Accelerate
by R.E.M.
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 33
  3. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Hot Press
    60
    Accelerate is patchy at best, with only the blaring finale, ‘I’m Gonna DJ’, really catching the attention.
  2. Tiny Mix Tapes
    60
    R.E.M. do sound like a band again, but they don’t sound like a band very much apart from their peers.
  3. Uncut
    60
    Accelerate is a simple, pragmatic record built on an uncomfortable truth: sometimes, even the best bands have to retrace their steps, if only to remind themselves what they're really good at.
  5. NOW Magazine
    40
    There are a few jangly throwbacks for nostalgia’s sake interspersed throughout Accelerate, but they’re overshadowed by blustery guitar blather that shouts “anachronism” at every turn.

Awards & Rankings

23
#23 Most Discussed Album of 2008
42
#42 Most Shared Album of 2008

User Reviews

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User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 139 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 120 out of 139
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 139
  3. Negative: 4 out of 139
  1. Batters
    Feb 23, 2022
    8
    Из альбомов вышедших после ухода Билла Берри этот – лучший. Очень драйвовый, панковый и приятный на слух.Из альбомов вышедших после ухода Билла Берри этот – лучший. Очень драйвовый, панковый и приятный на слух.
  2. Ricko
    Jan 14, 2017
    9
    After the disappointing Around the Sun, R.E.M's poorest record to date, there was some real pressure on them to deliver with their follow-up.After the disappointing Around the Sun, R.E.M's poorest record to date, there was some real pressure on them to deliver with their follow-up. Thankfully, for the most part, they did. Accelerate is rockier, less produced and more passionate than their previous couple of efforts. Written in a live environment (see their Live at the Olympia record - their Dublin residency while "rehearsing" for the Accelerate recording sessions), you can feel and hear a rediscovered urgency in the songs (opener "Living Well Is The Best Revenge" being the best example of this), thanks in a large part to the inspiration provided by playing alot of their earliest material during those sessions. It's not quite up with their best and benefits from the fact that its following up a poor record - there are probably 2 tracks that don't really cut it, but this is R.E.M and overall it's a really strong record.… Full Review »
  3. ricco94
    Aug 30, 2012
    9
    R.E.M. are back more powerful than ever! Finally they have returned to a rock sound, and it's great.
    Livin Well Is The Best Revenge is the    R.E.M. are back more powerful than ever! Finally they have returned to a rock sound, and it's great.
    Livin Well Is The Best Revenge is the symbol of their rescue, probably the hardest song they have ever made, but the masterpiece is Supernatural Superserious. That's one of their greatest song and I love it.
    Michael Godlike Genius!    … Full Review »
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