So why is R.E.M.’s Reckoning on this best 1,000 albums ever thing?
There are several thoughts that simultaneously come to mind when I revisit Reckoning, R.E.M.’s second album from 1984:
- “So. Central Rain” and “Pretty Persuasion” are both absolute smashers, and easily among the best songs R.E.M. has ever produced.
- “So. Central Rain” itself is one of my favorite songs of all time (and I refuse to be sorry about this, if you can dig).
- I’ve fallen in such deep love with Live at the Olympia(#16 of best 1,000 albums ever), the band’s live “this is not a show” live album released in 2009, that I sometimes prefer the Reckoning (and other) selections from this live albumjust a little bit more than the original studio recordings.
Let’s break it down, as they say.
I spent a little time figuring out why I dig “So. Central Rain” so much, and I think it boils down to several things: there’s a core mysteriousness to it (as there often is with R.E.M.’s best early output), it’s deliriously catchy jangle pop, and then there’s simply the glorious chorus: I’m sorry!
And I could say exactly the same things about “Pretty Persuasion” as well, and in this case there’s a rocked-up post-punk vibe that’s also going on. And I’ve always been tremendously into the line god damn your confusion. There’s something so potent at work there.
“Harborcoat” is a song that’s become one of my absolute favorites in recent years, mainly due again to the version on Live at the Olympia (spoiler alert that you’ll be seeing that album get more love as we get closer to the top of the top of the best 1,000 albums ever!).
I’m always completely floored by the opaque and yet incredibly descriptive lyrics on this one:
They crowded up to Lenin with their noses worn off
A handshake is worthy if it’s all that you’ve got
Metal shivs on wood push through our back
There’s a splinter in your eye and it reads, “React”
R-E-A-C-T
“(Don’t Go Back To) Rockville,” beyond being gorgeous jangle pop, gets as close as R.E.M. ever gets to straight-up country rock.
And “Second Guessing” is pure driving rock with a great, soaring chorus.
Personal stuff that has something to do with R.E.M.’s Reckoning
I worked at a hectic and demanding digital agency in Los Angeles many years ago. There are many war stories from that era, but I just want to focus on a specific piece of the puzzle here.
A young guy worked at the front desk, and his job was to answer the phone, greet visitors to the office, and do other administration stuff, I’d assume. He did a fine job, but it was very clear that he had other talents besides.
One manifestation of this was that he was an absolute wizard at creating artwork with an Etch A Sketch. Each day, he would create something brand new, and it was always both stunning and original. One of my favorites was this one that included the entirety of the Wu-Tang Clan, with each member of the rap collective rendered with stunning accuracy.
He and I were friendly enough, but not particularly close. However, one day we somehow were able to figure out that we had both recently attended an R.E.M. concert at the Hollywood Bowl. Side note here that attending that concert was one of the best musical experiences of my entire life, and I’m incredibly grateful that I got to see R.E.M. perform live.
And I specifically recall both of us calling out the band’s performance of “Pretty Persuasion” as having been a particular highlight.
It’s always amazing to me how music can tie me back to hyper-specific moments in time, sometimes even when what is happening in the moment seems insignificant or trivial.
Some stats & info about R.E.M. – Reckoning
- What kind of musical stylings does this album represent? Rock Music, College Rock, Jangle Pop, Alternative Pop, Indie Rock
- Rolling Stone’s greatest 500 albums ranking – not ranked!
- All Music’s rating – 5 out of 5 stars
- When was Reckoning released? 1984
- My ranking, the one you’re reading right now – #156 out of 1,000
R.E.M.’s Reckoning on Spotify
A lyrical snippet from R.E.M.’s Reckoning that’s evocative of the album in some way, maybe
Did you never call? I waited for your call. These rivers of suggestion are driving me away.
What does the “best 1,000 albums ever” mean and why are you doing this?
Yeah, I know it’s audacious, a little crazy (okay, maybe a lot cray cray), bordering on criminal nerdery.
But here’s what it’s NOT: a definitive list of the Greatest Albums of All-Time. This is 100% my own personal super biased, incredibly subjective review of what my top 1,000 albums are, ranked in painstaking order over the course of doing research for nearly a year, Rob from High Fidelity style. Find out more about why I embarked on a best 1,000 albums ever project.