I can say with some relief that ithis s a welcome return back to form for REM. Just when you thought they had lost the plot on the last album they re-discover the magic that made them one of the top bands of the 80's and 90's!!! The songs are tight and catchy and they actually sound like a band that are enjoying themselves .....it's just a pity that it's all over in just over half an hour. But as they say ..... "less is more!!!"

It's strange that millions of people throughout the world utter the letters REM with such respect, excitement and emotion when to Michael Stipe, Mike Mills and Peter Buck those letters are no more than a random find in a dictionary right back when they emerged in 1980. Since then those 3 core members have gone on to release 14 studio albums, some regarded as classics and the finest albums ever made. However their releases of late; 2004's Around The Sun and 2001's Reveal did very little to inspire the fans of Monster and Green and almost excluded the fans who regarded Document as their best effort. Nevertheless on Accelerate, REM has gathered some pace and pushed that heavier rock sound of yesteryear to the forefront.
One of the first things that must be said is that over time Accelerate will become an amazing album. It currently sits, as a blink in the three-piece's history. Clocking less than thirty-five minutes, the album escapes you before you get to embrace it but a year or two down the line, the spin of this album will flood you with thoughts of "How did I ever forget about this!?"
Some songs on here are shockingly short but capture all that really needs to be said without a patronising repeat of the chorus or misguided guitar moment. Houston barely stumbles the two-minute mark but delivers the impact of Hurricane Katrina, in which it's referenced through a positive Stipe. Every song on here captures a different style and atmosphere and reinforces that notion of a freedom in mind through music. Stipe's almost withering but perfectly apt voice in Sing For The Submarine depicts a tragic wartime scene with reflecting moments of better times for the brave men at stake. Opener; Living Well Is The Best Revenge conjures this image of someone constantly breaking down these relentless boundaries with its galloping verses into triumph filled choruses. The band also invites us into their political persuasions on Man Sized Wreath with the lyrics "Turn, on the TV, What do I see? A pageantry of empty gestures, all lined up for me" regarding George W. Bush's appearance at last years Martin Luther King Day's celebrations.
Its also clear to see the band has been infected by rock and roll once more when the forgotten child of Document; Horse To Water rings like It's The End Of The World As We Know It both song wise and ironically globally. On Supernatural Superserious, the bands first single from the album, a ring of classic REM is evident, possibly Green, with both the return of Mike Mills' vocal harmonies and Stipe's lyrical ventures. The albums tempo constantly changes but seems completely appropriate as title track Accelerate drives with the urgency it suggests yet Until The Day Is Done slowly reaches a climax occupying the place for the second longest track on the album. How closing track I'm Gonna DJ came out of the Around The World sessions is beyond comprehension but its great to see its surface on Accelerate, as the bouncey, head thrusting track surely suggests a return to form for the band, be that with added "Whoo-hoo's" from Stipe and Co. The albums next single Hollow Man sounds like a quiet but sincere thank you to the REM fans for their perseverance. As Stipe puts it "You had placed your trust in me, I went upside down, I emptied out the room in 30 seconds flat, I can't believe you held your ground" but considering we had this to wait for, isn't it a good thing we did?

After nearly four years since Around the Sun, R.E.M. are back. This album was definately worth waiting for. A lot of critics have showed doubt about R.E.M. in recent years, but about three seconds into 'Living Well is the best revenge' it's clear that R.E.M. are as exciting a band as they were when they first formed. My only problem with the album is that it's over too soon. Bring on the next one (assuming they will make at least one more).

REM back at their best? Not quite, but very very close. This is the REM of the Document / Life's Rich Pageant days and personally I welcome them back with open arms.
The first time you listen to this album it sounds like a bit of a confusing jumble, but give it a second play and you'll soon discover the magic is there. You'll be tapping along to the first three tracks and later singing along to the likes of Accelerate and Mr Richards as if you'd heard them 100's of times before.
There is no real stand-out song on this album, but then I personally hate albums with only one or two decent songs on them. This is an album which long-time REM fans will love and one which should encourage newer fans to check out REM's past albums.
If REM produced more stuff like this I wouldn't complain, but if they could find the missing ingredient that would make this a five star album I'd be a Shiny Happy Person.

As Michael Stipe exclaims at various points on this album - "Wow!"

This is without doubt an excellent record and is easily up there with their other seminal recordings - Murmur, Document, Green, Out of Time, Automatic, Monster, New Adventures, Up.

The sheer thrill of the breakneck tracks (Living Well, Man-Sized Wreath, Supernatural Superserious, Horse To Water & I'm Gonna DJ) is worth the purchase price itself. I can't remember a record that has such a blistering opening AND devastating finale.

But there are other gems, most notably the beautiful semi-acoustic "Until The Day Is Done" and the sublime electric-drone of "Mr. Richards", surely one of Stipe's strongest melodies and vocal performances of all time.

The remaining tracks take a little more time to develop their appeal but it's now very hard to spot any weak points at all in this collection.

What is sad is that this record probably won't be universally celebrated in the same way that some of its illustrious predecessors were (and still are). A shame for the band themselves but also for those people who have drifted away either through choice or the senseless decline in popular appeal that always seems to happen once a band has, according to self-styled experts, 'passed their best'.

This music will provide the light you cannot resist.

This album reminds me of classic alt guitar rock REM - 'Document' and 'Lifes Rich Pageant'. The first three tracks are a breathless thrill. Some great classic on form 'slow songs' on this too. Welcome back REM, I always knew you were and are a great band and great bands don't lose it, they just get a little diverted now and then!

Don't get me wrong this is a good CD but there's just something not quite forfilling enough about it and the only thing that i can put my finger on is the mastering. The sound is pretty raw to the extent that to get a reasonable level I've had to turn the bass nearly fully up so that there's a bit of 'ooomph' to it.
Apart from that the songs are good and this does sound very much of REM of old but with that being the case it does sound like they've recorded this in a garage.

I have been a BIG fan of REM and all of the musical offshoots of Messrs Stipe and Co and always listen openly to what they have to offer.

To me, in a nutshell, REM have not produced their best work in the past 10 years, okay, there have been minor shining moments 'Daysleeper', 'Electrolite', 'So Fast So Numb' to name but three.

This album is a short sharp shock to my system, it barely takes you past the 30 minute barrier and whilst the tracks are punchy, gutsy and full of verve and 'spunk', I would have liked to see a little more substance to each track, creating more of an 'album' rather than a 'taste of things to come'.

Stipe turns 50 years old later this year, I hope that he, Buck and Mills go on to create new records that will continue to create a buzz in the music industry.

All in all, a great album, not brilliant but far better than their recent offerings.

After the half-letdown that was (for me at least) Around the Sun, it has been a long wait from the 2001 album Reveal. Now they're finally back with all that made the band so great in the 90s. Great music, interesting Lyrics..let's be honest, the only thing missing in this album is Bill Berry =) for the rest, it's got it all! a must buy!

Don't get me wrong REM are a great band but it has been some years since they released a great album. Don't believe the hype as this isn't the CD to put them back on form. Not bad and containing some decent tracks but no classic.