R.E.M
Accelerate
Warner
4 stars
http://www.myspace.com/rem
R.E.M. are recovered and resolved. It’s right there on the cover art as you flip open Accelerate and pull out the disc, beneath which is emblazoned "BUCK, MILLS, STIPE". The loss of original founding member (and key songwriter responsible for that minor hit 'Everybody Hurts', for example) Bill Berry, sent the band into a creative tailspin. Accelerate is the sound of the band finally getting its groove back.
Indeed a lot of Accelerate sounds fresh, like recently worked up demos the band couldn’t wait to share with the world. All bright, snappy snares and crystal cymbal washes, distorted, jangled lead lines, mandolins and the hint of strings; a remixing of all the elements for which the band are so well loved.
Though often still willfully obtuse, lyrically Michael Stipe addresses the currently dire state of American domestic and foreign policy in the way that makes him one of rock’s most fearless voices. Far from issuing flowery pleas for love and understanding, Stipe is pissed, firing off in the sunny, almost psychedelic ‘Mr Richards’. Elsewhere, the acoustic guitar driven 'Houston' with its layered, droning organ chords and mandolin chorus is vintage R.E.M. circa Out of Time/Automatic For the People. The title track is fueled by an urgent four on the floor beat, before a crushing crescendo of flailing feedback drops us into a void at its noisy conclusion.
It’s over almost before it’s begun. At just over 34 minutes it’s beaten as the band’s shortest ever only by Reckoning. Sometimes the best way to reassert your dominance is to do it quickly, without sacrificing depth.
R.E.M. have come back. They have seen, they conquered. U2 will be crapping themselves.
Ann Othehaak
