R.E.M.'s Murmur (33 1/3) (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: hate clipped, lighted laughing, take our fortune, Chronic Town, Radio Free Europe, Michael Stipe (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'A brilliant idea' The Times; 'Neat' Nick Hornby; 'Pocket-size books about favourite albums is a nice idea, akin to TV's Classic Albums and with an equal amount of care and attention.' The Guardian (Friday Review)"

Product Description

R.E.M.’s debut album, released in 1983, was so far removed from the prevailing trends of American popular music that it still sounds miraculous and out of time today. J. Niimi tells the story of the album’s genesis – with fascinating input from Don Dixon and Mitch Easter. He also investigates Michael Stipe’s hypnotic, mysterious lyrics, and makes the case for Murmur as a work of Southern Gothic art.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Continuum (May 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826416721
• ISBN-13: 978-0826416728
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 4.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #351,216 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This item is part of The Thirty Three and a Third Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly thought provoking, December 2, 2005

By	happy boy "freddy" (Louisville, ky) - See all my reviews

I really didn't expect much when a friend guided me to this book. All he mentioned was the track by track analysis of instrumentation and arrangement. But the amazing part of this book is the latter section dealing with language and the effectiveness of non-linear, yet familiar lyrics in evoking feelings beyond logic and language. I became consciously aware of an intuitive process through the shared experience of the record and the author's thoughtful considerations. Quite a bargain for the price!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best R.E.M. book yet, July 16, 2005

By	JD in Portland (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This book on Murmur is a great read. I am glad i stumbled on it at the check out counter of my favorite record store.
Mr. Niimi captured the record's weird and intangible magic, not
an easy feat. He did a particularly good job examining Bill Berry's
unusual playing style and incalculable contribution to not
only R.E.M.'s sound but compositions. Even though Niimi himself is a drummer, he explains things in a manner any non-musician will appreciate.
He also got some great quotes out of producers Don Dixon and Mitch
Easter as he delved into the details of the making of the record. Along the way he tells the terrific story of R.E.M.s rapid rise from Athens bar band to architects of the college rock, indie rock explosion of the '80s.
I followed R.E.M. very closely in this time frame and the author captures the feeling and emotional impact that R.E.M. had on its fans quite well. The book brought back many good memories. I highly recommend it to both the casual and serious R.E.M. fan.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Salad Days Revisited, June 9, 2005

By	Mark F. Yanes "college rock geek" (Reading PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm a big fan of the 33 1/3 Series from Continuum Books and J Niimi's MURMUR is a fine addition. One problem I have with books of this ilk is the tendency to emphasize studio craft and the technical aspect of the making of a record over the content and emotional effect of the music. Mr Niimi avoids this nicely- although all the studio tricks are exposed in their entirety! Its also a great look back at the times and trends that produced this fine record.
After reading the book I put the record on and, after wading through the inevitable waves of nostalgia, rediscovered a great band and record that I haven't listened to for far too long.