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R.E.M

harru [Edit] [Delete] 113 replies 21:27, 9 January '11

what's the best of the 80s stuff?

Albums i have got, in order of how much i like them:

1)New adventures
2)automatic for the people
3)out of time
4) monster
5) reveal <-this is pretty crap really

don't say 'all of them'.

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  • p.s.

    this is also a 'rate all the REM albums' thread

    harru | 9 Jan '11, 21:28 | X
  • hello

    harru | 9 Jan '11, 21:30 | X
  • If I were to pick two, they'd be Reckoning and Document.

    brokenchairs | 9 Jan '11, 21:35 | X
  • All of them is the right answer - sorry

    Oh ok then I'd rank the 80s stuff:

    Reckoning
    Lifes Rich Pageant
    Murmur
    Document
    Green
    Fables of the Reconstruction

    I like all their albums except Around the Sun (yes, even Reveal) though - Automatic and New Adventures are the best of the 90s records, Up is underrated.

    charliepanayi | 9 Jan '11, 21:36 | X
    awaythecrowroad this'd this
  • Admittedly i've never really ventured outside of Automatic.

    Which i do love dearly.

    So what others have i missed??

    russtyeh | 9 Jan '11, 21:39 | X
    • new adventures in hi fi

      i gave you a clue

      harru @russtyeh | 9 Jan '11, 21:43 | X
      • I take it the others are still worthy purchases though?

        (the ones in your list)

        russtyeh @harru | 9 Jan '11, 22:07 | X
        • yes

          apart from reveal! well....buy that one last.

          harru @russtyeh | 9 Jan '11, 23:09 | X
    • All their albums up to and including Up have their fans

      I think you should try Murmur and New Adventures as the next step though

      charliepanayi @russtyeh | 9 Jan '11, 21:46 | X
  • Of their 80s albums, I'd say Reckoning definitely wins

    It's got some great tunes, especially So Central Rain and Do't Go Back to Rockville.

    After that I'd say it goes:
    Murmur
    Green
    Fables of the Reconstruction
    Lifes Rich Pageant

    Then quite a big gap and then Document. I never really got into that one, with the exception of It's the End of the World.

    virago | 9 Jan '11, 21:56 | X
    • Really? Document's probably my second favourite REM album

      after Automatic For The People.

      brokenchairs @virago | 9 Jan '11, 21:58 | X
      Tiresias this'd this
      • The first half is good

        but I'm not keen from Fireplace on. I don't think it's bad, as such - it's certainly better than Around the Sun and Accelerate - but personally I don't rate it as much as the rest of their 80s and 90s stuff.

        virago @brokenchairs | 9 Jan '11, 22:11 | X
        • Fireplace is the worst song I think

          but I absolutely adore Oddfellows Local 151, one of my favourite REM tracks. King of Birds I love too, though maybe lightnin hopkins is also another week one. The first half of the album is incredibly strong though, Exhuming McCarthy is brilliant

          Tiresias @virago | 10 Jan '11, 17:57 | X
  • Murmur & Reckoning are streets ahead...

    ...but Green is well worth your time too. Tends to get a rough ride from some quarters but there's some good stuff within.

    BigRadgeDoug | 9 Jan '11, 21:59 | X
  • I'm a big fan of Green myself.

    theguywithnousername | 9 Jan '11, 22:08 | X
    Wheaty this'd this
  • I think I have most of them now except Reckoning

    Document is my favourite by a wide margin. then Fables and Lifes Rich Pageant, then Murmur and Green.

    Document, though. Wow.

    guntrip | 9 Jan '11, 22:08 | X
  • If you're not sure

    You could always get yourself a copy of Eponymous or the Best of the IRS Years and then get the albums that the songs you like best on there come from.

    virago | 9 Jan '11, 22:16 | X
    • i've just bought one of the old 'best ofs' from amazon marketplace

      but thinking i might just buy all of them.

      I'm becoming a bit of a cd completist, which is odd.

      harru @virago | 9 Jan '11, 23:11 | X
  • I'll second the Best of the IRS years..

    21 tracks, and not a duff one on there in my opinion. Rating the early albums I'd go as follows :

    Reckoning
    Fables Of The Reconstruction
    Murmur
    Document
    Life's Rich Pageant
    Green

    It's very close though, they are all good.

    sadballadman | 9 Jan '11, 22:29 | X
  • Murmur is my favourite REM record

    stwerewolf | 9 Jan '11, 22:45 | X
    IanJ this'd this
  • Of the pre-Warners stuff

    Life's Rich Pageant
    Reckoning
    Document
    Fables
    Murmur

    Murmur's great, obviously, but I can't remember the last time I put it on.

    natty_dub | 9 Jan '11, 23:13 | X
  • Oooh, i fucking love REM threads...

    1: New Adventures - an absolute stormer; an amazing collection of songs all in the perfect order.
    2: Life's Rich Pageant - Rocking Country-tinged at its best. I believe is one of my fave REM tunes.
    3: Automatic - ...
    4: Out of Time - ...
    5: Document - Rocking; Finest Worksong is an inspired opening track
    6: Reckoning - Simply for So. Central Rain, Harborcoat, Pretty Persuasion and Rockville
    7: Up
    8: Fables
    9: Murmur
    10: Green

    Or another order on any given day (except New Adventures, which will ALWAYS be #1).

    Reckoning | 9 Jan '11, 23:22 | X
  • Like this band lots

    1. Murmur
    2. Lifes Rich Pageant
    3. Document
    4. Automatic For the People
    5. New Adventures in Hi-Fi
    6. Reckoning
    7. Fables of the Reconstruction Era
    8. Accelerate
    9. Out of Time
    10. Monster
    11. Green
    12. Up
    13. Reveal
    14. Around the Sun

    The last three are pretty much shit, but Up and Reveal have got a couple tunes on them.
    11. Green

    drcoffeebean | 9 Jan '11, 23:26 | X
  • I'll rank the IRS stuff

    Lifes Rich Pageant
    Fables Of The Reconstruction
    Document
    Murmur
    Reckoning

    Document and Murmur are pretty close.

    Icarus-Smicarus | 9 Jan '11, 23:43 | X
  • Chronic Town...

    ...deserves a mention too. Only an EP (their debut) but it still sounds terrific, like a countrified Mission Of Burma in places!

    None of REM's albums are totally worthless, & even the last couple scrape by on the back of a couple of v.good songs. At least 10 (TEN!) of 'em are essential listening, I reckon... everything up to (& including) Up is non-cringeworthy.

    Top 5 (for me): Murmur / Fables Of The Reconstruction / Document / Lifes Rich Pageant / Reckoning.

    Rooksby | 9 Jan '11, 23:45 | X
    • My mom had Chronic Town on vinyl :)

      Gardening at Night is beautiful

      drcoffeebean @Rooksby | 9 Jan '11, 23:48 | X
      • Too true!

        Wolves, Lower as well.

        I'm gonna dig Chronic Town out RIGHT NOW.

        Rooksby @drcoffeebean | 10 Jan '11, 00:03 | X
      • Sometimes I think Gardening at Night might be my favourite R.E.M. song

        This performance makes me well up:

        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl5TdBcAUts

        goldenstreams @drcoffeebean | 10 Jan '11, 10:33 | X
  • 1. lifes rich pageant 2. Reckoning 3. Green

    the best 80s American rock there ever was right there.

    also get REMarks; the book. you can usually pick it up off ebay / amazon for peanuts.

    oh and get TOURFILM the dvd from the '89 tour. it's freaking amazing. here's a clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWUW1KCOm_8

    cliquester | 9 Jan '11, 23:52 | X
  • I am a fair latecomer to their early stuff

    1. Life's Rich Pageant
    2. Document
    3. Automatic for the People
    4. Reckoning
    5. New Adventures in Hifi

    tough one, New Adventures is very flawed but also has some astonishingly brilliant songs. Green very nearly made the list instead though...

    So Central Rain is probably the best song they've ever done though

    Tiresias | 9 Jan '11, 23:56 | X
  • i'm liking how DIS is refuting the long-held belief that Murmur is easily the

    best of the early years. time was it was blasphemy to even suggest otherwise. nice to see Pageant/Reckoning getting just as much love. heartening!

    cliquester | 10 Jan '11, 00:00 | X
    amyblue this'd this
  • Up

    & New Adventures In Hi-Fi would both be TOTAL masterpieces if they were a couple of songs shorter?

    Rooksby | 10 Jan '11, 00:04 | X
    cliquester this'd this
  • My favorites:

    1. Murmur
    2. Automatic for the People
    3. Reckoning
    4. Lifes Rich Pageant
    5. Document

    sometallusjinks | 10 Jan '11, 00:17 | X
  • Seriously, all of them - there is no other real answer

    I can't rank the albums from Murmur to New Adventures inclusive, they are all essential. People will all have different personal preference orders, but if anyone is an REM fan, the one thing we will all agree on is that every album is essential.

    You can easily pick up all five of the 80s albums for under £20 on the internet, and to the best of my knowledge you can listen to all of them on spotify too.

    dan_thw | 10 Jan '11, 01:07 | X
    goldenstreams this'd this
    • By "all five of the 80s" albums, I mean the IRS studio albums

      Murmur, Reckoning, Fables Of The Reconstruction, Life's Rich Pageant, Document.

      Though obviously also get Green, their 1988 Warner Brothers debut, if you don't have that.

      dan_thw @dan_thw | 10 Jan '11, 01:10 | X
  • Most immediate is Green

    Favourite is Life's Rich Pagaent, then Reckoning, then Document, Murmur and Fables. Although I've recently listened to Fables a few times over and like it a lot more than I remember.
    They're my favourite band of all time, by way of a disclaimer. Completely agree on New Adventures above. By far my most listened to album of theirs no danger

    tensaddler | 10 Jan '11, 06:22 | X
  • You actually can't go very wrong

    and given there are only six to choose from, I dunno if you're going to get a very clear answer here!

    Murmur and Fables... are my two favourite, but they're going to be the biggest shock to the system after their 90s stuff - I'd just start with Green and work backwards, tbh, I sincerely doubt you'll regret it (and Green and Document are definitely the most reminiscent of yr fave albums as listed).

    lukowski | 10 Jan '11, 09:24 | X
  • Reckoning

    seems to be the consensus above, and I'd go with that. The first two, Murmur and Reckoning, are considerably better than the rest of the 80s stuff - the others are still great, just not ten-out-of-ten-all-time-classic great. Fables Of The Reconstruction is hard to get into, if you get that then make sure you get the reissue from last year as the remastering helps lift the oppressive murk a little (I'd also heavily recommend the 2CD reissue of Murmur, it sounds wonderful).

    Lifes Rich Pageant is a little bit variable, when it's good it's utterly outstanding but I think they were struggling to pull together an entire album's worth of stuff for that one. There's an obvious joke song, a cover, a song that had been rejected for the previous two records - you get the picture. Having said that, it has a few of their best songs on it. Document is brilliant, the second half is definitely a grower but it has a sound distinct from the others. Green is unique in their catalogue, there are a few bits which sound a little like Out Of Time but overall it's pretty different (much poppier) to the rest of their albums.

    Honestly, the best thing might be to listen to a compilation on Spotify and see which songs you like best and then just follow that up. There are several good compilations of their early stuff - under the 'compilations' section for them on Spotify there's one called 'And I Feel Fine' which came out fairly recently and is pretty well chosen (there's a 2CD version of that too, ignore the second disc for now as it's odds and sods really), there's one called The Best Of REM, which covers the first five albums, there's one called Eponymous...take your pick really.

    Finally, as mentioned above there also their first EP, Chronic Town. It's fantastic, and you definitely shouldn't miss it out if you like Murmur or Reckoning. It's not widely available on its own, but you can get the five songs from it on their 80s b-sides album, Dead Letter Office. That's on Spotify under compilations, and the five songs you're after are the 5-song stretch that goes from 'Wolves, Lower' to 'Stumble'. The rest of Dead Letter Office is as patchy as you'd expect for b-sides, but really don't miss out on Chronic Town.

    Summary: all of them.

    pmj1980 | 10 Jan '11, 10:05 | X
    • Hyena was the rejected one, wasn't it?

      It's actually one of my all time favourites. But I'm very firmly in the Pageant camp in general.

      Icarus-Smicarus @pmj1980 | 10 Jan '11, 12:31 | X
      • Yeah, it was Hyena

        and I like the album too, but I think it's fairly obvious that they were a bit short for it. They'd released so many albums in such a short space of time, and there are definitely weak songs there (Just A Touch, Underneath The Bunker, Superman, and I'm not a great fan of What If We Give It Away or Swan Swan H either).

        As I said though - the good songs are amazing. Cuyahoga, Begin The Begin, Fall On Me - undeniably classic stuff.

        pmj1980 @Icarus-Smicarus | 10 Jan '11, 13:56 | X
        • I think

          Begin the Begin through to Cuyohoga is probably the strongest song sequencing on any REM album...does kinda maybe lose it afterwards

          Tiresias @pmj1980 | 10 Jan '11, 19:30 | X
  • This might be the greatest clip on Youtube ever...

    ...well, for today at least. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwzxvxKBhbc

    Rooksby | 10 Jan '11, 11:11 | X
    Icarus-Smicarus this'd this
  • 1.Up
    2.Automatic for the People
    3.Monster
    4.Reveal (the flak this gets is bizarre)
    5.Murmur
    6.New Adventures in Hi-Fi
    7.Green
    8.Out of Time
    9.Lifes Rich Pageant
    10.Accelerate
    11.Document
    12.Fables
    13.Around the Sun
    14.Reckoning

    Up is one of my favourite albums ever made by anything or anyone, and Reckoning is the only one I'd say is weak.

    As for the 80's material, if you want studio albums go for Murmur first. If you dig a compilation, that recent 21-track is fantastic (even if it bizarrely lacks Maps and Legends).

    Fantastic band nonetheless. Stuff I've heard from the new album sounds great, very excited.

    FlintyFoxy | 10 Jan '11, 12:10 | X
    • Sorry, but why have you got Reckoning last?

      Even after Around The Sun.

      goldenstreams @FlintyFoxy | 10 Jan '11, 12:42 | X
      • Ha, that is odd.

        Even if I do think it's easily the weakest IRS album.

        And Fables below Accelerate!

        Icarus-Smicarus @goldenstreams | 10 Jan '11, 12:46 | X
      • Cause Reckoning is a massive sophomore slump IMO

        Loads of songs that feel half-finished to me, coupled with a few of the most forgettable things they've put on record. There's a couple of great songs too but they're heavily outweighed by the other stuff.

        AtS is flawed, definitely. But I also find enough good points in it to make it enjoyable nonetheless, in a certain mood at least. Leaving New York's one of their best singles.

        FlintyFoxy @goldenstreams | 10 Jan '11, 14:15 | X
        • Although yeah

          In retrospect Fables and Accelerate should probably switch places.

          FlintyFoxy @FlintyFoxy | 10 Jan '11, 14:33 | X
        • Reckoning

          I think has one of the best beginnings and best ends of any REM album but one of the weakest middle, to quote Pavement "TIME AFTER TIME WAS MY LEAST FAVORITE SONG"

          Tiresias @FlintyFoxy | 10 Jan '11, 18:00 | X
    • i am glad you rate Up

      probably my fav album ever. but anyone who rates Ats over Reckoning needs to start again and think hard.

      FromANewWorld @FlintyFoxy | 10 Jan '11, 13:11 | X
    • This is mental

      Up and Reveal in the top four, three of the bottom four are IRS albums. I think you're on your own with that!

      pmj1980 @FlintyFoxy | 10 Jan '11, 13:52 | X
      • I still love Document and Fables quite a lot even if they're at the bottom

        Like I said, Reckoning is the only one of their albums I find weak as a whole. It's an amazing discography any band could be jealous of, but there's so many albums in it that when you start listing them the bottom tiers always look unfairly unfavoured.

        FlintyFoxy @pmj1980 | 10 Jan '11, 14:18 | X
    • Hooray someone else who likes Reveal!

      Can't agree about Reckoning though

      charliepanayi @FlintyFoxy | 10 Jan '11, 13:58 | X
  • Life's Rich Pagaent is my fave.

    Closely followed by Murmur.

    Reckoning, Fables.., Document and Green are all essential. I saw them in 89 on the Green tour and they were brilliant.

    fellover | 10 Jan '11, 13:14 | X
  • It's all pretty gosh darn good

    Of the 80s stuff, I'd say Murmur, Document and Green are essentials, and Dead Letter Office too (b-sides collection which includes the Chronic Town EP).

    But Fables, barring a couple of tracks, I really don't like. Not sure why either.

    sparkysdream | 10 Jan '11, 13:15 | X
    • My full order of preference

      New Adventures in Hi-Fi
      Monster
      Murmur
      Document
      Automatic For The People
      Out Of Time
      Green
      Dead Letter Office
      Lifes Rich Pagaent
      Accelerate
      Reckoning
      Up
      Reveal
      Fables
      Around The Sun

      sparkysdream @sparkysdream | 10 Jan '11, 13:23 | X
  • in order

    1. reckoning
    2. automatic
    3. murmur
    4. green
    5. out of time
    6. fables
    7. life's rich
    8. monster
    9. green
    10. new adventures
    11. up
    12. accelerate
    13. document
    14. reveal
    15. around the sun

    themoralkiosk | 10 Jan '11, 13:17 | X
    • errr deliberate mistake

      take green out at number 9 and shove everything else below it up a place!

      themoralkiosk @themoralkiosk | 10 Jan '11, 13:18 | X
      • Green @ 4

        very good lol

        FromANewWorld @themoralkiosk | 11 Jan '11, 09:01 | X
  • For me

    MURMUR and RECKONING. Great, great records!

    IanJ | 10 Jan '11, 13:33 | X
  • Radio Free Europe

    Here's an interview with producer Mitch Easter that offers some nice insight into the early, early days. Didn't know that IRS had tapped Stephen Haugue to produce Murmur...

    http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov09/articles/classictracks_1109.htm

    Me, I'm a Murmur fan from the beginning. Always my favorite.

    Clownbomb | 10 Jan '11, 14:10 | X
  • thanks for typing them all out!

    Reckoning (glad to get this acknowledged, awesome songs!)
    Reveal (if just for the lifting, daysleeper and imitation)
    Out Of Time (first album I got, sentimental reasons)
    Automatic For The People (even if I don't listen to it these days)
    Murmur (some ways its just as good as reckoning, but...)
    Up (definitely needs to lose three/four songs)
    Document (sod the hits, the second side is wonderfully odd)
    Lifes Rich Pagaent (best opening songs?)
    New Adventures in Hi-Fi (I know a lot of you love it but its a rehashed monster to me)
    Dead Letter Office (always love a band's barrel scrapings)
    Fables (never clicked apart from three or so tracks)
    Monster (the grunge sound dated really quickly for me)
    Green (too poppy then too patchy!)
    Accelerate (not actually heard all the way through...)
    Around The Sun (Not entirely awful but crumbles in comparison)

    It's not that some albums are awful, it's just when they're good they're REALLY REALLY good! I've not been so into them since they became such a Corporation (94 onwards) and I'll never feel the need to see them live as they're too slick but they are in rotation of my top three favourite bands ever.

    amyblue | 10 Jan '11, 14:11 | X
    • Isn't Daysleeper on Up?

      Icarus-Smicarus @amyblue | 10 Jan '11, 14:34 | X
      spiritofjazz this'd this
      • arse...!

        actually edited out Beat A Drum instead of Daysleeper, apologies... that's one of my favourite REM songs ever! duh.

        amyblue @Icarus-Smicarus | 10 Jan '11, 21:23 | X
    • They're not that slick live

      really, not on a par with going to see the Stones or someone. They're one of the best live bands I've ever seen (I've seen them six times I think) and I will definitely go and see them if they tour again. You might not get another chance!

      pmj1980 @amyblue | 10 Jan '11, 16:02 | X
      goldenstreams and lukowski this'd this
  • Thread bookmarked

    I've had the IRS Best Of for years, but one of my 2011 resolutions is to FINALLY get properly stuck into REM's pre-Green output.

    spiritofjazz | 10 Jan '11, 14:19 | X
  • The new one out in March

    Could be great if the free download track Discoverer over at www.remhq.com is any judge, though it's a continuation of Accelerate which I seem to be in a minority in loving.
    For me:
    1) Lifes Rich Pageant
    2) Murmur
    3) New Adventures In Hi-Fi
    4) Automatic For The People
    5) Document
    6) Out Of Time
    7) Accelerate
    8) Reckoning
    9) Green
    10) Reveal
    11) Fables Of The Reconstruction
    12) Up
    13) Monster
    14) Around The Sun
    And even Around The Sun has the gorgeous Leaving New York on it and Monster is half a great album, so "All of them" isn't so far from the truth.

    JohnEarls | 10 Jan '11, 16:22 | X
    • RE: the new album

      I don't think it's going to be direct Accelerate continuation. Besides Discoverer they've also released It Happened Today and Oh My Heart in full, and there's a trailer with several songs clips out; all of them can be found on the band's official Youtube channel. Signs seem to point out that it's going to be musically more eclectic than Accelerate.

      FlintyFoxy @JohnEarls | 10 Jan '11, 23:05 | X
  • I don't think I'd go as far as to say I 'love' Accelerate

    but it is pretty decent, despite a couple of flimsy tracks. Living Well Is The Best Revenge is the best track I've heard from them in years.

    I probably just like it cos it sounds a bit like Lifes Rich Pageant.

    Icarus-Smicarus | 10 Jan '11, 16:26 | X
    Tiresias this'd this
    • ^In reply to Mr Earls

      D'oh.

      Icarus-Smicarus @Icarus-Smicarus | 10 Jan '11, 16:27 | X
  • in

    terms of live news:

    are rumoured to be headlining hop farm and to be second stage headliners for V

    zahidf | 10 Jan '11, 16:48 | X
    • Rumoured to headline Other stage at Glastonbury

      Yesiamaduck @zahidf | 10 Jan '11, 16:57 | X
      • gosh

        that kind of surpises me, just in terms of back catalogue I'd have thought they were still capable of headlining something like V... I've heard it rumoured that they're not actually going to tour, though I think that rumour always does the rounds.

        lukowski @Yesiamaduck | 10 Jan '11, 18:06 | X
        • Headlining the Other Stage at Glasto

          is hardly a small gig :)

          Yesiamaduck @lukowski | 10 Jan '11, 21:11 | X
          • yeah, I guess I was more talking about V

            though REM have headlined Glasto twice, still a bit of a step down!

            lukowski @Yesiamaduck | 10 Jan '11, 23:04 | X
            • As I'm going I would absolutely love that

              But I kind of hope that doesn't happen. Does seem like a massive step down after headlining the Pyramid in 99 and 03.

              goldenstreams @lukowski | 11 Jan '11, 10:22 | X
  • There's not a lot of love for Monster

    is there?

    sparkysdream | 10 Jan '11, 19:12 | X
    • yeah but I can kinda see why

      solid album but also maybe lacking in completely knockout great songs...was recorded so they'd have stuff to play in arenas when automatic for the people went massive and they didn't want to be singing entirely about death apparently (may have got that mixed up)

      Tiresias @sparkysdream | 10 Jan '11, 20:21 | X
      • Let Me In

        is the point when REM could almost have become My Bloody Valentine XD

        Tiresias @Tiresias | 10 Jan '11, 20:23 | X
        • One of the band's most touching songs IMO

          The Road Movie performance of it is great, both sound-wise and visually: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp24ImY2d0U

          FlintyFoxy @Tiresias | 10 Jan '11, 20:33 | X
          • So much this ^

            Road Movie is superb, and that version of Country Feedback, wow

            sparkysdream @FlintyFoxy | 10 Jan '11, 21:19 | X
            themoralkiosk and htbetween29and30 this'd this
      • Sorta like that but not quite

        It was less about the theme of the lyrics and more about the sound. They hadn't toured for Out of Time or Automatic, and those albums turned them into a massive stadium band. They didn't think that a setlist filled with quiet acoustic material would really translate well to a big concert so the goal behind Monster was to make something a bit more electric and rocking.

        I love the album and can't agree that it's lacking knockout great songs (hell, I even love King of Comedy that everyone else detests), but I can see why it wouldn't really appeal to most people, it is sound-wise a fair bit different to most R.E.M. stuff. I think the fuzzed-up groove is great though.

        FlintyFoxy @Tiresias | 10 Jan '11, 20:30 | X
        • It's because it's so different

          that I love Monster so much. It's the one R.E.M. album that you can really bounce around to. That really thick layer of fuzz was very 'of its time', I guess, but it's dated better than a lot of the 'grunge' stuff it was supposed to be spoofing.

          sparkysdream @FlintyFoxy | 10 Jan '11, 21:17 | X
          • I'd probably be stopped from reviewing things for DiS if folks found out

            But if I could only keep one REM record, it'd be Monster.

            Let me in, Tongue, Circus envy, Strange currencies... I love it.

            vamos @sparkysdream | 11 Jan '11, 10:21 | X
    • I think it's a great album

      but it is a very strange record... I think at the time it was billed/expected to be as a return to the strident rock of LRP/Document/Green, so it kind of weirded people out when it was all fuzz and distortion and songs with no melodies... I think people accused them of jumping on the grunge bandwagon just because that was what was big at the time, it's indebted to no wave and glam rock more than anything.

      Think it enjoys a bit of a bad rep because it's album that turned off a lot of people who'd bought their early Nineties records. But one of my faves, for sure.

      lukowski @sparkysdream | 10 Jan '11, 23:11 | X
      • Wasn't it at one point

        The most common album to be found in charity shops?

        I love Monster however.Circus Envy has probably become my favourite on that album. Pretty much the darkest thing they’ve ever recorded. Oh and Let Me In is just incredible.

        goldenstreams @lukowski | 11 Jan '11, 10:31 | X
        • Surely that's the Hear Say album?

          vamos @goldenstreams | 11 Jan '11, 10:59 | X
    • I actually love

      Monster. Think the songwriting is brilliant.

      IanJ @sparkysdream | 11 Jan '11, 11:10 | X
      • The amount of FUZZ FUZZ FUZZ covers it quite a bit

        But there's some seriously brilliant melodies, hooks and downright grooves all over that album. Probably one of their most lively/vibrant musically when you consider everything that's happening underneath Buck's fuzz pedal.

        FlintyFoxy @IanJ | 11 Jan '11, 11:44 | X
  • As much as I like Reckoning

    I can't ever place it above Murmur. though if I were pushed I'd say New Adventures is their landmark. It represents every side of REM and the quality of the songs is consistently awesome throughout.

    Incidentally I picked up my 3rd copy of Murmur recently (after the vinyl I got for £3 and the original CD I bought). On holiday in Seattle in October I stumbled into Peter Bucks local record store my chance, only to find all the REM stuff signed. I snapped up a copy of the deluxe Murmur. The second disc of a live gig in Toronto is amazing. The shopkeeper was cool, "He always comes in and signs whatever REM we've got. Murmurs my favourite, but I'd never tell him that....". Apparently he was in there the day before, dammit!!

    Furryboy | 10 Jan '11, 19:58 | X
  • Has anyone heard the chronic town ep?

    picked it up in at the independent record store day last year. I actually love it. They really sounded like nothing else, straight away.

    Furryboy | 10 Jan '11, 20:37 | X
    • was that the blue vinyl they reissued for record store day?

      I have one of those bad boys, great stuff. But yeah, guess most people have heard it, included on Dead Letter Office.

      lukowski @Furryboy | 10 Jan '11, 23:13 | X
      • thats the one

        it is lovely indeed

        Furryboy @lukowski | 11 Jan '11, 12:49 | X
  • Pretty much impossible

    but I reckon that if we did a poll, then Automatic For The People and New Adventures in Hi-Fi would come out top.

    brokenchairs @new_man | 10 Jan '11, 22:47 | X
    • Yeah those two are probably the best starter kit

      Automatic is the accepted (and for a reason) classic, and like someone above already said New Adventures goes through most sides of the band musically and is a great album to boot.

      FlintyFoxy @brokenchairs | 10 Jan '11, 23:02 | X
      • Not sure about this

        because it basically ignores their 80s output which sounds totally different.

        There are basically three REMs - the one from 82-88, the one from 91-96, and the one from 98 onwards. Nobody really likes the third version all that much, so probably best to get one album from each of the other two eras. The consensus would be to get either Murmur or Reckoning from the first and also Automatic For The People or New Adventures In Hi-Fi from the second.

        pmj1980 @FlintyFoxy | 11 Jan '11, 11:31 | X
        • Yeah it kinda ignores the 80's stuff

          But there's more non 80's stuff in their catalogue these days so I figured that if you want to check out the band, might as well check the albums that reflect a bigger chunk of their work.

          But yeah, if the 90's/00's work doesn't grab you then check Murmur / And I Feel Fine best of.

          FlintyFoxy @pmj1980 | 11 Jan '11, 11:47 | X
        • Also the third version of the band is criminally underrated :(

          FlintyFoxy @pmj1980 | 11 Jan '11, 11:48 | X
  • I'm guessing you know most of the big 90s stuff

    So I would go and explore some of the 80s material, you're probably in for a bit of a surprise (and a real treat). Start with Murmur, or have a listen to the And I Feel Fine... Best Of which gives a great overview of the period.

    goldenstreams @new_man | 11 Jan '11, 10:36 | X
    • Or actually try New Adventures in HiFi.

      I guess that one is a little less known.

      I always think with people my age that R.E.M. just aren't appreciated anywhere near enough. Maybe it's because of the success of Out of Time and Automatic For The People (which it seemed everybody's parents owned etc). Why they aren't held up in the same regard as a band such as The Smiths by indie fans in this country is just ridiculous.

      goldenstreams @goldenstreams | 11 Jan '11, 10:38 | X
      vamos this'd this
      • I've liked R.E.M a lot longer than I've liked The Smiths

        A bit strange, I know, especially being a Manc.

        sparkysdream @goldenstreams | 11 Jan '11, 13:23 | X
  • LIST TIME

    1. New Adventures in Hi-Fi
    2. Murmur
    3. Fables of the Reconstruction
    4. Automatic for the People
    5. Monster
    6. Reckoning
    7. Up
    8. Document
    9. Life's Rich Pageant
    10. Out Of Time
    11. Green
    12. Reveal
    13. Accelerate
    14. Around the Sun

    lukowski | 10 Jan '11, 23:17 | X
  • I only own four

    But of those I own:

    1) Reckoning
    2) Murmur
    3) Green
    4) Out of time

    I'd ignored them for years just out of distaste for their later input, but saw Reckoning and Murmur on vinyl really cheap (about four pounds each) and I'd read a bit on here about their 80s output being great so I picked them up. How wrong I was. Murmur and Reckoning are incredible (Out of time is shocking in places though), sounds like I need to try and find all the IRS albums.

    tom_tom | 11 Jan '11, 00:07 | X
  • Correct order below

    Up
    Automatic for the People
    Murmur
    New Adventures in HiFi
    Out of Time
    Document
    Fables of the Reconstruction
    Green
    Lifes Rich Pageant
    Reckoning
    Monster
    Around The Sun
    Reveal
    Accelerate

    FromANewWorld | 11 Jan '11, 09:04 | X
    • Up?

      Really?

      I mean, each to their own, but are you sure?

      sparkysdream @FromANewWorld | 11 Jan '11, 13:26 | X
      • Up is brilliance

        Stipe's best lyrics, the strong atmosphere, the fantastic songwriting, the brilliant arrangements, etc.

        Falls to Climb is an underspoken masterpiece.

        FlintyFoxy @sparkysdream | 11 Jan '11, 13:37 | X
        • I don't hate it

          Far from it, I think it has some excellent tracks, but not an obvious favourite considering the wealth of other stuff to choose from!

          sparkysdream @FlintyFoxy | 11 Jan '11, 13:38 | X
        • I love Falls To Climb so much.

          goldenstreams @FlintyFoxy | 11 Jan '11, 13:56 | X
  • Mine changes all the time...

    At the moment I'd go...

    Reckoning
    Lifes Rich Pageant
    New Adventures...
    Monster
    Green
    Automatic for the People
    Murmur
    Accelerate
    Out of Time
    Up
    Fables... (fall in and out of love with this one all the time)
    Reveal
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    .
    Around The Sun

    htbetween29and30 | 11 Jan '11, 11:01 | X
  • Fuck,

    I forgot Document. That's between Murmur and Accelerate.

    htbetween29and30 | 11 Jan '11, 11:13 | X
  • this thread reminds me that, at the age of 16,

    having been given a tape with Reckoning on Side 1 and Lifes Rich Pageant on Side 2, Begin The Begin was just the most exciting thing ever. them starting the Glastonbury 03 set with it just about brought on a cardiac arrest.

    cliquester | 11 Jan '11, 19:18 | X
    Tiresias this'd this
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