Reckoning
LP by R.E.M.
Released	1984
Recorded	???
Genre	College rock
Length	37 min 57 sec
Record label	IRS Records
Producer	Mitch Easter
Professional reviews
Allmusic.com	5 stars out of 5	link
Robert Christgau	B+	link
R.E.M. Chronology
Murmur (1983)	Reckoning (1984)	Fables of the Reconstruction (1985)

Reckoning is the second LP released by the band R.E.M.. It was released in 1984 by indie label IRS Records. The album explores a number of different musical styles. Song topics include cold weather, a fairy tale in which a child drowns, a flood, superficiality, and separation. Yet the jangling guitars and beautiful melodies hide the dark lyrics. The final song, "Little America", is written about rural America, and the song is a prelude to the Southern themes on the subsequent album, Fables of the Reconstruction.

The cover art is a collaboration between lead singer Michael Stipe and Georgia outsider artist Howard Finster.

Track Listing

1. Harborcoat - 3:54
2. 7 Chinese Brothers - 4:18
3. So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry) - 3:16
4. Pretty Persuasion - 3:51
5. Time After Time (Annelise) - 3:30
6. Second Guessing - 2:52
7. Letter Never Sent - 2:59
8. Camera - 5:26
9. (Don't Go Back to) Rockville - 4:55
10. Little America - 2:56

Personnel

• Howard Finster - Art Direction
• Peter Buck - Guitar
• Mitch Easter - Producer, Engineer, Mixing
• Mike Mills - Bass, Vocals
• Michael Stipe - Vocals
• Bill Berry - Percussion, Drums, Vocals
• Ed Colver - Photography
• Mike Cameron - Photography