Before
they were a stadium band, R.E.M. won the hearts of serious music
fans with a series of thoughtful albums that made them critics’
darlings. Popular consensus would have it that they lost their
way somewhat after Automatic for the People; but they’ve
roared back into form with their new release Accelerate.
With this record, Michael Stipe and company have
rediscovered the raw edge that made their earlier work so intriguing.
They also manage to strike a more palatable balance between big
anthems, straight-ahead rock numbers and ballads on this album,
making it a more complete experience for the listener.
Things start out promisingly with ‘Living
Well is the Best Revenge’, a jaunty, jangling number that
immediately recalls their seminal ‘It’s the End of
the World as We Know It’. The title track lives up to its
name as a well-constructed rocker; while the excellent paean for
Texas, ‘Houston’ is a standout track.
Yes, there are a couple of dead spots here too and
the album doesn’t quite have the easy grace of Automatic…
or the intensity of say Document No. 5; but after a couple
of albums that went nowhere, this is a welcome return.
Die-hard R.E.M. fans will want to get Accelerate
immediately. If however your only experience of the band is ‘Shiny
Happy People’ or ‘Everybody Hurts’, give this
a go – you may be pleasantly surprised.
Phil James
To see a clip for 'Supernatural
Superserious' from Accelerate click the play button below
Before
they were a stadium band, R.E.M. won the hearts of serious music
fans with a series of thoughtful albums that made them critics’
darlings. Popular consensus would have it that they lost their
way somewhat after Automatic for the People; but they’ve
roared back into form with their new release Accelerate.