R.E.M.: Album Ranks

Submitted by dcstar on Wed, 11/12/2003 - 13:06
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  1. Murmur (*****)
  2. Reckoning (*****)
  3. Automatic for the People (*****)
  4. Green (****1/2)
  5. Life's Rich Pageant (****1/2)
  6. Chronic Town EP (****1/2)
  7. Out of Time (****)
  8. Up (****)
  9. Fables of the Reconstruction (****)
  10. New Adventrures in Hi-Fi (****)
  11. Monster (***1/2)
  12. Dead Letter Office (***1/2)
  13. Document (***)
  14. Around the Sun (*1/2)
  15. Reveal (*)
Author Comments: 

*****: Essential; absolutely timeless
****: Incredible; a great addition to your collection
***: Good music; not the artist's best moment
**: Pretty darn mediocre
*: Embarrasing to the artist

grizham111/19/2003

Murmur isn't good dammit. I don't see why you think it is, it bores me to tears. Reckoning is by far more creative and interesting to listen to, not to mention I can understand the lyrics, which are quite catchy mind you, unlike in Murmur where all I hear is moaning.

dayfornight10/13/2004

Uh, you are joking, right? You can't see why "Murmur" is thought of a great album? You're entitled to your opinion, of course, but *most* people do indeed think it's a terrific LP. Now "Green," on the other hand....

dcstar10/13/2004

I have to admit, I always disliked Green until here recently (in the past year or so). I realized it really is one of the finest transitional albums of the '80's and it best represents a new era for the '80's most influential rock act, IMO. Six of the first seven songs are fantastic and Green just seems like a Life's Rich Pageant, just grander and on steroids. It could be compared to the new Modest Mouse album in the direction the artist is taking (although this album is much better).

I choose to ignore the Murmur comment for various reasons.

AJDaGreat10/13/2004

I do think Murmur is a good album, but I can see where grizham1 is coming from, at least. Perhaps 20 years after the album was released, it's hard to truly realize the sheer influence the album has had. That having been said, I think the songwriting isn't quite up to par with some of REM's later albums. Some of the songs seem underdeveloped to me, like they are composed entirely of the repetition of pop hooks. Look at "We Walk", for instance. This song is composed of 7 phrases:

1. Up the stairs
2. To the landing
3. Into the hall
4. Take oasis
5. Marat's bathing
6. We walk
7. Though the woods

That's all the lyrics in the song. What are we supposed to make of all this? It just doesn't work for me.

That said, some of the songs are quite brilliant, even some that are as minimalist as "We Walk" (I love "Perfect Circle", "Talk About the Passion", etc.). But the end result is a bit uneven for me. I would personally prefer Automatic for the People, Out of Time, and Document.

dcstar10/14/2004

You raise a good point with the songwriting. Automatic is in a different league altogether. And I gave Automatic a five star rating, the same for Murmur. But, I was instantly drawn in by the majesty and timeless quality of Murmur from the start, much like an album like Ziggy Stardust or The Band. Automatic, I have a feeling will be remembered as the band's legendary cohesive peak. It is fantastic. I just prefer the older sound, mostly because it sounds so convincing and relentless. Automatic sounds like an emotional jumpstart, and it is one of the finer moments of the '90's.

I can't answer for the lyrics of "We Walk".

As far as Out of Time goes, it's brilliant, but it's low points are unexcuseable. And I've never really gotten into Document.