harsh now…)
preeeeetty aight! some great classics in there
Stand and Orange Crush are good songs. Started pretty weak, and sounded a lot the same. After Orange Crush, the album got quite good. I will say 3, maybe 2.5 but rounded up.
Some decent tracks are still REM tracks
As mediocre as ever
Gut aber austauschbar
It's like kinda good but also not for me. Will I listen to again: 15%
This album felt very safe and inoffensive. Yes, I'm aware that they did some experimentation, such as including the using of a mandolin and other sounds, but I think it all just came out very dull.
pop song 89- 5 get up- 5. i hate homie's voice you are the everything- 4 stand- 5 world leader pretend- 4 the wrong child- 4 orange rush- 5 or 6 turn you inside out- 5 hairshirt- 3 or 4. i hate this i remember california- 5 untitled- 5 rem walks a very thin line between me liking them or hating them. but as it stands now, i dont care much about them
Enjoyable but nothing special.
Found vocals quite grating and music boring.
I was never much of a fan of R.E.M
A bit underwhelming honestly, especially when compared to Out of Time or Document. Still enjoyable but not an album I'll listen to start to finish again. 5.5/10 (2.75/5)
This is an example of how important arranging is, in that their dull playing spoils the chance of pretty interesting melodies turning into great songs
R.E.M. to nie jest muzyka dla mnie, podobnie jak U2. Przelatuje przeze mnie kompletnie bez śladu, mimo dwóch odsłuchów ledwo pamiętam, co tam się wydarzyło. Pierwszy utwór był całkiem spoko, coś tam czasami mnie chwytało w jego popowym brzmieniu. Któryś kolejny utwór przywoływał na myśl "Losing My Religion", to też było ok. Ale ogólnie bez szału.
I was not immediately inspired when I listened to this recently and will have to listen again to give it another chance (REM being one of my most-listened groups) If in the top 1001 Albums, it would be quite far down the list!
I mean yeah it’s dad rock
Hmm, okay enough.
This is a good album. REM were omnipresent throughout my student years and whilst not objectionable it did get a bit too much and ultimately I got a bit bored by them. Revisiting it now has reminded me that it is still a good album but I still can't quite shake those old feelings
Standard R.E.M. stuff. I'm afraid that I was present in the room where it was played, but not really listening.
Beige
Klinkt erg naar rem je hoort zeker hun grootste hits er in terug
Good album, but not my favorite REM album.
After that last album, I was terrified when the first song of this one kept repeating ‘shall we talk about the government’ Then realised it’s that band that made them two alright songs Losing My Religion and Everybody Hurts. Neither were on this album. But it was alright, just very samey throughout. Nothing inspiring or exciting
The singles are fantastic but the rest of the album falls flat.
It was fine, but I've never been an REM fan.
I like this a lot
I know it’s their breakout, but 90’s REM does more for me. Some great songs and some misses.
gostei
There’s a lot of great stuff here. It’s not my favorite, but it’s still very good. 3/5
...
Not fan of all the lyrics but some really.interesting sounds here. Some lovely ones in fact but don't think I'll be reaching to add to a playlist. Sometimes he screeches words like okayyyy and I'm not sure I like it. Orange crush is a banger of course Didn't mind turn you inside out either tbh Also I like the guitar on I remember california
Michael Stipe's voice is nasally and a bit annoying but pretty ok musically
Nunca he entendido muy bien la pasión que R.E.M. son capaces de generar. Quizá puesto en contexto gane puntos, pero, en general, sus álbumes me suenan a grunge/alt rock típico de los noventa. Y no es que tenga nada de malo; al contrario, me parece música de calidad y muy agradable de escuchar. Las letras, aunque un poco crípticas, son de corte político y se mantienen relevantes. La inclusión de mandolinas y violines es interesante, aunque puede resultar irritante a veces. Música alternativa, pero de masas al mismo tiempo. Me cuesta darle nota, así que, como siempre en este tipo de casos, lo voy a dejar en 3.
Not my fav REM
Feels overrated
This is quintessentially fine
The songs that I recognized (Stand and Orange Crush) are good, and the others aren't bad...but I do not like the lead singer's voice. Would easily be a 4 if the singing was a little more palatable. Not bad otherwise.
I only really enjoyed the two recognizable songs here. But even those are a bit repetitive for me. Nothing glaringly unpleasant, but also nothing that I enjoyed very much.
it was okay
Что-то очень напоминает, а что не понимаю. Американская музыка, но ближе не к кантри, а к блюз-року, фолк-року. Чувствую американскую деревню в музыке вперемешку с Битлз.
Never listened to really any full REM albums other than Automatic for the People, they definitely sound like a less mature band in this one, most of the tunes don't stand out too much, but I think it's pretty good overall. Some of the songs get a little whiny and go on for a while, but such is the way of Michael Stipe. Oh man I forgot how fucking great Stand is, what a banger.
You know what I didn't hate this that much! James and I were disappointed at another REM but I knew quite a few of these. It was totally palatable
Qué se yo, las letras tienen una pizca de sarcasmo y locura que me gusta, pero no es para nada mi tipo. Además, no pude rescatar nada para mis listas. Nota: 2.8
Haven't listened to much REM outside the hits. Pretty solid album here.
Orange Crush is a great song. Otherwise, a decent but not overly standout album.
Oscillating between cheesy and REM (which is to say: kinda cheesy) but that's what I'm looking for when I go to REM.
pfff... weeral REM ... gelukkig toch enkele goeie nummers... maar toch ook aardig wat fillers
Started strong (fun REM) but faded (whiny REM).
Pretty standard 3 star album nothing too exciting but nothing too annoying either.
Pre - I'd always considered this the high water mark for the best (college rock) version of REM. Post - On relistening, I think it's got some strong singles (Pop Song, Stand, Orange Crush) and some good non singles (Turn You Inside-Out, Get Up). But the overall album is the slippery slope towards "Out of Time/Automatic For the People" (ie REM's folk version). So, I'd go with Document as the real high mark album for REM mk1.
I mean it's fine, but all kinda blurs a bit together. The voice and tone triggers nostalgia in me, but only because of Wim Wenders' "Until the End of the World."
puuu ja freue isch glaub s falsche wort pop song 89 het iwie en coole ahsatz vomene refrain aber ziehts nöd ganz durre? aber no cool get up 0 uufpasst you are the verything jsch zwar chli andersch aber finds gad arschlangwilig hmm stsnd isch zwar scho au en nervig easy catchy hahaha world leader rig na cool? aber iwie lauft alles chli ah mier verbii ja bö remember california hani seehr gern, isch iwie es düsters riff untitled sehr langwilig jaa bin chli z müed gsi, aber iwie hani de zuegang zu r.e.m. nöd würkli. schlecht ischs sicher nöd. 3
I was initially surprised to find that I didn't know many of these songs. But now I think if I heard them again, I might not remember them. A dull album, this.
Sort of repetitive.
Soothing and distinct voice the lead singer has. Enjoyable but nothing memorable on first listen.
Not my favorite REM album.
There's not really much I can say about this. It's just rather bland pop rock. Some catchy riffs, some fun lyrics, but nothing groundbreaking. Can't say it's bad, but this album is not something I would be excited to hear again. It's just fine.
2.5
I hate to say it as a Georgia native, but REM does nothing for me. I understand that it's a good album, just not for me.
Pretty cool sounding but not the most interesting.
R.E.M. is a nice band. And this album is also a nice album. But I don't really find anything more to say about it. It is nice. But not more.
Listen again to Orange Crush. Good album, calm atmosphere.
I enjoyed this album as background music. On a close listen I noticed synthesized elements of Americana rock, punk, pop, etc. They blended these elements enough to make very palatable alt rock music, but overall nothing incredibly unique and ground breaking.
Not bad. I've never been a huge REM fan but they were unavoidable in my early teen years and therefore occupy some space in my brain.
At last Some 500 albums into this project I finally get an REM album Would I have put it on the list - probably not In fact I could make a case for 9 or 10 REM albums being better. But the 9th best REM album is still pretty bloody good! I always feel Green is the bridge between the early REM albums and the stadium conquering later ones. It has a foot in both camps and never quite excels in either Orange Crush is a classic but it gets marked down for me because Pop Song 89 and Stand are trying too hard to be quirky Call it a 3 only because I think pretty much the rest of their discography is 4+
first album review! its 6 am and i found this on reddit but i am intrigued hehe. notable moments: stand - i really like the riff (?) in the middle of the song. also the song reminds me of what makes you beautiful by one direction LOL. turn you inside-out - so far my favorite to be honest i was zoning out and when it came to the guitar riff i was like this is kinda good especially the ending.
Enjoyed this more than their other album, still don’t love the sound but it did grew on me enough to give it a few extra listens
10/01/25 Obviously I know how big REM are, but again it's just an average album, with one stand out song.
stand in the place where yo- 5/10 (may revisit)
Good, enjoyable but nothing exceptional
It was a good listen. I heard some songs that I haven't listened to in 10+ years. Overall, I'd definitely give album another listen.
R.E.M. seem to be in that weird realm of uniqueness where they’re easily distinguishable from other acts, but not actually different enough to stand out properly. It’s probably Stipe’s distinct voice or the jangle of the instrumentation - but they’ve seemed to keep their sound fairly robust over the few albums I’ve listened to. As for Green, despite its misleading title/cover matchup, its soundscape is certainly lush and (maybe) upbeat. I don’t really want to throw this away as ‘background listening’, but that’s the sense I’m getting. There’s not a grand artistic statement or experimentation. It’s a great performance of tried and tested alt rock. And it works. And it’s just fine.
The only song I know from REM is losing my religion (that's them right?) Stand in the place where you.... where do inknow that from? It sounds like something from Parks & Rec. Idk. I don't think I like the lead singers voice.
The start of REM's downfall. This one was definitely phoned in. Orange Crush is great, and World Leader Pretend is one of my favorite REM songs. But mostly disappointing because they had set such a high bar for us fans earlier on in their catalog. Even the worst REM is still enjoyable, though. Mike Mills, Peter Buck and Bill Berry always sound great. And Michael Stipe is nothing if not entertaining and usually poetic. You can feel a self-consciousness about the change of direction I think, and that brings it down.
My opinion changed so much throughout this album. The first two or three songs I could not only see the influence but how it’s different from other stuff. But as time went on, I shortly realized that his voice was slightly intolerable. I’m going back and forth between a 2 and 3. I think because I was able to see such a defining difference between other music, I respect it for that.
At the time of this release I wasn't much of an REM fan and truly and sincerely hated their poppy songs from this period - feels like they were trying to simplify from their previously-cool mysterious/dark/imperceptible period. Or perhaps I was a bit limited being that I was listening to a lot of "real" music at the time (read: screaming guitars, spandex, lasers. Obviously.). Hmm. Interesting to revisit this a few decades and taste-revolutions later and ... I don't mind the pop songs so much anymore. But it's the major key clarity in their songs overall that still loses me from truly connecting with much of it. Maybe I'm just anti-mandolin? Songs that are mandolin-heavy here are my least-favourites. Fave: "Turn You Inside-Out" - a rare rock/distorted guitar REM song that really works for me - something about that simple pre-chorus. Least-fave: "The Wrong Child" - terrible. Competing vocals sounds more than sloppy. Overall it's better than I was expecting, although at 41 minutes I was ready to jump ship so I appreciate the short runtime. It's a fuller-sounding record than I'd been expecting - sounds great in headphones - and very different from their early/first-4-albums period that I've grown to love. Anyways - no chills but mostly a fine rock listen. 5/10 3 stars
2.5 but lovingly, a lot of songs almosttttttt did it for me but there always was something missing
tercer álbum de rem que me sale YA NO PUEDO MÁS
Not an R.E.M fan but this was alright. 3*
One of the things I've felt for years is that I really need to dig into the earlier side of R.E.M.'s discography, mainly because I wanna see what they did with the jangle pop sound and their singles from that era are pretty neat. This album was good but not really consistent, it feels in this weird crossroad of trying to be more alternative rock but also trying to still retain some of the folky/jangly aspects of their old music, so it can oscillate between amazing alt rock songs like "Orange Crush" to huge misses like "The Wrong Child" whose instrumentals and Mike's voice just do NOT mix well. I enjoyed my time with this album but it just felt like I have heard R.E.M. could do better and more consistent things than this.
I do like R.E.M. but this album didn’t especially stand out to me. Like I listened to it on Friday and reviewing it now on Monday and I barely remember it other than it was pleasant.
I think I've earned myself a three. This album was pretty damn good. I've listened to Orange Crush probably about 10 times today. Nonetheless, the rest of the album was pretty mediocre. Some funky beats but nothing too special. An easy listen for a day that I really needed it. (Drinking Orange Crush while listening to Orange Crush is a 5/5 experience would do again)
A pretty decent album - Orange Crush and Stand get a lot of radio play, Inside Out is a GTA IV classic. Nice folk stuff but also some snoozers. All round enjoyable 3.5/5
I’m sure this inspired lots and seems ahead of its time. However found myself so bored throughout. Just scraped a 3 but so forgettable I won’t be going back
I like but don’t love REM. This album was fine.
I should probably review this album higher but REM have so many albums and even though this one is really good, it’s not one of their tops for me.
Bueno
This could be easily a 4 but Michael Stipe's vocals have always made it difficult for me to truly enjoy R.E.M.
Favourite song - orange crush
I was never the biggest fan of R.E.M. Their music is for me solid rock and pop stuff that can go on in the background for hours, but it doesn't move me even though the lyrics are written for big emotions. The singing style is also not the best on the delivery side I find. Still, it's solid.
The first classic R.E.M. album - it's not bad overall, but contains too much filler. 3/5
Of 4? Idk?
Got my orange crush
Good stuff.
I’ll be real with you, REM deep cuts all sound the same on every album. There’s always those one or two bright spots and then literally the same song over and over
Meh. About what I expected from R.E.M. I've never been a fan. Not bad music, though. Just not something I enjoy.
есть песни и получше
Ihan ok. Mikään kappale ei oikein erottunut päälimmäiseksi, mutta ihan fiilasin tätä kuuntelukokemusta.
It didn't wow me, but I enjoyed it.
This is so mid compared to other stuff released by R.E.M. I didn't enjoy it that much. It wasn't bad but mostly boring.
If it weren't for orange crush, i'd give this a 2. Stand -- always brilliant. just never been a big REM fan.
Some very familiar songs, but I prefer Automatic for the People
I have trouble staying interested in this album but there are some good songs on here. 3 stars or C for me.
Got confused with the year it said it was from then realised it was a reissue 🤦🏻♀️ Enjoyable enough.
Pretty basic 80's rock. Orange Crush is the obvious standout. Probably won't relisten.
Damn, this takes me back. This was right when REM made the jump from college radio to MTV. So much of this record was on the radio. How do I still know all the words to Pop Song 89? Pop really is right word to describe this record. Stand is classic, easy bubblegum, complete with dance instructions. And you can hear how Orange Crush so clearly inspired Kurt Cobain’s style. There’s a lot of great stuff here. It’s not my favorite, but it’s still very good. 3/5
Orange Crush is clearly the best thing on here, although there are some other nice jangly guitar moments. And I do like a jangly guitar and have been known to enjoy an REM album from time to time. Not my favourite but there’s a chance I might listen again.
I love orange crush. The rest his voice is a little too whiny for me.
Pretty solid
“Well, that bored the piss out of me.”
It's the juxtaposition of it all. Fav song Stand
Transitory album between their college radio indie pop darlings to ruling the alternative radio waves. Ultimately, Green ends up somewhere between and doesn’t do it for me.
I know I should love them more because of the Georgia connection- but it’s just eh. These 90s albums don’t hit for me.
Fav: Orange Crush Least Fav: Get Up Felt more orange than green
Another case of the hits being good, but not much else. Way too much slow, sad filler
3.5
Overall: 6/10 R.E.M. is a band that's always just kind of been in my life in some form. I've never had much of an opinion on them either way beyond liking a few of their singles. This album doesn't really sway my opinion in either direction and I feel like they'll always be one of those bands that just exists. I really like the different instrumentation on some tracks though and Orange Crush is one of my favourite R.E.M. songs. Fav Song: Orange Crush Least Fav Song: The Wrong Child
Great album just got a little boting
I didnt use to like them back in the day, but compared to the crap these days, it was ok
3.5/5
Wikipedia deems this to be "experimental rock". While I can agree with that, it's still pretty approachable for something that's experimental. This is definitely borderline 90s alternative rock at this point. I can't place too much that sounds like R.E.M. and this album is included in that. They occupy a niche that is uniquely them. Some of this album hit pretty hard for me, but as it went on, I felt like it lost steam. All said and done, a decent album, though.
They have some good songs but I really don't get REM
Quite liked how melodic this was, I'll give it a 3.
Rather ok rock
3,27 average
decently average but enjoyable with maybe some unique sound for its time. i hereby declare them mostly-a-singles-band until the site gives me Automatic For The People
I didn't enjoy this as much as Murmur but it was ok. Orange Crush and Stand are head and shoulders above the rest of the songs on this album.
After listening to this album I revisited Murmur which I had generated last year. This album is not nearly as good as Murmur, but it is still enjoyable. The second half of this album is especially good. Yesterday I had the College Dropout by Kanye West. Jesus Walks from that album uses the same sample as Orange Crush and I think that’s neat. Favorite songs were Stand, Orange Crush, Turn You Inside Out, and I Remember California.
***An ok album
Favorites were "Stand" and "Orange Crush"
No real comment. I've never listened to R.E.M. outside of hearing singles on the radio - and while I enjoy a few of those (and I quite enjoy Michael Stipe's voice), there's nothing here that makes me want to re-listen.
It's ok
I am frankly not particularly an rem enjoyer
Outside of Stand and Orange Crush, I didn’t really know much of the other songs but I could see where it was building from here with the mandolin that eventually leads to Losing My Religion that I love
Lovande början -> meh -> ok näst sista låt.
I've been liking all the REM albums I've gotten. This one was good too
Not bad.
Amongst the seas of metal whammy bars that had been gyrated too much and synthesizer tracks that should have been store with blocks of years aged cheese in a cave somewhere, I can see how this stood out. The first four songs are the strongest for sure. Stand sounds great once, maybe twice, but it’s just chorus, chorus, chorus, key change, chorus, chorus, key change, chorus. You get the point. It gets a bit old. In general, songs that start with the chorus are already sus. When the second chorus shows up at 0:45, the songs crutches have buckled and a wheelchair is necessary. I’m being harsh but the analogy works and I wanted to use it. The album is pleasant enough to listen to. You Are The Everything was my favorite track.
For me, this album was ok. It’s good, but not anything I would seek out on repeat. There is some nostalgia to it as Stand and Orange Crush were popular in my teen years, but even then this was not music that really spoke to me. That remains true today. Nothing turns me off about it, but nothing really draws me in either.
Was alright - I did end up with "Stand" really stuck in my head though
REM really ushered in the 90s. I'm always a little surprised to be reminded that they were doing this in the late 80s because it seems so ahead of the time. Stipe's trademark "whininess" gets to me after a while, but - still - great band. Good album.
I like R.E.M.'s sound but I'm not a fan of their lyricism is a bit rough at points in the album.
REM is great, not my favorite album
I actually enjoyed this, but I can’t listen to it all the time especially when seasonal depression is ruining my life 😀 3.5/5
This one was hard to choose between 3 or 4, id give it a 3.5 if I could. I find Stipes vocals to be very hit or miss. Some songs I really enjoyed but others did nothing for me. The guitar and drums are average for the genre and time period.
I don't approve of REM switching to major key pop songs, but none of these are bad. I like Orange Crush.
I like REM just fine, but they never reeeeeally do it for me. No exception here. A good album, some standout songs (like Stand!). But nothing I’m terribly likely to go back to.
Its REM so I certainly enjoyed it. It didn't push above some of their other high bars though
Not bad but nothing that stick except for the underated song turn you inside out (might have been featured in a game and be the reason i like it a bit extra, haha)
альтернатива. мне не особо заходит альтернатива, я уже говорил. ну эти ребята вроде неплохи. правда сморило в сон под них чутка) норм)
It's kind of amazing to me this came out in 1988
Alt rock
3 / 5 Some stand out tunes: Stand, World Pretend Leader, Orange Crush, Hairshirt Overall good album But some songs did blur into one. Some weaker REM songs, not saying much and repeating lines
REM made the whole mainstream music industry pay attention with this release. Only a few years later and the while mainstream was trying to be REM.
Michael Stipe’s yodeling sound drives this album forward. He really lays it on thick in the last song, which I loved. The single “Stand” is fun but doesn’t do too much for me. It’s a really cool sound for 1988.
Another R.E.M. album, another album I enjoyed but aren’t enthused about! Some songs I really like, but it just doesn’t get “pushed over the edge” for me. They’re just a band I respect, not love. 3.5
3.5
Decent listen. R.E.M. definitely had their sound on lock fairly early on. I’m more partial to their later works but it was find to see the beginning. Stand Out Track: Orange Crush
I liked it way more than expected, given that I'm not someone who listens to REM very often. They definitely have their style.
Unoffensively okay.
Mostly forgettable, but nothing too bad
Still quite enjoyable
Pretty bland. Some great songwriting. Great melodies. Just a bit samey
Not bad. Very REM.
Many classics. High 3, could'Ve been 4 but oh well.
Good driving jams. Solid 3.
Has its moments.
Couple hits in here. That’s about all I want to hear from this band.
There were only one or two songs I really like, but I generally enjoyed the whole album. The sound is cool, but not terribly unique to me. Stand was the stand out (hehe). Favs: Stand, World Leader Pretend
Probably about 3.5, a few good songs but overall not really my cup of tea
-this is the THIRD REM album ive gotten and it’s been less than 100 days, idk how many there are in here… this one’s decent but markedly less enjoyable than Document and AFTP. none of the tracks really gripped me as much but it held together pretty well -Favorites are Pop Song 89 and World Leader Pretend
Green is the beginning of what R.E.M would perfect later. A lot of haunting beauty on this record. It’s also a bit all over the place. You Are The Everything a severely underrated masterpiece but Pop Song 89 mocks pop than 3 songs later, there is Stand 7.7/10
Intricate jangly guitars chiming away under dense cryptic lyrics, all with a kind of country tinge to it. Some of it sounds like the logical culmination of the 80s new wave sound, other parts like an experimental folk act, sometimes like an Americana Smiths, at best they're sweeping and epic like War-era U2. I've tried many times but really can't connect with 80s REM beyond the singles, there's something weirdly inaccessible or uninteresting about so many tracks on these albums, so I never got why they were such a big fixture of the alt/college rock scene. I just like them better as 90s major label sell outs and in radio dominating greatest hits mode I guess... Favorites: World leader pretend, orange crush, I remember California
Came out almost exactly a year after I was born but somehow still sounds like "college radio" to me. I guess that speaks to its staying power of their music. For me personally, it's good but nothing special and a lot of the songs run together kind of sounding the same.
Not bad
MICHAEL STIPE PISSES ME OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! what the hell is up with this guy. he makes "monster" (1994), one of the best albums ever of all time which SHOULD be on this list but isn't—my conspiracy theory is that nobody likes that record because it's too faggy BUT IT'S LITERALLY THEIR BEST ONE. and nothing else in their discography sounds like it. anyway. we aren't talking about "monster" here, unfortunately. we're talking about "green," which is in fact the only other R.E.M. album that i will classify as good. this record has some beautiful lyricism and hints of the sound that would later define monster (i.e. "orange crush"). "you are the everything" and "hairshirt" are both fantastic in terms of the lyrical imagery and dynamism of the music imo. the back half of the album is really very good overall and stipe mostly manages to avoid the stipiest elements of his voice. however this record is ruined by the inclusion of "stand" which is actually one of the worst songs ever committed to tape. i hate that song more than words can possibly say. i couldn't get to my phone fast enough while listening to skip it entirely and i accidentally heard like one millisecond of it, and that was one millisecond too many. i find it humiliating to listen to. so minus five billion stars for "stand," 3.5 stars for everything else. i fucking guess. fav tracks: orange crush; you are the everything; hairshirt; i remember california
That was fine but not that special for me. I don’t think there was even one song I saved or wanted to add to a playlist but it wasn’t like actively bad.
It's fine, I enjoy some songs but I wouldn't return to the album
REM was one of the college bands that were fun to see live - they had their sound and stuck with it. OK for nostalgia, but even the hits on this album are not my fave REM tracks.
It was an ok album to listen to. Not too impressed but can see it’s relevance
What do you get if you mix Orange Crush (REM) with Lemon Crush (Prince)? Answers on a postcard.
what 3/5 maybe 3.5/5
I think this was the first time the band became known to the general public despite them being around for most of the 80s and producing plenty of good songs. This is definitely the warm up to their huge MTV success. It has a slightly annoying trebly sound to it, but it's packed full of strong songs, you can really hear they've matured and there's probably more to come. Yeah a really good album which is near the start of MTV realising the whole world wants to listen to "alternative" or "indie" music, because it's just music.
I think you either really love R.E.M. or passively dislike them. I'm in the latter camp. Its fine, I cant stand Michael Stipe's voice but overall the album is just ok.
I can’t… STAND when I hear REM Mi-chael Stipe Thinkabout this album and how bad I thought-it-was Jk it was fine and REM are a fine band but I just don’t have any desire to listen to them
3/5
A couple good songs, accompanied by a. lot of really weird songs.
Geht so
Great album, didn't floor me but I get it
It was fine. I'm not a huge REM fan, but they're fine.
Turn You Inside Out is awesome, the rest was boring.
Pretty decent rock record. Especially for the late 80s. This truly has a 'before its time' feel. Could almost say this record came out in the late 90s. Michael Stipe has a great voice. Reminds me of Gord Downie. Wouldn't it be cool if Stipe did a few shows with the remaining Tragically Hip members? I'm picking up some U2-esque feels in some of the music. But this band is far better than U2. U2 is pretty over rated.
To me, REM were at their best in the 90's. Still this is a great album.
It's okay, just like every other R.E.M. album on this list.
There are some great songs here but also a considerable amount of meh. There are better R.E.M. albums.
Some (ahem) might say this is where REM dropped off, but I quite liked most of this, at least as much as some of the earlier stuff
Mostly enjoyable.
Listened to whole album and only remember Stand.
Pretty subpar album compared to their usual high quality work
2,5
It was okay.
REM had a lot of great singles in the 80s (and a couple more in the 90s), but every album track surrounding them is like church music for people who spend Sunday mornings listening to A Prairie Home Companion
just kinda boring
Seems like this album was made in a small box or room, feels congested (not necessarily a bad thing but the feeling i got). Lyrics were cool and the main vocals were unique to say the least. 2.7
One of stipes lesser works. Has so many better albums but not a bad album.
I've never really enjoyed REM beyond a couple of obvious singles so Green was probably not going to excite me in the same way it might for some of you. There's no particular dislike, they're just there doing their thing and it doesn't really overlap with things I like, Michael Stipe is a fabulous lyricist who creates a great atmosphere with his voice and style but I guess I find that the music behind him doesn't get close to doing anything of the same quality. Much of this album does nothing to me, but it does finish very well, Hairshirt is cool, I Remember California is hauntingly beautiful, Untitled is a nice uplifting send-off. Those three tracks probably lift it to a low 3 from me and hopefully avoid your collective ire. Like what you like imo.
Enjoyed this more than anything we've had for about 20 albums. There are some really nice songs here - I like the lower key World Leader Pretend and the last couple of tracks, the poppier stuff (Pop Song 89, Stand, and Orange Crush) is also pretty good. Some of the rest falls in between and doesn't really work - REM have a tendency to go a bit twee and janky at times, and The Wrong Child is a nasty example of this. I think it's a high 3.
I do not understand the hype around this album. I am going to give a really good second listen through.
Stand Orange crush Pop song 89
Was never crazy about the well-known tracks from this album & have a hard time listening to Stipe in general, but some of the songs I'd never heard before were actually pretty good. Always enjoy a little mando as well.
131/1001 🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑
Noteworthy songs - 808080808 Magical Dream - Kinda catchy synth, but the rest is bland. Ancodia - Good background noise. Cobra Bora - Actually kind of cool, reminds me of Bomberman Hero. Pacific 202 - N64 vibes, but melody isn't great. Donkey Doctor - Nothing too special, weird ending. 808080808 - Really cool beginning. A little slow in the middle but stays interesting enough. Sunrise - Nothing remarkable. The Fat Shadow - Eerie. Very short.
Another good album from REM, deserves to be on the list, but not quiet in the same league as mumour or automatic for the people.
He vaikuttavat vieläkin siinä määrin taiderokkareilta, että joku saattaisi olla huolissaan. Silti musiikin kekseliäs, simplistinen melodisuus voittaa kuulijan puolelleen - ajan kuluessa mahdollisesti kasvavissa määrin.
an alt-rock classic that contains all the DNA for what would become Automatic for the People. in spite of the in-studio explorations the band was making at the time it does feel less adventurous than any of their previous 5 albums. they lost some edge after Lifes Beauty Pagaent and didn't fully replace it until they mastered this sound on AFTP.
Definitely liked this better than the first REM album we had. More personality and variety but I just still don’t totally love their sound. Still very solid though.
I read the Wikipedia summary and had high hopes for this album. Unfortunately, I found it pretty bland. There are a couple songs I enjoyed, Stand and Orange Crush, but otherwise it was a mostly forgettable album. It would be good for background music but I don’t know if I’d go back to it. Not bad but also not great.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I don't know why R.E.M. is so popular. I've tried to like them for a long time, but they've never broken through for me. This is probably my favorite of their albums so far, but I still don't love it. https://youtu.be/2jqKiVHS6x4?si=u5sNkKLiwO-CJ1Lb
Kláraði ekki
I dont really understand the REM love but i was vibing with this toward the end.
Original, polished, college music of late 80s
I think this is overall a pretty high quality album, but at the same time it’s just kind of forgettable for me. Lots of respect for REM, and enjoy their music, and this one was no different, but just wasn’t really resonating with me this time around.
not special
“Stand” was a parody of bubblegum pop. But it became a hit, and then they had to perform their own joke on big stages.
In retrospect this album is more pop than I remember. Sort of a sickly sweet mix of pop. I do like the song Stand. A lot of the others weren’t that great 35+ yrs later.
The last R.E.M. album I got from this list, Murmur, introduced me to one of my most streamed songs of the year, Sitting Still. This had no such luxury. Not a bad listen, but there was no individual song that jumped out and won me over this time.
I liked this one. Didn't love it, didn't hate it, fell right in the middle for me.
Boring. Good for uphill walks.
Mid
I think five albums into this band's discography, I can officially say I'm not really a hater nor a fan of R.E.M. They create plenty of songs I enjoy, and can even make an album or two that I would define as "good," but whenever I have to sit down and check out another one of their albums, I sort of just sit there in disinterest. I'm not a fan of Michael Stipe's voice, and it feels like the later you get in their discography, the more he plays it up, but at the same time the instrumentation is solid. Albeit, it is a bit generic, but I do enjoy enough of it to say an album usually comes out somewhat on top, but I really feel like I never needed to listen to all of this from them. Any song that does catch my attention here seems to refuse to have a bridge or climax to change the song up, and it leads to me enjoying the first two minutes consistently, before realizing I've heard everything the song has to offer. There are the hits here, and they're okay, but they follow the same formula, and it all just comes up empty for me. I'd say it is burnout, but I've listened to these albums so far apart from each other that I think I can accept it just isn't for me, much to the chagrin of my mother. Sorry, mom. At least you were right about the Smiths.
I don't listen to R.E.M. that often, but I really like a few of their songs. I didn't hear any of them on this album. The music didn't bother me, but that's all it was. I probably won't listen to it again. 3/5
Nice album, special mention to "Stand".
Always felt like I should get into R.E.M. but… why? Why am I required to have an opinion on everything? It’s okay not to be fussed about R.E.M.
STANDOUTS Pop Song 89 Stand OVERALL: 3/5
Was it a coincidence that I got R.E.M. on the day they were in the news due to their one-off Songwriters Hall Of Fame performance, or did the 1001 Albums Generator creator plant this? I really like R.E.M.'s radio singles but I struggle to get into their album tracks. Green had a couple of huge 5★ hits but the in-between songs are fairly mediocre, it evens out at a strong 3/5.
Ok. I liked “World Leader Pretend,” “Orange Crush,” and “I Remember California.”
Meh, I mean it's not really my vibe. I like The Smiths aesthetic of the Jangley rock thing better. Not into R.E.M. vocal melodies they sound too loose. Some cool compositional stuff though, interesting guitar parts sometimes.
Good album, a bit more poppy than their other releases. Songs sound the same throughout though
Not bad
A good album, shows why were so successful.
позитивный такой и прото много жанров/групп. надо потом продолжить
For the first few tracks I thought I could be listening to my new favourite R.E.M. album. They sounded fresh and energetic and silly, but in a clever way (or clever in a silly way?). After that my enthusiasm waned - except for Orange Crush of course.
Definitely some good songs and enjoyable but I dont think I'd revisit it
I'm extremely torn on this album. On one hand it has Orange Crush, by far my favourite REM song ever. On the other hand it has Stand, which makes me feel ill whenever I hear it. The remainder of the album is okay, but there's nothing stand out here, so I'm going to go with 3 stars, which feels awfully low. It's probably a 3.5, but I just can't bring myself to push it up to a 4.
Yeah, pretty good this time around. Purchased in the past, and ignored. This time, yeah, I got into it.
Solid overall, i'd probably put this at 3.5
while i never really got into r.e.m. for the most part, i respect their legacy as one of the pioneering acts of the “alternative music” movement. this album was not bad and “orange crush” is a legit great song.
Sounds like it could be in the Shrek soundtrack
This was really good. A good number of strong songs and I really enjoyed Micheal stripe’s voice
Theres no real bangers here but the quality of this band is undeniable . I spent a pleasant time listening to this but in the final analysis, I'm not going to rush back. Its a 3
Don't get this pick, every album released by REM prior to this is much stronger. REM light to be honest, more radio friendly pop sound. Hate to rate an REM album from the 80's this low. I think every other 80's album except perhaps Fables would be 5 stars.
The first REM record I honestly was disappointed in. After 4 (maybe 5) great records in a row this felt like the definitive move to keeping the momentum of the radio hits from Document. It worked for that but not for me.
I'm probably too hard on this album. But it's a step down from pretty much everything they did before it, and even some of the things they did after it. It's, like, somewhere around maybe the 6th best REM album? And, all things considered, it's still pretty good.
Sounds like R.E.M. Not my fave album of theirs but they have a distinct sound, singer's voice can get kinda whiny/boring. Fine album, highlights weren't super high and lowlights weren't super low for me. Highlight tracks that stood out for me were "Stand" - I feel like I recognize this from a TV show or something but not sure where. "Hairshirt" - I think this one had a mandolin in it. "Orange Crush" - apparently the most popular track on the album but dodn't stand out too much, wondering if it is about the soda??? Always really liked Peter Buck's guitar tones, makes 6 strings sound like 12, assuming he recorded this album on a Rickenbacker 6.
Respectable Even-Though Middling.
Look it's pretty good but I can't say it truly vibed with me like some of their other stuff. Have to see how some of their earlier albums go.
Mid
Det er bra i guess men ikke særlig spennende. Nun to crazy you feel me. Har ikke noe imot det da. rett over mid ut av 5. Egt orange crush slapper så litt ratingen går litt opp ig. mby siste halvdelen er det shit, turn you inside out er også nice. idk hairshirt hitter ikke. Siste to sangene er ait ig måtte locke inn før å løse FM oppgaven så hørte ikke så nøye etter.
Stand World Leader Pretend Orange Crush
Found the slower songs very enjoyable, slow rock slightly far from my usual listens but definitely piqued my interest. Many of the influences on modern music shows through in a number of songs as well.
'Green' definitely suffers from autopilot syndrome, despite them obviously trying out new things with this more pop-oriented, softer direction. It would go on to define the bulk of their later work, but they also never seemed to have recovered from the fatigue of recording this.
REM’s greatest hits album absolutely blew my head off when I was about 13, so I’ll always have affection for them and I like their sound enough to enjoy this. However, there are no songs here that aren’t on the hits album that would deserve to be. A bit too much of Stipe’s inner child for me, and ‘Stand’ has always sounded to me like it’s written to teach children something, not sure what, standing? Points on a compass? I just looked it up and this is their SIXTH album?!! Mad that they took over ten years to get in to their stride - they really had a good few years at the beginning of the 90s.
Some good songs, but the album as a whole is a bit samey for the most part.
There are better REM albums out there...
Nr. 166/1001 Pop Song 89 3/5 Get Up 3/5 You Are The Everything 4/5 Stand 3/5 World Leader Pretend 3/5 The Wrong Child 3/5 Orange Crush 3/5 Turn You Inside-Out 3/5 Hairshirt 3/5 I Remember California 3/5 Untitled 4/5 Average: 3,18 Wasn't bad, but lacked highlights for me.
If NIN was too aggressive, this is way too mellow. DNF
3/5
This album was good - but nothing special in my opinion. I liked the vocals, the mixing, and the fun mix of instruments throughout, but the lyrics were very repetitive and I lost interest about 1:30 into most of the songs. I would definitely put it on at a casual gathering or something, but don’t know if it’s worth another listen.
The album was very hit or miss for me. Some songs I really enjoyed and others I wanted to skip. Favs: pop song 89, orange crush
Ben, c’est REM, t’aime ou t’aime pas. Pour ma part j’ai bien aimé, mais on est loin de Automatic for the People, donc un solide 3 semble approprié
Better than expected
Stand and Orange crush are obviously pretty good, Pop Song 89 was okay, most of the others are kind of whatever. Would probably say 3.5, but can't, so 3.
It's a good album, but also the weakest of REM's 80s output
Kende wel wat nummers, niks dat er echt uit sprong
This album was okay, but the songs all sounded quite similar to me. I keep hearing 'Losing my Religion' in many of the songs, but I guess this is just the Michael Stipe signature song-writing style.
First half of the album is very good, 4-4.5 stars, second half of album is 2.5-3 stars. About a 3.5 star album.
I'm the weirdo who prefers REM's 'Monster' album.
Outside of the radio hits, Stand and Orange Crush, this album seems a bit one-dimensional. It's a fine pop album to play in the background.
Stand is maybe my least favorite REM song. There still Pop Song 89 and Orange Crush here, which I like. And some other songs that don't quite punch through but are still very REM.
It's got my favourite REM song on here - Orange Crush - and another one or two that I like. It's fine otherwise. Was never a big fan, will probably never be a big fan. The teenage version of me who thought Joe Satriani was the pinnacle would cringe at the notion I'd quite enjoy an REM platter.
Mostly upbeat with political undertones. Stand and Orange Crush are standout tracks. Interesting use of the mandolin on a few songs.
A little slow for me but it was fineeeeeee
Very R.E.M.
Good
Stand is always fun, but the rest doesn’t compare to Out of Time.
Liked it. The songs I’ve heard before were good, and I looked forward to them. Nothing else stood out.
I don’t really know R.E.M so I didn’t know the songs. I liked it though. I kinda zoned out listening to it but it was what I needed.
Fine but nothing special. 3 stars.
fine, not something id listen to regularly
3/5
It was fine!
this wasn’t anything special, but it wasn’t anything bad, i think it was just very run of the mill, there was a song or two that i found fun and a bit nostalgic even though i’ve never heard them before, there was a familiarity to the album which i enjoyed, i wouldn’t be mad if i heard the album again, but i wouldn’t go out of my way to.
I was never a big REM fan but I thought this album was pretty good
Wouldn't listen in my free time.