REM - Accelerate delivers!
I can't say that I didn't like "Around the Sun". I did. But Accelerate is a different animal alltogether, and a new direction for the band at a time that they needed to diverge a bit. Where "Around the Sun" and "Reveal" had a more subdued and dark tone, Accelerate is a driving rocker, with just enough slower melodies mixed in.

You can't listen to Accelerate without thinking about what songs would fit on what previous albums. It's not that the songs sound or feel old, it's that they have such appealing harmonies and melodies that they conjure up other great REM works. The first four tracks on this CD rival pretty much any album since "Automatic" or "Document".

"Mister Richards" could fit on UP, "Until the day is Done" could fit on Automatic, and "Man Sized Wreath" could fit on Monster or New Adventures. These songs, and the entire album for that matter, give us a new direction for the most part but retain enough REM backbone to make you feel comfortable as you listen. Buck's jangling guitar is out in front and Stipe's Lyrics are again right on target. Mills' baseline is more driving and focused on songs like "Living Well". There is still a good dose of political message here, as in the last two albums. But this time there is an attitude of defiance and confidence rather than sadness and despair.

The feel of Accelerate is sometimes rough ("Living Well is the Best Revenge") and sometimes perfectly polished (Until the day is Done") but always a great listen. This is one CD I have to stop myself from playing over and over so I don't get tired of it. It's that good.

The recording quality is very good, and it sounds great on my Ipod or on my big system (or blaring out my car windows).

Enjoy it!

4 star album, 1/4 star audio production
This is a good album, no arguments, but it sounds like it was recorded on a commodore 64. This is the worst audio I've heard in a long while, and there is absolutely no excuse for it. I can't understand how they can release something that sounds so bad. I really can't listen to it on the main system. Ruins an otherwise great album.

REM
I bought this CD for my Husband. It was packaged well and came within a few days. My Husband was very happy with the CD.

REM never lost it...
I own every REM album, including this one. Most reviews that I have read have been good but I'm frustrated by the implication that REM is back. I think they never lost it. Reveal was a real dud for me, and Monster is also at the bottom end of their catalog for me. However, I actually dug Around the Sun so I didn't see Accelerate as some massive comeback or step up.

That said, Accelerate is a very good REM album. Hey, there's only so much they can keep coming up with after all these years, but the vigor on this album is apparent. The songs are frequently political, and biting. The high speed of the album is actually a treat, and as a listener it feels like running through images and thoughts at a great pace. Supposedly, the production on this was pretty quick, too, and there are a couple of songs near the end that are lacking, such as Sing for the Submarine which could have used some judicial editing, and Horse to Water which is basically filler.

The rest, however, is killer, and the album really shines in the middle with Accelerate, Until the Day is Done, and Mr. Richards.

Life's Rich Pageant for a new generation... & for those of us who've hung in there!
This is REM at its best in 10 years! REM has (FINALLY!!!) returned to its roots of jangly Buck guitar and divine Stipe/Mills harmonies. From the very first track this album is channeling LRP and for once in a decade they have an album that can be listened to from beginning to end (think OOT & AFTP). One where the tracks flow into each other and don't beg the use of the 'next track' function on your cd/dvd player. While I have plenty of favorite moments over the past three albums none of them gave me the feeling of oneness but more that of individual experiments compiled together. This is the album REM fans have been waiting for!!! An absolute masterpiece!