Around The Sun
by R.E.M.
User Score
7.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 112 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 74 out of 112
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 112
  3. Negative: 14 out of 112

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  1. LucaG
    Oct 10, 2004
    10
    yeah!yeah!yeah!yeah!yeah!
  2. [Anonymous]
    Oct 3, 2004
    10
    Excellent Excellent Excellent
  3. juniorm
    Oct 7, 2004
    10
    What do critics have against pretty melodies and downbeat music? REM's always been about melody more than attitude. There's nothing wrong with a beautiful, downbeat, sincere album. This one does it just the right way, a lot like David Bowie's "Hours." I don't think critics understand it because they're deluged with all those ironic faux-punk albums that are all What do critics have against pretty melodies and downbeat music? REM's always been about melody more than attitude. There's nothing wrong with a beautiful, downbeat, sincere album. This one does it just the right way, a lot like David Bowie's "Hours." I don't think critics understand it because they're deluged with all those ironic faux-punk albums that are all the rage these days and don't have room in their heads for much else.… Expand
  4. Kg.
    Jan 3, 2006
    10
    This album is not for everybody
  5. Collingsj
    Mar 8, 2006
    10
    a master piece
  6. craigt
    Oct 21, 2004
    10
    Probably their best record. Yeah, really. It's a great leap on from the over-produced 'Reveal', often sounds nothing like REM at all. Can't stop listening to it and each time hear something new - and 'Aftermath', 'Wanderlust' and particularly 'Ascent Of Man' are just wonderful. This is the sound of a great band finding somewhere new to go Probably their best record. Yeah, really. It's a great leap on from the over-produced 'Reveal', often sounds nothing like REM at all. Can't stop listening to it and each time hear something new - and 'Aftermath', 'Wanderlust' and particularly 'Ascent Of Man' are just wonderful. This is the sound of a great band finding somewhere new to go to, and I love where they're at just now!… Expand
  7. michaelp
    Oct 5, 2004
    10
    this cd has some of the finest r.e.m. songs ever. highlights include leaving new york, electron blue, the outsiders, the ascent of man, and around the sun.
  8. MichaelW
    Oct 8, 2004
    10
    A beautiful, subdued, and uplifting album. Michael Stipe has never been more honest or straightforward. You can actually UNDERSTAND every word he is saying. With every album REM creates a different work of art. And of course, as with every REM album, it gets better and better the more you listen to it.
  9. eliads
    Oct 3, 2004
    9
    great album
  10. jimd
    Oct 7, 2004
    9
    Let it grow on you and it will reveal it's beauty for you. A masterpiece from the Athens boys.
  11. DaveR
    Oct 9, 2004
    9
    Excellent album once you have listened to it properly a few times. I wasn't impressed at first, but now i love it. Diffferent critics have mixed opinions on what the best songs are, but i've seen each song praised by differnet reviewers. I cant believe i've seen soo many mediocre reviews for this album.... its good to see though that normal fans of music like myself Excellent album once you have listened to it properly a few times. I wasn't impressed at first, but now i love it. Diffferent critics have mixed opinions on what the best songs are, but i've seen each song praised by differnet reviewers. I cant believe i've seen soo many mediocre reviews for this album.... its good to see though that normal fans of music like myself actually agree with me when i say this album is great.… Expand
  12. davet
    Oct 3, 2004
    9
    Leaving new york, Final straw, I wanted to be wrong, Aftermath, Around the sun and Wanderlust are all on this album and some have called it dull? whatever, y'all. This is great stuff. It takes a listen or two to take it all in, maybe. And no, it won't make you jump up and dance all the way through. But that just isn't the point. There are many gooseflesh inspiring musical moments.
  13. SimonO
    Oct 4, 2004
    9
    Don't believe the half-assed critics who gave it a listen with their remote in their hand. This is a marvellous album, full of passion, melody, awesome lyrics and innovative music. Not a filler on the album, although there are many high points. If you buy this album you won't be dissapointed. It deserves a few listens and it gets under your skin, amazing. Right back on form
  14. BrandonS
    Oct 5, 2004
    9
    Incredible. I find myself baffled by the professional critics' reluctance to embrace this album. Is it as good as "Automatic For the People?" No, it's not as good as their masterpiece. Is this an extraordinary record? Without a doubt.
  15. AdrianEC
    Oct 5, 2004
    9
    Attention "critics, "It takes more than one spin of a CD to review it. I know you have such a hard life, writing your opinions on the FREE cd's you recieve but take your time and throughly review the CD's or just resign I'd love to have yr job.
  16. JohnH
    Oct 6, 2004
    9
    Such an enjoyable listen: smooth, melodic, and-yet at times-piercing, throbbing, and insistant. I've read reviews from those pundits who wail the demise of REM since Berry left the band, and those seem dry, vacuous, and trite to me. I sincerely doubt they've given their disks more than the one obligatory spin before expousing their own vitriol. Give Up, Reveal, and Around the Such an enjoyable listen: smooth, melodic, and-yet at times-piercing, throbbing, and insistant. I've read reviews from those pundits who wail the demise of REM since Berry left the band, and those seem dry, vacuous, and trite to me. I sincerely doubt they've given their disks more than the one obligatory spin before expousing their own vitriol. Give Up, Reveal, and Around the Sun a good listen with the stereo cranked loud. You'll be happy you did. :)… Expand
  17. JontiD
    Oct 7, 2005
    9
    The most underated album in the last 5 years? yes. I can admit that the production is hard to swallow sometimes, however, this album delivers a good share of surreal gem's. High paid critics no shit about reviewing old bands comeback albums. All they really review is how the band market themselves and judge it on their image. For example, look at the reviews that the new Rolling The most underated album in the last 5 years? yes. I can admit that the production is hard to swallow sometimes, however, this album delivers a good share of surreal gem's. High paid critics no shit about reviewing old bands comeback albums. All they really review is how the band market themselves and judge it on their image. For example, look at the reviews that the new Rolling Stone's album is getting(A Bigger Bang), despite the album not delivering, especially in comparison to Around the Sun. Its too bad, R.E.M. didnt name this album "Were back... and Rocking....and you cant deny it", then it would be a definite success. These critics didnt fool me, i listened to the album, and loved it. Atleast check it out.… Expand
  18. ScottY
    Jul 9, 2005
    9
    This one got torn up in the REM newsgroups. However, I can appreciate most of REM's efforts from Murmur up to this one. The album really hits its stride around song 7, Wanderlust, through song 9, Aftermath. It's sort of a post-9/11 album according to most accounts but it's really more of a post-election album as a good portion of it seems to be a rather biting commentary at This one got torn up in the REM newsgroups. However, I can appreciate most of REM's efforts from Murmur up to this one. The album really hits its stride around song 7, Wanderlust, through song 9, Aftermath. It's sort of a post-9/11 album according to most accounts but it's really more of a post-election album as a good portion of it seems to be a rather biting commentary at the current administration in the White House.… Expand
  19. MarkM
    Oct 10, 2004
    9
    After 1 listen-through, I felt totally disappointed. After 2 listen-throughs, I felt like selling it. After the 3rd listen-through in my car, I had a catharsis from this album. I mean a shiver went down my spine on certain moments in the album. Not one song overshadows another. A true album. Genius.
  20. JorisV
    Nov 28, 2004
    9
    OOH man I can't believe all this bad reviews, I almost started to believe them and decided not to listen to their new album! Until a friend of mine said it wasn't that bad at all, I gave it a listen. My first opinion was like said in every review, cheesy and uninspired. But then, and as I read opinions of others this seems to have everyone, after a few listens (really 4 or 5!) OOH man I can't believe all this bad reviews, I almost started to believe them and decided not to listen to their new album! Until a friend of mine said it wasn't that bad at all, I gave it a listen. My first opinion was like said in every review, cheesy and uninspired. But then, and as I read opinions of others this seems to have everyone, after a few listens (really 4 or 5!) all the songs begin to reveal their beauty and settle down in your head for days and days! It's the same with the single Leaving NY... The reason why this album only has an overall of 52 here is probably because all those reviewes didn't take time to listen to it more than twice, so please don't be as narrow-minded as those critics by immediately at 1st listening judging that REM is outdated. If you like REM's sound, give it a try! A 9, that's what it's worth, just listen to The Ascent Of Man, Boy In The Well, Electron Blue, The Outsiders, Leaving NY, Wanderlust aah just too much!… Expand
  21. MattH
    Oct 21, 2004
    9
    As for some of the other reviewers - I was dissapointed with the album - probably until day 5 of listening n my car to/from work did it hit. I seriously rate this is REM's best - and find it a truly uplifting album. I think Michael Stipe has found peace in some sublime way........love it
  22. KatieB
    Dec 2, 2004
    9
    Each time I listen to this album I like it more and more. It's absolutely beautiful and definitely deserves a second chance if you're not too sure about it the first time.
  23. CorperJ
    Oct 5, 2004
    9
    Amazing, and ridiculous, how poorly reviewed this album has been. Another brilliant record.
  24. gopalr
    Oct 6, 2004
    9
    A great REM album.
  25. DuncanA
    Feb 2, 2005
    9
    Can't believe the bad reviews this album has received. The album is a document of the last four years. Perhaps hard to get into at first. but well worth the effort.
  26. carmelv
    Nov 11, 2004
    9
    I just love all songs... one by one... a great album... Don't know & don't care for bad critics. R.E.M - Missed you... Its Good to be BACK!!!
  27. JSaint
    Nov 16, 2004
    9
    Their most tuneful (by far) since automatic for the people
  28. SkuliH
    Oct 12, 2004
    9
    This is the most consistent and interesting album R.E.M. have released in over a decade. The subtle political overtones are a welcome relief from the in-your-face mud that fills up my living room these days. No, it's not my family! My advice to all the negative critics is- give this album more time.
  29. John
    Nov 24, 2004
    9
    Anyone who gives this a low rating reviewed this on first impression. This is a complex and at times moody set of somgs, but they have real depth that grows and grows. If you've given this a low rating, listen again, and again......
  30. EricF
    Oct 17, 2004
    9
    Ok, so it's not REM's best album but it's a helluva alot better thant he bullshit from the "Creed" type bands that copy each other's sounds and ride the current sound. REM is one of the greatest bands ever. Period. You have to respect their powerful and complicated lyrics. I am a bit disappointed in this album but overall a "relatively" poor album from REM is better Ok, so it's not REM's best album but it's a helluva alot better thant he bullshit from the "Creed" type bands that copy each other's sounds and ride the current sound. REM is one of the greatest bands ever. Period. You have to respect their powerful and complicated lyrics. I am a bit disappointed in this album but overall a "relatively" poor album from REM is better than most albums. … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

24
#24 Most Discussed Album of 2004
52
#52 Most Shared Album of 2004

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 27
  3. Negative: 3 out of 27
  1. New Musical Express (NME)
    60
    The first REM album to really disappoint. [2 Oct 2004, p.60]
  2. ShakingThrough.net
    56
    Its sporadic pockets of accessibility aside, it's difficult to listen to Around the Sun without hearing it as a holding pattern, or worse, a piece of product released simply to keep the R.E.M. brand out among the public.
    Read full review
  3. Playlouder
    70
    R.E.M. still have the remarkable distinction of never once producing a bad album, but this is perhaps the biggest example yet of the group merely treading water, whereas once they majestically swam.
    Read full review
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