Sound Check

Killer comeback

R.E.M. are back on form

R.E.M.
Accelerate
Warner Music

Accelerate is the follow-up to 2004’s Around the Sun and the 14th studio album from veteran alternative rockers R.E.M.

R.E.M. have changed their style over the last few years — from the folky gloom of Out of Time and Automatic for the People in the ‘90s to their recent overproduced and rather sappy efforts.

Now they’ve finally decided to rock again with Accelerate, and it’s the first time in years that R.E.M. actually sound like a proper band.

With 11 songs clocking in at less than 35 minutes, Accelerate is the opposite of Around the Sun in every way. The music has a raw, solid, stripped-down sound, and every song is straight to the point.

This album marks a return to the harder college-rock sound of their pre-major-label days, a sound that’s guitar driven and edgy. Even the acoustic songs rock.

The first three tracks on the record are some of the best songs that R.E.M. have ever come up with. “Man-Sized Wreath” and the first single, “Supernatural Superserious,” are first class.

“Hollow Man” and the title track sound like some of their best ‘80s rock songs, while the catchy “Mr Richards” is one of the finest moments on the album.

R.E.M. have made a killer comeback with Accelerate. It’s definitely one of best albums they’ve ever put out, and one of the best records you’re likely to hear this year. — TB

	gloom (n): a feeling of being sad and without hope sappy (adj): silly and sentimental; full of unnecessary emotion solid (adj): strong and made well