Home› Other Music

R.E.M. what do you rate as their best album?

Thoughts_ArriveThoughts_Arrive Melbourne, Australia Posts: 15,165
edited February 2015 in Other Music
I have been listening to R.E.M. a lot lately.
Interested to hear what you all think their best album is?
Here's my top 10 list:
1. Automatic For The People
2. Murmur
3. Document
4. Green
5. Out Of Time
6. Reckoning
7. New Adventures In Hi-Fi
8. Lifes Rich Pageant
9. Monster
10. Fables Of The Reconstruction
Adelaide 17/11/2009, Melbourne 20/11/2009, Sydney 22/11/2009, Melbourne (Big Day Out Festival) 24/01/2014
Post edited by Thoughts_Arrive on
«1

Comments

  • eeriepadaveeeriepadave West Chester, PA Posts: 42,080
    this was from about 3-4 years ago. i think mine would stay the same

    http://community.pearljam.com/discussion/176529
    8/28/98- Camden, NJ
    10/31/09- Philly
    5/21/10- NYC
    9/2/12- Philly, PA
    7/19/13- Wrigley
    10/19/13- Brooklyn, NY
    10/21/13- Philly, PA
    10/22/13- Philly, PA
    10/27/13- Baltimore, MD
    4/28/16- Philly, PA
    4/29/16- Philly, PA
    5/1/16- NYC
    5/2/16- NYC
    9/2/18- Boston, MA
    9/4/18- Boston, MA
    9/14/22- Camden, NJ
    9/7/24- Philly, PA
    9/9/24- Philly, PA
    Tres Mts.- 3/23/11- Philly. PA
    Eddie Vedder- 6/25/11- Philly, PA
    RNDM- 3/9/16- Philly, PA
  • goldrushgoldrush everybody knows this is nowhere Posts: 7,549
    edited February 2015
    I've been listening to a lot of R.E.M since I saw the 'R.E.M. by MTV' documentary a couple of weeks ago. New Adventures is far and away my favourite, the hardest part is to try to rank the rest...

    1. New Adventures In HiFi

    2. Document
    3. Lifes Rich Pageant
    4. Collapse Into Now
    5. Automatic For The People
    6. Monster
    7. Out Of Time
    8. Green
    9. Murmur
    10. Reckoning
    Post edited by goldrush on
    “Do not postpone happiness”
    (Jeff Tweedy, Sydney 2007)

    “Put yer good money on the sunrise”
    (Tim Rogers)
  • dogmattdogmatt Napa, CA Posts: 116
    1. Lifes Rich Pageant
    2. Murmur
    3. Document
    4. New Adventures
    5. Reckoning
    6. Automatic
    7. Green
    8. Fables
    9. Out of Time
    10. Accelerate
  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 42,079
    Tough question. I'll go with:

    1. Murmur-- because it broke some ground
    2. Reckoning-- probably because I saw a Reckoning tour show and it was great
    3. Life's Rich Pageant
    3. Green
    3. Document
    3. Fables
    3.Out of Time
    3. New Adventures
    4. Accelerate
    5. All the rest
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • pdalowskypdalowsky Doncaster,UK Posts: 15,078
    new adventures for me
  • Tim SimmonsTim Simmons Posts: 8,082
    Reckoning
    New Adventures
    Automatic
    Fables
    Life's Rich Pageant
  • samjamsamjam New York Posts: 9,283
    Top 3 are:
    Automatic For the People
    Document
    Green
    "Sometimes you find yourself having to put all your faith in no faith."
    ~not a dude~
    2010: MSGx2
    2012: Made In America
    2013: Pittsburgh, Brooklynx2, Hartford, Baltimore
    2014: Leeds, Milton Keynes, Detroit
    2015: Global Citizen Festival
    2016: Phillyx2, MSGx2, Fenwayx2
    2018: Barcelona, Wrigleyx2
  • lolobugglolobugg BLUE RDGE MTNS Posts: 8,192
    Reckoning
    Murmur
    Chronic Town/Dead Letter Office- for "Voice of Harold" alone
    New Adventures in Hi-Fi
    UP- highly, highly underrated in my opinion
    Fables of the Reconstruction
    Green
    Monster
    Automatic for the People
    Life's Rich Pageant


    I really like all of their albums except Reveal

    livefootsteps.org/user/?usr=446

    1995- New Orleans, LA  : New Orleans, LA

    1996- Charleston, SC

    1998- Atlanta, GA: Birmingham, AL: Greenville, SC: Knoxville, TN

    2000- Atlanta, GA: New Orleans, LA: Memphis, TN: Nashville, TN

    2003- Raleigh, NC: Charlotte, NC: Atlanta, GA

    2004- Asheville, NC (hometown show)

    2006- Cincinnati, OH

    2008- Columbia, SC

    2009- Chicago, IL x 2 / Ed Vedder- Atlanta, GA x 2

    2010- Bristow, VA

    2011- Alpine Valley, WI (PJ20) x 2 / Ed Vedder- Chicago, IL

    2012- Atlanta, GA

    2013- Charlotte, NC

    2014- Cincinnati, OH

    2015- New York, NY

    2016- Greenville, SC: Hampton, VA:: Columbia, SC: Raleigh, NC : Lexington, KY: Philly, PA 2: (Wrigley) Chicago, IL x 2 (holy shit): Temple of the Dog- Philly, PA

    2017- ED VED- Louisville, KY

    2018- Chicago, IL x2, Boston, MA x2

    2020- Nashville, TN 

    2022- Smashville 

    2023- Austin, TX x2

    2024- Baltimore

  • JOEJOEJOEJOEJOEJOE Posts: 10,517
    New Adventures in Hi-Fi
    Monster

    They played several songs from New Adventures on the Monster tour before the album was released.....I always have fond memories of songs that I first hear live rather than on record.
  • parintachin73parintachin73 Posts: 741
    REM is one of my top 3 bands behind PJ. Top 5 albums...difficult, depends on my mood but probably

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

    I reeeeeally wanted to love Monster when it came out but it never really gave me more than mediocre sentiment as a whole album. Some great songs (fuckin' LOVE "Let Me In") but overall not one of my top albums.
  • AndySlashAndySlash Posts: 3,247
    automatic might be an obvious choice, but to me it is their best record, a perfect record.
    up would be my second pick.
  • facepollutionfacepollution Posts: 6,834
    AndySlash said:

    automatic might be an obvious choice, but to me it is their best record, a perfect record.
    up would be my second pick.

    Thank you! I don't dislike their 80's output, but Automatic is where they fully realised their potential, and Man On The Moon, Nightswimming, Find The River is the best ending to any album ever :)
    I hope Michael Stipe brings some solo music out at some point, I miss his voice.

    I've got a lot of time for Monster and New Adventures too.

  • halvhalv Posts: 701
    AndySlash said:

    automatic might be an obvious choice, but to me it is their best record, a perfect record.

    ^ This

  • 2-feign-reluctance2-feign-reluctance TigerTown, USA Posts: 23,322
    I love every record they've done. Out of Time is my #1.
    www.cluthelee.com
  • mfc2006mfc2006 HTOWN Posts: 37,472
    Automatic & Fables are my favorites
    I LOVE MUSIC.
    www.cluthelee.com
    www.cluthe.com
  • WobbieWobbie Posts: 30,189
    this is an impossible task....I'd have better luck picking their worst.
    If I had known then what I know now...

    Vegas 93, Vegas 98, Vegas 00 (10 year show), Vegas 03, Vegas 06
    VIC 07
    EV LA1 08
    Seattle1 09, Seattle2 09, Salt Lake 09, LA4 09
    Columbus 10
    EV LA 11
    Vancouver 11
    Missoula 12
    Portland 13, Spokane 13
    St. Paul 14, Denver 14
    Philly I & II, 16
    Denver 22
  • JH6056JH6056 Posts: 2,427
    This thread makes me really happy for 2 reasons: 1) I love talking and thinking about (and obviously listening to) REM; and 2) it reminds me yet again that I obviously have to give Automatic for the People a serious revisiting. I can't say I listened to it all that much when it came out, even though I was a giant mega REM fan. And it has never been in my "go to" albums when I go back to REM. I clearly need to change that...

    But for now, my list would be:

    1. Lifes Rich Pageant
    2. Green
    3. Out Of Time
    4. Reckoning
    5. Murmur
    6. Document
    7. Fables Of The Reconstruction
    8. Chronic Town/Dead Letter Office
    9. Automatic For The People
    10. Tie: Monster & New Adventures In Hi-Fi

  • Of The AggieOf The Aggie The ATX Posts: 1,531
    Listening to Document right now. I'd have to go with Murmur as my favorite. I do like Automatic For The People but it's not even in my top 3. I kinda gave up on them after New Adventures In Hi-Fi. I completely ignored Up, Reveal, and Around The Sun. I tried really hard to like Accelerate but just couldn't. Then I just absolutely loved Collapse Into Now and then they broke up! I did get to see them once on the Monster tour.
  • Tim SimmonsTim Simmons Posts: 8,082
    I used to love Monster so much in High School. But when I listen back on it, it sounds so dated and really not that good. Especially since they followed it up with a clearly superior New Adventures.

  • JH6056JH6056 Posts: 2,427
    edited February 2015
    I remember going to see the Monster tour, after having seen Fables, Pageant, Green and Document all live, and I was so so sad. I really was not feeling it. Crush with Eyeliner was cute, and What's the Frequency Kenneth. But on many fronts, it felt weak to me, both the album and live.

    Also have to admit I haven't heard any of Collapse Into Now... need to remedy that when I pick up Automatic for the People again. :)
  • lolobugglolobugg BLUE RDGE MTNS Posts: 8,192
    JH6056 said:

    I remember going to see the Monster tour, after having seen Fables, Pageant, Green and Document all live, and I was so so sad. I really was not feeling it. Crush with Eyeliner was cute, and What's the Frequency Kenneth. But on many fronts, it felt weak to me, both the album and live.

    Also have to admit I haven't heard any of Collapse Into Now... need to remedy that when I pick up Automatic for the People again. :)

    I happened to catch them on the Monster tour right after Stipe had hernia surgery so it wasn't a typical REM show. Saw them again over the years but I thought the show I saw in Raleigh 2008 was one of the best. Old/New song mix and special guests like Johnny Marr and Mitch Easter and Don Dixon. Stipe played the whole show in a suit in 100 degree weather. pretty awesome.

    livefootsteps.org/user/?usr=446

    1995- New Orleans, LA  : New Orleans, LA

    1996- Charleston, SC

    1998- Atlanta, GA: Birmingham, AL: Greenville, SC: Knoxville, TN

    2000- Atlanta, GA: New Orleans, LA: Memphis, TN: Nashville, TN

    2003- Raleigh, NC: Charlotte, NC: Atlanta, GA

    2004- Asheville, NC (hometown show)

    2006- Cincinnati, OH

    2008- Columbia, SC

    2009- Chicago, IL x 2 / Ed Vedder- Atlanta, GA x 2

    2010- Bristow, VA

    2011- Alpine Valley, WI (PJ20) x 2 / Ed Vedder- Chicago, IL

    2012- Atlanta, GA

    2013- Charlotte, NC

    2014- Cincinnati, OH

    2015- New York, NY

    2016- Greenville, SC: Hampton, VA:: Columbia, SC: Raleigh, NC : Lexington, KY: Philly, PA 2: (Wrigley) Chicago, IL x 2 (holy shit): Temple of the Dog- Philly, PA

    2017- ED VED- Louisville, KY

    2018- Chicago, IL x2, Boston, MA x2

    2020- Nashville, TN 

    2022- Smashville 

    2023- Austin, TX x2

    2024- Baltimore

  • Tim SimmonsTim Simmons Posts: 8,082
    Yeah, the last tour was really great. A good way to go out.
  • 2-feign-reluctance2-feign-reluctance TigerTown, USA Posts: 23,322
    Wonder what they have prepped next for release from their vault?
    www.cluthelee.com
  • JH6056JH6056 Posts: 2,427
    lolobugg said:

    JH6056 said:

    I remember going to see the Monster tour, after having seen Fables, Pageant, Green and Document all live, and I was so so sad. I really was not feeling it. Crush with Eyeliner was cute, and What's the Frequency Kenneth. But on many fronts, it felt weak to me, both the album and live.

    Also have to admit I haven't heard any of Collapse Into Now... need to remedy that when I pick up Automatic for the People again. :)

    I happened to catch them on the Monster tour right after Stipe had hernia surgery so it wasn't a typical REM show. Saw them again over the years but I thought the show I saw in Raleigh 2008 was one of the best. Old/New song mix and special guests like Johnny Marr and Mitch Easter and Don Dixon. Stipe played the whole show in a suit in 100 degree weather. pretty awesome.
    So was 2008 the Collapse Into Now tour? In that case I guess I have heard some of it, because I did see that tour. It was indeed a great show, and I saw the Atlanta one which was great because it was a homecoming.

    I'm very fortunate to have seen more than 2,000 concerts in my life (for years had a double life and part was in music biz), and REM night 2 at Radio City on the Document tour in '87ish I think remains one of my top 3 shows ever ever ever (others were the Clash live and U2 on Unforgettable Fire tour).
  • JH6056JH6056 Posts: 2,427
    I saw night 1 of that Radio City pair, but the band was drunk as heck and just not on their game. Night 2 they came in with a seriousness and awesomeness; I was front row center section and in the ZONE: I sang and danced my butt off and felt the music in an insane way. This was that show:

    7 October 1987 - Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY
    support: 10,000 Maniacs
    10,000 Maniacs set included: A Campfire Song
    R.E.M.: Finest Worksong / These Days / Pilgrimage / Disturbance At The Heron House / Exhuming McCarthy / Orange Crush / Feeling Gravitys Pull / The Flowers Of Guatemala / Fireplace / Tired Of Singing Trouble / I Believe / Maps And Legends / Driver 8 / Superman / Pretty Persuasion / Oddfellows Local 151 / It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) / Begin The Begin
    encore 1: Strange / Title / Fall On Me / We Walk / 1,000,000 / See No Evil
    encore 2: Harpers / Crazy / The One I Love
    notes: Natalie Merchant guests on 'We Walk', Michael guests on 'A Campire Song' with the 10,000 Maniacs. After 'The Flowers Of Guatemala', Michael again quotes from David Bowie's 'Diamond Dogs' - "This ain't rock and roll, this is genocide"
  • lolobugglolobugg BLUE RDGE MTNS Posts: 8,192
    JH6056 said:

    I saw night 1 of that Radio City pair, but the band was drunk as heck and just not on their game. Night 2 they came in with a seriousness and awesomeness; I was front row center section and in the ZONE: I sang and danced my butt off and felt the music in an insane way. This was that show:

    7 October 1987 - Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY
    support: 10,000 Maniacs
    10,000 Maniacs set included: A Campfire Song
    R.E.M.: Finest Worksong / These Days / Pilgrimage / Disturbance At The Heron House / Exhuming McCarthy / Orange Crush / Feeling Gravitys Pull / The Flowers Of Guatemala / Fireplace / Tired Of Singing Trouble / I Believe / Maps And Legends / Driver 8 / Superman / Pretty Persuasion / Oddfellows Local 151 / It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) / Begin The Begin
    encore 1: Strange / Title / Fall On Me / We Walk / 1,000,000 / See No Evil
    encore 2: Harpers / Crazy / The One I Love
    notes: Natalie Merchant guests on 'We Walk', Michael guests on 'A Campire Song' with the 10,000 Maniacs. After 'The Flowers Of Guatemala', Michael again quotes from David Bowie's 'Diamond Dogs' - "This ain't rock and roll, this is genocide"

    Now that is a setlist!!!!
    2008 was the Accelerate tour. sadly their last one ever.

    livefootsteps.org/user/?usr=446

    1995- New Orleans, LA  : New Orleans, LA

    1996- Charleston, SC

    1998- Atlanta, GA: Birmingham, AL: Greenville, SC: Knoxville, TN

    2000- Atlanta, GA: New Orleans, LA: Memphis, TN: Nashville, TN

    2003- Raleigh, NC: Charlotte, NC: Atlanta, GA

    2004- Asheville, NC (hometown show)

    2006- Cincinnati, OH

    2008- Columbia, SC

    2009- Chicago, IL x 2 / Ed Vedder- Atlanta, GA x 2

    2010- Bristow, VA

    2011- Alpine Valley, WI (PJ20) x 2 / Ed Vedder- Chicago, IL

    2012- Atlanta, GA

    2013- Charlotte, NC

    2014- Cincinnati, OH

    2015- New York, NY

    2016- Greenville, SC: Hampton, VA:: Columbia, SC: Raleigh, NC : Lexington, KY: Philly, PA 2: (Wrigley) Chicago, IL x 2 (holy shit): Temple of the Dog- Philly, PA

    2017- ED VED- Louisville, KY

    2018- Chicago, IL x2, Boston, MA x2

    2020- Nashville, TN 

    2022- Smashville 

    2023- Austin, TX x2

    2024- Baltimore

  • JH6056JH6056 Posts: 2,427
    lolobugg said:

    JH6056 said:

    I saw night 1 of that Radio City pair, but the band was drunk as heck and just not on their game. Night 2 they came in with a seriousness and awesomeness; I was front row center section and in the ZONE: I sang and danced my butt off and felt the music in an insane way. This was that show:

    7 October 1987 - Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY
    support: 10,000 Maniacs
    10,000 Maniacs set included: A Campfire Song
    R.E.M.: Finest Worksong / These Days / Pilgrimage / Disturbance At The Heron House / Exhuming McCarthy / Orange Crush / Feeling Gravitys Pull / The Flowers Of Guatemala / Fireplace / Tired Of Singing Trouble / I Believe / Maps And Legends / Driver 8 / Superman / Pretty Persuasion / Oddfellows Local 151 / It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) / Begin The Begin
    encore 1: Strange / Title / Fall On Me / We Walk / 1,000,000 / See No Evil
    encore 2: Harpers / Crazy / The One I Love
    notes: Natalie Merchant guests on 'We Walk', Michael guests on 'A Campire Song' with the 10,000 Maniacs. After 'The Flowers Of Guatemala', Michael again quotes from David Bowie's 'Diamond Dogs' - "This ain't rock and roll, this is genocide"

    Now that is a setlist!!!!
    2008 was the Accelerate tour. sadly their last one ever.
    :):) And thanks for the clarity on 2008.
  • JH6056JH6056 Posts: 2,427
    I was not at this show, but check out how many covers there were - this would have been so much fun!

    10 October 1987 - Patriot Center, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
    support: 10,000 Maniacs
    set: Finest Worksong / These Days / Welcome To The Occupation / Lightnin' Hopkins / Exhuming McCarthy / Disturbance At The Heron House / Orange Crush / Feeling Gravitys Pull / White Tornado / King Of Birds / Sitting Still / Title / I Believe / Driver 8 / Superman / Auctioneer (Another Engine) / Oddfellows Local 151 / It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) / Begin The Begin
    encore 1: Midnight Blue - Heartbreak Beat - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - Bad - Midnight Blue / Angel / See No Evil / The One I Love
    encore 2: Life And How To Live It / After Hours / John The Revelator
    encore 3: Wolves, Lower / Crazy / Just A Touch / Time After Time (Annelise) - Red Rain / So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)
    notes: Natalie Merchant guests on 'John The Revelator'. 'Time After Time (Annelise)' onwards was just Peter on guitar and Michael vocals
  • lolobugglolobugg BLUE RDGE MTNS Posts: 8,192
    JH6056 said:

    I was not at this show, but check out how many covers there were - this would have been so much fun!

    10 October 1987 - Patriot Center, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
    support: 10,000 Maniacs
    set: Finest Worksong / These Days / Welcome To The Occupation / Lightnin' Hopkins / Exhuming McCarthy / Disturbance At The Heron House / Orange Crush / Feeling Gravitys Pull / White Tornado / King Of Birds / Sitting Still / Title / I Believe / Driver 8 / Superman / Auctioneer (Another Engine) / Oddfellows Local 151 / It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) / Begin The Begin
    encore 1: Midnight Blue - Heartbreak Beat - I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - Bad - Midnight Blue / Angel / See No Evil / The One I Love
    encore 2: Life And How To Live It / After Hours / John The Revelator
    encore 3: Wolves, Lower / Crazy / Just A Touch / Time After Time (Annelise) - Red Rain / So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)
    notes: Natalie Merchant guests on 'John The Revelator'. 'Time After Time (Annelise)' onwards was just Peter on guitar and Michael vocals

    I have heard that night's version of Red Rain/So. Central Rain.
    So very mellow.... I had no idea it was the last song of the set!!!

    livefootsteps.org/user/?usr=446

    1995- New Orleans, LA  : New Orleans, LA

    1996- Charleston, SC

    1998- Atlanta, GA: Birmingham, AL: Greenville, SC: Knoxville, TN

    2000- Atlanta, GA: New Orleans, LA: Memphis, TN: Nashville, TN

    2003- Raleigh, NC: Charlotte, NC: Atlanta, GA

    2004- Asheville, NC (hometown show)

    2006- Cincinnati, OH

    2008- Columbia, SC

    2009- Chicago, IL x 2 / Ed Vedder- Atlanta, GA x 2

    2010- Bristow, VA

    2011- Alpine Valley, WI (PJ20) x 2 / Ed Vedder- Chicago, IL

    2012- Atlanta, GA

    2013- Charlotte, NC

    2014- Cincinnati, OH

    2015- New York, NY

    2016- Greenville, SC: Hampton, VA:: Columbia, SC: Raleigh, NC : Lexington, KY: Philly, PA 2: (Wrigley) Chicago, IL x 2 (holy shit): Temple of the Dog- Philly, PA

    2017- ED VED- Louisville, KY

    2018- Chicago, IL x2, Boston, MA x2

    2020- Nashville, TN 

    2022- Smashville 

    2023- Austin, TX x2

    2024- Baltimore

  • JOEJOEJOEJOEJOEJOE Posts: 10,517
    edited February 2015
    lolobugg said:

    JH6056 said:

    I saw night 1 of that Radio City pair, but the band was drunk as heck and just not on their game. Night 2 they came in with a seriousness and awesomeness; I was front row center section and in the ZONE: I sang and danced my butt off and felt the music in an insane way. This was that show:

    7 October 1987 - Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY
    support: 10,000 Maniacs
    10,000 Maniacs set included: A Campfire Song
    R.E.M.: Finest Worksong / These Days / Pilgrimage / Disturbance At The Heron House / Exhuming McCarthy / Orange Crush / Feeling Gravitys Pull / The Flowers Of Guatemala / Fireplace / Tired Of Singing Trouble / I Believe / Maps And Legends / Driver 8 / Superman / Pretty Persuasion / Oddfellows Local 151 / It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) / Begin The Begin
    encore 1: Strange / Title / Fall On Me / We Walk / 1,000,000 / See No Evil
    encore 2: Harpers / Crazy / The One I Love
    notes: Natalie Merchant guests on 'We Walk', Michael guests on 'A Campire Song' with the 10,000 Maniacs. After 'The Flowers Of Guatemala', Michael again quotes from David Bowie's 'Diamond Dogs' - "This ain't rock and roll, this is genocide"

    Now that is a setlist!!!!
    2008 was the Accelerate tour. sadly their last one ever.
    Difficult to believe its been 7 years since they toured........I was lucky enough to see them on almost every tour from 1983 on, and IMHO, they had a more diverse body of work than PJ, so it was always exciting to see what they'd pull out of the hat in terms of set lists choices.

Sign In or Register to comment.