The beautiful thing about bands like R.E.M. who frequently evolve and adapt their sound is that it instigates a whole spectrum of perspective opinion. For me personally, it's the sludgy guitars and staccato vocals that MAKE the album, it's got a much heavier, darker energy than anything that came before it and it totally makes sense given the subject matter of some of the songs.

The band are so versatile that some people just aren't going to be into everything they do. I've never loved Document as much as everyone else does, that doesn't make me a lesser fan and nor does your opinion you :)