518. Murmur

Murmur
R.E.M.
1983

Tracks
1. Radio Free Europe
2. Pilgrimage
3. Laughing 
4. Talk About the Passion
5. Moral Kiosk 
6. Perfect Circle
7. Catapult
8. Sitting Still 
9. 9-9 
10. Shaking Through 
11. We Walk 
12. West of the Fields

This is another album that's quality is slightly diluted over time; I am sure this would have sounded quite original at the time.  As is, the experience is rather generic now, although "Radio Free Europe" still stands out as a great song.

Of course, I am pretty sure the songwriters admitted that "Radio Free Europe," at least, was mostly babbling and wasn't intended to make any sense at all.  I tend to prize lyrical quality above all else, but I guess when you have a good enough beat it doesn't matter (I Am The Walrus, anyone?).

Next up: The The.  I am already wowed by this band's creativity.

RATING: 3/5