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

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

*By YPB Team · Published April 14, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/what-is-the-best-album-by-rem*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

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

Tags: music, rock, 90s, indie, r.e.m.