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. Batters
    Feb 23, 2022
    6
    Самая слабая работа группы. К сожалению, я здесь даже практически не слышу любимого Миллса, а песни не запоминаются от слова совсем. Да, есть несколько удачных, но не более того.
  2. Craigdimas
    Dec 24, 2017
    8
    Almost no one seems to like this, not even the band. First, you have to accept that the R.E.M. of Up, Reveal and this are a radically different band for the previous incarnation. It’s OK to be an R.E.M. fan and not like these records. But if you do, then Up and this are quite wonderful. Leaving New York is a red herring classic R.E.M. ballad, but Aftermath, Wanderlust and Ascent of ManAlmost no one seems to like this, not even the band. First, you have to accept that the R.E.M. of Up, Reveal and this are a radically different band for the previous incarnation. It’s OK to be an R.E.M. fan and not like these records. But if you do, then Up and this are quite wonderful. Leaving New York is a red herring classic R.E.M. ballad, but Aftermath, Wanderlust and Ascent of Man took the band in a fantastic new direction. Unfortunately bad reviews and worse sales frightened them off, leading to the career ending retreads that were Accelerate and Collapse Into Now.… Expand
  3. johnbobs1
    May 29, 2017
    3
    I loved ''Leaving New York'' and so bought this. I soon wished I hadn't...
    As an avid REM fan, I was hugely disappointed by this. This is undoubtedly the lowest moment of their musical career. All of the Stipe-Esque lyrical style is there, but much of the lyrics seem to make little sense; perhaps only to the band themselves. They sound like Stipe wrote them whilst drunk.
    Musically, the    I loved ''Leaving New York'' and so bought this. I soon wished I hadn't...
    As an avid REM fan, I was hugely disappointed by this. This is undoubtedly the lowest moment of their musical career. All of the Stipe-Esque lyrical style is there, but much of the lyrics seem to make little sense; perhaps only to the band themselves. They sound like Stipe wrote them whilst drunk.
    Musically, the album does little better. There are a few brighter moments - Leaving New York, the Outsiders and Final Score being among them, though they are hardly true classics.
    Even the Outsiders is ruined by a dreadful rap from Q-Tip (heard of him? me neither...) which has been inserted towards the end of an otherwise perfect and atmospheric tune.
    Other than these songs, the rest of the album really is a bore; full of plodding, slow paced and poorly written material.
    Avoid this at all costs, even if you're an avid REM fan...    … Expand
  4. Max_Kadillac
    Oct 26, 2014
    1
    I love virtually all REM albums. Some are greater than others, but there's none that I'd writeoff wholesale. Apart from this.
    I bought this on CD (remember those?) and desperately spun it, looking for any hint of the genius of the band who'd made Murmer, Automatic for the People, New Adventures, Green. Nope, nothing.
    I went to sell it back to a second hand shop, but they seemingly had    I love virtually all REM albums. Some are greater than others, but there's none that I'd writeoff wholesale. Apart from this.
    I bought this on CD (remember those?) and desperately spun it, looking for any hint of the genius of the band who'd made Murmer, Automatic for the People, New Adventures, Green. Nope, nothing.
    I went to sell it back to a second hand shop, but they seemingly had entire tables full of this album, from others who had recognised its inner drabness immediately, so i walked out and just stuck the entire disc in the bin.    … Expand
  5. ricco94
    Aug 30, 2012
    7
    Around The Sun is NOT Sh*t. OK, that's the worst album R.E.M. have ever made, but it's not so horrible as people says. The problem is the limp sound, but the songs are ok. Leaving New York and Aftermath are very good, and there other songs that don't sound bad (Electron Blue, Final Straw, ecc.)
    Always better than that garbage we must listen now.
  6. Ricko
    Apr 5, 2012
    7
    I'm a massive R.E.M fan and have to say this record was a real let down. I know Reveal got a lukewarm reception in some quarters but I thought it was quite good, albeit not up with their absolute best work. Around the Sun however is the sound of a band that seem bored with themselves and what they do. It lacks energy and imagination and in too many places its just boring and bland. I'mI'm a massive R.E.M fan and have to say this record was a real let down. I know Reveal got a lukewarm reception in some quarters but I thought it was quite good, albeit not up with their absolute best work. Around the Sun however is the sound of a band that seem bored with themselves and what they do. It lacks energy and imagination and in too many places its just boring and bland. I'm still going to give it a 7 though as I do think the fact that it was brought out by a band of R.E.M's stature goes against the album. There are some good songs on it - "Leaving New York", "High Speed Train" and the title track are all very good and there are plenty of tracks on here that when heard played live by the band sound a lot more vibrant. It's definitely a record I feel came across better when it was played live which would suggest the production just wasn't up to scratch.… Expand
  7. finulanu
    Jul 22, 2011
    4
    R.E.M.'s worst to date, despite quality material like "Leaving New York" sprinkling up occasionally. Most of these are just poorly written piano ballads that make me long for the days when an R.E.M. ballad meant "Perfect Circle," "Camera," "Wendell Gee" or most of Automatic for the People, not "I Wanted to Be Wrong" or "Boy in the Well."
  8. svenjolly
    Nov 25, 2010
    4
    This is a bad r.e.m. album. it's not a bad album period, but for r.e.m., a band which had previously never made albums that were less than solid and were usually incredibly unique listening experiences, it's a let-down. Nothing about this album is unique or original, either in the short term or long term. the album retains the electronics and technicalities of up and reveal, yet whereThis is a bad r.e.m. album. it's not a bad album period, but for r.e.m., a band which had previously never made albums that were less than solid and were usually incredibly unique listening experiences, it's a let-down. Nothing about this album is unique or original, either in the short term or long term. the album retains the electronics and technicalities of up and reveal, yet where those albums sounded rich and even somewhat organic, this one sounds stale and compressed. In the context of rock history, damn, this album sounds like it could've been a #1 record in 1988 (Dream of Life, anyone?). Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA and even the more recent The Rising also come to my mind. The running order of tracks on Around the Sun, that's a whole new problem. seriously, who decided that leaving new york qualified as the opening track for the album (unless it was for the sheer sake of 9/11 sympathy)? It's a solid ballad with very passionate vocals from Michael Stipe - although it could've been sped up a little. Electron Blue sounds much more like an opening track, even though it isn't very good. the outsiders is just as dull and uninspired, but the q-tip cameo feels completely out-of-place in an r.e.m. world and is uncomfortable to listen to. Make it All OK sounds really similar to the previous song, and, alas, so too does the next song Final Straw. Finally we get an eventful-sounding redeeming piece with I Wanted To Be Wrong, which is pleasant earcandy and great for relaxing. (When the drums kick in, it reminds me very much of their song 'Tongue' off of Monster). Wander Lust is another sub-par song with stipey choosing the most awkward notes vocally. The Boy In The Well is okay, but its Aftermath that steals the show on this album. Definitely one of the more upbeat tunes here, the melody is memorable and stipe's vocals and lyrics are highly emotional. A real keeper of a song, despite the nearly distracting overproduction which is a mainstay on this album. High Speed Train is creepy but, again, isn't very original in context of the album and not very r.e.m.-like. The Worst Joke Ever is pretty good, another minor highlight, with some of stipe's best singing on the album. The Ascent of Man is the sound of 50-year-old men trying to sound sexy. it's not very impressive. Finally, Around the Sun ends the album on a decidedly uneventful note. This is a monotonous album, in one of the worst ways possible. almost every single song is a ballad of some sort, and most of the songs are largely drum-less (still understandable at this point) and SLOW. So flow is, eh... Again, this has a lot to do with the production, which is dedicated to making the band sound as urban, industrial and U2-esque as possible. The lyrics as well are less obscure and more in line with the kind of lyrics Bono would write around this same time. R.E.M. are a pop band, for sure, but only by coincidence. They were huge in the late '80s and '90s because they made songs that were really darn catchy, not because they 'sounded' like everything else (their biggest hit was carried by a chorus-less tune carried by a mandolin, for god sakes!). With this album, they sound like the stereotypical kind of pop music, a brand just like any boy band in the market. The elements of the original R.E.M. are for sure in here (buck's chiming guitar, mills' backing vocals and bass), but they are buried and hard to locate in the heavy mix of glossy synthesizers. More than ever, the lack of enthusiasm (and bill berry) shows. It seems that, for the majority of this album, Michael Stipe's voice is the only saving grace. For the not serious R.E.M. fan, these tunes should do just fine, but for the real fans, we deserve a better collection of songs. Thank god the band understood that and released their huge comeback in 2008 with 'Accelerate' (still had some overproduction issues, but this time the songs were actually REALLY GOOD!). Verdict: The worst R.E.M. made so far. Dull, monotonous, and sorely lacking in the old-fashioned R.E.M. style. It already sounds incredibly dated. Don't buy the album, unless you're REALLY curious and a risk-taker. Highlights: Leaving New York, I Wanted to Be Wrong, Aftermath… Expand
  9. JonasH.
    Apr 2, 2008
    8
    I'm a general fan of a lot of REM's music, and I must admit I disagree this is one of their worst albums. Although they have let down their old-school rock style, it's still great.
  10. RossH.
    Mar 1, 2007
    8
    Not as good as other albums but electron blue is like a footballer who plays well but doesnt bask himself in glory
  11. IbanL
    Oct 5, 2006
    4
    As a huge R.E.M. fan, "Around The Sun" was such a disappointment. Though it is true that the departure of Berry in 1997 was a difficult moment, the other three members proved that they were able to get over that and continue producing good music (not nearly as good as in their peak, but good). The dark "Up" and the summery "Reveal" were both interesting records, with flaws, but with a As a huge R.E.M. fan, "Around The Sun" was such a disappointment. Though it is true that the departure of Berry in 1997 was a difficult moment, the other three members proved that they were able to get over that and continue producing good music (not nearly as good as in their peak, but good). The dark "Up" and the summery "Reveal" were both interesting records, with flaws, but with a general good impression. But this is definitely not the case of "Around The Sun". Certainly, I don't consider ATS to be a horrible record or a record I hate, but it is quite lifeless and offers very little to the listener. There are a few of interesting songs but nothing really stands out, while there are some big flaws. My feeling about this record is not positive, but I still have faith on R.E.M. and I hope the next record will go back to the rocker and better sound. After all, they're a great band.… Expand
  12. Collingsj
    Mar 8, 2006
    10
    a master piece
  13. Daxr
    Feb 13, 2006
    6
    r.e.m. need to do what made them great. the last to albums have just sounded too clean production-wise. mumble, mix the vocals low, and tone down the studio sheen a little bit. then they can do whatever they want with organs, beeps, and blips, sequenced drums, etc. at least the songwriting on reveal was still pretty strong for the most part. here it's uniformly as weak as it's r.e.m. need to do what made them great. the last to albums have just sounded too clean production-wise. mumble, mix the vocals low, and tone down the studio sheen a little bit. then they can do whatever they want with organs, beeps, and blips, sequenced drums, etc. at least the songwriting on reveal was still pretty strong for the most part. here it's uniformly as weak as it's ever been at the lowest points in the past. this is the only r.e.m. album that has ever been even remotely disappointing. after bill left i planned on being disappointed with up, and while it had its weak points, it still had some of those truly great songs that you can still remember hearing for the first time. i thought reveal couldn't keep up, and while it didn't quite have the highs, it was a more solid effort overall. this just feels like a placeholder. just a bunch of songs, some decent, some boring, thrown onto a cd. whatever.… Expand
  14. Markp
    Feb 2, 2006
    3
    I expected more after the superb lead-off single ("Leaving New York" is in my top 3 REM songs) but the album is drab and lacklustre. You feel the fire has gone out of their bellies and the expected lp-every-two-years routine has killed their creativity. They need to take a couple of years and stockpile some better material. And up the tempo a little. Away with the middle-age malaise
  15. JaceN
    Jan 31, 2006
    3
    The pre-release word on this album was "Primitive and Howling" and we all thought "Good...no more experimental weird tinkering with organs...and stuff from the 70s like the bands attire and cover art in the UP days of 1998". ...post release we see its yet another pop, click buzz & beep festival with a slow, dragging pace and tired half-asleep vocals. Cmon...COME ON...yell Mr Stipe...we The pre-release word on this album was "Primitive and Howling" and we all thought "Good...no more experimental weird tinkering with organs...and stuff from the 70s like the bands attire and cover art in the UP days of 1998". ...post release we see its yet another pop, click buzz & beep festival with a slow, dragging pace and tired half-asleep vocals. Cmon...COME ON...yell Mr Stipe...we know you can! Ditch this whispering falsetto and spaceman kaleidescope background music and make us remember why we loved Monster and New Adventures In Hi-Fi!… Expand
  16. Kg.
    Jan 3, 2006
    10
    This album is not for everybody
  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. JonH
    Jun 23, 2005
    8
    It is simply unfathomable to me how so many critics panned this album. Michael Stipe's lyrics, as always, are different and dark, and he uses melody as simply a vehicle to deliver the poetry. There is some great stuff here: Q-Tip's verse on The Outsiders shows the band isn't afraid to try something new; Wanderlust is a strikingly inventive song, with a chorus in 7/4 meter, It is simply unfathomable to me how so many critics panned this album. Michael Stipe's lyrics, as always, are different and dark, and he uses melody as simply a vehicle to deliver the poetry. There is some great stuff here: Q-Tip's verse on The Outsiders shows the band isn't afraid to try something new; Wanderlust is a strikingly inventive song, with a chorus in 7/4 meter, it sounds more like it's from outerspace rather than the trash heap like some critics suggest. And amid the eye-opening moments are light, tuneful, throughtful, beautifuls songs.… Expand
  20. bobc
    May 22, 2005
    5
    alot of mediocre material - they set the bar high and this one falls very short. great song - leaving ny. can't remember being this dissapointed with a new rem disc
  21. LéoR
    Mar 16, 2005
    9
    Good album... REM is not affraid to invent and to mix new sounds. The Band don´t sell itself. It believe in something. Creative songs and brilliant keysboards. Listen with heart and brain...
  22. michaels
    Feb 21, 2005
    4
    Don't hate the band; hate the album.
  23. 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.
  24. JimR
    Dec 19, 2004
    0
    Never a big REM fan here, but at least there music was not coma inducing before, like this crapola is.
  25. jules
    Dec 9, 2004
    5
    Many of the positive reviews here describe how I felt about "UP" - not immediately accessible but over time beautiful and interesting in a low key scattered kinda way. Also it was a first after Bill left and these living legends obviously needed time to adjust. "Reveal" showed them getting more upbeat and remembering melody, a fine thinking person's summer disc, but still...This Many of the positive reviews here describe how I felt about "UP" - not immediately accessible but over time beautiful and interesting in a low key scattered kinda way. Also it was a first after Bill left and these living legends obviously needed time to adjust. "Reveal" showed them getting more upbeat and remembering melody, a fine thinking person's summer disc, but still...This latest is sadly plain mediocre - not bad but average enough. Pretty and maudlin does not a decent album make. Where is this depth? I think fans are looking into the mirror of their expectations of a once hugely important band - complements to the depth and effort of these fans, but best look elsewhere for the profound and moving works these lads once turned out and made it look easy. It obviously isn't easy judging from this latest effort.… Expand
  26. 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.
  27. 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
  28. 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......
  29. TonyO
    Nov 21, 2004
    8
    Not as glorious a pop record as Reveal - but not far off either. I do not get the critical backlash about this one at all - what I hear is a humble, comfortable REM, crafting soulful music that reflects both their own growth, and the travails of the modern world. Don't listen to the critics - REM has left them behind..
  30. JSaint
    Nov 16, 2004
    9
    Their most tuneful (by far) since automatic for the people
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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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