Fables of the Reconstruction
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| Fables of the Reconstruction | ||
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| Studio album by R.E.M. | ||
| Released | 10 June 1985 | |
| Recorded | February–March 1985, Livingstone Studios, London | |
| Genre | Rock/College rock | |
| Length | 39:44 | |
| Label | I.R.S. Records | |
| Producer(s) | Joe Boyd | |
| Professional reviews | ||
|---|---|---|
| R.E.M. chronology | ||
| Reckoning (1984) |
Fables of the Reconstruction (1985) |
Lifes Rich Pageant (1986) |
Fables of the Reconstruction is the third studio album released by the American band R.E.M. on the I.R.S. Records label, in 1985.
Contents |
[edit] Details
Despite the critical acclaim received by the band after their initial two albums, Murmur and Reckoning, R.E.M. decided to make noticeable changes to their style of music and recording habits, including a change in producer (Joe Boyd) and recording location (London, England).
Lyrically, the album explores the mythology of the Southern United States. A celebration of an eccentric individual is the subject of no fewer than four songs on the album ("Maps and Legends", "Life and How To Live It", "Old Man Kensey", "Wendell Gee"). "Maps and Legends" is dedicated to the Reverend Howard Finster, "a man of vision and feeling—a fine example to all." "Driver 8" is a song about the scenery surrounding railroad tracks.[citation needed] Trains are a frequent topic of Southern music; they epitomize the freedom and promise of an escape from one's home environment. The source of the title of "Cant Get There from Here" is a phrase heard when asking directions in a rural area.[citation needed] "Kohoutek" is about Comet Kohoutek, and is perhaps the first song by R.E.M. about a romantic relationship. "Life and How To Live It", though not referencing him by name, is certainly about Georgian author Brivs Mekis that is alluded to in the live version on the And I Feel Fine... bonus disc.[citation needed] By the time this album was released, R.E.M. were already well-known and critically acclaimed, and the video for "Cant Get There From Here" was played frequently on MTV, though it failed to chart as a single.
Recorded during a period of minor internal strife, the band's view of the album has been polarized for years. Former drummer Bill Berry was quoted in the early 1990s as saying that Fables of the Reconstruction "sucked", while frontman Michael Stipe considers it home to some of their more important songs, telling producer Joe Boyd that he had grown to love the album.
The album's liner notes lists a song entitled "When I Was Young" as among the tracklisting, but it does not appear on the release. It was played live three or four times during the 1985 "Preconstruction" U.S. College tour (a tour that took place before the release of the album), but the song was quickly dropped. However, a few lines of its lyrics would eventually form part of "I Believe", a completely different track later released on Lifes Rich Pageant.
Upon its release, Fables of the Reconstruction reached #28 in the U.S. (going gold in 1991) and was their best showing yet in the UK, peaking at #35.
[edit] Track listing
All songs written by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Michael Stipe except where noted.
- "Feeling Gravitys Pull" – 4:51
- "Maps and Legends" – 3:10
- "Driver 8" – 3:23
- "Life and How To Live It" – 4:06
- "Old Man Kensey" (Jerry Ayers, Berry, Buck, Mills, Stipe) – 4:08
- "Cant Get There from Here" – 3:39
- "Green Grow the Rushes" – 3:46
- "Kohoutek" – 3:18
- "Auctioneer (Another Engine)" – 2:44
- "Good Advices" – 3:30
- "Wendell Gee" – 3:01
[edit] UK Reissue
On August 6, 1992, EMI (which owns the I.R.S. catalogue) re-released Fables of the Reconstruction in the UK with five bonus tracks:
- "Crazy"
- "Burning Hell"
- "Bandwagon"
- "Driver 8" (Live)
- "Maps and Legends" (Live)
"Crazy", "Burning Hell" and "Bandwagon" can be found on Dead Letter Office.
[edit] Personnel
- Bill Berry – drums
- Peter Buck – guitar, banjo
- Mike Mills – bass, backing vocals
- Michael Stipe – vocals
[edit] Additional personnel
- David Bitelli – saxophone
- Jim Dvorak – trumpet
- David Newby – cello
- Camilla Brunt – violin
- Philippa Ibbotson – violin
- Pete Thomas – saxophone
[edit] Miscellanea
- This album is R.E.M.'s first to use live horns, on "Cant Get There From Here".
[edit] Charts
Album
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | The Billboard 200 | 28 (42 weeks on chart) |
| 1985 | UK Albums Chart | 35 (4 weeks on chart) |
Singles
| Year | Song | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | "Cant Get There from Here" | Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | 14 |
| 1985 | "Driver 8" | Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks | 22 |
[edit] Certifications
| Organization | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| RIAA – U.S. | Gold | June 24, 1991 |
