Accelerate - R.E.M. > Reviews > Accelerate away guys!

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Temp, songwriting
Disadvantages:	One weaker song

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Firstly I'm a huge REM fan. So whatever I say say may be slighly rose tinted! REM seem to have gone back to basics with this album, and they sound like they're having fun along with it. The majority of tracks are upbeat and catchy. Stipe sounds on fine form throughout and Mike Mills vocals show through well in the more stripped back, guitar oriented surroundings. If you expecting (or hoping there wont be) the slick production of Around the Sun, look elsewhere as it wont be found here.

The album is brief at 34mins but you'll just want to hit play after I'm gonna DJ time and time again.

1. Living Well's The Best Revenge - Storming breakneck start to the album and really sets the tone for what is to come. Bucks jangly guitar sounds like it's the 80s all over again then the band kicks in. Mills vocals swirl in the background. Excellent track

2. Man Sized Wreath - My personal favourite. Not as quick as the opener, but maintains the momentum it creates. Stipes vocal and mills driving bass takes centre stage here after simple guitar riff.

3. Supernatural Superserious - The pace keeps up with the lead single from the album. Not the best song on here by any means but a good radio single, with the catchy chorus and the singalong section towards the end.

4. Hollow Man - And relax, finally the album takes breath and piano creeps up in the mix. But this isn't another 'Find the river' or 'Make it all OK' as the pace picks up again in the chorus. Stripes vocal sounds among it's most tender and feeling on the album. Overall the change of pace is welcome and this track pulls it of well.

5. Houston - The haunting organ on this song is what stayed with me more than anything. REM take the polictical high ground on this one, if you particularly dislike bands making that kind of statement, you'll hate this! And wait... is that mandolin in the background I hear?

6. Accelerate - Title track and most monster-like of all the album (actually reminded me of 'Circus Envy' off that album). Begins to push the pace again (if it didn't with a name like that I'd be quoting the TDA!)

7. Until The Day Is Done - One of the least 'Rocky' numbers, REM quickly revist their acoustic, atmospheric side. It would hardly be an REM album without a song like this.

8. Mr Richards - The electric kicks off once again, however this track left me a little cold. The only time of this album that happened. It's not a bad song, just never really gets going despite threatening too on several occasions and ends up floundering in the mid tempo bracket when you feel it could have gone for it. Nice harmonies from Mills and Stipe are a highlight though

9. Sing For The Submarine - A beautifully crafted song this. Almost sounds like it'd be at home on New Adventures in Hi-Fi. Stipes voice hits its best during the chorus' in a sound that builds wonderfully.

10. Horse To Water - Right now let's get going! Last two tracks turn the volume and tempo up. This song could be considered a little 'messy' but I think it's really well done. Has energy to spare and doesn't let up start to finish.

11. I'm Gonna DJ - Been a live stallwart for a while (and was included on 'Live!') carrys on the energy from Horse to Water as the album comes crashing to it's end.

The design is creative, the album sleeve contains full lyrics and credits as you'd expect. I'll spare you the 'return to form' stuff I've heard in dozens of magazine reviews as I don't believe they were ever off form to that degree. But this is a change in direction compared to their recent efforts, and that direction is the right one.