The All-TIME 100 Albums: Document by R.E.M.

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The All-TIME 100 Albums

34 of 101

By Josh Tyrangiel Published: November 13, 2006

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ALBUM: Document

YEAR RELEASED: 1987 LABEL: I.R.S. Records ARTIST: R.E.M.

TIME 100 ALBUMS PODCASTS

PODCAST: Welcome to the All-TIME 100 Albums - the musical compilations of the last half-century that need no introduction. That said, listen in below as music critics Josh Tyrangiel and Alan Light introduce the list and talk about the top albums of the 1950s and '60s.

PODCAST: We know. Twenty-nine of the 100 greatest albums of all time come in the 1970s, and Pink Floyd isn't there. Play this podcast to learn why we picked the titles we did, and if you have something to say, tell us about it using the talkback link below.

PODCAST: Maybe it's a Sign O' The Times that you're listening to critics' audio recordings about great music, but this podcast about how we chose the best albums of the 1980s really is a Thriller. Give it a listen below.

PODCAST: Here's music even the younger set will know by heart. Listen to selected clips from the 1990s through present day as music critic Josh Tyrangiel discusses his picks.

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Michael Stipe mumbled his way through R.E.M.'s early albums, but on Document anger finally spurred him to clarity. "The One I Love" beats all comers as the most brutal love song ever to hit the Top 10 ("A simple prop, to occupy my time/ This one goes out to the one I love"), "Welcome to the Occupation" ("Sugar cane and coffee cup/ Copper, steel and cattle/ An annotated history/ The forest for the fire") made imperialism rhythmic, while "It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" proved Stipe's pessimism was trumped by his sense of humor.