in CAT |

C.A.T.: Murmur

R.E.M. – Murmur (1983)

OK, so I guess I could keep the whole debut album trend going for at least one more week.  And since my summer basically comes to an end this week, I guess it’s kind of fitting that I do an R.E.M. album, since I spent much of the summer getting deeper into these pioneers of alternative rock.  Plus, I think they deserve a better CAT than Sean’s weak attempt.

I guess what makes Murmur such an arresting collection of songs is that it shows the band’s signature sound already fully-realized in a way that wasn’t quite like anything going on in the world of underground or mainstream music.  You’ve got Peter Buck’s jangly guitars, Michael Stipe’s somewhat unintelligable but nonetheless impassioned vocals, and then you’ve got the melodic basslines and soaring back-up vocals from Mike Mills.  These are really the core elements that have stayed at the backbone of R.E.M.’s sound for decades, and though they’ve certainly taken this sound in different directions, you can see on Murmur that they had already stumbled on to something special.

I guess I tend to look at R.E.M. as a band that were sort of a fusion of a lot of the best music that was happening in American rock’s underground from bands like The Feelies and The dB’s in the early ’80s.  However, I think R.E.M. was able to finally achieve mainstream success because for one they stayed together and developed their sound more than those bands, but also because there was undeniable respect for classic pop songwriting in their music.  You can see this in the Byrds-y jangle of songs like “Catapult” or “Sitting Still”, while you can also see R.E.M.’s interest in tender piano ballads, the likes of which would continue to be a big part of their repertoire for years to come.

Honestly, I always feel silly talking about an album that’s as heralded and influential as Murmur, but I guess that just speaks to the importance of the album.  And after going deeper into R.E.M.’s discography this summer, I can say that they’ve put out quite a lot of good music, but I don’t think think they’ve ever sounded better than on this debut.

Favorite Tracks: “Radio Free Europe”, “Moral Kiosk”, “Catapult”

Published

105 Comments

  3. I am not sure where you’re getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for great information I was looking for this information for my mission.

  4. I would like to consider the opportunity of thanking you for that professional guidance I have often enjoyed viewing your site. I am looking forward to the commencement of my university research and the whole preparing would never have been complete without surfing your web site. If I might be of any assistance to others, I might be delighted to help via what I have gained from here.

  6. Its like you learn my thoughts! You appear to understand so much approximately this, such as you wrote the e book in it or something. I believe that you simply can do with some p.c. to pressure the message home a bit, but other than that, this is fantastic blog. A great read. I’ll certainly be back.

  8. Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was searching for! “If you want to test your memory, try to recall what you were worrying about one year ago today.” by Rotarian.

  9. Some genuinely nice and utilitarian information on this internet site, likewise I believe the design and style contains superb features.

  11. I would like to convey my passion for your kindness for folks who should have assistance with this particular field. Your special dedication to getting the solution up and down turned out to be remarkably functional and have really allowed girls like me to arrive at their objectives. Your new warm and helpful report implies a great deal to me and additionally to my office colleagues. Thanks a ton; from all of us.

  12. I would like to use the opportunity of saying thanks to you for that professional assistance I have continually enjoyed checking out your site. I will be looking forward to the actual commencement of my school research and the complete planning would never have been complete without visiting your web blog. If I might be of any help to others, I will be delighted to help by way of what I have learned from here.

  14. I have recently started a blog, the information you provide on this site has helped me tremendously. Thanks for all of your time & work. “It is no use saying, ‘We are doing our best.’ You have got to succeed in doing what is necessary.” by Sir Winston Churchill.

  18. I like what you guys are up also. Such smart work and reporting! Carry on the excellent works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my web site :). “He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home.” by Johann von Goethe.

  21. I believe that is among the most vital information for me. And i’m satisfied studying your article. However want to commentary on some normal things, The web site style is ideal, the articles is in point of fact nice :D. Excellent activity, cheers.

  24. You completed certain nice points upon Mildly Pleased | C.A.T.: Murmur. I did a search on the subject matter and found a good number of people will consent with your blog.

  28. You can certainly see your expertise in the work you write in Mildly Pleased | C.A.T.: Murmur. The sector hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. All the time follow your heart. “A second wife is hateful to the children of the first a viper is not more hateful.” by Euripides.

  30. It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I have read this post and if I may I wish to suggest you few fascinating issues or suggestions. Maybe you can write subsequent articles referring to this article. I desire to read more issues approximately it!

  32. Very interesting subject , appreciate it for posting . “I am not an Athenian or a Greek, but a citizen of the world.” by Socrates.

  35. I just could not depart your web site prior to suggesting that I actually enjoyed the standard information a person provide on your guests? Is gonna be back continuously in order to check out new posts.

  38. hi!,I like your writing very so much! proportion we keep up a correspondence more about your article on AOL? I need a specialist in this area to resolve my problem. Maybe that’s you! Taking a look ahead to see you.

  41. Thanks a ton for being my personal tutor on this subject matter. I actually enjoyed your current article Mildly Pleased | C.A.T.: Murmur quite definitely and most of all appreciated how you really handled the issues I considered to be controversial. You happen to be always really kind to readers really like me and assist me in my living. Thank you.

  42. We highly appreciate your blog post. There are actually a multitude of methods we could put it to really good use by using little or no effort in time and money. Thank you really with regard to helping have the post reply many questions we have come across before now.

  43. I wish to voice my affection for your generosity for men and women that require help on the concern. Your very own dedication to passing the message up and down has been extraordinarily informative and have truly allowed those much like me to reach their aims. Your warm and friendly report indicates a great deal to me and even further to my fellow workers. Thanks a ton; from each one of us.

  47. We’re a gaggle of volunteers and opening a brand new scheme in our community. Your website offered us with helpful info to paintings on. You have done an impressive activity and our whole community can be thankful to you.

  48. Pretty great post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to mention that I’ve really enjoyed browsing your weblog posts. After all I will be subscribing in your feed and I’m hoping you write again soon!

  50. Just a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw outstanding pattern. “Competition is a painful thing, but it produces great results.” by Jerry Flint.

  52. Hello, i think that i saw you visited my web site thus i got here to “return the desire”.I am trying to to find issues to improve my site!I assume its adequate to make use of some of your ideas!!

  53. Hello there, You have performed an incredible job. I’ll certainly digg it and individually recommend to my friends. I’m confident they will be benefited from this web site.

  55. Appreciate it for all your efforts that you have put in this. Very interesting information. “No amount of artificial reinforcement can offset the natural inequalities of human individuals.” by Henry P. Fairchild.

  57. You can definitely see your enthusiasm in the paintings you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. All the time follow your heart. “We are near waking when we dream we are dreaming.” by Friedrich von Hardenberg Novalis.

  58. My partner and i still can’t quite assume that I could be one of those studying the important points found on your site. My family and I are seriously thankful for the generosity and for providing me the chance to pursue my personal chosen profession path. Appreciate your sharing the important information I got from your web page.

  59. Normally I do not learn post on blogs, but I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to try and do it! Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thanks, very nice article.

  62. I think this web site contains some really good info for everyone. “The individual will always be a minority. If a man is in a minority of one, we lock him up.” by Oliver Wendell Holmes.

  63. Thank you, I have recently been looking for info about this topic for a while and yours is the best I’ve discovered till now. But, what about the bottom line? Are you positive concerning the source?

  65. I have not checked in here for a while because I thought it was getting boring, but the last few posts are good quality so I guess I will add you back to my everyday bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂

  69. We are a bunch of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with helpful info to paintings on. You have done a formidable process and our entire group shall be thankful to you.

  73. Excellent items from you, man. I’ve bear in mind your stuff previous to and you’re just too wonderful. I actually like what you’ve bought right here, certainly like what you are stating and the way in which through which you assert it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to stay it smart. I cant wait to read much more from you. This is actually a wonderful website.

  81. Wonderful web site. Lots of helpful information here. I am sending it to some pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And of course, thank you to your sweat!

  82. Just about all I can point out is, I’m not sure what to really say! Except of course, for the superb tips that are shared on this blog. I’m able to think of a zillion fun strategies to read the articles on this site. There’s no doubt that I will at last make a move making use of your tips on areas I could never have been able to touch alone. You’re so innovative to permit me to be one of those to profit from your helpful information. Please realize how significantly I am thankful.

  83. The ideas you provided here are very precious. It turned out such an entertaining surprise to have that waiting for me as i woke up now. They are generally to the point and simple to grasp. Thanks a lot for the useful ideas you’ve got shared right here.

  84. I like your writing style really enjoying this web site. “Measure not the work until the day’s out and the labor done.” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.

  90. Some truly excellent articles on this site, regards for contribution. “Be absolutely determined to enjoy what you do.” by Sarah Knowles Bolton.

  92. csábítás Itt minden lényeges információt na meg persze a siker és a tudás csábítás ismerkedés és persze csajozás a legnagyobb szinteken a személyiség fejlesztéssel kapcsolatban

  93. Hiya very nice site!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Wonderful .. I will bookmark your web site and take the feeds also…I am happy to search out a lot of helpful information right here within the post, we’d like develop more techniques in this regard, thanks for sharing. . . . . .

  96. I really like your writing style, excellent info, appreciate it for posting :D. “Every moment of one’s existence one is growing into more or retreating into less.” by Norman Mailer.

  97. I like what you guys are up too. Such smart work and reporting! Keep up the superb works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my site :).

  98. It was a contentment coming across your site a short while ago. I came here just now hoping to find out interesting things. And I was not frustrated. Your ideas upon new methods on this subject matter were informative and an excellent help to me and my spouse. Thank you for having time to write down these things plus for sharing your thoughts.

  99. Usually I do not learn post on blogs, however I wish to say that this write-up very forced me to take a look at and do it! Your writing style has been surprised me. Thank you, very great post.

  102. The ideas you discussed here are quite precious. Rrt had been such a pleasurable surprise to get that awaiting me once i woke up today. They are usually to the point and straightforward to interpret. Thank you very much for the clever ideas you’ve got shared right here.

  104. I just now wanted to inform you how much we appreciate anything you’ve shared to help enhance the lives of folks in this subject matter. Through your own articles, I’ve gone via just a newbie to a pro in the area. It truly is truly a honor to your efforts. Thanks

  105. Many thanks for your time and effort to have decided to put these things together on this website. Jack and i also very much treasured your ideas through your own articles on certain things. I know that you have many demands on your timetable and so the fact that a person like you took as much time as you did to help people like us via this article is also highly loved.

Comments are closed.