Document

R.E.M. wanted to continue their work with Don Gehman, but he appointed them to Scott Litt, the producer they are working with until now. Scott's aim was to make songs that will get radio airplay. Sessions for Document began in March of '87 at the Nashville sound emporium, and later mixed in Los Angeles. One noticeable thing about Document are much clearer vocals. Another symbol of the album is fire. Michael: "The whole album is about fire. About everything you think about fire as being cleansing, something that destroys everything in its path." The fire motif can be found in songs like Welcome to the occupation, Fireplace, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Oddfellows local 151. This is why Document is sub-titled "File under fire". It became R.E.M.'s first million seller and top 20 album. Document also earned R.E.M. the cover on Rolling Stone magazine that month, with the title "America's best rock 'n roll band". The band's contract with IRS was finished, and the band was up for grabs. Alternate working titles for Document were 'Mr. Evil breakfast', 'Lester bangs' and 'Last train to Disneyland'. The album was promoted with the Work Tour.