Document, R.E.M.'s fifth full-length album, can be credited as the album that assured mainstream success for the band. Every song is great, from hits like The One I Love, It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine), and Finest Work song, to the continually addictive tracks like Fireplace. Considered as one of R.E.M.'s most politically charged moments, Document is a must-have for anyone looking to find the cream of the crop in terms of 80's and 90's rock. The exposure from Document led to a major label signing of the group, which hailed the next three R.E.M. albums as classics. Green, containing such landmarks as Orange Crush, Stand, and Pop Song 89", Out Of Time, containing the hugely popular and essential R.E.M. track Losing My Religion, and the haunting and eclectic masterpiece Automatic For The People are staples in their catalogue. R.E.M. still makes great albums, and have no intention of stopping at any time soon, proving their timeless and uncompromising musical career.
Combining the straight-out energy of Finest Work song, the socially conscience lyrics of Welcome To The Occupation, the surf driven guitar of Exhuming McCarthy, the melody carried Disturbance At The Heron House, an excellent cover of Wire's strange, and the mush-mouth silliness of It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine), the first half of R.E.M.'s Document paints a perfect picture of the raw and often surprising side of the band, which turned to the very calm and gentle past 10 years or so of their career. R.E.M. goes to a very dark place, however, with The One I Love a song that radiates with emotional vocals that accompany lyrics of a sour relationship, to the broody Fireplace that expresses discontent with modern times, simply stating Crazy, crazy world. Following is a track that screams of Red Hot Chili Peppers titled Lightnin Hopkins, and the acoustically driven King Of Birds, which showcases the bands often pessimistic lyrics such as Standing on the shoulders of giants leaves me cold. All great albums have a feel that is unique and identifiable, which 1987's Document portrays a very chilling and cryptic sound. Summing up the album, the final track Oddfellows Local 151" transitions R.E.M. from their early work to the blow-up success that would follow. In closing, Document is excellent from start to finish with not a single filler or weak moment, which definitely gets better with repeated listens. For anyone unsure of where to look to really get a feel for the band, there is no need to look any further.
Tracklist for Document:
1. Finest Worksong
2. Welcome To The Occupation
3. Exhuming McCarthy
4. Disturbance At The Heron House
5. Strange
6. It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
7. The One I Love
8. Fireplace
9. Lightnin' Hopkins
10. King Of Birds
11. Oddfellows Local 151
Combining the straight-out energy of Finest Work song, the socially conscience lyrics of Welcome To The Occupation, the surf driven guitar of Exhuming McCarthy, the melody carried Disturbance At The Heron House, an excellent cover of Wire's strange, and the mush-mouth silliness of It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine), the first half of R.E.M.'s Document paints a perfect picture of the raw and often surprising side of the band, which turned to the very calm and gentle past 10 years or so of their career. R.E.M. goes to a very dark place, however, with The One I Love a song that radiates with emotional vocals that accompany lyrics of a sour relationship, to the broody Fireplace that expresses discontent with modern times, simply stating Crazy, crazy world. Following is a track that screams of Red Hot Chili Peppers titled Lightnin Hopkins, and the acoustically driven King Of Birds, which showcases the bands often pessimistic lyrics such as Standing on the shoulders of giants leaves me cold. All great albums have a feel that is unique and identifiable, which 1987's Document portrays a very chilling and cryptic sound. Summing up the album, the final track Oddfellows Local 151" transitions R.E.M. from their early work to the blow-up success that would follow. In closing, Document is excellent from start to finish with not a single filler or weak moment, which definitely gets better with repeated listens. For anyone unsure of where to look to really get a feel for the band, there is no need to look any further.
Tracklist for Document:
1. Finest Worksong
2. Welcome To The Occupation
3. Exhuming McCarthy
4. Disturbance At The Heron House
5. Strange
6. It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
7. The One I Love
8. Fireplace
9. Lightnin' Hopkins
10. King Of Birds
11. Oddfellows Local 151