Accelerate (2008, R.E.M.)

[fizz]

I'm no R.E.M. fan by any measure. I've heard all their commercially released stuff, gone through one album (Automatic for the people) and have their Best of compilation. So I'm no authority. Having heard 'Accelerate' about thrice now I can say its a nice breezy kind of listen. Nothing monumental except the realization that perhaps they don't sound like they have anything left to prove to anyone. The songs are short, the album very brief (a little over 30 minutes or so) and there is very little that is catchy or unique. The riffs are strong, Michael Stipe sounds like Michael Stipe and some of the tunes (to this inexperienced REM listener) sound uncharacteristically fiery or thundering (not in anger, but in a furious, manic, fun kind of way). The lyrics never try to pontificate in a U2 way, they are about what they are and some of it undeniably remains in your heads in terms of how free flowing it is. Makes for a good companion to spice up a lazy drive.

Favourite tracks: "Accelerate", "Until the day is done", "Mr. Richards".

Personal Rating: 3/5

[X.]

Yeah, that's pretty much the vibe I was getting from this album: REM decided to hang out in the studio and record something fun and forgettable.

Any favorite REM songs? I really love their underrated New Adventures in Hi-Fi album (last record with producer Scott Litt and drummer Bill Berry), and especially the collaboration with Patti Smith on "E-Bow the Letter," a song that gives me goosebumps. This album was their most experimental and it's too bad they didn't continue to explore new territory after the lukewarm response it received.

[fizz]

Never heard 'New adventures', might pick it up.

Favourite R.E.M. T tracks have to be 'Losing my religion', 'What's the frequency Kenneth' and obviously 'Everybody hurts'. Also love the contributions they made on the 'Vanilla Sky' soundtrack.