R.E.M. – Fables Of The Reconstruction / Reconstruction Of The Fables

R.E.M. – Fables Of The Reconstruction / Reconstruction Of The Fables

Released in June 1985, Fables Of The Reconstruction (also known as Reconstruction Of The Fables on some editions) is the third studio album by R.E.M. and a landmark release in the development of American alternative rock. Capturing the Athens, Georgia quartet at an important transitional moment, the album moves towards a darker, more atmospheric sound while retaining the ringing guitars, cryptic lyrics and melodic instincts that made their early records so distinctive.

For this album, R.E.M. travelled to London to work with renowned British folk-rock producer Joe Boyd, best known for his work with Fairport Convention, Nick Drake and other influential artists. Recorded at Livingston Studios, the sessions marked a departure from the band's previous collaborations with producer Mitch Easter. Boyd brought a different perspective to their music, helping create an evocative collection influenced by Southern American folklore, traditional folk music and richly textured arrangements.

Peter Buck's chiming, intricate guitar work remains central to the band's identity, complemented by Mike Mills' melodic basslines, Bill Berry's inventive drumming and Michael Stipe's enigmatic vocal delivery. The arrangements incorporate additional instrumentation, including strings, horns and banjo, giving the album a distinctive rustic and occasionally unsettling atmosphere.

Opening track 'Feeling Gravitys Pull' establishes the record's darker psychedelic character, with its unusual rhythmic structure and atmospheric guitar textures. 'Maps And Legends' and 'Driver 8' demonstrate the band's ability to combine cryptic storytelling with memorable melodies, the latter becoming one of their most enduring early recordings. 'Life And How To Live It' is another standout, driven by an infectious rhythm and an expansive arrangement, while 'Old Man Kensey' draws on the album's recurring fascination with eccentric characters and Southern mythology.

The second side offers further variety, from the funkier, more direct approach of 'Can't Get There From Here' to the atmospheric folk-rock of 'Green Grow The Rushes'. 'Kohoutek' and 'Auctioneer (Another Engine)' explore more experimental territory, while 'Good Advices' provides a beautifully melodic contrast. Closing track 'Wendell Gee', with its gentle banjo-led arrangement, brings the album to a quietly haunting conclusion.

Although sometimes overshadowed by the band's earlier Murmur and Reckoning, Fables Of The Reconstruction is an essential part of R.E.M.'s early catalogue and an important step towards the more expansive sound they would develop later in the decade. Its combination of jangling alternative rock, psychedelic folk, Southern Gothic atmosphere and thoughtful songwriting makes it a particularly rewarding listen.

An essential addition for R.E.M. fans, collectors of 1980s alternative rock and anyone interested in the development of American college rock and independent music.

Tracklist

A Side – Fables Of The Reconstruction
A1. Feeling Gravitys Pull (4:48)
A2. Maps And Legends (3:01)
A3. Driver 8 (3:18)
A4. Life And How To Live It (4:20)
A5. Old Man Kensey (4:10)

Another Side – Reconstruction Of The Fables
B1. Can't Get There From Here (4:10)
B2. Green Grow The Rushes (3:42)
B3. Kohoutek (3:10)
B4. Auctioneer (Another Engine) (2:41)
B5. Good Advices (3:30)
B6. Wendell Gee (2:56)