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

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  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. JDWilliams
    Apr 5, 2008
    10
    Best since Automatic For The People. Mr. Roberts is so catchy.
  4. MaggieS.
    Apr 7, 2008
    10
    The best album of their career.
  5. MichaelH.
    Oct 2, 2008
    10
    Greatest Band in the world!!!!!
  6. Mark
    Mar 26, 2008
    10
    Truly great album.
  7. WilldavesMachado
    Apr 1, 2008
    10
    Great album! Only great songs!
  8. CrossdeL.
    Apr 1, 2008
    10
    Great, Great Come back.
  9. [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.
  10. 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.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. JohnN.
    Apr 4, 2008
    10
    Excellent album. Their best in over a decade!
  14. 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
  15. JamieB.
    May 3, 2008
    10
    People have waited 15+ years for this.
  16. SandraS.
    Mar 31, 2008
    10
    This album is simply amazing. Finally the guitars are back (thank you Peter) in a big way, Micheal's lyrics are beautiful, and Mill's back vocals simply enhance the greatness of each songs. It's a great rock album from a legendary band. And despite what some critics say, it is worth listening to....over and over again.
  17. WillH.
    Apr 1, 2008
    10
    Excellent CD - a renewed sense of purpose is evident. While it is REM's most "rock" album since Monster, it easily eclipses that boring dud (contrary to Taylor's - is that a guy or girl's name? - inaccurate review).
  18. TomH.
    Apr 10, 2008
    10
    A modern classic.
  19. 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
  20. 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.
  21. MiguelA.
    Mar 31, 2008
    10
    Accelerate is a fun, raw, energetic, melodic, dark and fast rock album. All good, no filler. Pure magic. R.E.M. has done it again!
  22. CarolineC.
    Mar 31, 2008
    10
    R.E.M. is back!!!! Living well is the best revenge is the best rock song of the year...so far!
  23. Andy
    Mar 31, 2008
    10
    A really nice album.
  24. FelipeP.
    Mar 31, 2008
    10
    Their best album since "Automatic For The People."
  25. 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.
  26. WesleyM.
    Apr 4, 2008
    9
    Their best work in years. Remarkably consistent, "Man-Sized Wreath" and "Horse to Water" are highlights.
  27. 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.
  28. 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
  29. 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
  30. 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.
prev
Page:

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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »