Reckoning

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

Reckoning is R.E.M.'s second studio album and was released on 9 April 1984 on I.R.S. Records. After the acclaimed Murmur, the band wrote new songs at lightning speed, mostly in Mike Mills's living room in Athens, Georgia. Recording took place at Reflection Sound Studios in Charlotte, North Carolina, in December 1983 and January 1984. Mitch Easter and Don Dixon produced the record and wanted to capture the band's live sound. On a number of tracks they used binaural recording technique.

Singer Michael Stipe wrote darker lyrics than before, with water as a recurring image. The recording was hard going for him, because he was tired from touring. On 7 Chinese Bros. he sang so softly that Dixon could not hear him. He got hold of a gospel record and began reading out the sleeve notes, after which the vocals could be recorded properly. The album received glowing reviews.

Listening

Track list

1. 1Harborcoat3:57Apple Music ↗
2. 27 Chinese Bros.4:15Apple Music ↗
3. 3So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)3:16Apple Music ↗
4. 4Pretty Persuasion3:53Apple Music ↗
5. 5Time After Time (Annelise)3:34Apple Music ↗
6. 6Second Guessing2:50Apple Music ↗
7. 7Letter Never Sent2:59Apple Music ↗
8. 8Camera5:51Apple Music ↗
9. 9(Don't Go Back To) Rockville4:33Apple Music ↗
10. 10Little America3:42Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗