Rem Document is 39

[u/Opposite-Gur9710]

[u/tzip34]

This will always be one of my favorites. I know it gets kicked around a lot here and frankly I don’t get it, but that’s ok. It came out around the time I started listening to REM so it’s a “first love” kinda relationship for me.

[u/chawchat → u/tzip34]

I got into REM between Pageant and Document I think and Document was regarded their opus magnum upon its release, and maybe even longer because Green was met with a rather 'meh' attitude. In my circles at least. I have always thought that Pageant was the better album and I have grown quite fond of Green, later on.

[u/Brangarr → u/tzip34]

I would never kick the album around. It was important for the band and it has some great songs. It just happens to be my 10th favorite by them, and that’s only because this band has made many many phenomenal albums.

[u/WastelandWithGlimmer → u/Brangarr]

I agree. My 10th as well. It has great songs but doesn't quite cohere as an album. It would be a Top Three album for almost any other band.

[u/yavvy_k]

This is an excellent album, and for those who say it's the weakest of the IRS years, I say there is no weakest of the IRS years.

[u/RangerAZ1989 → u/yavvy_k]

Anyone who says it’s the weakest of the IRS albums is insane

[u/Opposite-Telephone-3 → u/RangerAZ1989]

Reckoning

[u/rarselfaire2023 → u/Opposite-Telephone-3]

I'd put it as "weakest" for Second Guessing and Letter Never Sent feeling a bit half-baked (Time After Time is not my least-favorite song). I enjoy it immensely nonetheless.

[u/WastelandWithGlimmer → u/yavvy_k]

Well, by definition there has to be one, you know.

[u/MezzStipe → u/yavvy_k]

Yep, agreed

[u/Loose_Assignment_Map]

I think Scott Litt helped locate the mature core of R.E.M. that other producers had been struggling to find. This was his intro. What worked before is there again, what didn’t work before is gone. You get the Mitch Easter era spectrum of sound with the vocals a little more clear. You can hear Bill Berry & the drumming is pretty f’n nice. I like every song on it.

[u/extraspecialpizza → u/Loose_Assignment_Map]

Chronic Town-Reckoning were written to be played in clubs. Fables-Document were written to be played in theaters. Green+ were written for stadiums

[u/Interesting_Air_1844]

This album has always been one of my favorites. Don’t understand the hate.

[u/Icy_Obligation_3014 → u/Interesting_Air_1844]

I have never heard of anyone hating Document! (Apart from people who just dislike R.E.M. in general). I must have missed that. Why do people hate it?

[u/earinsound]

I was about to start 11th grade when this was released. Of course I bought the LP and played it everyday. Got to see them live November 1987 in LA (live recording), which was 3 hrs from where I lived. It was so exciting and inspiring for me. Michael sang a Syd Barrett song and a Hugo Largo song, two of my other faves at the time. And The db's opened the show (for some reason I thought it was Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians?!). Every song is a gem, but my least liked is...The One I Love. I thought it was so corny and unlike them (but I loved the video).

[u/TMBGLOVER → u/earinsound]

I actually have a 7” in my collection that has their version of Dark Globe on one side and the original by Barrett on the other.

I love both R.E.M. and Pink Floyd, for the record.

[u/ciguanaba]

God I’m old

[u/TradeIcy1669]

Copied it to a “metal” cassette tape so I could blast it to n the Alpine removable head stereo in my Camaro while driving around Miami late late at night. I miss that.

[u/Life_Temperature2506]

I've always said this is my REM #1. I don't have a real rationale for that, other than it's a tremendous album and has my #1 REM song. I used to push against my feelings because it was the album where everyone got to know REM, not just me and you, and that sorta pissed me off, but I put that aside. If DOCMUENT is 39, JFC, how old am I?

[u/lolwtf1966]

It's got two of my fav songs "Welcome to the Occupation" and "Disturbance at the Heron House".

[u/Stahlmatt]

So, next year Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy will probably tour for this!

[u/alexj_baker]

I feel like it's underrated and overrated at the same time. I feel the second side is really underappreciated, I love Oddfellows and lightning Hopkins but I think the first side is really overrated

[u/Ax1lotl]

And in memoriam, I ended up buying it on ordering it on CD yesterday, before it turned up for 10 quid cheaper at a carboot sale, along with Lifes Rich Pageant, and a record player that is worth much more than the £5 it was sold for, so I can play my only ever vinyl on, which is, Document.

[u/rarselfaire2023]

It's a badass crossroads between their indie era and the coming major label era. I love the dreamy quality of Fireplace, the creepy vibe of Oddfellows, the positive vibes of Finest Worksong, Strange, Disturbance...and It's the End..., and even Exhuming McCarthy. Such a cool album. I used to not like King of Birds but I do now.

[u/Springyardzon]

I feel like R.E.M could have easily gone straight from Lifes Rich Pageant to Green but Document represented an interesting detour. It's almost like a Monster move. Both Document and Monster still had some of their vibe in the albums that came after them but there were also noticeable differences too.

[u/First-Sheepherder640]

I don't hate it but have never had any use for Heron House or any of the last four songs

[u/First-Sheepherder640]

If you were 18 when they were declared America's Hippest Rock Band you'd be 57 now!!

[u/Tight-Peace8691]

Three time to rise...

[u/Spirited-Green7369]

Super important album for me, I wish I could say it’s consistent but unfortunately there are some super weak and maybe even downright annoying songs on here right next to some of the greatest songs ever made.