Murmur

R.E.M. Released Their Jangly Debut Masterstroke LP ‘MURMUR’ 40 Years Ago

Posted on by JL

Back in time

12 April 2023

Band: R.E.M.
Active: 1981-2011

Album: MURMUR – debut LP
Released: 12 April 1983,
40 years ago today.
Score: #36 in the US

Pitchfork: “There’s a historical component to Murmur that often gets lost: In 1983, R.E.M. sounded unique. No bands were combining these particular influences in this particular way, which made this debut sound not only new but even subversive: a sharp reimagining of rock tropes.” Score: 10/10.

TUTV: The supreme start of a supreme career.

The sublime single Radio Free Europe.

MURMUR on Spotify.

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R.E.M: Bio – Discography

Picked By TURN UP THE VOLUME – 10 Big Albums Turning 40 In 2023

Posted on by JL

Back in time

Band: ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN
Active: 1978–1993, 1996–present

Album: PORPUCINE – 3rd LP
Released: 4 February 1983
Score: #2 in the UK

Stream here…

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ECHO & THE BUNNYMEN: Bio – Discography
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Band: R.E.M.
Active: 1981-2011

Album: MURMUR – debut LP
Released: 12 April 1983
Score: #36 in the US

Stream here…

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R.E.M: Bio – Discography
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Band: MARK STEWART + THE MAFFIA
Who: One of the adventurous dub projects of
The Pop Group‘s centipede musician Mark Stewart

Album: LEARNING TO COPE WITH COWARDICE – first and last LP
Released: January 1983

Stream here…

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MARK STEWART: Bio – Discography
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Artist: TOM WAITS
Album: SWORDFISHTROMBONES – 8th LP

Released: 6 March 1983

Stream here…

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TOM WAITS: Bio – Discography
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Artist: BILLY BRAGG
Album: LIFE’S A RIOT WITH SPY Vs SPY – debut LP
Released: May 1983

Stream here…

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BILLY BRAGG: Bio – Discography
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Band: THE FALL
Active: 1976–2018

Album: PERVERTED BY LANGUAGE – 6th LP
Released: 12 December 1983

Stream here…

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THE FALL: Bio – Discography
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Band: CABARET VOLTAIRE
Active: 1973–1994, 2009–2022

Album: THE CRACKDOWN – 3rd LP
released: 18 August 1983

Stream here…

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CABARET VOLTAIRE: Bio – Discography

Band: THE THE
Matt Johnson‘s band

Album: SOUL MINING – debut LP
Released: 21 October 1983

Stream here…

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THE THE: Bio – Discography
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Band: NEW ORDER
Active: 1980–1993, 1998–2007, 2011–present

Album: POWER, CORRUPTION AND LIES
Their second LP
Released: 2 May 1983
Score: #4 in the UK

Stream here…

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NO: Bio – Discography
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Band: BIG COUNTRY
Active: 981–2000, 2007, 2010–present

Album: THE CROSSING – debut LP
Released: 29 July 1983

Stream here…

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BIG COUNTRY: Bio – Discography

Turn Up The Volume’s Top 5 Of R.E.M. Albums

Posted on by JL

1. OUT OF TIME – 7th album – 1991

Pitchfork: “Along with Nevermind, released a half year later, R.E.M.’s Out of Time was the early-’90s major-label ideal: A blockbuster that multiplied the band’s following without losing existing fans.” Score: 8.5/10

Key single: Losing My Religion

Stream full LP here…

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2. AUTOMATIC FOR THE PEOPLE – 8th LP – 1992

AllMusic: “Turning away from the sweet pop of Out of Time, R.E.M. created
a haunting, melancholy masterpiece with Automatic for the People.”
Score: 10/10

Key single: Drive

Stream album here..

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3. GREEN – 6th longplayer – 1988

Pitchfork: “Their first major label effort, their first LP to go
double platinum, the first to achieve popularity in the UK.”
Score: 8.5/10

Key single: Stand

Stream full album..

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4. MURMUR – Debut LP – 1983

Rolling Stone: “This band’s darkness is shot through with flashes of bright light. A
restless, nervous record full of false starts and images of movement, pilgrimage, transit.”
Score: 8/10

Key single: Radio Free Europe

Stream LP here…

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5. MONSTER – 9th album – 1994

UNCUT: “These new songs were grounded in the stomp and crackle of ’70s glam rock, with Buck pulling out every effects pedal he owned and Stipe addressing his own celebrity and sexuality.” Score: 8/10

Key single: What’s The Frequency, Kenneth?

Full album…

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