R E M Reckoning CD

 The alt rock classic that influenced so many
R.E.M. influenced many bands to come with this one, long before their more commercial later albums. That's because the subtle, smart lyrics intertwined within bright and shiny guitar riffs that recall the Who and the Byrds altered the alt rock scene forever. This is the first REM tape I ever listened to, and it's the kind you get on the 3d or 4th listen and go, wow. Almost all the songs are really catchy, all of them are as pretty as can be, and the layers of guitar and vocals will dazzle your brain once you listen enough. Rockville, (Don't Go Back To) should've been a #1 hit song, and by the time you get into this classic CD you'll be asking yourself why the later stuff was so commercially successful and this awesome CD only had a cult following.
Submitted by Andrew M. (Santa Rosa, CA)
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 Plant it and let it grow
After listened a few times to a tape of Reckoning that a friend made, I thought the record had some good songs but was not great. Then one morning while driving to work I found myself singing along to almost every song on the tape. Buy this one and let South Central Rain, Pretty Persuasion, Rockville, Harborcoat, Second Guessing, Letter Never Sent and all the rest just grow on you.
Submitted by Riff (St. Louis, MO, USA)
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 Don't overlook this one
If you are the least bit intrigued by this amazing band, don't ignore their early albums; they are the ones that established an incredible, tenacious loyalty among their serious fans. "Reckoning" is as good as anything they've done, and quite superior to most of their later works. Just like "Murmur," this one has nothing but excellent tracks - not one dud among the bunch. Take your time, let them sink in. If you can't make out all of Michael Stipe's lyrics, don't worry about it - his voice works as an instrument in itself.
Submitted by a reviewer (Evansville, IN, USA)
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 Second album from Athens' finest
Their early sound always provides a contrast when you're used to hearing their later works. It's a shame you don't get to hear any of these songs on the radio, like their big hits, but then they weren't even on the radio when this album was made! (Apart form college radio, of course!) The classic 'Harborcoat' is one of their best ever songs. But elsewhere on this album there lies an even bigger gem. 'Don't go back to Rockville' has the band in full country twang and shows the versatility of the group, which we are now really beginning to see with their new album 'Reveal'. A great choice for any REM fan who thinks he or she needs a slight change from listening to 'Out of Time' or 'Automatic for the people' over and over again.
Submitted by a reviewer (Dublin, Ireland)
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