What is the best album by R.E.M.?

By YPB Team

Spanning jangly college rock, mainstream breakthroughs, and introspective late-career experiments, R.E.M.'s discography rewards deep listening. Cast your vote!

  1. Murmur (1983) — ranked #11
    Murmur (1983)
    Critically acclaimed debut with a jangly, mysterious sound that defined college radio.
  2. Reckoning (1984) — ranked #22
    Reckoning (1984)
    Rapid follow-up featuring "So. Central Rain" and "Don't Go Back to Rockville".
  3. Fables of the Reconstruction (1985) — ranked #33
    Fables of the Reconstruction (1985)
    Darker third album produced in London, exploring Southern mythology and folk imagery.
  4. Life's Rich Pageant (1986) — ranked #44
    Life's Rich Pageant (1986)
    More direct sound featuring "Fall on Me" and a cover of "Superman".
  5. Document (1987) — ranked #55
    Document (1987)
    Major-label debut featuring "The One I Love" and "It's the End of the World as We Know It".
  6. Green (1988) — ranked #66
    Green (1988)
    Warner Bros. debut featuring "Stand" and "Orange Crush", mixing pop and political themes.
  7. Out of Time (1991) — ranked #77
    Out of Time (1991)
    Breakthrough album featuring "Losing My Religion" and "Shiny Happy People".
  8. Automatic for the People (1992) — ranked #88
    Automatic for the People (1992)
    Dark, orchestral masterpiece featuring "Everybody Hurts" and "Nightswimming".
  9. Monster (1994) — ranked #99
    Monster (1994)
    Distorted rock departure featuring "What's the Frequency, Kenneth?" and "Tongue".
  10. New Adventures in Hi-Fi (1996) — ranked #1010
    New Adventures in Hi-Fi (1996)
    Road album recorded live on tour, capturing a raw and expansive sound.
  11. Up (1998) — ranked #1111
    Up (1998)
    Drum-machine-heavy album recorded after Bill Berry's departure, exploring melancholy electronica.
  12. Reveal (2001) — ranked #1212
    Reveal (2001)
    Lush, atmospheric album featuring "Imitation of Life" and summery psychedelic textures.
  13. Around the Sun (2004) — ranked #1313
    Around the Sun (2004)
    Polished, political album reflecting on American identity and the post-9/11 era.
  14. Accelerate (2008) — ranked #1414
    Accelerate (2008)
    Return to raw guitar-driven rock, hailed as a comeback to their energetic roots.
  15. Collapse into Now (2011) — ranked #1515
    Collapse into Now (2011)
    Final studio album before disbanding, drawing together threads from the band's entire career.

Comments

No comments yet. Be the first!

0/1000