This week's reissued CDs reviewed

REM

Reckoning Deluxe Edition Universal ****

Hard to believe that Michael Stipe once sported a full head of curls and Peter Buck was a skinny kid with a Pete Townshend moptop. By 1984, the quartet had reached cult status via their beguiling debut album, Murmur. Expectations were high for the follow-up, and it didn't disappoint. But while a remastered Murmurrevealed new nuances and unravelled some of Stipe's murky lyrics, the crisply produced Reckoningneeds little clarification. The normally reticent Stipe came out of his southern gothic shell, and the band, fresh from a triumphant tour, were ready to rock out. Harborcoat, Pretty Persuasionand Second Guessinghave plenty of punch, and while the country plea of (Don't Go Back To) Rockvillewill remain the album's most hummable tune, it's the oceanic longings of So Central Rain, 7 Chinese Brothersand Time After Timethat really catch the mood.

Download tracks: So Central Rain, 7 Chinese Brothers, (Don't Go Back To) Rockville