Accelerate
by R.E.M.
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

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  1. Batters
    Feb 23, 2022
    8
    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. 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"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.… Expand
  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 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!
  4. 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.… Expand
  5. 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.
  6. MichaelH.
    Oct 2, 2008
    10
    Greatest Band in the world!!!!!
  7. DJW.
    Jun 29, 2008
    9
    Sure, the album rocks and has a sense of urgency. Then, all of a sudden, Hollow Man appears and you feel that Stipe has found a lyrical melody that is instantly classic. Buck and Mills are always more than adequate when they stop trying to be like The Beach Boys (see Reveal and Around the Sun.) And you have to admit, having a career in rock isn't always easy to do, especially these Sure, the album rocks and has a sense of urgency. Then, all of a sudden, Hollow Man appears and you feel that Stipe has found a lyrical melody that is instantly classic. Buck and Mills are always more than adequate when they stop trying to be like The Beach Boys (see Reveal and Around the Sun.) And you have to admit, having a career in rock isn't always easy to do, especially these days when our attention spans are shorter than the time it takes to change the channel on your remote. Accelerate, not unlike Reckoning, makes its point then leaves. And the listener is grateful for the impact and refreshed when they "return to form" because their "form" is always better than most.… Expand
  8. 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.
  9. KellyC.
    May 28, 2008
    10
    Have been waiting for this "return to form". I actually liked a lot of Up, but Life's Rich Pageant is still my favorite. It sounds very effortless and classic - a most worthy rebirth for this great band.
  10. Riccardo
    May 10, 2008
    9
    Their best effort since New Adventures in Hi-fi (my all-time favorite). We've been waiting for something like that for 12 years. Welcome back R.E.M.!
  11. RyanR
    May 5, 2008
    10
    Best since "Out of Time", and right up there in the top 3 w/ "Out of Time" and "Document". "Mr.Richards", "Hollow Man", and "Supernatural Superserious" are all great.
  12. JamieB.
    May 3, 2008
    10
    People have waited 15+ years for this.
  13. HenryW.
    May 2, 2008
    9
    Best post-Berry album by REM.
  14. Gianni
    Apr 22, 2008
    10
    Longtime REM fan here. I own every studio album and they are my favourite band. After Automatic for the People, though, the only album that I enjoyed was New Adventures in Hi-Fi. The last three (with the partial exception of Reveal) were really disappointing. So I'd almost lost hope that they could come back with something good. But this completely blows away any high expectation Longtime REM fan here. I own every studio album and they are my favourite band. After Automatic for the People, though, the only album that I enjoyed was New Adventures in Hi-Fi. The last three (with the partial exception of Reveal) were really disappointing. So I'd almost lost hope that they could come back with something good. But this completely blows away any high expectation that I might have had. It is by far the best record I've heard this year so far, and it is a terrific rock album. I'll probably rank it in my top 5 albums by REM (along with Life's Rich Pageant, Green, Fables and Automatic). The first three tracks, Houston, the title track, Sing for the Submarine all are fantastic songs, and the only one I'm not into right now is I'm gonna DJ, which is somewhat growing on me. Thank you REM for this fabulous album, I'm over the moon for it.… Expand
  15. BryanW.
    Apr 19, 2008
    9
    Solid.....more rockin than the last few...they continue to be strong!!
  16. Peter
    Apr 19, 2008
    8
    Most rocking REM album since Document, best REM album since Automatic For The People (my personal favorite). I think they recognized that a time of retrenchment will allow them to move forward, whereas constantly striving for growth just stretches you too thin. Let's hear it for Jacknife Lee, who squeezed the best possible comeback albums from U2 and REM. Maybe Pearl Jam should talk to him.
  17. MarkB.
    Apr 18, 2008
    8
    By far one of the strongest cd's of 2007. The group shows that they haven't forgot what got them into the game. I would definitely put this in the top 10 cd's of 2007 for overall sound, catchiness and music value. Great pickup by Fueled By Ramen.
  18. StephenD.
    Apr 14, 2008
    8
    Not since 1996's New Adventures In Hi-Fi has anyone let alone fans been able to say with honest enthusiasm " hey have you heard the new R.E.M. album". Well thankfully that long wait is now over as Accelerate has R.E.M. back in the spotlight.
  19. PaulG.
    Apr 14, 2008
    8
    This is a solid effort from R.E.M. Their last several offerings have contained points of interest, but they've been somewhat sparse -- and this coming from a die-hard R.E.M. fan. It is good to see the band rocking again, and hearing Michael get back to his "smart and angry " roots.
  20. TomH.
    Apr 10, 2008
    10
    A modern classic.
  21. PeterS.
    Apr 10, 2008
    8
    Fine album. Nothing to completely blow you away here, but more energetic than they've sounded in years.
  22. JaceN.
    Apr 8, 2008
    9
    O-U-T-S-T-A-N-D-I-N-G!!! Theres a simple formula I use to score/rate albums...its the songs on the album I love against the songs I hate. Its not since R.E.M.'s 1996 offering "New Adventures in HI-Fi" with its so far undefeated 12 to 2 that ive rated one of their albums so high at 9 to 2.. Imagine if the tracklist were longer.
  23. MattM.
    Apr 8, 2008
    8
    Very accesible, holds well on its own as a record, unlike Around the Sun and Reveal which had very few memorable tracks. The only problem is the album is too nostalgic, attention deficit, and too short.
  24. JyotirmayaD.
    Apr 8, 2008
    7
    It's a great listen.... too short at 35 minutes so I downloaded the two extra tunes and made it an almost 40 minute disc. I love the urgency; I beg for one standout track...maybe it's already there and my head hasn't found it yet; the solid sound of R.E.M. that just might be themelves surprising itself with considering what it's last 2 or 3 albums sound like.
  25. 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
  26. JoeM.
    Apr 8, 2008
    8
    My favourite REM since New Adventures In Hi-Fi. Amazing how fresh a band can sound when they ditch all the crappy funk trappings they've been peddling since Bill Berry left and get back to catchy harmonised choruses on a bed of noisy, melodic guitar. They sound genuinely energised.
  27. MaggieS.
    Apr 7, 2008
    10
    The best album of their career.
  28. Jerry
    Apr 6, 2008
    10
    I think some of those giving bad reviews just don't get some of the songs. Complaining about some of the songs being "commercial" means that you're worried some "average" person might like the same song as you, in which case you can't claim to be a pretentious elitist snob, lol. And, btw, critiquing merely by comparison to the back-catalog is the lazy man's method for I think some of those giving bad reviews just don't get some of the songs. Complaining about some of the songs being "commercial" means that you're worried some "average" person might like the same song as you, in which case you can't claim to be a pretentious elitist snob, lol. And, btw, critiquing merely by comparison to the back-catalog is the lazy man's method for listening to music. Use your ears and stop trying to impress us with your "encyclopedic" knowledge of R.E.M.'s back catalog. Its a good album.… Expand
  29. JDWilliams
    Apr 5, 2008
    10
    Best since Automatic For The People. Mr. Roberts is so catchy.
  30. 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
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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.
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  2. New Musical Express (NME)
    80
    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.
    Read full review
  3. 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.
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