User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 139 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 4 out of 139

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  1. Michael
    Apr 1, 2008
    10
    Their best work in 16 years.
  2. DanO.
    Apr 3, 2008
    10
    This is their best album since Adventures, hands down.
  3. WesleyM.
    Apr 4, 2008
    9
    Their best work in years. Remarkably consistent, "Man-Sized Wreath" and "Horse to Water" are highlights.
  4. MichaelM.
    Apr 1, 2008
    8
    Perfect it may not be, but I've been an R.E.M. fanatic since 1987 and this shot of adrenaline is just what the doctor ordered.
  5. PeterS.
    Apr 10, 2008
    8
    Fine album. Nothing to completely blow you away here, but more energetic than they've sounded in years.
  6. James
    Apr 2, 2008
    9
    In 'Supernatural Superserious' you have the type of track that has been in short supply over the last few albums. Not a 100% success as the title track doesn't quite do it for me but I cannot wait for the Twickenham concert in August. Welcome back chaps - it's been a long time.
  7. GregK.
    Apr 3, 2008
    8
    Definitely back on track. Fun album. By the way...am I the only one who thought "REveal" was really good?
  8. DSquared
    Apr 3, 2008
    9
    What do people mean by, "Return to form?" R.E.M. is about stretching beyond where they have ever been and moving forward, not looking behind to repurpose what made them famous. Their new work is much like their past work, because it sounds fresh, new and 100% R.E.M., not because it sounds like an old R.E.M. album. They have been taking a beating over the past few years for releasing What do people mean by, "Return to form?" R.E.M. is about stretching beyond where they have ever been and moving forward, not looking behind to repurpose what made them famous. Their new work is much like their past work, because it sounds fresh, new and 100% R.E.M., not because it sounds like an old R.E.M. album. They have been taking a beating over the past few years for releasing slower, mid-tempo albums, that were target for critics and listerners alike. I think it's unfair to dismiss those albums, as they were just as powerful, in a different way. Did Around The Sun take a few more listens to grasp and pull me in, of course, but the writing was brilliant and profound. I have two favorite R.E.M. albums, those being Murmur for the change it brought to the music industry, and New Adventures for it's raw power, a place where R.E.M. has always seemed at it's best. This album is a great piece of work, and you need to own it. Expand
  9. KevinS.
    Apr 4, 2008
    9
    I am really happy with this album. They are great musicians, and brilliant songwriters; when all their stars are aligned, REM are one of the best bands in the world. Thankfully this album found them inspired and energetic. Accelerate is not on par with their masterpieces (Murmur, Reckoning, Life's Rich Pageant, Automatic for the People, New Adventures in High-Fi) but it's a I am really happy with this album. They are great musicians, and brilliant songwriters; when all their stars are aligned, REM are one of the best bands in the world. Thankfully this album found them inspired and energetic. Accelerate is not on par with their masterpieces (Murmur, Reckoning, Life's Rich Pageant, Automatic for the People, New Adventures in High-Fi) but it's a perfect place for them to be right now. I can't wait for the next album. Expand
  10. TrevorW.
    Apr 4, 2008
    9
    I am a big REM fan, and this album makes me incredibly happy after Reveal and Around the Sun were so frustrating.
  11. JDWilliams
    Apr 5, 2008
    10
    Best since Automatic For The People. Mr. Roberts is so catchy.
  12. MaggieS.
    Apr 7, 2008
    10
    The best album of their career.
  13. BrivsM.
    Apr 8, 2008
    8
    Is it coincidence that Hot Press and Uncut both rate the album 6/10, the lowest score from any mainstream publication, when they awarded the near universally reviled Around The Sun 9/10 and 8/10 respectively? Perhaps finding themselves so far out of sync with their fellow critics, R.E.M. fans and the general record buying public last time round, they've erred on the side of caution Is it coincidence that Hot Press and Uncut both rate the album 6/10, the lowest score from any mainstream publication, when they awarded the near universally reviled Around The Sun 9/10 and 8/10 respectively? Perhaps finding themselves so far out of sync with their fellow critics, R.E.M. fans and the general record buying public last time round, they've erred on the side of caution in rating Accelerate. Anyway, Athens finest are back on song here, proving there's life in the old dog yet and causing critics everywhere to hastily revise the premature obituaries issued in the wake of Around the Sun. The only real criticism is that the production could have been better. Expand
  14. TS
    Jun 2, 2008
    8
    This is no question a very good album and I'm enjoying it more with every listen. So much better than their last three discs it's shocking. Also less indulgent than many of their classic Bill Berry albums.
  15. FrancescoM
    Dec 3, 2008
    9
    Music magazines are publishing these days the lists of the 2008 top albums. Accelerate seems to appear only in the Q top 50 at number 36... But are they kidding? I know R.E.M. are not relevant anymore for the public, they are nowadays nearly out of the mainstream circuit, the album sold less than the worst expectations and even the tour hasn't been as succesful as the previous Music magazines are publishing these days the lists of the 2008 top albums. Accelerate seems to appear only in the Q top 50 at number 36... But are they kidding? I know R.E.M. are not relevant anymore for the public, they are nowadays nearly out of the mainstream circuit, the album sold less than the worst expectations and even the tour hasn't been as succesful as the previous tour... But I think those critics who compile these lists are anyway kidding!!! They only have to judge the best albums and they haven't to care about the popularity of them! 25years ago someone had the courage to put an album that sold at the time 300k copies at the top of a list which included in the 2nd place an album that sold 55M of copies. The first album is still in 2008 one of the most relevant album in the history of music, the second is only history (a legend in terms of numbers, but only history in terms of music). Accelerate couldn't absolutely be compared to Murmur, because compared to murmur the lack of creativity is too much evident. But compared to Murmur, what album recorded since 1983 to nowadays doesn't show a lack of creativity? Accelerete is simply the perfect alternative rock album You could listen in 2008! To put other alternative rock albums before accelerate in these lists is simply an insult to R.E.M., to the genre of music they have always refined in the course of their career and to history of music! Anyway this lists are not so surprising if We consider that the majority of critics prefear Monster compared to Accelerate. Please change Job! Listen to music and Judge It seems to difficult for You! According to Peter Buck, Monster was made by the scraps of AFTP remixed with catchy grunge (R.E.M. grunge not Seattle grunge) distortions... Accelerate is made by nearly perfect alternative songs like for example Supernatural Supersserious, the title song or Sing For The Submarine. And the average level is so good that when you listen to the CD You never want to skip a song! There is even someone who consider this album a bad one because the previous three were boring or because they don't accept the sexual preferences of Michael Stipe... How sad is the fact that these persons have the right to write their opinion somewhere! PLEASE LISTEN 3 CONSECUTIVE TIMES TO IT THAN JUDGE AN WRITE YOUR OPINION SOMEWHERE!!! The world doesn't need and doesn't deserve stupid prejudices! In every field of life. Collapse
  16. BM.
    Oct 24, 2008
    7
    R.E.M. rock out harder than they have since the departure of Bill Berry. That's good. The songwriting sometimes takes a backseat to the band's rediscovered rock chops. That's not so good. Overall the album is good, but you can feel the band trying too hard to be relevant again.
  17. MichaelH.
    Oct 2, 2008
    10
    Greatest Band in the world!!!!!
  18. Mark
    Mar 26, 2008
    10
    Truly great album.
  19. BobaF.
    Mar 31, 2008
    9
    A nice return to the form that made them the best band of the last 25 years (your favorite band included).
  20. WilldavesMachado
    Apr 1, 2008
    10
    Great album! Only great songs!
  21. CrossdeL.
    Apr 1, 2008
    10
    Great, Great Come back.
  22. [Anonymous]
    Apr 1, 2008
    10
    Music that resonates with their past albums without repeating the sound. This sounds like a band that made LRP and Document matured over 20 yrs. to deliver Accelerate.
  23. BertE.
    Apr 2, 2008
    9
    Accelerate is tight and focused album that is very much of its time. Very much the result of R.E.M. recording together in one room rather than in pieces.
  24. TedDiM.
    Apr 2, 2008
    9
    While it is always difficult to know whether an album will withstand the test of time this one is leaps and bounds ahead of Around the Sun and offers a set of songs that shows the band displaying real passion and energy again. If they can hold on to this passion they should be able to continue to make great music for a long time. The songs on Accelerate are generally short, joyous romps While it is always difficult to know whether an album will withstand the test of time this one is leaps and bounds ahead of Around the Sun and offers a set of songs that shows the band displaying real passion and energy again. If they can hold on to this passion they should be able to continue to make great music for a long time. The songs on Accelerate are generally short, joyous romps with I'm Gonna DJ as the weakest point. The short length of the songs could prove to be a liability over time since their not given a chance to develop and this might limit their emotional impact in the long run. But for the moment the songs should just be enjoyed for the hard-charging exuberance they present. Buy it and you're unlikely to be disappointed. Expand
  25. DavidB
    Apr 2, 2008
    8
    fun fun fun.
  26. MatthewM.
    Apr 2, 2008
    10
    Ferocious, concise and, in an effort to limit myself to three lofty proclamations, brilliant. It's not R.E.M. trying to recapture a past sound so much as R.E.M. reinstating tight song structure and sonic movement into its writing process. Buy this album.
  27. PaulL.
    Apr 3, 2008
    8
    The divisive comments are a testament -- this band is still vital, and still has something to say. Great energy on this record.
  28. MichaelC.
    Apr 3, 2008
    10
    Absolutely LOVE this album, and this is coming from a fan that has all (ALL) their albums. Love the balance between the ole school and the new. Perfect!!!! Hollow Man is a highlight for me. Thank you REM can't wait to see what the next album will be like.
  29. TimP.
    Apr 3, 2008
    10
    This is R.E.M. in 2008, and it sounds pretty amazing. Accelerate could end up as one of their five best albums. Give it a listen.
  30. Tom
    Apr 4, 2008
    9
    Very good album. Really have not paid attention to them since Monster.
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 33 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 29 out of 33
  2. Negative: 0 out of 33
  1. Accelerate is patchy at best, with only the blaring finale, ‘I’m Gonna DJ’, really catching the attention.
  2. Accelerate is by some considerable distance REM’s best and most cohesive album since Berry left, and crucially echoes a time when they made their best music, if not necessarily their biggest-selling.
  3. 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.