Document

The last album R.E.M. made before migrating to Warner Bros., and very arguably the last start-to-finish masterpiece the band created in its acclaimed career, Document turned Georgia's celebrated sons into mainstream stars. Musically unadulterated and sonically pure, the group's 1987 work epitomizes the unmistakable sound and feeling of college rock during a period where innocence, experimentation, and adventurousness freely collided before being co-opted and branded as "alt-rock." Document is the record to which everyone refers when citing R.E.M. as the premier example of how a respected band is expected to behave, evolve, and maintain its integrity after experiencing mass success. Half-speed mastered from the original master tapes and carefully pressed at RTI, Mobile Fidelity's numbered limited-edition 180g LP edition of this breakthrough set explodes with unrivaled instrumental signatures, deep soundstages, and faithful tonalities that allow listeners insight into the actual makes and models of the guitars utilized on the recording. Sharp and clean, Scott Litt's widescreen production throws the band into clear relief, magnifying its razor-edged melodies and drummer Bill Berry's foundation-establishing beats. R.E.M. has never sounded so muscular or righteous.