REM - 'Accelerate'

I was too young to be into REM in the 80s.

And I was only just getting into music when they released 'Automatic For The People'.

My point being that, unlike most reviews I've read, I'm in no real position to compare or contrast REM's new album with their early work. What I can say, is that 'Accelerate' is REM's best album since my favourite REM album, 'New Adventures In Hifi'. Now considering the lacklustre quality of the albums recorded in between, you might not think that's too much of a claim. But seriously, 'Accelerate' is a great record that will completely restore your faith in the band. Imagine those three records never existed (it's easy if you try) and 'Accelerate' seems like a natural progression from 'New Adventures'. Stipe's vocals in particular reminiscent of the gravelly desperate tone he adopted there. But where that record was the sound of a band on a long trek, staring at the vast empty American landscape from a tourbus window, 'Accelerate' is by comparison a fast paced cab ride through a bustling city.

And if 'Around The Sun' was the band operating somwehere between cruise control and neutral, then 'Accelerate' opens in top gear. Opening with an adrenaline rush of 'Living Well Is The Best Revenge' and 'Man Sized Wreath', you release that 'Accelerate' isn't so much a throwaway title, as a mission statement for the band's present and possible future. It's the sound of a band who've realised they were in a rut and doing their damndest to get as far away as possible from it. With barely a pause for breath, we're into 'Supernatural Superserious', which within the context of the album seems more substantial and less REM by numbers.

'Hollow Man' wrong foots you with a ballad like piano start but soon shifts up a gear or two into a jangly power pop track with a behemoth of a singalong chorus. 'Houston' is a claustrophobic acoustic number. A doom leaden organ crashing in every few seconds, warning of some unknown danger that threatens. The dark tones continues on the title track with heavy, melancholy guitars that cast a shadow over proceedings. 'Until The Day Is Done' is a folky country song that could easily be a overlooked cast off from 'Automatic For The People'.

Things take a slight dip over the next two tracks as 'Mr Richards' with it's part Byrds, part psychedelic edge seems uncertain of what it's trying to do and seems out of place on what, up to this point, has been a focused coherent album. 'Sing For The Submarine' meanwhile is just a tad dull and never seems to find the decent tune it's searching for. However, it says something that the two weakest tracks on 'Accelerate' are still leagues ahead of anything on 'Around The Sun'.

But as quickly as their focus slipped, it's back. 'Horse To Water' is an urgent, thunping, energetic blast that's, much like the whole album, is over before you know it. But before the final credits can roll, we've got the much maligned 'I'm Gonna DJ'. Unfairly criticised, it is nothing more a big, dumb rock song. Made up of big chords, throwaway lyrics, thumping drums and shouty woohoos, it sounds like the band sound are having an absolute blast playing it. And after a decade or so of trying too hard and failing, who could deny them that.

And then they're gone. Return welcomed but not outstayed. Point made. Anyone who wrote REM off can eat their words. It's heartwarming to hear Stipe sings "I don't want to go til I'm good and ready", with such belief and passion. Sticking it to the critics who'd accuse them of hanging round past their sell by date. And what's most satisfying is that this isn't just the sound of a band walking in their own footsteps or recreating past glories. 'Accelerate' is a fresh, vital record from a band who still want to be important.

And so on to the music. All the tracks here are taken from the footage available over at Blogotheque's Takeaway Shows. The concept is simple. They get bands to play their songs where they stand. Or sit. Or travel. Be that backstage, on the street, in a lift, a car or anywhere really. The videos are great to watch. Excellently directed with interesting and insightful anecdotes about their recording. REM's takeaway show is just the latest in a series that includes Beirut, Vampire Weekend, Cold War Kids, Arcade Fire and many more.

REM - on the fly (live acoustic version) not currently available on any album

REM - until the day is done (live acoustic version) original version available on 'Accelerate'

REM - living well is the best revenge (live acoustic version) original version available on 'Accelerate'

REM - houston (live acoustic version) original version available on 'Accelerate'

REM - sing for the submarine (live acoustic version) original version available on 'Accelerate'

mp3 / music / rem