What’s going to be playing at the end of the world? Ask R.E.M. and their new album of this year. After a slowing pace during the last decade R.E.M. has returned with Accelerate, its best album of the decade. Invigorated by their 2006 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the trio’s fourteenth studio release Accelerate embodies their refreshed energy. Compared to Around the Sun, the poorly received release of 2004, R.E.M. took a different turn: revivifying the rock, while shying away from alternative ballads. The majority of songs are fast-paced and considerable focus is placed on the guitar. The group also took a new path in the distribution of Accelerate. A week prior to the US release, the entire album was available for streaming over the internet.
The album opens with "Living Well Is the Best Revenge," scornful words to an ex-lover in rapid lyrics. This track has the classic R.E.M. form, chord progressions, and overall sound. While not the strongest track of the album, it is a connection to previous work. “Man-Sized Wreath” continues with vague, but potent lyrics and a classic feel, which is enough for a two and a half minutes. The first single and hit of the album is “Supernatural Superserious.” The lyrics immediately grab you “Everybody here comes from somewhere / that they would just as soon forget” and the song is supported by a driving guitar, and a catchy chorus sporting great writing.
It is obvious from “Hollow Man” and others that Stipe’s vocals on Accelerate emanate directly from his heart and experience; few songs from previous albums easily compare to his commitment on this release. Slow, somber verses contrast wonderfully with the running choruses of empowering lyrics. “Houston” an acoustic based track, a sort of modern folk tune, is followed by the title track “Accelerate”, another variety of typical R.E.M. sound with a focus on distorted guitar. “Until the Day is Done” is a sullen acoustic song with clear underlying political discontent: “the battle’s been lost / the war is not won / … / the verdict is dire / the country’s in ruins.” The last four tracks of the album focus strongly on a variety of rock songs. “Mr. Richards” brings back the guitar distortion in a fashion more akin to the Smashing Pumpkins than to R.E.M., but “Sing for the Submarine” is a masterpiece of R.E.M. style infused with novel techniques, movement, and harmonizing. “Horse to Water” identifies one of R.E.M.’s lyrical methods of taking a phrase, and riffing through more or less random thoughts and rhymes. As the final track “I’m Gonna DJ” expresses the hopes to DJ the party when the world ends.
A notable shortcoming to Accelerate is its length. With eleven tracks, the album comes in shy of even 35 minutes, making their new album their shortest of all fourteen. This may be great for radio play, but any R.E.M. fan will quickly search out the bonus tracks: two extra studio tracks and four live performances from the album. Fueled by their recent Hall of Fame status, production of their first ever live collection in 2007, and successful new album, Accelerate is R.E.M.’s new motto as they move forward. R.E.M. is a group that will always have a future, and as their current progress suggests we will not be disappointed by their next album. So even if R.E.M. does not get the gig to “DJ at the end of the world”, we know they will still be somewhere on the playlist.
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