I've kind of just been listening while driving and so not paying the closest attention to lyrics and such... but some stuff has stuck out. This album has gone through about 3-4 times and I haven't changed it yet either.

Redhead Walking is good. I always hear that particular lyric. Its kind of old-school REM, more talking than singing almost.

Airliner is an instrumental track. It reminds me of like a surf movie or maybe something that would have been on the Pulp Fiction or Kill Bill soundtrack. I like it though.

Horse to Water, Living Well is the Best Revenge, and Until the Day is Done are all "Live from Athens" tracks. Honestly I didn't realize they were supposed to be live tracks. You can't hear an audience at all. They seem to be slightly different arrangements, but not too much. If I hadn't bought the whole album I probably wouldn't have gotten these tracks.

My suggestion is to download the 2 "Non-Album" tracks and skip the "Live" tracks... good thing none of these are "Album Only".

These bonus tracks are also available DRM Free on Amazon MP3 Downloads at 256kbps.

Kinda blows the whole album and bonus tracks are $8.99 now on there, after I bought the cd for $9.99.

my suggestion, as well.

Dare I say the first two tracks remind me of the one-two punch of Begin the Begin/These Days from Life's Rich Pageant? Really enjoying this effort.

I thought that too! Glad you said it first though.

Really loving this cd, dont see me taking it out of my cd player for at least a week.

Yep I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks the beginning of LRP is one of REMs greatest moments. Still gives me chills 20 years later.

looks like Accelerate might possibly be a sales rebound for the band! Early Hits reports already predict an easy #2 debut behind George Strait. Remember that Around The Sun didn't even go top 10 and only sold about 200,000 total, Accelerate is expected to open with 100k anyways, so it should easily outsell Around The Sun in a matter of weeks. This is definately the first album of theirs that has clicked with me since New Adventures In Hi-Fi.

I've been listening to it all week and I love it. I had really high hopes for Around The Sun (especially considering the single was quite good) and absolutely hated it so this is especially nice.

I actually lived in Athens, GA until this Jan. so yeah... bravo fellas.

Got it yesterday. So far, I'm am completely underwhelmed.


But then again, I think Automatic For the People is the only decent album they've released in over two decades.

We know, we know....never has a band with such promise fallen so far after their first four LPs. You're getting predictable buddy.

i know i am in a minority, but AFTP is one of my least favorite albums. in fact, i have listened to AFTP about as much as i listened to reveal or around the sun. i have always felt that it was a tremendous letdown after out of time and, perhaps, that has colored my judgment since.

Agreed.

With the ridiculous amount of promotion it's received, I should hope so. They were even pimping the album during an IndyCar race yesterday.

das

The more I listen to it, the more I like. Nice hearing Mike Mills' background vocals smattered all over. Uh, maybe I just didn't notice on the last couple of albums because I couldn't stomach them more than a couple of spins.

First three LPs. I thought Life's Rich Pageant sucked.

You suck!

das

I like Life's Rich Pageant better than any of the first 3.

And I thought you had good taste in music...

Yeah, now you're crossing the line!

Regarding Life's Rich Pageant, I have to confess I haven't heard it in more than 20 years. Maybe I'd have a different opinion now, but I was extremely disappointed with it when it came out.

The last time I saw R.E.M. was on that tour, BTW.

If you haven't liked anything they have done since the early 80's, why bother even listening to their new records?

1. My wife likes their music.

2. There are always a few songs on each album I really like ("Lotus" from Up is one of my favorite songs, period).

3. I see their CDs for like $3 used and can't help myself.

4. I'm an optimist; one day, they might make the new Murmur.

Begin the Begin
These Days
Fall on Me
Cuyahoga
I Believe
Swan Swan H
What if We give it away
Just a Touch

are amazing songs. The rest are good. How could this album suck?

Those are all very understandable reasons. I am very guilty of #4. I still listen to new albums way past my interest in a band hoping that they will replicate what I used to like about them.

I just want a band to give me the same feeling I had when I originally heard or saw them. I know REM will never go back to anything close to their Murmur sound.

Actually seeing Bruce Springsteen on Monday night brought me back to how I felt when I saw him 20-25 years ago. He is still that good. I had a smile on my face for a solid 2 1/2 hours.