Comments for R.E.M., Murmur

***1/2 (5 star scale)-- Their official first full length album, Murmur is still highly regarded as a pop-rock masterpiece. The jangly guitar tones inspired a whole generation of guitarists. Great debut. --j.teel

Although with every new release I always initially feel they have topped themselves, I find myself coming back to this CD time and time again. I think it is their best. Who among us can resist Radio Free Europe or Passion?

IMHO, R.E.M.'s best work. All cuts are so timeless, so melodic, so beautiful...

each song is like a totally different world, it gives you a feeling inside every time you listen to it. the vocals are mostly buried in the music, but you can still get the idea of what the song is about. a very beautiful album.

There aren't enough superlatives. Most albums have "down" spots where the next song is a killer, but this record maintains an incredibly high musical and emotional level from start to finish. Many folks sniff at the version of "Radio Free Europe" on the album compared to the single version (found later on "Eponymous"), but not me. #1 in my catalog now and forever after.

It's easy to see why Murmur was voted best album in the 1983 Rolling Stone Reader's Music Awards. Totally addictive, and timeless, two qualities which make Murmur a classic.

Absolutely their best. Every R.E.M. album is great, but not even Automatic For The People measures up to this one. Perfect Circle is such a beautiful song, and I even find myself humming along to the utter nonsense of We Walk.

I would have to say that joaland is a flubber puss. Oh! I almost forgot.... very good album

J.TEEL I'm dissappointed in your rating. Especially from such a die hard fan. Well, that's o.k. I personally think it's their most refreshing album that they've put out. They've never captured that kind of intimate energy that this album projects. There's some great tunes on this album. I love every song.

It was very important at the time, and helped change the face of rock music. It hasn''t aged all that well though for a classic - about half of the material is pretty weak. Still, tracks like "Radio free Europe" and "Sitting Still" are so perfect. In retrospect I can hear where Mitch Easter''s rather brilliant production really gave this material more weight and depth than it would have had otherwise.

First album