Album Information:

About R.E.M.:

R.E.M. was an American rock band that formed in Athens, Georgia in 1980. The band consisted of four members: Michael Stipe (vocals), Peter Buck (guitar), Mike Mills (bass), and Bill Berry (drums).

The band's early days were characterized by their jangling, folk-influenced sound, which was a nod to their southern roots. Their first album, 'Murmur,' was released in 1983 and received critical acclaim for its unique sound and poetic lyricism.

Over the course of their career, R.E.M. released a total of 15 studio albums, which sold over 85 million copies worldwide. The band's sound evolved over time, with their later albums incorporating more experimental and alternative elements.

Some of R.E.M.'s most popular songs include 'Losing My Religion,' 'Man on the Moon,' and 'Everybody Hurts.' The band was also known for their engaging live performances, which often featured Stipe's eccentric stage presence and unique fashion sense.

Throughout their career, R.E.M. won numerous accolades, including three Grammy Awards and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. They also remained politically active, using their platform to support various progressive causes.

In 1997, Berry left the band to pursue other interests, but R.E.M. continued to release music and tour as a three-piece until their eventual breakup in 2011.

Together, R.E.M. carved out a unique space in the music world, influencing countless other artists and leaving a lasting legacy as one of the most important and innovative bands of their time.

About the album Reckoning:

Reckoning is the second studio album by the American rock band R.E.M., released in 1984. The album is characterized by its upbeat, jangly guitar-driven sound and introspective lyrics, which are typical of R.E.M.'s early work.

The opening track, 'Harborcoat,' sets the tone for the album with its shimmering guitar work and driving rhythm section. '7 Chinese Brothers' follows, featuring Peter Buck's signature guitar riffs and Michael Stipe's cryptic lyrics. 'So. Central Rain' is perhaps the most well-known song on the album, with its catchy chorus and emotionally charged vocals.

Other standout tracks include the moody 'Pretty Persuasion,' the playful 'Second Guessing,' and the haunting 'Camera.' The album closes with 'Little America,' a rousing rock anthem that showcases the band's energy and musicianship.

Overall, Reckoning is a strong album that showcases R.E.M.'s distinctive sound and thoughtful lyrics. It established the band as one of the most important acts of the 1980s alternative rock scene and solidified their reputation as an influential and innovative band.

Members:

R.E.M. was an American rock band that formed in Athens, Georgia in 1980. The band consisted of four key members:

1. Michael Stipe - Lead vocalist

Michael Stipe was born on January 4, 1960, in Decatur, Georgia. He is best known as the lead vocalist of R.E.M. Stipe attended the University of Georgia where he met the other members of the band. Stipe's unique singing style and poetic lyrics were a major factor in the band's success.

2. Peter Buck - Guitarist

Peter Buck was born on December 6, 1956, in Berkeley, California. He grew up playing the guitar and was already an accomplished musician when he met Stipe at the University of Georgia. In addition to playing guitar for R.E.M., Buck also contributed backing vocals, mandolin, and various other instruments.

3. Mike Mills - Bassist and Keyboardist

Mike Mills was born on December 17, 1958, in Orange County, California. Mills met Stipe and Buck at the University of Georgia and quickly became the bassist for the band. In addition to bass, Mills also played keyboard and provided backing vocals for R.E.M.

4. Bill Berry - Drummer

Bill Berry was born on July 31, 1958, in Duluth, Minnesota. Berry played drums for R.E.M. from the band's formation in 1980 until he left the band in 1997. He was also a songwriter and provided backing vocals for many of the band's songs.

Together, these four key members of R.E.M. created some of the most memorable and influential rock music of the 1980s and 90s, with hits such as 'Losing My Religion,' 'The One I Love,' and 'Stand.' R.E.M. disbanded in 2011 after four decades of success.

Track List for Reckoning:

Sure, here are the tracks in the album Reckoning by R.E.M. with their play time and brief descriptions:

1. Harborcoat - 3:54 - A jangly guitar-driven song with infectious hooks, 'Harborcoat' sets a playful, upbeat tone for the album.

2. 7 Chinese Bros. - 4:15 - A melodic tune that tells a surrealist story about seven Chinese brothers with superhuman powers.

3. So. Central Rain - 3:13 - One of R.E.M.'s most enduring songs, 'So. Central Rain' showcases Michael Stipe's distinctive voice and the band's penchant for combining upbeat melodies with melancholic lyrics.

4. Pretty Persuasion - 3:53 - Another guitar-driven track with infectious hooks and a catchy chorus, 'Pretty Persuasion' is a testament to the band's ability to craft memorable pop songs.

5. Time After Time (Annelise) - 3:31 - Featuring a pulsing bass line and ethereal harmonies, 'Time After Time' is an atmospheric gem that showcases the band's experimentation with different sound textures.

6. Second Guessing - 2:51 - A high-energy rocker that clocks in at under three minutes, 'Second Guessing' is an adrenaline-fueled burst of guitar-driven goodness.

7. Letter Never Sent - 3:00 - An achingly beautiful ballad that features intricate guitar work and Michael Stipe's haunting vocals, 'Letter Never Sent' is one of the album's standout tracks.

8. Camera - 5:51 - Clocking in at nearly six minutes, 'Camera' is the longest track on the album and showcases the band's instrumental prowess. The song starts off slow and builds to a climactic burst of sound.

9. (Don't Go Back To) Rockville - 4:34 - An infectious, toe-tapping tune with a sing-along chorus, '(Don't Go Back To) Rockville' is perhaps the most recognizable track from the album.

10. Little America - 2:56 - Closing out the album on a high note, 'Little America' is a rollicking rocker with a driving beat and anthemic lyrics that leave the listener wanting more.

Discography for R.E.M.:

Here is the complete discography for R.E.M. in chronological order, including all albums, all singles, and all other releases with their respective release dates:

Albums:
- Murmur (1983)
- Reckoning (1984)
- Fables of the Reconstruction (1985)
- Lifes Rich Pageant (1986)
- Document (1987)
- Green (1988)
- Out of Time (1991)
- Automatic for the People (1992)
- Monster (1994)
- New Adventures in Hi-Fi (1996)
- Up (1998)
- Reveal (2001)
- Around the Sun (2004)
- Accelerate (2008)
- Collapse into Now (2011)

Singles:
- 'Radio Free Europe' (1981)
- 'Talk About the Passion' (1983)
- 'So. Central Rain (I'm Sorry)' (1984)
- 'Driver 8' (1985)
- 'Fall on Me' (1986)
- 'The One I Love' (1987)
- 'It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)' (1987)
- 'Stand' (1989)
- 'Pop Song 89' (1989)
- 'Get Up' (1990)
- 'Losing My Religion' (1991)
- 'Shiny Happy People' (1991)
- 'Near Wild Heaven' (1991)
- 'Radio Song' (1991)
- 'Drive' (1992)
- 'Man on the Moon' (1992)
- 'The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite' (1993)
- 'Everybody Hurts' (1993)
- 'Nightswimming' (1993)
- 'What's the Frequency, Kenneth?' (1994)
- 'Bang and Blame' (1994)
- 'Strange Currencies' (1995)
- 'E-Bow the Letter' (1996)
- 'Bittersweet Me' (1996)
- 'Electrolite' (1997)
- 'Daysleeper' (1998)
- 'Lotus' (1999)
- 'At My Most Beautiful' (1999)
- 'Suspicion' (2003)
- 'Bad Day' (2003)
- 'Leaving New York' (2004)
- 'Electron Blue' (2005)

Other releases:
- Chronic Town EP (1982)
- Dead Letter Office (1987)
- Eponymous (1988)
- In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988–2003 (2003)
- And I Feel Fine... The Best of the I.R.S. Years 1982–1987 (2006)
- Part Lies, Part Heart, Part Truth, Part Garbage 1982–2011 (2011)
- Unplugged 1991/2001: The Complete Sessions (2014)