Reveal
by R.E.M.
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 51 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 51
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 51
  3. Negative: 1 out of 51

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. IbanL
    Oct 5, 2006
    7
    "Reveal" is a very interesting record, likely the best album since Berry left the band. R.E.M. caught very well the summer feeling in this record. Some of the songs are brilliant, like the first single "Imitation Of Life", which is an R.E.M. classic now. The Automatic-days were gone and this record doesn't get close to the best albums of the band, but it shows that R.E.M. still had "Reveal" is a very interesting record, likely the best album since Berry left the band. R.E.M. caught very well the summer feeling in this record. Some of the songs are brilliant, like the first single "Imitation Of Life", which is an R.E.M. classic now. The Automatic-days were gone and this record doesn't get close to the best albums of the band, but it shows that R.E.M. still had life after the departure of Bill.… Expand
  2. HenryG
    Apr 29, 2008
    10
    Atrocious for an artist of her calibre. So dissapointing. 2, maybe 3 decent tracks tops. I love her too.
  3. JohnH.
    Jul 3, 2001
    10
    Jangly rifts, etherial lyrics, and groovy melodies...What's not to like? R.E.M. rules.
  4. MadsM.
    Sep 30, 2001
    9
    One more great album from REM, they still rock.
  5. DanS
    Oct 3, 2002
    10
    REM once again proves its mastery in rock by following their own lead
  6. BangkokDave
    Jul 30, 2002
    9
    REM's best album since Automatic for the People & in many ways, its spiritual successor. At least half the songs would make excellent singles. Ironically, the only mildly successful single, Imitation of Life, is largely bland & nondescript. The fact that no one is playing this album is a sad commentary not just on the state of the popular music scene, but on the so-called alternative REM's best album since Automatic for the People & in many ways, its spiritual successor. At least half the songs would make excellent singles. Ironically, the only mildly successful single, Imitation of Life, is largely bland & nondescript. The fact that no one is playing this album is a sad commentary not just on the state of the popular music scene, but on the so-called alternative scene, now almost completely taken over by rap & nu-metal.… Expand
  7. JimC.
    Feb 24, 2005
    10
    Great album. Probably only a half of a notch below Automatic or Murmur. Took me a lot of listens as it is so deep and all ambience but it finally hit me that this is a classic.
  8. ErwinB.
    Nov 10, 2001
    8
    A coherent album. Plenty of highlights.
  9. C.S.Reed
    Feb 12, 2006
    10
    a collection of torpid songs that taste like summer afternoon
  10. DanielE
    Nov 25, 2003
    10
    I was going through a break up at the time and this album struck a very heavy note with me as it related to what I was going through. Every song seemed to mirror my own situation. Michael Stipes voice and lyrics are to be commended. I would go as far as to say that this was their best album in many years.
  11. JonL
    Oct 29, 2007
    10
    If it's not one of their five best albums, that's still not a strike against the album considering the vast amount of great work REM has done. Even if they've been inconsistent since signing on to a major, this proves their continuing artistry.
  12. Ricko
    Sep 18, 2017
    9
    Another great album to add to the R.E.M collection. I think this is a really underrated album and although it doesn't have many (if any) classic tracks on it, as a whole it is up there with the better R.E.M records released post 92. All the tracks have a cohesion about them where they all fit together. The acoustic based, reasonably sparse production suits the material and there is someAnother great album to add to the R.E.M collection. I think this is a really underrated album and although it doesn't have many (if any) classic tracks on it, as a whole it is up there with the better R.E.M records released post 92. All the tracks have a cohesion about them where they all fit together. The acoustic based, reasonably sparse production suits the material and there is some brilliant song writing on it. "Beat a Drum", "The Lifting", "Chorus and The Ring" are all some of the more upbeat tracks they've put out. Beneath the surface, it's a summer album full of sunshine. One of their most enjoyable and easiest listens.… Expand
  13. thatbeatleskid
    Apr 14, 2012
    8
    After the mixed reaction to 1998's "Up," R.E.M. decided to return to a more organic sound while still retaining some of the synthesizers heard on the previous album. The result is an album that tries very hard to appeal to both old and new fans. Some songs such as "She Just Wants To Be," "Chorus and The Ring," and "I'll Take The Rain" have a similar sound to the "Out Of Time" andAfter the mixed reaction to 1998's "Up," R.E.M. decided to return to a more organic sound while still retaining some of the synthesizers heard on the previous album. The result is an album that tries very hard to appeal to both old and new fans. Some songs such as "She Just Wants To Be," "Chorus and The Ring," and "I'll Take The Rain" have a similar sound to the "Out Of Time" and "Automatic" eras. Other songs like "The Lifting," "All The Way To Reno," and "Saturn Return" all are of the same style as "Up." In the end, you will like this album if you can appreciate R.E.M. trying to combine the styles of "Automatic" and "Up." However, this album is weaker than both of those.… Expand
  14. ricco94
    Jan 2, 2014
    9
    After having listened to Reveal many many times, I can finally say it is very good, better than Up, returning to a more classic sound. Many interesting songs, like Imitation of Life (great), and good feeling.
  15. Estevetheque
    Aug 17, 2013
    8
    One of best REM records in Warner's era. (In a 2nd row with Up, Monster and New Adventures after AFTP and OOT). Great BeachBoys tribute! Imitation of Life classic!
  16. Pfilip
    Mar 16, 2015
    9
    I will always think of this album as part of a pair--what "Up" did with the cool, austere tones of autumn and winter, "Reveal" does with the heady, humid tones of summertime and air-conditioning. Both albums excel at lulling the listener into a dreaminess. Lyrically, however, Stipe has rarely been finer than on "Reveal"--standout tracks in that department include "The Lifting", "SaturnI will always think of this album as part of a pair--what "Up" did with the cool, austere tones of autumn and winter, "Reveal" does with the heady, humid tones of summertime and air-conditioning. Both albums excel at lulling the listener into a dreaminess. Lyrically, however, Stipe has rarely been finer than on "Reveal"--standout tracks in that department include "The Lifting", "Saturn Return", and " "Beat A Drum".

    With "Up" and "Reveal" R.E.M. did an outstanding job of reinventing themselves after the departure of Bill Berry. Both albums are worth acquiring and spending long hours getting lost in--at least during the right time of year.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

79
#79 Best Album of 2001
40
#40 Most Discussed Album of 2001
33
#33 Most Shared Album of 2001

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
76

Generally favorable reviews - based on 20 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 20
  3. Negative: 0 out of 20
  1. Dot Music
    90
    'Reveal' sees REM exhale, relax and ease into a new confidence with a collection of songs to fill your heart. Every track here sifts with a live energy that was previously polished out of 'Up', and they sound all the better for it.
    Read full review
  2. Q Magazine
    100
    It's a landmark album for REM and the fans who stayed faithful, a shot in the arm for music in 2001 and - unless they're too foolish to accept it - a long-awaited treat for all the listeners who bailed out after Monster.
    Read full review
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    Reveal is billed as the band's return to form, and mostly it is.... But like 'Up,' much of 'Reveal' is haunted by an ennui that's curious for a band that made their name by talking about the passion. [18 May 2001, p.79]
See all critic reviews »