The Stig
01-26-2004, 05:25 PM
R.E.M.--Document
Released in 1987 by I.R.S. Records
Michael Stipe: Vocals
Peter Buck: Guitar/bass/backing vocals
Mike Mills: Bass/guitar/backing vocals
Bill Berry: Drums
This is one of REM's most rocking albums to date. The last of their independent records, this truly captures the mood of alt-rock...Here goes:
Finest Worksong--A driving riff starts this song off. Sounding a bit different than the rest of the album, this is Document's "Airbag." Not the best, yet not the worst. 4/5
Welcome to the Occupation--This is probably my favourite track on the album. It's a moody song about the gripes of work. It paints a pretty depressing picture for a subject that is usually pretty mundane. However, it's also amusing in a way. 5/5
Exhuming McCarthy--Everyone's favourite history lesson--McCarthyism revisited (a shot at Pres. Reagan, perhaps?). The song starts with a typewriter or telegraph and remains pretty upbeat most of the time. Then there's a speech in the middle (I cannot tell who it is/what it is from). Just a nice piece in general. [/i]4.5/5[/i]
Disturbance at the Heron House--I can't figure out what the Hell it's about, but it's still nice. Nothing noteworthy; it's similar to the rest of the CD. 4/5
Strange--The coolest riff on the CD, this is a cover (Sorry, but I cannot remember of whom the cover is). It's pretty straightforward. 4/5
It's the End of the World as we Know it (And I Feel Fine)--Who doesn't know this song? Stipe rants about all sorts of stuff in this song. I'm one of the people who can proudly say they know themm all. Brings back memories...5/5
The One I Love--Another major song from this album, Stipe says it's not about what it would first seem...However, I've never seen an explanation. It's an okay song, but it gets a tad depressing...3.5/5
Fireplace--This, as far as I can tell, is about preparing for a dance and going overboard (sweeping the floor into the fireplace)...The song starts with a meandering guitar/drum intro...For some reason, I always listened to this when I played Quake on my comp. 4/5
Litnin' Hopkins--Heavy metal REM...Fifteen years later and two and a half steps lower, this could be a KoRn song. No joke. Seems to be about death. This son got me into modern rock music. 4.5/5
King of Birds--This is a bit poignant of a piece. Nice sitar, too. The drums add a nice effect with the marching rhythm. 4.5/5
Oddfellows Local 151--This is a creepy song. Very blusey and dark. Stipe keeps moaning about the firehouse. Odd, but nice way to end the album. 4/5
To be honest, I bought this record when I was about ten and I wanted to listen to It's the End of the World...The other tracks (mostly Worksong and Hopkins) got me into listening to more than just Weird Al. None of the songs on this are truly remarkable (hence the short review on most of them), but the album is worth getting, especially for one who wants to dabble into REM's older stuff. Not the best, but not the worst. Keep in mind that the entire record is a bit dark sounding--that brought the rating down a tad. Overall:4/5
Released in 1987 by I.R.S. Records
Michael Stipe: Vocals
Peter Buck: Guitar/bass/backing vocals
Mike Mills: Bass/guitar/backing vocals
Bill Berry: Drums
This is one of REM's most rocking albums to date. The last of their independent records, this truly captures the mood of alt-rock...Here goes:
Finest Worksong--A driving riff starts this song off. Sounding a bit different than the rest of the album, this is Document's "Airbag." Not the best, yet not the worst. 4/5
Welcome to the Occupation--This is probably my favourite track on the album. It's a moody song about the gripes of work. It paints a pretty depressing picture for a subject that is usually pretty mundane. However, it's also amusing in a way. 5/5
Exhuming McCarthy--Everyone's favourite history lesson--McCarthyism revisited (a shot at Pres. Reagan, perhaps?). The song starts with a typewriter or telegraph and remains pretty upbeat most of the time. Then there's a speech in the middle (I cannot tell who it is/what it is from). Just a nice piece in general. [/i]4.5/5[/i]
Disturbance at the Heron House--I can't figure out what the Hell it's about, but it's still nice. Nothing noteworthy; it's similar to the rest of the CD. 4/5
Strange--The coolest riff on the CD, this is a cover (Sorry, but I cannot remember of whom the cover is). It's pretty straightforward. 4/5
It's the End of the World as we Know it (And I Feel Fine)--Who doesn't know this song? Stipe rants about all sorts of stuff in this song. I'm one of the people who can proudly say they know themm all. Brings back memories...5/5
The One I Love--Another major song from this album, Stipe says it's not about what it would first seem...However, I've never seen an explanation. It's an okay song, but it gets a tad depressing...3.5/5
Fireplace--This, as far as I can tell, is about preparing for a dance and going overboard (sweeping the floor into the fireplace)...The song starts with a meandering guitar/drum intro...For some reason, I always listened to this when I played Quake on my comp. 4/5
Litnin' Hopkins--Heavy metal REM...Fifteen years later and two and a half steps lower, this could be a KoRn song. No joke. Seems to be about death. This son got me into modern rock music. 4.5/5
King of Birds--This is a bit poignant of a piece. Nice sitar, too. The drums add a nice effect with the marching rhythm. 4.5/5
Oddfellows Local 151--This is a creepy song. Very blusey and dark. Stipe keeps moaning about the firehouse. Odd, but nice way to end the album. 4/5
To be honest, I bought this record when I was about ten and I wanted to listen to It's the End of the World...The other tracks (mostly Worksong and Hopkins) got me into listening to more than just Weird Al. None of the songs on this are truly remarkable (hence the short review on most of them), but the album is worth getting, especially for one who wants to dabble into REM's older stuff. Not the best, but not the worst. Keep in mind that the entire record is a bit dark sounding--that brought the rating down a tad. Overall:4/5