The crowds are gathering, the fanboys form a line. They all sing a chorus of “R.E.M. is back.” I join that crowd, but stand in the back and mutter under my breath that they may be back, but they aren't the same. I'll sing along to that fanboy song, but I'll sing it soft and to myself.
I can't help but wonder that if this album had been released after New Adventures in Hi-Fi instead of Up would the choir of jubilation be the same. Accelerate is a fine album, a solid one even, but it pales in comparison to the bands '80/early '90s heyday. There simply isn't enough to make this record a great one.
The good news is that Peter Buck finally found a guitar and remembered he's in a rock and roll band. The guitars are loud and fast and vibrant. After three records of computerized beeps and bland, boring guitar-lite, it feels great to hear some crunching sounds and to do something other than fall asleep to an R.E.M. album.
Ditto for Mike Mills. While the bass lines aren't nearly as prominent as Buck's guitar, it is definitely there and bouncing along. It seems like Mills has been stuck on piano for so long that I keep finding myself surprised that a driving bass is present at all. More than just a guitar though, Mills is adding his voice again, too. During several songs you can hear his lovely voice doing back up, and adding little “woos” and “la-la-las.” Nice.
I like this album. I'm as thrilled as the next guy that the boys from Athens have finally put out something that I'm not embarrassed to have in my collection. Accelerate rocks, and that's pretty good. Yet, this isn't your daddy's R.E.M. The jangle is gone. The depth is missing. The days spent pouring over Stipe's murmured vocals for hints of meaning have long since passed. It isn't R.E.M trying to be their old self. It isn't self-adulation. It isn't mimicker-y. Or mockery. Yet it isn't the R.E.M. we've come to know of late, and dismiss. It is a band finally waking up after a long nap. This kicks the dust off their last three records, and it reminds me of why I became a fan in the first place. Mostly it makes me hopeful that R.E.M still have something left to say.
That's something worth singing about.
Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd
Nice review Mat.
Definitely nice to see somebody writing about this record with a little honesty too. Everything I've read about this album so far gives me the impression that the writers (and fanboys) out there WANT a great REM record so badly, that they are willing to make this the second coming of Murmur or Lifes Rich Pageant. Which of course it simply can't be no matter how badly you might want that.
If you know anything about the way rock musicians age, you also know that's just not possible at this stage of the game.
To compare things, Springsteen's Magic is a great album for example. But it isn't Born To Run or Darkness On The Edge Of Town and anybody who thinks it should be is just fooling themselves.
At this point, if Peter Buck has rediscovered his guitar and Mills is singing again, thats reason to rejoice right there. But anybody who expects eighties REM is just kidding themselves.
So again, nice review. I think I can pick this up with confidence now.
-Glen
2 - Mat Brewster
Thanks Glen. I understand the fanboy excitement. I mean I am a fanboy, and I'm really excited about this album. But it simply isn't a return to the good old days.
In some ways I'm glad. I'd hate to see them try to mimic themselves. For the first time in a long time I am excited about this band again. I don't think we need to sugar coat this album to make that so, either.
3 - Jordan Richardson
"It is a band finally waking up after a long nap."
Couldn't have said it better myself. Nice review, Mat.
4 - Mat Brewster
Thanks. That was the best way I could think of to dismiss their last couple of albums without wasting too many words.
5 - S.Rod
"It isn't R.E.M trying to be their old self. It isn't self-adulation. It isn't mimicker-y. Or mockery. Yet it isn't the R.E.M. we've come to know of late, and dismiss."
Great review. I totally agree.
6 - Mat Brewster
Thanks SRod.
7 - Kevin Eagan
"Accelerate is a fine album, a solid one even, but it pales in comparison to the bands '80/early '90s heyday. There simply isn't enough to make this record a great one."
Yes, that's how I felt about it. Accelerate starts out strong, but ends weak ("I'm Gonna DJ?" Skip!).
I do, however, hear some of their previous Mission of Burma influences coming out again. That's always nice.