R.E.M, "Fables of the Reconstruction", 1985, Original First Pressing LP; NM, NM

$

22

R.E.M. - Fables of the Reconstruction Released:         June 10, 1985 Recorded:         February–April 1985 Studio:              Livingston (London) Genre Length:              39:44 Label:                I.R.S. Producer:          Joe Boyd
Fables of the Reconstruction (or Reconstruction of the Fables) is the third studio album by American alternative rock band R.E.M. It was the band's first album recorded outside of the U.S., with sessions taking place at Livingston Studios in London. The record displays a darker, murkier sound and lyrics drawing from Southern Gothic themes and characters. It has also been viewed as a transitional album, retaining the sound and obscure themes of the band's early work while hinting at the experimentation with acoustic instrumentation that would be present on their later albums.
Band opinions The members of R.E.M. have expressed varying opinions on Fables since its release. In 1987, drummer Bill Berry bluntly stated that Fables "sucked". In a Rolling Stone interview from 1991, Buck was dismissive of "Driver 8", saying, "I can write that kind of stuff in my sleep. We all can." However, Stipe, who once infamously compared the album's sound to "two oranges being nailed together", stated in the same 1991 interview that he believed Fables contained the band's strongest set of songs up to that point. Buck has since spoken positively about Fables, stating in the liner notes of the album's 25th anniversary reissue: "Over the years, a certain misapprehension about Fables of the Reconstruction has built up. For some reason, people have the impression that the members of R.E.M. don't like the record. Nothing could be further from the truth. [...] It's a personal favorite, and I'm really proud of how strange it is. Nobody but R.E.M. could have made that record."
Track listing All songs written by Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Michael Stipe" except "Old Man Kensey", co-written by Jeremy Ayers.
A Side               Title                                      Length 1. "Feeling Gravitys Pull"                     4:48 2. "Maps and Legends"                        3:10 3. "Driver 8"                                          3:23 4. "Life and How to Live It"                   4:06 5. "Old Man Kensey"                            4:08
Another Side             Title                                        Length 6. "Cant Get There from Here"             3:39 7. "Green Grow the Rushes"                3:46 8. "Kohoutek"                                        3:18 8. "Auctioneer (Another Engine)"          2:44 9. "Good Advices"                                 3:30 10. "Wendell Gee"                                 3:01
Personnel R.E.M. Bill Berry (credited as "WT Berry – Best Boy") – drums, backing vocals Peter Buck (credited as "PL Buck – Ministry of Music") – guitar, banjo, harmonica Mike Mills (credited as "ME Mills – Consolate Mediator") – bass guitar, backing vocals, piano Michael Stipe (credited as "JM Stipe – Gaffer Interpretor") – lead vocals
Additional musicians Camilla Brunt – violin (1) Philippa Ibbotson – violin (1) David Newby – cello (1) Pete Thomas – tenor saxophone (6) David Bitelli – tenor and baritone saxophone (6) Jim Dvorak – trumpet (6)