06/23:  Song of the Day.  R.E.M.–(Don’t Go Back To) Rockville

To be honest, it’s been awhile since I listened to R.E.M.  And I’ll be the first to admit that there’s a lot of R.E.M.’s music that I just completely tuned out.  (pretty much everything since Automatic for the People).  So this weekend, as I was scanning the shelves, I came across this little gem from back in the early days of Michael Stipe and crew.

Reckoning, R.E.M.’s second full-length album was released in 1984.  Along with Murmur and Life’s Rich Pageant, Reckoning is right up there as one of my favorite albums the band has ever done.  As soon as I heard the first drum beats of “7 Chinese Brothers” I instantly remembered why I love this album so much.  So many great songs:  “Letter Never Sent”, “Pretty Persuasion”, and “Camera”.  For my money, R.E.M. is still near the top of the heap when it comes to the 1980’s.  It sure is nice to step into the “Way Back” machine from time to time.  You can find a live performance of ”(Don’t Go Back To) Rockville” from Reckoning after the jump.  (It’s Michael Stipe at his southern twangy best!)

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(Don’t Go Back to) Rockville by R.E.M.

[If anyone out there has got any thoughts to share on some of their favorite bands during their early career heyday, feel free to share.  Any love for the early R.E.M.?  Any non-love?  I can take it if you got it.  Let’s hear it.]

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