description R.E.M. - Murmur Overview
The blueprint for alternative rock. *Murmur* defined the sound of college radio and indie rock for a generation. It features jangly, jangly guitars, cryptic yet beautiful lyrics, and an atmosphere of hazy, youthful yearning. Its essential listening for understanding the shift away from stadium rock toward more nuanced, guitar-driven indie sounds.
help R.E.M. - Murmur FAQ
When was R.E.M.'s Murmur released and on what label?
Murmur was released in 1983 on I.R.S. Records, following the band's 1982 debut EP Chronic Town on the same label. Murmur was R.E.M.'s first full-length album and established their jangle-pop sound as a defining element of college radio.
Did Rolling Stone name Murmur the best album of 1983?
Yes, Murmur topped the Rolling Stone critics' poll for best album of 1983, finishing ahead of Michael Jackson's Thriller and U2's War. This was a remarkable achievement for a debut album on an independent label.
What was the lead single from Murmur?
"Radio Free Europe" was the lead single, a re-recorded version of a song R.E.M. had originally released as a single on the indie label Hib-tone in 1981. The Murmur version became a college radio staple and helped define the jangle-pop aesthetic of 1980s alternative rock.
Who produced R.E.M.'s Murmur and where was it recorded?
Murmur was produced by Mitch Easter and Don Dixon and recorded at Reflection Sound Studio in Charlotte, North Carolina. The producers' reverb-heavy approach contributed to the album's atmospheric, layered sound that distinguished it from contemporaneous punk and new wave records.
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