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.

Keep up with 33 1/3 series news.

Author: J. Niimi
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
Pages: 160pp
Size: 5 x 6.5
Notes: paperback
Release Date: April 28, 2005
ISBN: 978-0826416728