Review: R.E.M. Accelerate
Wednesday, April 16th, 2008
R.E.M. rocks again. Finally
It’s been a long time since we could really be excited about a new R.E.M. album. Ever since drummer Bill Berry left the group after 1996’s “New Adventures In Hi-Fi” the band has been incredibly hit and miss, trying to redefine who they are. 1998’s “Up” was experimental with a few shining moments (”At My Most Beautiful” ranking high); 2001’s “Reveal” was a bit more accessible, with “Imitation of Life” and “All The Way To Reno” the stand-out’s of that album. Then there’s 2004’s “Around The Sun”, one of the most boring and uninspired albums I’ve ever listened to. Do you know anyone that likes it? Me neither. Realizing that they were floundering, bassist Mike Mills, guitarist Peter Buck, and singer Michael Stipe knew something had to change. They hit the studio, worked up some new songs, honed them live (see below for some footage), and went on to record the album now known as “Accelerate”.
R.E.M. rocks again. Finally.
Clocking in at roughly 34 minutes, “Accelerate” is the band’s loudest album since 1994’s “Monster”. Kicking off with “Living Well Is The Best Revenge”, R.E.M. plays like they have something to prove. It’s safe to say they did. First single “Supernatural Superserious” is undeniably catchy. “Horse To Water” features a classic Mike Mills background vocal, while album closer “I’m Gonna DJ” is actually fun. If the music recalls their early days when they were heralded as “college rock” it’s because these nearly 50 year old musicians are dishing out music that they could have recorded 20 years ago. Stipe’s voice is virtually unchanged, and few singers of his stature can say the same.
I’ve written R.E.M. off so many times over the past decade and then they come back and find a way to surprise me. If you were ever a fan and they lost you too, “Accelerate” will probably bring you back. It will also help score you some points today.