R.E.M- Reckoning Deluxe Edition (I.R.S/A&M/UME Rec)
Marking the 25th anniversary of their 2nd album, 'Reckoning', R.E.M is reissuing this classic with the original being remastered, plus a live disc of unreleased material from the 'Little America' tour in Chicago on July 7, 1984. This set was aired on Chicago's WXRT, was their famed Chicago Aragon Ballroom Concert.
This particular show includes most of 'Reckoning', plus 'Gardening At Night' from 1982's Chronic Town EP, as well as 'Radio Free Europe', '9-9' and 'Sitting Still' from the bands first album 'Murmur'. In addition, two songs that had yet to be recorded are on it as well- 'Driver 8' and 'Hyena'- which later appeared on 'Fables of Reconstruction' and 'Life's Rich Pageant'.
Liner notes for the Deluxe Edition are by Tony Fletcher, author of Remarks: The Story of R.E.M
There really isn't any need to inform people of R.E.M at this point; you're mind is probably already made up as to if you're going to pick this up or not. For those of you who are fans of later period R.E.M, 'Reckoning' has the patented intellectual and emotional song writing Stipe and crew have always maintained, but are a little rougher around the edges, quicker paced, dare I say bordering on garage pop.
Stipe and Co. lace melodies around classics like 'Pretty Persuasion', hint at country with '(Don't Go Back To) Rockville' and rock out pretty hard on 'Little America'. Maybe one of the most influential bands of this generation, 'Reckoning' had had an immeasurable influence on underground and college rock in the mid 80's and is about as classic as they come.
Available June 18 everywhere.
