Hey, I like these guys! I forgot about them. I think I need to go raid my dad's CD dresser (yes, a dresser, filled with probably over 200 CDs) and put his extensive R.E.M. collection on my computer. I'm craving 'Losing My Religion' and 'Shiny Happy People' right now.

One of the best bands of all time. Absolutely fantastic. Up there with the Beatles and Stones. Talent and a social conscience. Who could ask for anything more? My only regret is that I have never yet seen them playing live.

I never understood what the fuss was about.

A big 5-Stars for the early stuff. A 3 or 4 for their later work.

One of the most critically overrated groups of the past 40 years.That's not to say they're bad but that I just don't get all the praise that's lavished on them, like they're the Second Coming. Murmur was a good album but IMO that was their peak. Things took a turn for the worse when Berry left and when Stipe entered the world of the ultra weird with his bald head, blue face paint and proud to be gayness. 'Losing my religion' and 'Shiny happy people' have to be two of the worst songs ever written.

The thing about R.E.M. is that to the more casual fan (which I consider myself), the band always sounds somewhat generic and overly consistent. This is not to say that R.E.M. is a bad group or untalented (they are decent if not good and certainly talented); however, their earlier releases had a low production sound that only improved very gradually towards their later efforts. In other words, at first glance, after listening to one R.E.M. album you have heard them all. With that said, the band did hit a high point with the 1986 full-length release "Life's Rich Pageant" (with "Fall On Me" and "Superman") and the subsequent "Document" (which includes "It's The End Of The World As We Know It" and "The One I Love") in 1987. 1988 saw R.E.M. switching record labels from IRS to Warner Brothers, which resulted (for whatever reason) in a noticeable and steady decline in song quality as reflected in that year's release of "Green" (which is still rather strong), though "Out Of Time" (1991) does contain arguably the band's best single in "Losing My Religion".

They were the greatest band of all time through one E.P. and 4 full-length albums. Then they broke into the mainstream with Document, which had its moments, as did Green. Let me say that half of Automatic for the People sucks, while the other half is great. New Adventures in Hi-Fi was the band's momentary return to invincibility. They're absolutely horrible now.

Had it not been for their recent work, I would have easily given these boys a five. REM was an amazing band for a majority of the 80's and into the late 90's. Songs like Don't Go Back to Rockville, Losing My Religion, and Nightswimming are incredibly poetic songs, a quality that it severely lacking in modern rock music. Despite very ambiguous and sometimes seemingly rambling vocals, REM managed much mainstream success thanks to the bands ability for harmony and insanely catchy arpegiated guitar riffs. But lately the band has lost a lot of its fire and really has become sedated. They're obviously past their prime but will alaways have an impressive catalog of timeless songs.

They're not the greatest but they have made some memorable songs.

Being great people also peter buck they have tried ther hardest to be the best band. which they are also good looking.

Clearly one of the best bands ever. As a matter of fact they are better than the Beatles!

One of the worst bands of all time except for maybe Journey. It is really Snipe's droning vocals that I hate and the music is dull. How they are in the top 20, I do not know.

This is another band that's been around a long time but that I only got into recently. Better late than never. Beautiful, ethereal music that resonates with thought and deep emotion, making them a true rarity in the currently vacuous music scene.

probably the only group of musicians other than Ani Difranco, who are still challenging themselves.

Automatic for tht People is one of the greatest albums ever - But they havent keept the level...

One band from that period that I can stand. I like most of their songs, but some are boring. Their lyrics can be fun most of the time but it gets tiresome. I find it too disconected.

An amazing band, who are certainly pioneers of alternative rock who have majorly influenced this musical generation.

They might be the WORST band of all time!

Used to like some of their songs. They are insufferable leftists and not tolerant of other schools of thought. Plus, they're obnoxiously elitist.

REM was very before my time, however it influenced some of my favorite bands (Gin Blossoms for example), I think some of their songs are pretty ok, but I think Michael Stripe's voice just has no appeal at all, at least to me, it's kind of bland, lacks color, and that holds the band back

REM, with no doubt, is the world's best band. With hit after hit after hit, There are too many to count. Even the old songs which nobody liked are so popular now. They have prooved the test of time and see no stop of it in the future. REM is a great concert band and is just awesome to listen to. Any cd, anytime, everybody is always in the mood for REM. *Country Feedback!!!!!* woohoo

they've gone a little bit downhill recently, but they've been together for a million years. R.E.M has something for everyone, for every mood, for any time of life. it's just a matter of finding the right song!

i am really undecided about this band, they seem to have been around forever, and everyone rates them highly (best band of the last 15 years etc). i barely knew of them so i bought green which had gotten really great reviews, it was a really dispointing album with nasty 80's production and a bunch of weak songs with impossibly complex and interesting lyrics. recently i got the best of collection which was obviously alot more varied and higher quality. the great beyond is a great one, as is bad day. similary impressive numbers were losing my religion and Daysleeper. but there are flaws even to these, such as endless repeats of choruses. bland wall-of-sound production and low quality tunes, still they keep up the interesting vibes throughout and some of stipe's lyrics are undeniably brilliant but they are lacking something...

I liked their first 3 albums, but then they got too commercial for me. But that first 3 albums were really good.

After U2, the greatest alt-rock band ever.

Longevity is definately a word that applies to this band. I have always had a place for their music in my heart. There was one or two albums I didn't really care for, but I still think they are an awesome band with so much talent. I hope there next album is wonderful.

REM RULES. LOVE THEIR MUSIC. THESE NEW BANDS CANT TOUCH EM

You can take Van Halen away from me. Take away Nirvana. I don't need the Clash...heck, I don't even need the beatles. But R.E.M. is, with little doubt, the most soulful, redefining, and influential band of the past two decades. They are easily one of the top twenty bands of all time, and it never ceases to amaze me that they tour, and continue to record innovative music, ignoring both commercial hits and shortcomings. Lesser bands would've quit after Hi-Fi. R.E.M. has always been something intangible to me....ever since i was four years old, and i first heard them. they're the reason i listen to music....when the airwaves are clogged with hip-hop or wannabe punk rockers, you can always count on R.E.M.- legendary, jangly, beautiful R.E.M.- to wow you with sure brilliance. Best of luck to "In Time"...i'll be first in line at the store to buy it.

The best band ever... Despite Shiney Happy People and some of the reveal stuff...

The sounds of REM can be varied from album to album,but sill come across as fresh & brilliant as ever.The first time i heard them was in 1991 with Losing My Religion & Michael Stipe`s amazing voice is something i have yet to,& i doubt i ever will,hear bettered.Truly the graetest and EVER.

These guys are legends. Such amazingly talented songwriters and musicians. They have been around for about 20 years and while they may have put out a lackluster song here and there (like "Shiny Happy People"), overall they have remained consistently at the top of their game.

Just damn good. Once you get off the mainstream beaten path, there are some real gems in REM's repitoire. Most of Eponymous is first-rate and Document is good too. Check out songs like Gardening at Night and Radio Free Europe.

R.E.M. is the best band in the world.

second best band of all time

This is one of the best bands of recent times. They make you think. Of course, sometimes that thinking doesn't get you anywher, because you still have absolutely no idea what they were doing. But, while they do have a sound that makes you pretty sure who you're listening to, it's not all the same sound. That's something that really gets me down about a lot of recent music. Every song by any band in particular sounds the same, especially among the big sellers. No here's a band with only 4 people, each of whom has a role, and each of who tries to create. They're not as good as my favorites, but they are certainly in the top 2 or 3 to become big in the last 15-20 years.

rapid eye movement looks terrible, spooky too!

Amazing band, too good even for the praise I'm about to give them. My only problem with them is that their songs, for my short little attention span, are too long, and they are so dang COMPLICATED! Micheal Stipe is a regular comedian! He's funny, and I like the way he puts emotion into his performances. Like, when I saw him singing "Man on the Moon" live, and it was clear how much fun he was having, I just loved it. I wish Bill Berry hadn't had to leave---aneurysms are for old people!---but oh well, yelling won't bring him back. I adore the way they make fun of Ronald Reagan in "Ignoreland" (hideous, horrible man! Sat back and watched as thousands of people died of AIDS, as well as one innocent rock star I can think of). Have any of you ever noticed how insanely, absurdly, rediculously SHORT Micheal is? What is he, like 5'3? Anyway, great band, but I don't get their songs. Must go get smarter.

REM are the greatest band of all time!

That sugar cane?????

What a great band (#12 ever). All their albums are brilliant, especially their best: Automatic for the People. Best band of the '90s by far. In response to Lord of the Waves, R.E.M. isn't meant to be compared to The Beatles. In my opinion, The Beatles are better. However, they were both great bands in their own way. Both were politically vocal. I have to give more credit to The Beatles for being the greatest band ever and they did evolve more than R.E.M., but it isn't such a horrible thing for R.E.M. to be compared to the Beatles. For some people in the '80s and '90s, R.E.M. had the same influence as the Beatles did for some in the '60s even through today. Both bands are really awesome and you can enjoy both.

R.E.M. is incredibly overrated. They are soo soft it is disturbing. I liked them for a very brief period of time. They have no difference in their music like the Legendary Beatles do. I think it may be sacreligious to compare the Beatles and REM.

Not always my kinda thing, but they are damn good at what they do. So. Central Rain is a fantastic song(once covered by Slobberbone).

R.E.M was a terrific band. Their material was refreshingly and deceptively complex. They were able to excel at many different types of music. They will remain a classic band.

A great band from Athens, Georgia. Politically aware, musically sound, R.E.M. has always put out great American rock. Gotta love them.

REM is an incredible band, however, they have lost some serious ground. they had a much more interesting and unique sound back in the 80's then they do now. thats why i've got to give them a 3.

THE BEST BAND WHO EVER LIVED ON EARTH.

Same as U2 they sucked after the 80's.

Just plain amazing. REM is a long-lasting band that continues to amaze, by exploring deeper and deeper into uncharted territory with each album they release.

Eh.....They're okay. No big deal to me.

they're okay i guess, but a little annoying.