R.E.M. - Murmur - (180g) Vinyl Record

R.E.M. developed a strangely subdued variation of its trademark sound for its 1983 full-length debut album, Murmur, by de-emphasizing the backbeat and accentuating the ambience of the guitars. Even though it's firmly rooted in the tradition of American folk-rock, post-punk, and garage rock, Murmur sounds eerily timeless, as if it appeared out of nowhere. Part of the distinctiveness lies in the atmospheric production, which exudes a detached sense of mystery, but it also comes from the remarkably accomplished songwriting.

R.E.M. went on to produce a few albums that may have been on par with Murmur, but they never made anything that sounded quite like it. Reissued here on audiophile quality 180g vinyl with original packaging, it's never sounded better.

Among the album's critical accolades:

Album of the Year (1983)
- Rolling Stone
- Village Voice
- Melody Maker
- Sounds
- NME

500 Greatest Albums of All-Time - Rolling Stone

Top 100 Favorite Records of the 1980s (#5 - 2002) - Pitchfork

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