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Accelerate can be one of those albums which fans, upset with R.E.M.'s last few releases, may judge too highly, throwing out words like comeback just to describe a vague adult-rock, easy going consistency in a way which almost insults some of their finer intricacies.
Of course, I just might be stuck in my own nostalgia. Michael Stipe's vocal abilities haven't changed too much over the years, but what I never hear anyone go on about is how much Mike Mills' harmonies really help make the band. While those were not horrid, they were just there and not horribly well thought out.I enjoyed 'Accelerate' - more than any disk since 'Automatic for the People' - but that is not to compare those two disks. But 'Accelerate' takes the energy of the old R.E.M. It is a welcome retro feel, but it is not 1980 - make no mistake. Hailed even pre-release as a return to R.E.M.'s roots, and the press laid so much credence in this thought - it would kind of be hard to live up to.The result - they do and they don't.Is 'Accelerate' the new 'Fables of the Reconstruction'.
But on the upside, it's also not one of their last two or three releases either. I've always been a fan of Peter Buck's guitar playing.'Accelerate' isn't as fun as 'Document', 'Reckoning' or 'Murmur' - but it's not meant to be. No. I really enjoy the first four songs - especially "Hallow Man" and "Supernatural Superserious". and sticks them in the present. But I didn't expect it to be.
The new release has much much much more guitar - much more of a core band feel.
Several tracks are fast and furious as the title indicates. There's no doubt that R.E.M. So for the first time since 1996's New Adventures in Hi-Fi, the band has delivered a pure rock record. If they can bring the songwriting up on an even keel with the music, they might still have a rebirth yet.
That is what made them truly great in the first place. While Accelerate is a solid rock record, it still ranks near the bottom of the bands canon. need to disregard what popular opinion dictates and continue to blaze their own trail. R.E.M.
All of that is fine and good. And this album is not even close to their 80's output as some have suggested. were feeling the pressure to get back to being a rock band after their past three releases. But there are no classics here, no songs that are going to return the band to the superstars they were in the 90's.
The album is by no means bad. Peter Buck's guitar screams and shreds like it hasn't done in years and there is actually a drummer instead of a drum machine and looped beats. But you get the sense while listening to Accelerate, that Stipe and company were primarily concerned with rocking out and they let the songwriting take a back seat.
REM, you've let a long-time fan down. When I found out there was going to be a deluxe edition of the album with the CD/DVD, I of course bought it the first day. I was one who even thought "Around The Sun" wasn't that bad (although I know I'm in the minority).I've always found something on an REM release to "take away," e.g., a great guitar riff, a great lyric, or the like.This album suffers from poor production with over-saturated levels, distortion (unintended), unmemorable and lyrics buried in the mix (based on the poor writing, I can see why) and an album I, as a long-time fan, was ashamed to have purchased. What had happened to the band I had seen numerous times live and CDs I've enjoyed.
I have been a fan of REM's music for nearly 25 years. If this is the best you can do, call it a day. I don't plan on renewing my fanclub membership this year. Through the years, I've always looked forward to their next release.
The conclusion a friend of mine and myself (he is a long-time fan as well) is that they have run out of ideas. Meanwhile, listen to Automatic for the People or one of their earlier works for musical inspiration. They have put out a few clunker albums, but then again, what band hasn't. I anxiously opened this CD for the drive home from work and was immediately disappointed.
Awesome. Though Reveal had some lovely moments, this is the first example of REM sounding like a "complete" band since Bill Berrys retirement. Power and passion.
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