Reckoning
| R.E.M.
Reckoning
Reckoning is the second studio album by the American alternative rock band R.E.M., released on April 9, 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. -Wikipedia
Critic Reviews
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Pitchfork
The expanded reissues of albums from R.E.M.'s I.R.S. years continue, as the brilliant follow-up to Murmur is augmented with a 1984 live show.
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Rolling Stone
Murky yet emotionally winning.
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Consequence of Sound
Overall, a well-packaged re-release of one of the best albums the band has released. We can enjoy this while waiting for new work in the near (?) future.
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Consequence of Sound
The band's sophomore classic.
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Drowned in Sound
The point is whatever your thoughts on R.E.M. in any form, you really should check Reckoning out – the odds are you owe it one.
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A.V. Club Music
Ten years later R.E.M would be a millionaire arena-rock act, but creatively it never got any better than this.
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BBC
R.E.M. remain ferociously indie and seemingly uninterested in mainstream success.
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The Guardian
Wonderful stuff, and even better was yet to come.
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Sputnik Music
R.E.M. follow up Murmur with another classic record.
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Tiny Mix Tapes
Although Reckoning is more energetic than its predecessor, it's also more patient and reasoned, as if R.E.M. knew exactly how good they were and were happy taking their sweet time to show you.
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The Ringer
I do think it felt like coming from a different time, almost a different band.
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Albumism
Reckoning is my favorite R.E.M. album and back then it made me think “one day these guys might become the biggest rock band in the world.” And for a brief moment in time, they were.
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Pop Matters
Reckoning was a clear-eyed document of a young band energized by the road and each other.
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All Music
On the surface, Reckoning may not be as distinctive as Murmur, but the record's influence on underground American rock in the '80s was just as strong.
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QRO Magazine
The return to speed & energy from the band, while not losing their distinct alt-skill.
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Diffuser
R.E.M. HELP KICKSTART ALT-COUNTRY WITH THEIR SECOND ALBUM, ‘RECKONING’.
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All About Jazz
Has there ever been an American rock band with more natural chemistry than the original four-man lineup of R.E.M.?
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U Discover Music
‘Reckoning’ Surpassed All Expectations For R.E.M.
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The Line of Best Fit
Direct, unreconstructed pleasures.
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Festival Peak
Water, water everywhere … and there’s rather more than a drop to drink on REM’s galvanizing, beguiling second album.
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Treble Zine
Reckoning may not be recognized as REM’s breakthrough album or their most finely crafted.
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Independent
Reckoning was the album that confirmed R.E.M. as a special group, with reserves of creativity way beyond their peers in the US indie scene.
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Adrian's Album Reviews
'Reckoning' is . . . a fine album, with a bunch of hugely enjoyable songs on it.
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Mark's Record Reviews
Pleasant relaxing album . . . if it doesn't put you to sleep.
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KEXP
These guys would have a hard time doing something wrong.
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R.E.M.
Another excellent effort.
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John McFerrin Music Reviews
Uneven as it may be, Reckoning is still incredibly worthwhile for any decent R.E.M. fan.
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Paste Magazine
There’s a calm and surety to even the most uptempo tunes from R.E.M.’s past and present throughout these later live sets, and a lightly layer of grit has been applied to Stipe’s voice.
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Robert Christgau
This charming band makes honestly reassuring music.
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Don Ignacio's Music Reviews
It has way too many great songs to ignore. Get it!
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The Solute Record Club
The music is bright, making one think of sunrises and morning skies, but the lyrics are one of personal demons and loneliness.
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