One of the best debut albums of the 80s and one of my favorite albums. I vascilate between Murmur and Reckoning as my favorite R.E.M. albums. So much to love here, Peter Buck's ringing guitar, lockstep rhythm section , Michael Stipe's mysterious lyrics and unique delivery and the perfect backing vocals from Mike Mills. This came as a shock to me when it arrived. No one else was doing pop music this accessible and accomplished. 5 stars