Reckoning (R.E.M. album) – 1984
Reckoning is the second studio album by the American alternative rock band R.E.M., released in 1984 by I.R.S. Records. Produced by Mitch Easter and Don Dixon, the album was recorded at Reflection Sound Studio in Charlotte, North Carolina over 16 days in December 1983 and January 1984. Dixon and Easter intended to capture the sound of R.E.M.’s live performances, and used binaural recording on several tracks. Singer Michael Stipe dealt with darker subject matter in his lyrics, and water imagery is a recurring theme on the record. Released to critical acclaim, Reckoning reached number 27 in the United States—where it was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America in 1991—and peaked at number 91 in the United Kingdom.
Track listin
All songs written by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Michael Stipe except where noted.
Side one – Left
“Harborcoat” – 3:54
“7 Chinese Bros.” – 4:18
“So. Central Rain (I’m Sorry)” – 3:15
“Pretty Persuasion” – 3:50
“Time After Time (Annelise)” – 3:31
Side two – Right
“Second Guessing” – 2:51
“Letter Never Sent” – 2:59
“Camera” – 5:52
“(Don’t Go Back To) Rockville” – 4:55
“Little America” – 2:58
1992 I.R.S. Vintage Years reissue bonus tracks
“Wind Out” (with friends) (Jerry Ayers, Berry, Buck, Mills, Stipe) – 1:58
“Pretty Persuasion” (live in studio) – 4:01
“White Tornado” (live in studio) – 1:51
“Tighten Up” (Archie Bell and Billy Butler) – 4:08
“Moon River” (Henry Mancini and Johnny Mercer) – 2:21
2009 Deluxe Edition bonus disc (Live at the Aragon Ballroom, Chicago, Illinois, July 7, 1984)
“Femme Fatale” (Lou Reed) – 3:19
“Radio Free Europe” – 3:54
“Gardening at Night” – 3:38
“9–9” – 2:48
“Windout” – 2:13
“Letter Never Sent” – 3:03
“Sitting Still” – 3:13
“Driver 8” – 3:28
“So. Central Rain” – 3:23
“7 Chinese Bros.” – 4:27
“Harborcoat” – 4:34
“Hyena” – 3:26
“Pretty Persuasion” – 3:49
“Little America” – 3:23
“Second Guessing” – 3:07
“(Don’t Go Back To) Rockville” – 4:30
Personnel
R.E.M.
Bill Berry – drums, percussion, and backing vocals
Peter Buck – guitar
Mike Mills – bass, piano and backing vocals
Michael Stipe – lead vocals and harmonica
Additional musicians
Bertis Downs – backing vocals on “Wind Out” (With Friends)
Jefferson Holt – lead vocals on “Wind Out” (With Friends)
Production
Don Dixon – co-producer
Mitch Easter – co-producer
Howard Finster – art direction