As a true REM fan, my top 10 list would be different every time I wrote it. Love all the albums differently.

@lindseeziegler90

Жыл бұрын

Word

Lifes Rich Pageant is my most satisfying REM listen. No obvious hits, but the album is so *EVEN*. No iconic anthems, but no clunkers either. Every song is a good song. And they all go together well. Silver medal? Document.

@jeffmaehre7150

Жыл бұрын

When I first heard this record, I thought it was pretty darn good, but it was never among my favorites. It's a bit brief, and they dusted off old songs like Just a Touch, What if We Give it Away, both written in 1981, plus Hyena, written in '83 or '84. But I've met a lot of people who thinks it's by far the best R.E.M. album. On my 1-15 list, it's about 5 or 6.

@curly_wyn

11 ай бұрын

I don’t blame you. Lifes Rich Pageant is definitely the band’s most accessible I.R.S. album by far. Personally tho, there are (only) two clunkers on the album…oh yeah, you know it’s coming: the opening track and the closing track. I don’t care for Begin the Begin or Superman at all. But hey, I love the rest of the album. :)

@curly_wyn

11 ай бұрын

@@jeffmaehre7150yeah, it’s my #6, just outside the top 5.

@emilyburton4095

5 ай бұрын

@@curly_wyn I love Begin the Begin and Superman. For me, Coyahoga is the clunker. Maybe it's something that happens at the molecular level.

@Gonzax

Ай бұрын

I think it's definitely their best album, from the incredible opening riff of "Begin the begin" to the majestic 'Fall on me', 'Cuyahoga', 'I believe', 'Flowers of Guatemala', 'Swan swan H', etc. Great production, amazing songs. A couple of lesser tracks with "Hyena" and "Just a touch" but terrific overall. Even the two hidden tracks are great.

automatic for the people is such a beautiful album, one of the best album of all time

One more thought: Mike Mills is one of the most underrated bass players of all time.

@burmajones803

3 жыл бұрын

I'm relistening to the albums I own, and I become more and more convinced that he is the difference maker for this band. Sometimes it feels like he gets more attention for his harmonizing and his backup vocals (wouldn't be unjustified, they are one of the band's hallmarks and are sublime) than he does for his bass playing. But he plays such great bass lines. Absolutely essential.

@brianmiller1077

3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely. Melodic without being over the top.

@mrp4242

3 жыл бұрын

Yes. Add to that legendary backup vocals like It’s the End of the World and Fall on Me, and his keyboard work and composing such as Nightswimming.

@davidgreenberg5517

2 жыл бұрын

I agree

@sigsin1

2 жыл бұрын

When I saw them on Letterman, “Radio Free Europe,” I was amazed by that bass line. And he’s jumping all over the place while he plays. I wished they had focused on him a little more. And I loved this garage band-looking group was so awesome. Never understood anything Stipe sang except the title words.

Enjoy their entire discography. Don't think they have a bad album. Some are just stronger than others. 15. Accelerate 14. Collapse Into Now 13. Around the Sun 12. Monster *. Dead Letter Office 11. Fables of the Reconstruction 10. Green 9. Reckoning 8. Out of Time 7. Reveal 6. Up 5. Murmur 4. Lifes Rich Pageant *. Chronic Town 3. Document 2. Automatic for the People 1. New Adventures in Hi-Fi

1. Green. A bold celebration of life, both positive and negative 2. Fables of the Reconstruction. It's dark as hell and packs a mighty emotional punch 3. Murmer. A quirky look at life, offbeat and has a nerdy charm. Unique. 4. Reckoning. Songs about longing and loss, superbly written and played 5. Automatic for the People. Myriad styles of music, excellent songwriting.

been blinking at my "Green" record sleeve for about 5 minutes now and I can start seeing the green spots when I close my eyes!

@scottmcrae3355

3 жыл бұрын

Also if you tilt it in the light there is an embossed 4 over the R. That always made me think that they were speaking to us in some kind of code and there was some secret hidden message

@orenkachel8750

3 жыл бұрын

@@scottmcrae3355 stipe explained it that when he used a typewritter machine to write the names of the songs he by mistake typed "R" instead of "4" ( the are close on the the keyboad),and he liked it and leave it this way. on the back u can see the songs and their numbers and its written: "R. Stand", instead of: "4. Stand"

Jason cracks me up. No idea where he will go. "Yeah I've got Exile On Main Street last. At my number three definitely Steel Wheels. Between A Rock and A Hard Place the best single since Angie."

@jupitermadcat

2 жыл бұрын

Lol

Superb gents. Enjoyed hearing your perspectives on my favourite band's albums. Your criticisims are all balanced and credible.

Fantastic videos guys, enjoying every bit of them

Really warming to your videos and respect the knowledge you all have on the depth of music covered by the channel.

In my opinion, R.E.M. is the most consistently great band of all time.

@TastesLikeMusic

Жыл бұрын

That is lunacy. - Joe

@conorfurlong

Жыл бұрын

@@TastesLikeMusic 13 of their albums are stellar, only 2 fall below that standard: one of which is good (Up); the other is mediocre (Around The Sun). No other band has put out as many great albums whilst putting out so few non great albums. I’m not saying they’re the best band of all time (although they are definitely in the conversation). I am saying they’re the most consistent. I even wrote a song about how much I love them… 🤷‍♂️ kzread.info/dash/bejne/l3590sqseq6npJc.html

@justice100forwin2

6 ай бұрын

I think you need to understand that music is subjective. Some of the bands you do lists on are a joke to me and I find it funny you feel they deem attention but Music is a very personal enjoyment and people appreciating musicians hard work is all good...up to a point. It's sad that X factor, Simon Cowell , and endless amounts of younger and younger kids singing A.I generated crap has led to the demise of music as we knew it. Their is no romance / cultural/political statements now just bland music fronted by good looking youngsters , who's exploitation only last 12 months tops. I'm glad I've lived through the times of the NME , Melody Maker, Rolling Stone and the great Biographies that let us learn about our favourite artists. Music is such a big part of my identity and it has been for so many since the birth of Rock & Roll. The way we dress, hairstyles , political leanings our culture was shaped by music in so many ways. I'm so glad we had bands like REM providing a soundtrack to our lives. @@TastesLikeMusic

@emilyburton4095

5 ай бұрын

@@TastesLikeMusic No, not understanding that other people have their preferences and opinions is lunacy.

Great work you three! I definitely like the trifecta balance and viewpoints. Keep Rocking. 🥸

Nice to see the appreciation for Fables. It was my first REM album and saw them in concert before they got big.

15. Around the Sun 14. Up 13. Accelerate 12. Reveal 11. Collapse into Now 10. New Adventures in Hi Fi 9. Monster 8. Reckoning 7. Document 6. Fables of the Reconstruction 5. Out of Time 4. Murmur 3. Green 2. Lifes Rich Pageant 1. Automatic for the People

Just discovered your channel. I feel in love with it. Keep it going, please!

@TastesLikeMusic

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! No plan to stop!

Dude new adventures in hifi is mindblowing

@stephensullivan1879

Жыл бұрын

Plus is Stipes favorite

@AndI0td763

7 ай бұрын

Really good record, I think it’s more of a grower though, an album you’ve gotta spend some time with to really get into. It is long but it’s a big statement from them and puts forth a lot of their different styles and ideas. I think it’s a good mix of Automatic+Monster.

Up is an album to listen to at 2 am after a few cocktails. Every song is great and memorable

@TastesLikeMusic

Жыл бұрын

Definitely not memorable. Great YMMV. - Joe

Automatic for the People - one of the best albums ever. New Adventures in Hi-Fi has grown on me over time to finally eclipse Out of Time - tho' both are great albums. New Test Leper, E-Bow The Letter, Bittersweet Me, Be Mine, Binky the Doormat, So Fast, So Numb, and Electrolite - all great tracks. Around the Sun the only real duffer in their catalogue - although it does have one of their best songs - Leaving New York 1. Automatic for the People 2. New Adventures in Hi-FI 3. Out Of Time 4. Reveal 5. Up 6. Murmur 7. Green 8. Monster 9. Document 10. Collapse Into Now 11. Lifes Rich Pageant 12. Reckoning 13. Accelerate 14. Fables of the Reconstruction 15. Around the Sun

My personal favourite R.E.M album is UP. I can't wait to purchase the 25th anniverary album. ❤

1. Document 2. Automatic For The People 3. Fables of the Reconstruction 4. Murmur 5. New Adventures In Hi-Fi 6. Life's Rich Pageant 7. Reckoning 8. Green 9. Out Of Time 10. Monster

Wow "New Adventures in Hi Fi" is my favorite album by this marvellous band.

@billkeon880

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah totally agree. I would put it in top 3-5 range for me. First few listens I didn’t appreciate it but it took a few years and more listens but it’s fantastic. Might climb even more in the future but would never knock off my number one, Murmur

@jeffmaehre7150

Жыл бұрын

Explain.

@curly_wyn

Жыл бұрын

@@johnkammerle1822 Actually, Stipe’s favorite R.E.M. album was Reveal.

@blakeplaster7139

4 ай бұрын

It's my number 2 behind Automatic. Loved it. Shocked to see it so low.

Great video guys. Lots of really interesting thoughts both on things you like and on things you don't. This was fun to watch and I got little work done today :-( R.E.M. is one of my top 5 favorite bands all time and were the band, along with Jason & the Scorchers (Lost & Found, listen to it, pure cowpunk like you never heard before), that opened up a whole new world of rock music to me. In 1985 both bands were inexplicably slotted onto the local album-oriented rock station's playlist, somewhere between Zeppelin, the Stones, Van Halen, the Doors, the Beatles, et al. They were the sand in the vaseline of the Boomer-centric classic rock station, but to me they were manna from heaven and they let me know that somewhere out there, toiling away from just outside the commercial rock radio airwaves and the MTV heavy rotation playlist was some kind of new sound made by people younger than my parents. I have listened to all of their records through Monster hundreds of times, but after 1994 life happened and, much like Springsteen, I stopped listening to their new music. I have not listened to any album post-Monster all the way through and am not sure I ever will. I am very happy with the 10 records that follow. No dogs on this list, in my opinion. They still surprise and delight me and I'm not sure I need anything more than that. 10. Out of Time - Losing My Religion is great. Near Wild Heaven reminds me of Who Loves the Sun by the mighty VU. Me in Honey is a great closing song. Sequencing is effed-up, great observation Kramzer. A few duds on this record. 9. Green - those 2 opening tracks are great. Again, a couple duds, but mostly great stuff. 8. Monster - a much-maligned stylistic departure, but c'mon, Bang and Blame is one of their most affecting songs, possibly better than anything else released in 1994, and those first 5 songs are tremendous. A few duds, but this is a great album. 7. Chronic Town - docked a few points for being too short, but what a great EP. I've never thought about ranking EPs, but is there a better one than this? Those first three songs...perfection. 6. Automatic for the People - I can't explain how this masterpiece isn't even in the top 5. Maybe there are a couple of songs I can skip, but none of the albums that follow have any tracks I skip? Is there a stranger album that was still considered a mainstream hit? 5. Murmur - not a bad song on the album. Many great ones. Why so low then? I like me some noise. I like me some punk rock. I like me some darkness. 4. Document - this album brings the noise and the darkness, keeps the weirdness. And a cover of Wire to boot! What we want and what we need have been confused. 3. Reckoning - Peter Buck at his appregiated best. I just love the songs on this album more than I love the songs on Murmur. 2. Fables of the Reconstruction of the Fables - Weird. Dark and moody. Very moody. That opening riff of Feeling Gravitys Pull and the Man Ray kind of sky. Driver 8. Can't Get There from Here. A strange masterpiece. 1. Lifes Rich Pageant - the punk rock album. I love the energy of this album. Not a bad song on it, but I feel like I can say that for albums 1 through 5 anyway. This is just the album that picks me up whenever I put it on, so that's why it's at the top.

I'm looking forward for the Stones Remaster. Thanks for adding the year to the albums.

What you do is great guys. Keep it up. I usually do not agree with your rankings and from what i see in the comments you stir the waters with your choices, (and this is what makes your rankings great)but I think that what may cause this huge division between your choices and fans, and not only with REM, is that on some cases you are forced to mass listen and at the same time rank albums in a very short period of time. Some albums are revealing their strengths and charm after repeated spins, and with a different state of mind (not one that tries to compare and rank things) Also, some works carry the distinctive aroma of an era which unfortunately we, the younger ones, can't actually get, since we weren't around back then. Of course many will say that this way we can be more objective, but this is also a folly, since ranking music, is pretty much like music categories. They are only there to serve a purpose that has little to do with the actual music. I like ranking things, and I see the fun in doing it, but i don't get too serious about it, because music is supposed to be fun and ranking a bit extra fun on top. Of course having three people listing their favourites has merits, most importantly acting as a buyers' guide. Top 5 records from combined lists can be a good solid place to start. On topic - REM are a bit hard to rank, unlike bands like Dire straits that only have 6 albums- which are all equally great, or black sabbath that their top 10 contains at least 5 common ones from all three. I am not a huge REM fan, although I have all their albums. Still the ones that I had the spare time and free mind to listen at their time of release, (my late teens) I call my favourite. And somehow I feel that I am probably mistaken because I didn't give the same equal chances to all their albums, previous ones (because I was too young) or later ones (because I had other issues on my mind). Anyway, keep it up, you are a great company while I work. Ann afterthought would be to revisit some bands after 2-3 years of listening to their albums and create a new ranking, compare it with the previous one and see how it goes.

Long-time REM fan, they were the first band I ever saw live (Green tour 1989). I skew heavily towards the IRS years, so here's my 15... 1. Fables Of The Reconstruction 2. Murmur 3. Green 4. Document 5. Reckoning 6. Life's Rich Pageant 7. Automatic For The People 8. Out Of Time 9. Monster 10. Collapse Into Now 11. New Adventures In Hi-Fi 12. Up 13. Reveal 14. Accelerate 15. Around The Sun

I was in high school when Chronic Town came out and college during the IRS years. Followed them on their tour dates in Texas and even bought some beers for Mike Mills and Bill Berry. Definitely suffer from the “my band” attitude, college rock snobbiest and I had an irrational issue with them getting played on radio. I loved/love Murmur and Reckoning the most, but recall listening to Life’s Rich Pageant thinking it was the first album I loved on first listening from that entire era. In general, I think you guys did a great job with this one. Appreciate and agree with your wrap up assessments. Jason, you kill me with your assessment of Murmur. You are the enigma of this one. ;)

I absolutely loved Up and Monster

Two comments stood out for me- the one about Reveal and Up being like companion albums, which I've always believed, and the one about Document being the album where they started to sound like the REM that people most associate with REM. In Document, Michael sounds strong and positive- like he has something to say and he wants the world to hear it.

Just a great band who’s catalog overall is pretty special. The top spots is ever changing for me. Love seeing Fables up high on all your lists. I always felt that I was growing up and evolving as they were as a band. As I changed they changed. 🤘🤘🤘👏👏👏

Just clicked on can’t wait for this one one of my faves REM!

New Adventures and Dog Man Star are the most underrated albums of the 90's for me. Thanks all for this video loved it! Not hard for me to work out my number 1 as Automatic is my favourite album of all time. As a piece it's more like a symphony thanks a rock/pop/alternative album. I love that "I just got it today!" comment

R.E.M. was the first band that I ever became truly obsessed with. In the pre-internet their music and imagery seemed so mysterious to this young teen and I read and listened to and watched everything that I could get my hands on.I am very much an IRS era “snob” but do love pretty much everything up until and including Automatic, do like monster and Hi-Fi a lot and really dislike Up. So much so that I stopped paying attention therefore don’t really have much of an opinion on the Berry-free years. Perhaps I should finally give those albums a chance. My absolute favourite is always changing but right now I am really feeling Fables of the Reconstruction of the....must be the seasonal depression talking.

The recent remix of Monster by Scott Litt is interesting, the vocals are much clearer and upfront and it's not as grungy but I think they made the right decision by not deciding on it as the released version is appropriately dirty sounding which is what they were going for at the time.

This is my #1 review show you’ve done.

Never seen Jason look so pleased with himself as when he informs the boys that both of their #15s are in his top 5. lol

@Jiv_Ing57819

3 жыл бұрын

But he puts murmur near last? Murmur has some great songs I’ve heard n rolling stone voted it one of the albums of the year so it must be pretty good? [:] 0

@Jiv_Ing57819

3 жыл бұрын

n the other guy didn’t like star me kitten, that’s an incredible WTF song [:] 0

@SK-qu4wo

2 жыл бұрын

@@Jiv_Ing57819 This is what I find a bit irritating about Jason. He comes off as an elitist most of the time and I feel like some of his controversal placement of albums are done for no other reason than to stir the waters and create controversy. Kramzer is a mixed bag for me because he sometimes shows his bias when ranking a band he personally likes or dislikes. I trust Joe's opinion on these rankings because he actually tries to keep an open mind and form an opinion based purely on the merits of the music as opposed to his personal views on the band.

@jeffmaehre7150

Жыл бұрын

@@Jiv_Ing57819 "what people who have no clue about R.E.M. think about R.E.M.

Hot take for Jason: R. E. M. is what Counting Crows always dreamt to be but only once were remotely close to be

@droquet6961

3 жыл бұрын

@@johnmurphy9385 I think he knows that. Just trying to stir the guys up because they're all massive counting crows fans.

@frangarcia7774

3 жыл бұрын

@@droquet6961 exactly. No disrespect meant. I wouldn't be so assertive when it comes to good or bad taste, particularly with well-informed guys that know their stuff. I also like R. E. M. clearly much more than Counting Crows, but I don't think that necessarily has to be the case for everyone

@droquet6961

3 жыл бұрын

@@frangarcia7774 yeah I hate counting crows haha. Still watch these guys regardless.

@TastesLikeMusic

3 жыл бұрын

Ew, dude. There’s literally zero chance I would have ever liked Pavement. I would have thought REM was horribly pretentious. Now Kram and Jason, sure. No chance for me. - Joe

@TastesLikeMusic

3 жыл бұрын

I don’t think I’d make any assumptions because of one Listography.... REM isn’t even in my top 100 artists. Pavement is my least favorite band of all time and from 12-15 I mostly listened to Weird Al Yankovic. My current taste in music is pretty much the same as it has been for 20 years or so. I also disliked all the modern bands that Kram and Jason were into when we were hanging out back in the day. So if I was born say... 10 years earlier I’m guessing I would be mostly into metal? I’m more of a contrarian than anything, so if Kram and Jason were really into REM I probably would end up hating them. - Joe

Thanks for shouting out Suspicion on Up, a truly slept-on deep cut, not a famous-for-not-being-famous deep cut like Country Feedback.

@179rich

3 жыл бұрын

R.E.M. get kinda sexy on that one. ;-)

@DeflatingAtheism

3 жыл бұрын

@@179rich I love the tremolo guitar solo, it's like a storm cloud that descends on the song.

@179rich

3 жыл бұрын

@@DeflatingAtheism best slow motion guitar solo ever!

Up is okay, but New Adventures is one of the most underrated albums of the decade.

@tricolore31

Жыл бұрын

New adventures is #2 for me

@billkeon880

Жыл бұрын

Me too, top 3-4 for me

@curly_wyn

11 ай бұрын

It’s number 3 for me. I think it’s one of the best albums of the 1990s, not just by R.E.M. but by anyone.

@nianfiedler5291

10 ай бұрын

My number 2 as well after Life’s Rich Pageant

@jasonkh4

7 ай бұрын

NAIHF is R.E.M. at the absolute peak of their powers. Fourteen tracks, and not one dud, despite the widely-ranging variety of styles. ATFP is the only thing in their catalogue that comes even close.

I absolutely love REM, they are a top 3 favorite of mine so I think everything they've ever done is terrific. I appreciate the work you gentlemen put into this list, I certainty don't agree with everything but you all give an interesting perspective on their music (and all music for your channel) and do a great job. 1. Automatic For the People - a true masterpiece, songs of love and loss, transcendent of the human spirit 2. Out of Time - its diversity is its strength to me, so many different styles, all wonderfully covered 3. Green - The color of money, naivety, and the environment; all pressing matter for their big label debut. 4. New Adventures in Hi-Fi - I agree 65 minutes in a bit overlong but some of these songs are pure gold 5. Up- Jason called it outer space cocktail lunge music, and I think that’s perfect. Sorry Joe! 6. Document- Sounds great, thanks Scott Litt! 7. Murmur- A brilliant debut, if they broke up after this their name would still go down in history. 8. Lifes Rich Pageant- A great record, dropped lower due to a few goofy throwaway tracks. 9. Fables of the Reconstruction- Southern Gothic, dark and brooding 10. Monster - Yes, their “big dumb rock record” but it’s fun 11. Around the Sun - Underrated but I agree the Q-Tip cameo is cringe worthy 12. Reveal - Bright and sunny record, which isn’t necessarily their forte 13. Reckoning - A slight stumble after a brilliant debut, the mix doesn’t sound great to my ears 14. Accelerate- Short (35 minutes) with a few throwaway tracks 15. Collapse Into Now- Too many guests, too many middle of the road tracks, they knew it was the end for them so they through everything but the kitchen sink into it.

New adventures is definitely my favorite.... can't wait for a expanded vinyl release

@musicfan8253

3 жыл бұрын

Looking forward to that as well! Love the record - underrated.

@tharveytucker1

3 жыл бұрын

100% NAiHF is easily their best. The band even agrees it’s them at their peak.

Great video. REM were a hugely important band for me growing up. Very pleased to see Up getting some praise - I think it's hugely underrated. Suspicion, You're In The Air, At My Most Beautiful, The Apologist being big favourites of mine from that album. Their last significant artistic development I would say. RE: New Adventures... wasn't some of that recorded at soundchecks on the Monster tour? For me, those songs are inferior, sound sonically different and are the reason for the album not flowing. Fables... is a difficult one for me. I've never been able to get past the murky mix and it doesn't have the vitality of the first 2 albums. A couple of their later albums didn't work for me, but those aside, I think they have a wonderful catalogue and Michael Stipe is one of the best and most distinctive singers in rock.

Drive is one of my favourite songs by anyone. Awesome, especially at the 2 minute mark when the electric guitars come in. My only fault with Automatic is it could've done with more 'heavy' moments like this, amongst the more sombre stuff.

Joe seeing the light a bit has made me very happy.

Adventure in high fi is underrated as hell

@raithrover1976

3 жыл бұрын

Agreed. Loved it at the time (25 years ago?!") and still love it now. The post Up albums are the only ones I can take or leave these days. I love all the rest of their stuff.

R.E.M. albums ranking: 1. Reckoning 2. Murmur 3. Lifes Rich Pageant 4. Fables of the Reconstruction 5. Document 6. Green 7. Automatic For the People 8. New Adventures in Hi-Fi 9. Out of Time 10. Monster 11. Collapse into Now 12. Accelerate 13. Reveal 14. Up 15. Around the Sun As a big REM fan for over 35 years this was very difficult. I could have put any of the first 4 albums at #1. While I definitely come back to the IRS albums most often I can find good things in all of their albums. I appreciate your guys’ lists and enjoyed your commentary. Cheers! / Matt

@mcpop3005

3 жыл бұрын

If including EPs and B-side records, Chronic Town definitely in the top 5 and Dead Letter Office in the top 10.

@AbbeyRoadkill1

3 жыл бұрын

That's a solid ranking. I think Automatic deserves to be a couple spots higher but I totally get why people who were fans from the beginning don't think it's as good as their early stuff.

@ryankramzer1256

3 жыл бұрын

@@AbbeyRoadkill1 dude, always love your comments. But please please please continue the full five guesses on aoty. It's a highlight of our week. We literally text each other to see if you've posted them yet

@mcpop3005

3 жыл бұрын

@@AbbeyRoadkill1 Yeah I really liked Automatic when it came out but for me it hasn't held up over time as much as their early stuff. That being said, Nightswimming and Find The River are sublime and possibly the two best closing tracks on any album.

@AbbeyRoadkill1

3 жыл бұрын

@@ryankramzer1256 I guess I can try. It's just that we're getting into the years I don't know as well... heck, I don't know for sure what my top 5 is gonna be in any given year from now on so I figured trying to predict your guys' top 5 would be prohibitively difficult. I'll go back to trying to predict all 5 if you want... but get ready for some 0/15 scores.

Ok you get some credit back for loving Drive Joe....👋👋... beautiful opener....my second fave of theirs in fact....Sets the scene beautifully and takes brooding into another realm....

Love the channel. Should do a Lou Reed ranking!!

REM was defiantly a good counter balance in the mid 80s, to what else was going on at the time, also Husker Du deserves more props for bringing alternative rock to the forefront.

Your approach to songs and albums is refreshing and it’s nice to see that you are not falling for the usual mainstream music press nonsense and snobbery. The comments about Out of time reflect this well.

Thanks to Jason for encouraging me to give Collapse into Now another listen. Really great album, really underrated, lots of great songs. Probably their most cohesive work thematically since Automatic for the People.

Good ordering. A great band with ‘Automatic’ indeed the peak - perfect southern gothic alt country them:) Footnote: Stipe has repeatedly listed BDP as one of his favourite bands and ‘Blupribt’ as his fave rap album thus the KRS one appearance on ‘Radio Song’. I like it very much as it capture hip hop ascendancy at becoming THE sound of modern music and both singers are lamenting what they are hearing - witty.

One. Life‘s rich pageant Two. Document Three. Fables of the reconstruction Four. Reckoning Five. Murmur Six. Green Seven. Automatic for the people Eight. Monster Nine. Out of time Ten. New adventures

Niceeee I've been listening to them alot recently

With Kram on the later albums, Jason on Document, and Joe on Automatic for the People. 1. Automatic for the People 4.5/5 2. Lifes Rich Pageant 4/5 3. Reckoning 4/5 4. Murmur 4/5 5. Green 4/5 6. Out of Time 4/5 7. Fables of the Reconstruction 4/5 8. Document 3.5/5 9. New Adventures in Hi-Fi 3.5/5 10. Up 3/5 11. Monster 3/5 12. Collapse Into Now 3/5 13. Reveal 3/5 14. Accelerate 2.5/5 15. Around the Sun 2.5/5

@TheAdArchive

Жыл бұрын

How can you put Up above Monster

@TimeToGetAlone

Жыл бұрын

@@TheAdArchive If anything, my opinion of Up has grown since this! Think I prefer it over the grungier sound they have going on on Monster.

Reckoning! Super great early 80s jangly pop/rock album - great songs and melodies - every music fan should have this record in their collection

@mck7646

Жыл бұрын

Great record. It's a good companion album to Murmur. Different sounding but still very complementary. People sometimes forget how good these early songs are. Still sound fresh and classic at the same time. And to be doing that in 83-84, amazing stuff.

Great video, y’all. I love REM despite my very controversial opinion about their eras. That being... I don’t really care for the early jangle sound. I think Document - the breakup is amazing stuff.

I spy a dog 😍....Document is my #1, too..Whoot, Whoot!!!!!!!....great show guys!!!!!!!!

I'm a jangle college REM fan, Reckoning is my favorite.

@AbbeyRoadkill1

3 жыл бұрын

Good to see the original true believers are still around.

@christianewen3227

3 жыл бұрын

My favourite REM album by far, although ‘Murmur’ is great as well 👍🏻

@Jiv_Ing57819

3 жыл бұрын

The jangle sound is good, love 12 string ,: 0

@truemansparks

3 жыл бұрын

Yeh mine too it's their most beautiful

@lordtrimly

3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely...Murmur is one of my greatest albums of all time....38 years later I can still listen from start to finish.

Going against an idea of mine watching this before I check them out, buuut I figure it might be cool to watch to get some idea of where to start 🤙🤙 btw should DEFINITELY do a remaster of The Cure rankings!

You guys are brilliant

The parts mentioning "Up" are intriguing.

For the umpteenth time in the last 40 years or so, I am currently obsessed with "Murmur," which remains my favorite REM if only because of all the sonic textures and rhythms weaving together like the kudzu on the cover. Unless you're Joni Mitchell, pop lyrics tend toward the banal. They're supposed to be somewhat cryptic, suggestive and half-understood so you can hear them a million times and pick out the fragments that resonate for you at any given time, but the sound of the words is probably what matters the most. Like: "Callin' on in transit/Radio Free Europe/Radio." What more needs to be articulated? "Murmur" also has that hollow-wood drum sound over the minor chord shifts on "Moral Kiosk" which has always been one of my favorite things in the world: "It's so much more attractive [clunk-clunk, clunk-clunk] Inside the moral kiosk [clunk-clunk, clunk-clunk)." God, I love that.

I commented back then to Jason's list and provided my top 10 REM choices. I have not changed my mind, so the old ranking is still valid - the band was history by that day, so my assessment was solid for me.

@179rich

3 жыл бұрын

Doesn't hurt to repost it.

@roxannewalsh

3 жыл бұрын

@@179rich Repost from original REM Listography Jul 31, 2019 " I was 24 when REM debut was released and a record collector for 15 years by then. I already had a VERY large collection by that time and of course some ideas about music and what I liked and what not. But I was always open for new experience. Murmur immediately clicked for me and I was sure this was a band worth watching. You rate the albums quite differently when you witness a band evolve and grow (and go down again). There was a constant line upwards for REM until Automatic, a bit of stagnation afterwards and then a fade out...Some albums have aged better than others. The late ones have not aged that well in my opinion. That said, I just made a top 10 because the ones not on my list are those that I rarely ever go back to. Anyway, they were a great band and have influenced and defined two decades of music - few bands can claim that. 10. Around the Sun 9. Lifes Rich Pageant 8. Monster 7. Reckoning 6. New Adventures in HiFi 5. Green 4. Out of Time 3. Document 2. Murmur 1. Automatic for the People

@burmajones803

3 жыл бұрын

@@roxannewalsh thanks for reposting (and thanks for requesting, Rich Latta). It is difficult to explain how different and revolutionary REM's early work was, from the mumbled lyrics to the arpeggiated Rickenbacker to the packaging, which lent the band a sense of mystery and really built on a Southern gothic aesthetic. This band was doing what they were doing well before the Smiths, and while people compared them to the Byrds, largely because both guitarists played Rickenbackers, REM was part of a whole new ballgame. They were one of a growing group of young bands who were putting their own spin on rock music but were almost completely shut out of commercial radio and heavy MTV rotation until that latter half of the 80s. Those first three albums were so idiosyncratic, so different, but inspired so many copycats that I think it is difficult to appreciate them fully if you come to them a few decades afterwards and have heard so many others crib from their sound. I think the guys did a pretty good job ranking them.

@roxannewalsh

3 жыл бұрын

@@burmajones803 Well spoken. If you come from an age where nearly every band has a bit of REM (or Velvet Underground or some other highly influential band) it is hard to imagine how different and new this stuff was for the contemporaries. Great that you also mention the cover art and everything else that surrounded them - this is where I also see the comparison with the Smiths with their covers or their many non-album tracks that were part of the picture. Today everything is "indi-something", so much that the term has become meaningless. It meant something at a time however.

Reconstruction of the fables.

I am from Scotland, almost 70 years old and have been collecting music all that time. I love you guys, it is definitely better with three different personalities. I have no problem with other peoples opinions, I collected music over the years so got to listen in sequence which obviously affects my opinionsI am impressed with your musical knowledge in the short amount of time you have been collecting. Joe listen to Joe Strummer’s greatest hits cd, you might change your mind about him. Keep on Chongjin.

@jameshunter3177

3 жыл бұрын

Chooglin

@SiLatics56

2 жыл бұрын

@@jameshunter3177 Chongjin. Wasn't he a Chinese dictator?? 🤣

Did any of you guys hear the remix of Monster that came out a couple years ago. It is quite a radical remix in some places. Also, do you guys do fixed up versions of albums; resequence tracks, add outtakes from the time, remove bad tracks, etc?

@TastesLikeMusic

3 жыл бұрын

I haven’t heard the remixed monster. Might have to check it out because the mix is probably my biggest issue with it. And we are discussing a series where we resequence poorly sequences albums. So maybe. -Jason

@scottmcrae3355

3 жыл бұрын

The remix is really worth hearing. I prefer most versions from it over the originals.

There is a Document box with the album Document and a live version of Document. I got it a few years ago. Not sure if it’s still available but worth looking for.

“YoU gUyS JuSt DoNt GeT REM...”😂 This one was quite a trip for me. Great job! When Joe put Up last I almost fainted btw.

@TastesLikeMusic

3 жыл бұрын

Sorry! - Joe

15. Around the Sun 14. Up 13. Accelerate 12. Collapse into Now 11. Monster 10. Reveal 9. Out of Time 8. Automatic for the People 7. New Adventures in Hi Fi 6. Green 5. Reckoning 4. Murmur 3. Document 2. Fables of the Reconstruction 1. Lifes Rich Pageant

Cant wait for your top 10 REM songs for me number 1 is orange crush followed by what's the frequency kenneth

I’m a guitar player, that’s my big appeal with REM, I want to play so many of their songs, loud.

1. Automatic for the people - this may have the most stunning of stunners..."Sweetness Follows," "Nightswimming" and "Find The River." Not to mention "Drive" and "Everybody Hurts." And... 2. Lifes Rich Pageant - probably the album that made me fall in love with them in the first place 3. Reckoning - the top 3 albums are my favorite and which is my ACTUAL favorite at the time I'm asked will change on any given day 4. Murmur 5. Document 6. Green - the first half of this album is a lot better than the 2nd half of this album 7. Out of Time - this is so good for a #7 album 8. Fables Of The Reconstruction - the top 8 are on one level...4 star albums and above...they drop off significantly from here 9. Up - I think half of this album is incredible, especially "At My Most Beautiful," but half of it, not so much 10. New Adventures In Hi-Fi - always loved the song "Be Mine"...the album is just TOO LONG, but there's a good album hiding in there somewhere 11. Accelerate 12. Reveal 13. Collapse Into Now 14. Around The Sun 15. Monster - one of the biggest disappointments in my music listening life. Still, I have always loved the song "Star 69."

@zacharypopp3549

3 жыл бұрын

Pretty much agree with this completely. I'd switch Murmur and Reckoning and Monster I would move up a couple spots. That's it I think.

@mrp4242

3 жыл бұрын

Dude knows his REM. My list would be similar, except I put Life’s Rich Pageant, Reckconing and Murmur a bit lower, but in that order, and Green and Document higher in reverse order.I suppose Green is to me that Life’s Rich Pageant is to you.

@mck7646

3 жыл бұрын

I don't know about Green, hasn't held up that well in my opinion. The album has no flow and several of the songs never did much for me. Pop song 89 is a complete throwaway, maybe their weakest opener. Green has the hits and a few deep cuts certainly but for an album that went double platinum it's a little spotty to me, but I feel the same way about Out Of Time.

@chrisdelisle3954

3 жыл бұрын

@@mck7646 "Pop Song '89" is actually my favorite song on the album and, I believe, one of my top 10 favorites. That's the thing with REM: with so much great material released, every fan has its favorite songs and favorite albums and no two fans would have the same two lists.

@curly_wyn

Жыл бұрын

Yeah, I’m tempted to put Monster at the bottom of my list too. Bang and Blame and I Took Your Name are unnerving and uncomfortable and creepy as hell; I Don’t Sleep, I Dream is terrible; Let Me In is terrible. What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?, Crush With Eyeliner and Strange Currencies are the only good songs on it.

I'm an REM fan, and my rankings have changed over the years, my ranking would be: 1 Lifes Rich Pageant 2 Document 3 Murmur 4 New Adventures In Hi-Fi 5 Out Of Time 6 Automatic For The People 7 Monster 8 Green 9 Fables Of The Reconstruction 10 Reckoning 11 Up 12 Collapse Into Now 13 Accelerate 14 Reveal 15 Around The Sun

1. Out of Time 2. Green 3. Document 4. Lifes Rich Pageant 5. Up 6. Monster 7. Automatic For the People 8. Fables of the Reconstruction 9. Murmur 10. Reckoning .......................... Out of Time has a lot of nostalgia for me which undoubtedly colours my perception.

@Jiv_Ing57819

3 жыл бұрын

Out of time while hard 2 listen at first sounds classic and is a unique interesting listen. Lost my copy unfortunately n they don’t sell it much anymore but one thing is sure if the album has losing religion, shiny happy people, endgame, near wild heaven, country feedback, low it’s sure to be something of an album, I think they were finding their feet in a new way and it sounds like an exciting promising period.

Are you guys sure it isn't Reconstruction of the Fables? I think the album packaging played around with that possibility. More of R.E.M.'s syntactical games.

@toonhkuitjes6382

3 жыл бұрын

My CD box has Fables of the Reconstruction on one side and Reconstruction of the Fables on the other edge. The CD itself has Fables... My LP has both again - one on each side the vinyl record.

@burmajones803

3 жыл бұрын

@@toonhkuitjes6382 Precisely.

This is how I rank the eight I own: 1. Document 2. Fables of the Reconstruction 3. Out of Time 4. Murmur 5. Reckoning 6. Automatic for the People 7. Life's Rich Pageant 8. Monster

@mrp4242

3 жыл бұрын

Looks like you need to buy Green...😎

@plank577

3 жыл бұрын

@@mrp4242 I'm sure I can find a copy in the dollar bin : )

@MrBarnsleyJohn

3 жыл бұрын

You have so much awesome music left to discover. I'm jealous! Start with New Adventures in Hi-Fi (these guys are clearly deaf), followed by Accelerate. That's my opinion though, ask 100 REM fans, you'll get 100 different answers.

@Jiv_Ing57819

3 жыл бұрын

How does Automatic stack up in your ranking dude? [:] (

@MrBarnsleyJohn

3 жыл бұрын

@@Jiv_Ing57819 if that was addressed to me, then top five definitely. Could be as high as number two on any given day, but New Adventures in Hi-Fi will always be their peak of peaks for me.

I'll start by saying glad to have Jason back. Joe I'll stop by later tonight.

15. Around The Sun 14. Collapse Into Now 13. Up 12. New Adventures In H-Fi 11. Out Of Time 10. Accelerate 9. Reveal 8. Automatic For The People 7. Document 6. Monster (Jason Star 69 is great) 5. Green 4. Fables Of The Reconstruction 3. Life's Rich Pageant 2. Reckoning 1. Murmur

I am with Kram on this one, his list would be closest to mine. The later records after Bill Berry left just didn’t do much for me. Document would be number 1 for me as well, something coalesced with that record.

In 1992 Automatic For The People was the first album I recognized as a “classic” right after I listened to it.

First again! Damn. Probably should pay more attention to work. Mammoth effort here with a running time close to a feature film. Time to dive in!!

@lionelraoul

3 жыл бұрын

You've got your priorities straight, my friend. I'm watching during work too.

@zacharypopp3549

3 жыл бұрын

@@lionelraoul Same here, lol. Ugh why can't I just wait until after work to watch these.

These Days and Welcome to the Occupation are 2 of many underrated REM songs.

Mine at the moment would probably be: 1. Murmur 2. Reckoning 3. Automatic For The People 4. Lifes Rich Pageant 5. Up 6. Out Of Time 7. Document 8. New Adventures In Hi-Fi 9. Green 10. Accelerate 11. Fables Of The Reconstruction 12. Reveal 13. Collapse Into Now 14. Monster 15. Around The Sun Since I’m a huge fanboy and they’re in my top 5 favorite bands, probably up to 11 or 12 on this ranking is at least 4 stars for me, the next couple are 3-1/2 and the too dull and adult contemporary Around The Sun is low 3/high 2-1/2. I’ve mentioned before that Automatic and Pageant were probably the biggest growers throughout my fandom (I could probably concede they’re the two best albums songwriting-wise - I’m just still enough under the spell of the mysterious Murmur and Reckoning), while Green used to be much higher in the early days I was getting into them but not as much in recent years (although it’s plenty good). Maybe I’m also a bit biased towards New Adventures since it was their first new release to come out after I became obsessed (although I don’t hold the same warm feelings for Monster, maybe because I don’t feel like that overly tremeloed glam rock sound is their forte, and feel like New Adventures is a more natural sounding cross between that album and Automatic). I do admit to yelling out “oh, come on” when Joe put Up last, but knowing his overall tastes I can kind of understand it. 😜 Figuring out top 10 favorite songs for me is going to be even harder than ranking the albums, though I will have to admit “Losing My Religion” has to be up there in the top 3 at least. It probably sounds the best when listening to all their albums consecutively, as I’ve done a few times.

I'm totally freaked by Joe's placement of Up next to Around The Sun at the bottom (btw I agreed with your comments about ATS Joe!🤔🤔)

Massive R.E.M. obsessive here. This is my list: 1. Automatic for the People 2. Monster 3. New Adventures in Hi-Fi 4. Out of Time 5. Up 6. Green 7. Murmur 8. Reckoning 9. Fables of the Reconstruction 10. Collapse into Now 11. Lifes Rich Pageant 12. Reveal 13. Document 14. Accelerate 15. Around the Sun

@gordonirvine726

3 жыл бұрын

@@SonicVisionX 😆🤦it's all about opinions brothooor. What would your list look like?

@SonicVisionX

3 жыл бұрын

You're good bro. List is a little odd though 😂

Joe - I hope you don't think I'm being patronising when I say this, but I found your comments about Automatic really interesting, when you said about hearing your Mum play it and you not really liking it but it really clicking with you now. I think maybe that it's an album you need to have lived through certain things to really appreciate it. It's not nessesarily an age thing, but for me my love of this album grows as I do and my life experiences do. Which I think is really interesting and it kind of struck a chord with me when you were talking about it, because I never used to rate it so highly either.

@TastesLikeMusic

3 жыл бұрын

I definitely think there are some albums where it helps to have more life experience before you can appreciate it. My tastes haven’t changed that much in the 20 years or so, but I definitely can appreciate some things more. REM is a good example of a band that I didn’t think I liked that much outside of their hits. - Joe

Document: "Everything sounds really important like you have to hear what they say on this album". Well said, and after all isn't that what matters most in a rock record?

I only saw them live once, Document tour with projected films, etc. DB’s opened for the. Stunning show. Everyone stood on their folding chairs the whole show. UIC, Chicago.

@jeffmaehre7150

Жыл бұрын

And when they played "End of the World," it made people fall off their chairs, right? Or was that just the Green Tour with the fast-speed ferris wheel on the screen?

R.E.M. are one of my favourite bands. Here's my list: 1- Lifes Rich Pageant 2 - Murmur 3 - Reckoning 4 - Fables Of The Reconstruction 5 - Green 6 - New Adventures In Hi-Fi 7 - Document 8 - Out Of Time 9 - Automatic for The People 10 - Accelerate 11 - Monster 12 - Reveal 13 - Up 14 - Collapse Into Now 15 - Around The Sun

@saratemp790

2 жыл бұрын

This is close to my list.

I am shocked up is in my top two favorite REM albums. I will continue watching though

I will choose few ones ..." Murmur " , " Automatic For The People " , " Out of Time " , " Green " , , ,Document " ...i dont know whole catalogue but i love REM . Also first EP is great . They were on peak around 1988 - 1993 . I remember fama " Only smarties listen REM ". And i love way they went - like gents ".

I'm generally a "whatever floats your boat" type when it comes to music but ranking New Adventures as their worst album is CRAZY TALK.

I don't agree with a lot of your opinions, But I love the fact your doing it.👍

REM, U2 and Madonna are all similar for me in that I’m a diehard fan of their 90’s output and just a casual fan of everything else. I like them all for their 80’s singles and post-2000 live shows. 1. New Adventures 2. Out of Time 3. Monster 4. Up 5. Automatic for the People 6. Document 7. Life’s Rich Pageant 8. Murmur 9. Fables 10. Reckoning 11. Green 12. Reveal 13. Collapse into Now 14. Around the Sun 15. Accelerate

15. Around the Sun 14. Reveal 13. Out of time 12.Accelerate 11.New Adventures in Hi-Fi, 10.Collapse into now, 9.Up, 8. Monster, 7. Automatic for the people, 6. Green 5.life's rich pageant, 4.Reckoning, 3.Fables, 2.Document, 1.Murmur.

1. Murmur (5/5) 2. Automatic for the People (5/5) 3. Document (5/5) 4. Reckoning (4.5/5) 5. Life's Rich Pageant (4.5/5) 6. Fables of the Reconstruction (4/5) 7. Green (4/5) 8. Out of Time (4/5) 9. New Adventures in Hi-Fi (3.5/5) 10. Monster (3.5/5) 11. Reveal (3.5/5) 12. Up (3.5/5) 13. Collapse Into Now (3/5) 14. Accelerate (3/5) 15. Around the Sun (1.5/5) I'd echo the sentiment that REM are one of the most consistent bands in rock history. They'll definitely be in my "top 100 greatest artists," although probably in the bottom half. They're true legends when it comes to albums, not as much for singles.

@Jiv_Ing57819

3 жыл бұрын

1 Automatic 2 Perhaps Murmur or monster, gets harder 2 compare cause don’t have early albums 3 Green 4 Out of time 5 and I feel fine: best of the irs years compilation! : -D 6 Later day tracks off rem best of 88-2004, just I wouldn’t know if some of the albums would be full of good songs as a whole

@Jiv_Ing57819

3 жыл бұрын

Haven’t fully heard murmur but don’t know if I’d put it ahead of Austomatic dude, automatic is really good, strong album, it can really help at hard times, maybe murmur is really good, I do like a couple songs that could be off there like perfect circle, radio free Europe, some of the songs I’ve heard off the first two albums are very good songs like 7 Chinese bros n South central rain ,: 0

@Jiv_Ing57819

3 жыл бұрын

I’ve heard document is very good ,: 0

And it was going so well til..... Murmur.....Jason noooooooo!!!😭😭😭😭 You must have just had a moment there....I forgive you....Murmur is timeless beauty....tut tut tut

@aprendizdebrujo100

3 жыл бұрын

totally agree

Hi Gents: Great video. i listened to the entire discussion. Big REM fan. (Top 5 bands overall.) I haven't ranked them all but the bottom 3 are Up, Reveal, Around the Sun (last place). The next two are the "comeback" albums Accelerate and Collapse into Now. The ten vintage years albums 1983-1996 are all excellent. Probably 5 stars for all except maybe New Adventures. Reckoning, Fables of the Reconstruction, Lifes Rich Pageant, Document, and Green all take end of the year favorite albums in the 80's. For the 90's Out of Time and Monster win favorite album of the year. (Automatic for the people edged out by J&MC Honey's Dead.) Never thought there was an issue with the sequencing in Out of time. Seems perfect that Country Feedback is the next-to-last song. It's amazing but too dark to be a closer.

@179rich

3 жыл бұрын

I'm a big fan of Honey's Dead. My favorite J&MC album by far. It was just edged out of the number one spot in 1992 by The Cure's Wish. I think it's fair to say Out of Time is rather disjointed (especially "Losing My Religion" coming after "Radio Song"), but that never really occurred to me back when I got the album.

@NaughtyVampireGod

3 жыл бұрын

@@179rich Hey. just saw this . . . :-) My favorite J&MC is Automatic from 89 (Album of the year). Honey's Dead is second fave. I don't mind Radio Song as the openner. I notice albums sometimes save the "big hit single" in the number 2 spot. it's kinda like "Ok. Is everyone here? Now let's go!"

I mean, I love you guys - but this list made me wince! New Adventures and Murmur getting MURDERED out there. I'd like to politely correct your list: These ten records are untouchable. 1. Automatic (completely beautiful and haunting front to back) 2. Murmur (unbelievable quality straight outta the gate...almost never matched) 3. New Adventures in HIFI (contains all time greats - Ebow, Leave, Be Mine, Electrolite - and I love how dark it is...) 4. Life's Rich Pageant (kicks ass all the way through but finds beauty as well) 5. Out of Time (yes, messy, and widescreen in its scope - but sounds timeless) 6. Green (Their most underrated record) 7. Up (My first REM album so holds a place in my heart) 8. Document (Reaching for the mainstream and hitting the bullseye - slightly weaker back half) 9. Monster (they went for sounding like everyone else, and ended up sounding like nothing else...) 10. Reckoning (Murmur part.2 - the slightly less good sequel) These records are good. 11. Fables (peak mumble-rock - but lovely in places) 12. Accelerate (half a great album) 13. Collapse (another half great album) 14. Reveal (Up's much less interesting brother) This record is boring. 15. Around the Sun (zzzzzzzzzz)

@TastesLikeMusic

3 жыл бұрын

Automatic twins at least. - Joe

@samsugarman979

3 жыл бұрын

@@TastesLikeMusic Small mercies!