Reckoning

by R.E.M.

Overview

R.E.M. abandoned the enigmatic post-punk experiments of Murmur for their second album, Reckoning, returning to their garage pop origins instead. Opening with the ringing "Harborcoat," Reckoning runs through a set of ten jangle pop songs that are different not only in sound but in style from the debut. Where Murmur was enigmatic in its sound, Reckoning is clear, which doesn't necessarily mean that the songs themselves are straightforward. Michael Stipe continues to sing powerful melodies without enunciating, but the band has a propulsive kick that makes the music vital and alive. And, if anything, the songwriting is more direct and memorable than before -- the interweaving melodies of "Pretty Persuasion" and the country rocker "(Don't Go Back To) Rockville" are as affecting as the melancholic dirges of "Camera" and "Time After Time," while the ringing minor-key arpeggios of "So. Central Rain," the pulsating riffs of "7 Chinese Bros.," and the hard-rocking rhythms of "Little America" make the songs into classics. On the surface, Reckoning may not be as distinctive as Murmur, but the record's influence on underground American rock in the '80s was just as strong. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	06/23/2009
Label:	A&M
UPC:	0602527074696
Rank:	32738

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Harborcoat
2. 7 Chinese Brothers
3. So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)
4. Pretty Persuasion
5. Time After Time (Annelise)
6. Second Guessing
7. Letter Never Sent
8. Camera
9. (Don't Go Back To) Rockville
10. Little America

Disc 2

11. Femme Fatale
12. Radio Free Europe
13. Gardening At Night
14. 9-9
15. Windout
16. Letter Never Sent
17. Sitting Still
18. Driver 8
19. So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)
20. 7 Chinese Bros.
21. Harborcoat
22. Hyena
23. Pretty Persuasion
24. Little America
25. Second Guessing
26. (Don't Go Back To) Rockville

Album Credits

Performance Credits

R.E.M.   Primary Artist
Michael Stipe   Lead Vocals,Vocals
Mike Mills   Guitar (Bass),Vocals,Bass
Peter Buck   Guitar
Jefferson Holt   Lead Vocals
Bertis Downs   Vocals (Background)
Bill Berry   Drums,Vocals,Percussion

Technical Credits

Don Dixon   Producer,Engineer
Henry Mancini   Composer
Archie Bell   Composer
Mitch Easter   Producer,Engineer,Mixing
Michael Stipe   Composer
Mike Mills   Composer
Peter Buck   Composer
Johnny Mercer   Composer
Lou Reed   Composer
Billy Buttier   Composer
Michael Mills   Composer
Ed Colver   Photography
Mike Cameron   Photography
Howard Finster   Art Direction
Bill Berry   Composer