Album Information:

About R.E.M.:

R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980. The band consisted of lead vocalist Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and drummer Bill Berry.

R.E.M. started gaining attention with its 1981 debut album, 'Murmur,' which earned critical acclaim but didn't reach commercial success until their 1987 album 'Document,' which included the hit song 'The One I Love.' The band's fifth album, 'Out of Time,' released in 1991, included the hit song 'Losing My Religion,' which became one of their most recognizable and successful songs.

Throughout their career, R.E.M. was known for their politically charged lyrics and Stipe's distinctive vocal style. They earned multiple Grammy Awards and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.

The band's success continued through the 1990s with the albums 'Automatic for the People' and 'Monster.' However, in 1997, drummer Bill Berry retired from the band and R.E.M. continued as a trio.

The band released several more albums throughout the 2000s, including 'Reveal' and 'Accelerate,' but in 2011, R.E.M. announced they were disbanding after 31 years together.

Even after disbanding, R.E.M. continued to influence and inspire musicians. They are widely regarded as one of the most important and influential bands of the alternative rock genre, with a legacy that continues to be celebrated today.

About the album Document:

'Document' is the fifth studio album by the American alternative rock band R.E.M. The album was released in 1987 under the label I.R.S. Records. It was produced by Scott Litt and R.E.M. and was their last album with I.R.S. Records before they signed with Warner Bros. Records.

The album is widely regarded as the turning point in the band's career, as it marked their step towards a more radio-friendly sound and brought them to mainstream success. Lyrically, the album deals with political and social issues.

The album opens with the upbeat track 'Finest Worksong', which features Michael Stipe's vocals commanding the listener's attention. 'Welcome to the Occupation' follows, featuring political lyrics dealing with the 1986 US-backed Contra war in Nicaragua, and the US government’s interference in Central America.

The album's biggest hit, 'The One I Love,' employs catchy hooks and a memorable chorus that led to widespread popularity. 'It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)' is another standout track, featuring Stipe's rapid-fire lyrics and a driving drumbeat.

Other tracks on the album include 'King of Birds,' a slow and melancholic song with a haunting melody, and 'Oddfellows Local 151,' a track featuring jarring electric guitar riffs and an unsettling, murky feel.

The album's production is meticulous, with instruments layered and blended seamlessly to create a coherent sound. Peter Buck's guitar work is notably impressive, ranging from jangly hooks in 'Exhuming McCarthy' to the edgy, distorted riffs in 'Fireplace.' Drummer Bill Berry's steady, driving rhythms provide a solid foundation for each track.

In summary, 'Document' is a landmark album in R.E.M.'s career, showcasing their evolving musical style and political convictions. It features a mix of upbeat rock songs and more introspective tracks, united by a driving sound and socially-conscious lyrics. The album's success paved the way for the band's future success and established them as one of the most important alternative rock acts of the late 1980s.

Members:

R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia in 1980. The band consisted of four key members: Michael Stipe, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Bill Berry. Here are brief biographies of each member:

1. Michael Stipe - Born on January 4, 1960, in Decatur, Georgia, Stipe was the lead singer and main lyricist of R.E.M. He became known for his distinctive, often cryptic, lyrics and charismatic stage presence. Stipe was also known for his political activism and philanthropy, particularly his work for AIDS charities. He attended the University of Georgia, where he met the other members of R.E.M.

2. Peter Buck - Born on December 6, 1956, in Berkeley, California, Buck was the guitarist for R.E.M. He was a skilled guitarist, and his jangly, melodic sound became one of the hallmarks of the band's music. Buck had a wide range of musical influences, including punk rock and folk music. He attended Emory University in Atlanta, where he met Stipe and Mills.

3. Mike Mills - Born on December 17, 1958, in Orange County, California, Mills was the bassist for R.E.M. He was also an accomplished pianist, guitarist, and backing vocalist. Mills was responsible for many of the band's catchy basslines and harmonies. He attended the University of Georgia, where he studied journalism.

4. Bill Berry - Born on July 31, 1958, in Duluth, Minnesota, Berry was the drummer for R.E.M. He was known for his steady, unflashy drumming style, which provided the backbone for the band's sound. In addition to playing drums, Berry also played guitar, bass, and keyboards. He left the band in 1997 to focus on farming.

Track List for Document:

Sure, here's a list of all the tracks in the album 'Document' by R.E.M., along with their play time and descriptions:

1. 'Finest Worksong' (3:48) - This is a high-energy opener to the album, with a driving bassline, pounding drums, and Michael Stipe's urgent vocals. The lyrics are a call to action and a reminder of the power of collective action.

2. 'Welcome to the Occupation' (2:46) - This track continues the theme of political activism, with lyrics about the struggle against oppression and injustice. The instrumentation is more subdued than the previous track, with an emphasis on jangly guitars.

3. 'Exhuming McCarthy' (3:19) - The title of this song references the infamous anti-communist witch hunt led by Senator Joseph McCarthy in the 1950s. The lyrics criticize the way people blindly follow leaders without thinking for themselves, set to an upbeat folk-rock melody.

4. 'Disturbance at the Heron House' (3:33) - This track features a catchy guitar riff and Stipe's distinctive vocals, with lyrics about the chaos and confusion of modern life. The title is a reference to a book by William Butler Yeats.

5. 'Strange' (2:32) - The shortest track on the album, 'Strange' is a hauntingly beautiful song with sparse instrumentation and introspective lyrics about the nature of identity and memory.

6. 'It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)' (4:05) - Probably the most well-known track on the album, 'It's the End of the World...' is a fast-paced, tongue-twisting ode to the apocalypse. The lyrics are full of pop culture references and witty wordplay, and the song features an unforgettable chorus.

7. 'The One I Love' (3:17) - This track was a commercial hit for R.E.M., with its straightforward melody and catchy chorus. However, the lyrics are more complex than they initially seem, with Stipe singing about the pitfalls of romantic relationships and the danger of putting all your hopes in one person.

8. 'Fireplace' (3:22) - This is a slower, more contemplative song with sparse instrumentation and evocative lyrics about the healing power of nature. The title refers to a place that offers comfort and safety in times of stress or turmoil.

9. 'Lightnin' Hopkins' (3:20) - Named after the legendary blues musician, this song is a celebration of the power of music to bring people together and lift them up. The melody is upbeat and joyful, with Stipe's vocals full of energy and passion.

10. 'King of Birds' (4:09) - The final track on the album is a beautiful and melancholic ballad, with a haunting melody and lyrics about the impermanence of life and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. The title refers to a Native American legend about a bird that could fly to the highest point in the sky and bring back the secrets of the universe.

Discography for R.E.M.:

Here is the complete discography for the artist R.E.M. in chronological order, including all albums, all singles, and all other releases with their respective release dates:

Albums:
- Murmur - April 12, 1983
- Reckoning - April 9, 1984
- Fables of the Reconstruction - June 10, 1985
- Lifes Rich Pageant - July 28, 1986
- Document - August 31, 1987
- Green - November 7, 1988
- Out of Time - March 12, 1991
- Automatic for the People - October 5, 1992
- Monster - September 27, 1994
- New Adventures in Hi-Fi - September 9, 1996
- Up - October 26, 1998
- Reveal - May 15, 2001
- Around the Sun - October 4, 2004
- Accelerate - April 1, 2008
- Collapse into Now - March 7, 2011

EPs:
- Chronic Town - August 24, 1982
- Wendell Gee - March 1984
- Not Bad for No Tour - October 1984
- Dead Letter Office - April 1987
- The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite - 1992

Singles:
- Radio Free Europe - July 8, 1981
- So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry) - August 16, 1983
- (Don't Go Back To) Rockville - 1984
- Can't Get There from Here - 1985
- Fall on Me - 1986
- Superman - 1986
- The One I Love - August 1, 1987
- It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) - November 16, 1987
- Stand - January 1989
- Orange Crush - 1989
- Pop Song 89 - March 6, 1989
- Get Up - April 1991
- Shiny Happy People - May 1991
- Losing My Religion - February 19, 1991
- Near Wild Heaven - 1991
- Texarkana - 1993
- Everybody Hurts - April 15, 1993
- What's the Frequency, Kenneth? - September 5, 1994
- Bang and Blame - October 31, 1994
- Strange Currencies - 1995
- E-Bow the Letter - 1996
- Bittersweet Me - 1997
- Daysleeper - 1998
- Lotus - 1998
- The Great Beyond - January 3, 2000
- Imitation of Life - April 30, 2001
- All the Way to Reno (You're Gonna Be a Star) - August 27, 2001

It's worth noting that R.E.M. also released a number of live albums and compilation albums throughout their career.