With Fables of The Reconstruction R.E.M. find themselves thrust into the 'third album' dilemma - whether to persist with a distinctive sound, thereby risking being pigeonholed, or to make such a radical departure as to lose their initial following and gamble on finding a completely new audience.

Thankfully it's a problem that's been negotiated very successfully. For this album R.E.M. have dispensed with the production team of Mitch Easter and Don Dixon, the desk crew on all heir recordings to date, and gone for the talents of veteran English producer Joe Boyd, whose previous credits include Fairport Convention and Nick Drake among others, to create a more reflective backdrop for Michael Stipe's lyrical excursions. Subtle use of brass and springs complement Peter Buck's mercurial guitar work and the Berry/Mills rhythm section are as unobtrusive as the best rhythm sections should be - all in all a refined progression for one of the best sounds in contemporary music.

'Fables' has a decidedly pastoral feel, a sense of searching for long lost roots pervades Stipe's dense, almost impenetrable lyrics.