Murmur

The stunning R.E.M. debut. This album is very blurry, Michael's vocals are mumbly, which earned Murmur its nickname, Mumble. Murmur was again produces with Mitch Easter and Don Dixon. Michael's lyrics are vague, and makes the listener fill in the gaps. The whole idea about R.E.M.'s mysteriousness probably came from this emotional and mystical album. Peter:"I remember thinking, 'god i can't wait until everyone hears this'. It didn't sound like our other records." Murmur features the early talent that R.E.M. had in their early days. Recordings took 26 days in January and February of '83. The album reached #26 on the US charts, received the "Album of the year" title, and gave R.E.M. the "Best New Band" title, both by Rolling Stone magazine. The album cover is a picture of kudzu, a fast growing Japanese vine, found mainly in Georgia. This might express R.E.M.'s connection with the South and Southerners.