| | Full Review | Ratings (1015) |
Give your Rating |
| 5.0 classic | Zebra | February 4th 07 |
I don't give to many albums five star ratings and it's a mystery why I enjoy this album as much as I do. There is no fancy instrumentation, clever production, or deep lyrics. It's not a deep or reflective album either, the music is as stripped down and basic as you can get. Every song is catchy as hell and the hazy, mysterious vibe of the Michael Stipes voice will always intruige me. Maybe Murmur doesn't deserve a five star rating but I can't find any flaws with the album and I've been listening to it for a good five years or so.
3 Bumps | Bump |
| 2.0 poor | Hot Bowser | February 9th 24 |
what an appropriate name
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | MrHarrison | May 20th 17 |
If everything else here was as good as Radio Free Europe we'd have a classic on our hands. Unfortunately it ain't. Still all pretty dece though.
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 3.0 good | pencils3 | December 1st 10 |
OK. I confess that R.E.M. have been a bit of a blind spot with me. I can name you most of their 'big hits', but little more than that. I think two things have put me off listening to them seriously: Michael Stipe (who irrationally annoys me beyond imagination with his politics, life choices, and woeful pseudo-intellectual lyrics), and the maudlin and cloying 'Everybody Hurts' (that pre-emo bedroom anthem of weeping 1990's teenagers offering empty solace in some invented 'community of the injured'). rFor my own satisfaction and peace of mind, I want to seek to establish whether I really am missing something good that I will enjoy, or whether I can simply move on to something that for me at least is more worthwhile. 5 careful listens through each album (in release order) while examining the lyrics and reading as much review material as possible should give me a feel for what I am missing. It may only be a starting point, but it has intellectual rigour. After about ten times through over the last week, I've come to the conclusion that this is ok, I guess. There are several acceptable tracks: Perfect Circle, Laughing, Radio Free Europe, Shaking Through (even though I keep expecting it to morph into It's The End Of The World As We Know It), and Sitting Still. Frankly, the rest is filler. I wouldn't this from my iPod, but I doubt I will turn to it very often. It merits a 3 rather than 2.5 because those tracks lift the album sufficiently.
1 Bumps | Bump |
| 3.5 great | JonCloud93 | January 8th 24 |
REM's debut, probably the best album from them.
Bump |
| 3.5 great | Barksdale | June 8th 22 |
Best Tracks: Radio Free Europe, Laughing, Moral Kiosk, Perfect Circle, Catapult, 9-9, Shaking Through.
Bump |
| 3.8 excellent | Erwann S. EMERITUS | June 8th 20 |
C o l l e g e r o c k. What do college students like? Apart from beers'n'wings, they try to convince themselves they are intelligent, respectful of their elders but still enamoured with adolescence's energy. Stipe's lyrics are what fulfills their need to be perceived as a non-idiotic moron, the jangly guitar style remind them of their parents' music, and the crispy, post-punk-influenced basslines brings the energy they try to channel. I didn't go to college in the 80s so I dig but I don't vibe. Still, a very important first-wave alt rock record.
Bump |
| 4.5 superb | strawberriesandgravy | April 29th 20 |
Rethinking this as a 5, the production is a little thinner than I remember, feel like there is only room for one old-school REM record, and that rating should go to Reckoning.
Bump |
| 4.0 excellent | Jack Fraser | April 20th 19 |
One of the most impressive debut records ever, Murmur?s only real fault is that - with the exception of the unbelievable ?Radio Free Europe? - each of its tracks has a spectacular verse, chorus, or intro as opposed to all three. While that does mean that there are plenty of ?this isn?t one of my favorites ? oh wait I love this? moments, but on the other hand you can?t go wrong with any of these songs.
Bump |
| 3.5 great | Hanusko | May 6th 17 |
Strong 3.5
Catchy, jangly and Laid back
1983 - Alternative rock was pretty much underground genre, that was often mixed with post-punk and Folk, Bands like Violent Femmes were dropping their ''Legendary'' albums, but then out of nowhere R.E.M came through with ''Murmur'' extremely accesible and radio friendly album, that helped to get Alternative rock on the top of the charts, with huge influence from jungle pop and folk rock ,,Murmur'' was succesful right from the day it dropped.
2017 - Looking back at this album now is interesting to say the least.
After realizing how much different the genre is now, but mainly appreciating how huge is the actual influence of murmur.
To be perfectly honest ,,Murmur'' didn't really age all that well, but still even though it might not sound as fresh as it sounded in 80s, it still is great record. R.E.M were one of the best in writting short simple songs with great and catchy instrumentation and that is what made this band, they don't have that one ''STAR'', that overshadows everyone...NO...,,Murmur'' works just because every member does their work well.
There were much better records that came out in the genre, but this is still really enjoyable piece of laid back music that you shouldn't miss if you are fan of the genre
Highlights: ,,Radio Free Europe'' ,,Laughing'' ,,Perfect Circle'' ,,9-9''
Bump |
| 4.5 superb | derho | January 7th 13 |
R.E.M. emerged out of the tail-end of the oft-neglected school of American Post-Punk. Their debut, "Murmur", fell nothing short of cultural milestone, stimulating the underground and sowing the seeds for the alt-rock explosion of the coming decade. Jangly indie-rock had been around for a few years in the way of washed-out British once-punks, but nobody (and I mean NOBODY) did it this well. The band is incredibly tight, and the album's structure is accordingly astonishing, particularly for a debut. They weave effortlessly from stomps to waltzes, all imbued with the alluring air of mystery Stipe is so famous for creating. A worthy document. 9.5/10
Bump |
| 2.0 poor | whatduffhuck7 | October 1st 06 |
i really dont see what the hype is about on murmer. ive been a big r.e.m fan since the day i started listening to music (thanks to my dad) and i always like automatic, green, monster, that era of r.e.m. but murmer and reckoning are just not that good imo. "Perfect Circle" and "sitting Still" are good songs but that is it. not the best of a cd. I know many people will disagree with me here, but i think there latest cd "Around the Sun" is better than murmer. I like r.e.m.'s slower songs better though and this is def a faster, more rock album.
Bump |
| 3.5 great | Myri | March 5th 25 |
| 5.0 classic | random | February 8th 25 |
| 5.0 classic | Awake88 | December 29th 24 |
| 4.0 excellent | flea182 | June 19th 24 |
| 4.0 excellent | lurxy | April 13th 24 |
| 3.5 great | Aids | April 10th 24 |
| 3.5 great | dmoz47 | January 23rd 24 |
| 4.5 superb | doofy | January 7th 24 |
| 3.5 great | ztetter | September 9th 23 |
| 4.0 excellent | haley | June 1st 23 |
| 4.5 superb | NeoZod | May 18th 23 |
| 5.0 classic | kodama | May 6th 23 |
| 4.0 excellent | El Olam | April 29th 23 |
| 4.0 excellent | sambu | April 14th 23 |
| 5.0 classic | JoshieG | January 28th 23 |
| 4.5 superb | Matty CONTRIBUTOR | December 5th 22 |
| 3.5 great | HalapenYo CONTRIBUTOR | December 4th 22 |
| 4.5 superb | lanzer9 | October 28th 22 |
| 4.0 excellent | MUSEli | July 19th 22 |
| 4.0 excellent | rajtako | June 27th 22 |
| 4.0 excellent | pihes | June 18th 22 |
| 2.5 average | katkac | March 12th 22 |
| 4.5 superb | Blurbs | January 7th 22 |
| 5.0 classic | Gazo | December 5th 21 |
| 4.0 excellent | Roidv | November 25th 21 |
| 4.5 superb | mongo77 | November 1st 21 |
| 5.0 classic | sarada | October 23rd 21 |
| 5.0 classic | boruto | October 23rd 21 |
| 5.0 classic | Deku17 | October 22nd 21 |
| 4.5 superb | jesper EMERITUS | October 14th 21 |
| 4.5 superb | Lucman | July 25th 21 |
| 5.0 classic | eureka | June 20th 21 |
| 4.0 excellent | YRI | March 28th 21 |
| 4.0 excellent | hel9000 | March 11th 21 |
| 4.5 superb | Nine | January 26th 21 |
| 4.5 superb | bloaf38 | December 12th 20 |
| 4.5 superb | IlNotta | November 10th 20 |
| 3.0 good | luetin | November 9th 20 |
| 4.5 superb | heck | October 3rd 20 |
| 3.0 good | Emo | July 12th 20 |
| 4.5 superb | Mike01 | June 11th 20 |
| 4.5 superb | degina | February 29th 20 |
| 5.0 classic | yoil | December 31st 19 |
| 5.0 classic | edirp | November 21st 19 |
| 5.0 classic | capes | November 15th 19 |
| 5.0 classic | Jan555 | October 2nd 19 |
| 4.5 superb | e210013 | September 23rd 19 |
| 4.5 superb | OliKad | September 4th 19 |
| 5.0 classic | Juanpa | August 18th 19 |
| 5.0 classic | kb3984 | August 6th 19 |
| 3.5 great | fog | July 5th 19 |
| 4.5 superb | Onater | April 26th 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | dafon24 | April 25th 19 |
| 4.5 superb | 0w0 | April 22nd 19 |
| 4.0 excellent | bobby72 | February 22nd 19 |
| 5.0 classic | YayoG1 | December 27th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Pangea | December 9th 18 |
| 4.5 superb | Gueero | November 29th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | dunnope | November 20th 18 |
| 5.0 classic | Juca89 | November 7th 18 |
| 4.5 superb | maxer | October 28th 18 |
| 3.0 good | bharry | October 15th 18 |
| 3.5 great | NateMa | August 9th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | YxxzY | June 27th 18 |
| 5.0 classic | Josh | February 20th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Holsety | February 19th 18 |
| 5.0 classic | bSmith | February 17th 18 |
| 4.0 excellent | Rdv | December 7th 17 |
| 3.0 good | igi78 | November 4th 17 |
| 5.0 classic | gschwen | September 9th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | gilly | July 31st 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Jordan M. EMERITUS | June 12th 17 |
| 5.0 classic | wg98 | May 12th 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | Rmazer | May 1st 17 |
| 4.5 superb | PaabL | April 21st 17 |
| 5.0 classic | Owens54 | February 2nd 17 |
| 4.0 excellent | jsegura | January 1st 17 |
| 4.5 superb | ramoncd | December 6th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | Devius | December 2nd 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | Jade | October 24th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | Gozpot | October 20th 16 |
| 4.5 superb | Javier | October 11th 16 |
| 5.0 classic | Lodger | August 28th 16 |
| 3.5 great | p4p | August 14th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | teach64 | July 30th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | elch21 | July 30th 16 |
| 4.5 superb | akosto | July 24th 16 |
| 3.0 good | Trebor. EMERITUS | July 7th 16 |
| 4.5 superb | Tom R. EMERITUS | June 24th 16 |
| 3.0 good | Froot | June 19th 16 |
| 4.2 excellent | Sunnyvale EMERITUS | May 29th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | SB129 | May 16th 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | Nikolai | March 19th 16 |
| 4.5 superb | Rakkie | February 28th 16 |
| 3.5 great | progsun | February 23rd 16 |
| 4.5 superb | timmy36 | February 9th 16 |
| 3.5 great | itchy | January 22nd 16 |
| 4.5 superb | Ledgy | January 21st 16 |
| 4.0 excellent | Log S. | January 15th 16 |
| 3.5 great | Atrophy | December 13th 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | finnmcd | December 4th 15 |
| 4.5 superb | cb123 | October 24th 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | JKnott | October 23rd 15 |
| 5.0 classic | KyleW | October 8th 15 |
| 5.0 classic | F1Aaron | September 27th 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | Muzaker | September 23rd 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | TSprings | September 6th 15 |
| 3.0 good | Mojito | August 30th 15 |
| 5.0 classic | vivapo | August 25th 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | adr | August 2nd 15 |
| 3.5 great | Lassie | July 12th 15 |
| 4.5 superb | MaV98 | July 9th 15 |
| 2.5 average | Fancio | May 14th 15 |
| 4.5 superb | AdultB | April 17th 15 |
| 3.5 great | Tb1114 | March 24th 15 |
| 5.0 classic | zoso33 | February 14th 15 |
| 4.5 superb | spur55 | February 6th 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | Hybza | January 31st 15 |
| 4.0 excellent | Nigtwig | January 17th 15 |
| 4.5 superb | Irving EMERITUS | January 11th 15 |
| 3.5 great | ToCho | January 5th 15 |
| 4.5 superb | 8kuji | December 28th 14 |
| 4.1 excellent | Rowan5215 EMERITUS | November 5th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | Mr Snrub | September 16th 14 |
| 5.0 classic | Denis | August 5th 14 |
| 4.5 superb | Jackus | July 22nd 14 |
| 3.0 good | ethos | May 1st 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | pbass0 | March 25th 14 |
| 5.0 classic | f1gt | March 2nd 14 |
| 5.0 classic | Recoat | February 24th 14 |
| 5.0 classic | Bug | February 12th 14 |
| 5.0 classic | powrnap | February 8th 14 |
| 5.0 classic | inajar | February 4th 14 |
| 4.5 superb | MaggieG | January 19th 14 |
| 4.0 excellent | Chortles | December 29th 13 |
| 5.0 classic | DarinRG | November 16th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | unkle | November 6th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | vai90 | November 5th 13 |
| 3.5 great | Greem | November 4th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | Snowden | November 2nd 13 |
| 5.0 classic | Glider | October 21st 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | joomisy | September 16th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | jrschaef | September 11th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | Kalhur | August 11th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | miaow | June 1st 13 |
| 3.0 good | ramon | May 15th 13 |
| 5.0 classic | Meruem | May 5th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | TwigTW | April 15th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | Basman | March 14th 13 |
| 4.0 excellent | ashn0ted | February 23rd 13 |
| 3.5 great | bobbi | February 21st 13 |
| 5.0 classic | zakalwe | February 20th 13 |
| 4.5 superb | Gard3n | January 23rd 13 |
| 3.5 great | jsaf7 | January 8th 13 |
| 5.0 classic | Doxxman | November 26th 12 |
| 3.5 great | SeiGor | November 23rd 12 |
| 4.5 superb | dwejkk | November 20th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | CK | November 19th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | jtswope | October 15th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | plato66 | October 7th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | kamarue | September 18th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | bleath | August 13th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | Lakes. | June 27th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | ADM20 | June 19th 12 |
| 5.0 classic | coma33 | June 18th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | BiOZed | June 1st 12 |
| 3.0 good | PAT33 | May 20th 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | WJM73 | April 28th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | erdi | February 28th 12 |
| 3.0 good | virpi | February 25th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | KILL | February 21st 12 |
| 4.0 excellent | BoddAH67 | February 14th 12 |
| 4.5 superb | narpet | December 25th 11 |
| 4.5 superb | peaks40 | December 13th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | gosk8n | November 20th 11 |
| 4.5 superb | lou1000 | November 15th 11 |
| 4.5 superb | stotty | September 29th 11 |
| 3.0 good | Bossie | September 16th 11 |
| 2.5 average | cuki92 | September 6th 11 |
| 4.5 superb | Knave | August 27th 11 |
| 3.5 great | stfrnz | August 17th 11 |
| 4.5 superb | KaliMa | June 29th 11 |
| 3.5 great | tom79 | June 6th 11 |
| 5.0 classic | Muzix | May 25th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Raust | May 20th 11 |
| 5.0 classic | Matski | May 17th 11 |
| 5.0 classic | bab808 | May 17th 11 |
| 5.0 classic | wabbit | April 22nd 11 |
| 4.5 superb | WNF | February 10th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Tulten | February 4th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | Jarvig | January 31st 11 |
| 4.5 superb | qwe3 | January 26th 11 |
| 4.0 excellent | mallen- | January 15th 11 |
| 4.5 superb | Jumaos | December 3rd 10 |
| 5.0 classic | Kiran EMERITUS | November 27th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | crabman | November 14th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | crank | November 7th 10 |
| 5.0 classic | mdenn69 | October 20th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Hodgmand | September 4th 10 |
| 5.0 classic | cvrcmrc | August 31st 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Cavs | August 18th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | Smevin | August 11th 10 |
| 4.5 superb | MTEK | April 11th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | Gogol | March 25th 10 |
| 4.0 excellent | cumverg | January 26th 10 |
| 5.0 classic | Sle | December 23rd 09 |
| 3.5 great | mallen | November 10th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Titan50 | October 30th 09 |
| 5.0 classic | sblount | October 13th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | kojpl | September 29th 09 |
| 4.5 superb | blurkom | September 28th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | SLA92 | July 23rd 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | kracked | June 21st 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | mrfixit | April 28th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | shindip | April 7th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | cjboog | March 14th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | gooh710 | January 21st 09 |
| 3.5 great | valrus | January 7th 09 |
| 4.0 excellent | Yotimi | December 24th 08 |
| 4.5 superb | timbo8 | July 14th 08 |
| 2.5 average | natey | March 20th 08 |
| 3.5 great | Ficus | December 31st 07 |
| 2.5 average | donovr | December 18th 07 |
| 3.5 great | Egglord | November 24th 07 |
| 4.5 superb | anged02 | November 4th 07 |
| 4.0 excellent | Bak | October 15th 07 |
| 2.5 average | jk2two | September 5th 07 |
| 3.0 good | Iai EMERITUS | August 21st 07 |
| 4.0 excellent | Mikesn EMERITUS | August 21st 07 |
| |
Give Your Opinion on Murmur
|
