Accelerate

Having read a good number of professional and pseudoprofessional reviews I was convinced to add my two cents.

Those looking for an artistic statement on the level of Reckoning or Document or AFTP are going to be rudely disappointed. Accelerate just doesn't get there. It's not even as cohesive or dramatic a band piece as Monster. But it DOES represent the band getting their chops back and rediscovering the fun of live music, albeit on tape (or however they burn masters nowadays).

Those looking for melody and hooks will also be somewhat disappointed, but the sheer VERVE these fellas bring to the table for this outing is really cool. After Around the Sun (and into the crapper) I figured we were doomed to yet another Stipe solo album- then Accelerate.

Things I missed in the previous 3 cd's- Mills' harmony, Mills' bass (catch the first two songs- man he sounds like the reincarnation of John Entwhistle)(a good thing), the jangle of Buck's guitar, and the guttural passion of Mikey himself.

It's like Stipe woke up sometime during 2006 or 2007 and thought "Man, I AM getting older but man I LOVE to rock and roll."

Nice call, guys. Four big, appreciative stars. You did good.

I have to agree, as a fan of REM from the early 80's, I watched this phenomenal band evolve to a place that made me long for the early days. I love this album. It is not a true return to the day but its a really great permutation of their earlier works. I am not too sure what their intention is but this CD rocks like no REM album has since before Green. I am running this disc through my car CD player over and over again. My only question is "Why so short?" I swear it is all over way way too soon. Not only because I like the sound but it is a very short disc. Literally my brain is moving along with the sound and bam it is over. The disc left me wanting much more. I felt like I was being teased and left hanging. This is a five star CD with a three star length.

I didn't love all the songs at first, but by the second time I did. Lots of songs to remind my of early 90's R.E.M. style. And some great tempos to keep me moving at the gym!! I can't wait to hear them live this June!!!

Previewed with the online stream prior to release, so I knew that I wanted to buy it. Really good album, I recommend it.

I have suffered through almsot a decade of sub-par albums from my favorite band hoping to relive the glory days of Murmer, Green, Out of Time, and Automatic for the People. This album finds them focused and firey for the first time in years. It is great to hear how even Michael Stipe has evolved and changed as a singer and songwriter, and yet, still manages to stay exactly the same as he always was. This is a beautiful album and a great example of why sometimes, you don't just download one song; you listen to the entire thing begining to end. There is something new to find with each listen, and that is what a good album is all about.