R.E.M.'s debut album. Great basslines and driving drum beats, with guitars twinkling over Stipe's distinctive voice. Sparse verses with louder, busier choruses throughout. Lyrics are basically nonsense, but the melody laid down by the vocals are crucial to the cohesiveness of the tracks. Generally listenable and enjoyable. Musically could have been written yesterday, but mastering and recording gives away its age. I wouldn't be disappointed for someone to put this on at a dinner party, but I wouldn't ask for it myself.