Album of the Day: R.E.M. - Fables of the Reconstruction

Fables of the Reconstruction (1985)

Opting for something a little different for their third album, R.E.M. produced this loose concept album based on Southern Gothic themes and imagery.  This affected their usual sound and lyrical choices for most of the songs, creating a very different and unique entry in the R.E.M. library.

1) Feeling Gravitys Pull - 2/5
The new sound hits you right away in this opening song that is meant to evoke the sensation of falling asleep while reading (some Southern Gothic literature no doubt).  It works conceptually as an introduction to the album, but it's not a song I enjoy listening to for fun.  It works in a near psychedelic context, but you need to be in the right mood for it.  Halfway through, some nice melodies poke their head out.

2) Maps and Legends - 3/5
This is more like the standard R.E.M. song you're used to.  It's a nice and interesting song, it just doesn't quite do anything to rise above the pack.

3) Driver 8 - 4/5
Ah, now here is when the idea behind this album really clicks.  Trains are a typical motif of Southern folk songs and R.E.M. adds their own take on the genre here.  It's an all around strong song, even if you aren't into folk music.  It also reminds me of The Kids in the Hall theme song.

4) Life and How to Live It - 3/5
Again, we have a song that is perfectly fine.  With some tweaks and polish, I feel it could have been one of their biggest hits, but it doesn't quite hit those heights.

5) Old Man Kensey - 2/5
This is the first of two "character" songs on the album and while I appreciate what they were attempting to go for here, it's not a particular favorite of mine.  It's a bit repetitive and longer than it needs to be.

6) Can't Get There from Here - 5/5
Well, this is the only "fun" song on the album (ah, I miss Murmur) so that automatically earns it a lot of points in my book.  But it still manages to fit in with the general theme, based on a typical Southern phrase.  Sure, some don't like R.E.M.'s more pop-style songs, but I'm always a fan of them.

7) Green Grow the Rushes - 3/5
Again, with most of the songs on this album, this is just pleasant, but it doesn't quite stick with me.  This one is supposed to be about those Americans (native and migrant) who are a bit forgotten in the grand scheme of the country.

8) Kohoutek - 2/5
I want to like this song as it's an R.E.M. love song, but I just can't quite get into it.  I'm sorry.

9) Auctioneer (Another Engine) - 1/5
Here it is, the first R.E.M. song that just doesn't connect with me at all.  It feels like their concept album premise was running thin and so they needed "another engine" song.  Also, the chorus just doesn't sound enjoyable at all.  Maybe that's the point, but why not have a song that actually sounds good?

10) Good Advices - 3/5
Like "Green Grow the Rushes," we have a pleasant well-meaning song that ultimately blends in with the rest of the album.  Nice ideas, but very little staying power.

11) Wendell Gee - 3/5
The second "character" song improves upon the first.  It feels a little more composed and emotional.  It's not very complex, but it's a nice way to close out the album.  That banjo solo is great, though.  Actually, it's kind of growing on me a bit with each listen...

Music Video: Can't Get There From Here

Finally! A fun R.E.M. music video.  It's still has some of the stylistic qualities of their early videos, but it also has a good sense of play.

Music Video: Driver 8

And we're back into more voyeuristic found footage territory.  But it works well for this song.

Music Video: Feeling Gravitys Pull

I couldn't get this one to embed but it's just as trippy as the song.  Well, sort of.  Weird camera angles as the band simply performs live.  Nothing too exciting.  Also, apparently, there's a "Green Grow the Rushes" video done in a similar style, but I couldn't find it.

Music Video: Life and How to Live It

Just like "Feeling Gravitys Pull," this one is shot in nearly the exact same way.  While that works for the former, it doesn't quite mesh with this one's tone.

Overall - 2.82/5 - C+
Unlike the first two R.E.M. albums, this one can really just be summed up as "Fine."  I commend the band for trying something new, but it feels a bit as if they couldn't quite make the whole enterprise work.  There are many serviceable songs, but also some duds, with only a couple stand outs.  This is what I usually expect from albums, but R.E.M. had raised the bar with their earlier works and this one can't help but feel like a bit of a stumble.  I'm sure with time, more of these songs will resonate with me (like "Wendell Gee"), but for now, it's all just fine.