415) REM - Fables of the Reconstruction

REM are building momentum with their debut Murmer and follow up Reckoning both delighting critics and record buyers alike.

However, REM were keen to expand their sound and as fans of Richard and Linda Thompson and Nick Drake they decided to use their producer, Joe Boyd, the problem was Joe lived in England, so they came over and recorded the album in London in early 1985. They were not used to Boyd’s long hours of mixing and remixing so with this and the joy of the British weather I am amazed it’s not the most depressing album ever.

The record opens with Feeling Gravity’s Pull sounds it as if Peter Buck is tuning up before the rest of the band come in all slow and slinky as they try to seduce you into their world, it works.

Maps and Legends has a wonderful chorus Stipe clear and Mick Mills backing vocals elevates and second single Driver 8 is what you would expect, extremely catchy song with jangly guitars and great harmonies and there is a haunting effect to Old Man Kinsey where again the band slow it down and allow space and push Mick Mills vocals up with Stipe.

Now, let’s get funky!  Can’t Get There From Here is REM showing, before it happened, that they could write pop hits and add horns as well and they follow it with the reflective Green Grow the Rushes.

Auctioneer I like Berry’s drumming and Buck’s riff but cannot get on board with the chorus, I don’t feel it fits the song, but let’s not have an amateur like me criticise Michael Stipe’s writing.

Good Advices ends beautifully and Wendel Gee with added banjo highlights that the band were expanding from jangle, lovely end to a record

I sometimes feel this record is overlooked in the REM cannon after the excitement of the first two records, but they were keen to move on, experiment and find further inspiration. Wonder where it would take them.

7.5/10

GIVE IT A STREAM: Maps and Legends