R.E.M. - Reckoning

[joshthevegan]

Just as the title Murmur gave the listener a glimpse of what they were to experience before even hitting play, Reckoning does the same. It implies memories, and a look back at one's own history, and that is precisely what R.E.M. presents on their second full length album.

Images of rain pounding down on Georgia, the pain of seperation, and blustery cold days are brought to life with early R.E.M.'s signature jangly pop beauty. This sound is, by this point in their career, firmiliar territory, but Reckoning is by no means a repeat of what came before it. The song crafting is more mature on this release and relative clarity abounds. This also marks the first time the band would experiment with different instrumentation/musical styles. "(Don't Go Back To) Rockville" is an infectious little country number, and "Time After Time" is decidedly far-eastern sounding.

If anyone one album by R.E.M. were to be singled out as their most forward-thinking and influential, without question it would be 1984's Reckoning.

Reckoning - 10 out of 10

Included below is the music video for "So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)", the songs "Harborcoat," "7 Chinese Bros.," "Pretty Persuasion," as featured in the video release Left of Reckoning as well as a short film by the band in acceptance of the second year of CMJ awards and a David Letterman interview with the band on their first TV appearance between playing "Radio Free Europe" and "So. Central Rain."