R.E.M Climbing back to the top (Accelerate - R.E.M.)

Member Name: JJJJ

Product:	Accelerate - R.E.M.
Date:	09/08/08 (29 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fast, catchy tracks

Disadvantages: I'm Gonna DJ

Accelerate is the fourteenth (yes, fourteenth!) album from U.S Rockers R.E.M. Hyped as 'R.E.M going back to their roots' with a more punky and raw sound, the album is fairly short at just over half an hour in length.

R.E.M's previous album, 'Around the Sun' was not well received, and Accelerate may be the answer to the critics, proving there's still life in the old band - But is there?

The album opens with, 'Living well is the best revenge', which is a pacey number featuring multiple, and distorted guitars. It's not an opening track that's instantly impressive, but becomes quite catchy on or around the third listen. It does, however, set the tone for the rest of the album.

The album is not all about frenetic pace, and features slower songs which I have always felt suit Stipe's gravely voice beautifully. Hollow Man, builds from a slow start, and 'Houston' is what I would expect classic R.E.M to sound like - It could be plucked straight from 'Out of Time.

The one pretty naff track featured on Accelerate is, 'I'm Gonna DJ at the End of the World', which, although being quite catchy - has cringe-worthy lyrics and reminds me of Radio Song from R.E.M's earlier album 'Out of Time'.

Overall I'm impressed by Accelerate - it doesn't compare to classic R.E.M, but it's by no means bad, and quite a good listen.
The latest studio offering by the boys from Athens, Georgia is a definite improvement on Around the Sun.

Summary: Almost back to their best