Document - REM (1987)

Ideated from: a favorite album that starts with ’D’

I was aware of the singles from this album when they came out, and liked them fine. A few years later my best friend in high school was a fan of the band–this album in particular–and that helped launch me on an REM hyperfixation phase. There were several years when my two favorite bands (that weren’t Bob Dylan) were REM and U2. But several decades on, I hardly ever listen to U2 anymore, whereas I seek out REM often and still find new things to love about them.

There were a bunch of jangly postpunk guitar bands in the mid-80s, but REM quickly set themselves apart with a fuller guitar sound, some southern rock songcraft, and the wonderful voice and lyrics of Michael Stipe. A lot of Document is Stipe’s impressionist poem about living in the 80s. It’s not always clear what he’s talking about, but you still understand.

Tracks I Liked

Finest Worksong - a great opener that gets great mileage out of a riff that’s basically one note.

It’s the End Of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) - i used to consider it indie cred to be able to sing along with it word for word until i met a 13 year old girl who could do the same. I’d underestimated its cultural impact, I guess.

Lightnin Hopkins - one of the more intense and funky REM songs. It’s interesting to hear them sound like a different band but still be good.