Collapse into Now
by R.E.M.
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 61 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 52 out of 61
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 61
  3. Negative: 1 out of 61

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. Batters
    Feb 23, 2022
    7
    Последний. Не лучший, и не худший. Просто неплохой. Песня «Над Берлином» показалась самой удачной.
  2. Ricko
    Jan 12, 2018
    9
    For me, this was one of the albums of 2011 and simultaneously a blessing and a shame that this was their last, going out on form but leaving fans forver longing for another album. I believe R.E.M only ever realeased one bad/mediocre album (Around the Sun) so every time they released an album of late they were essentially risking their substantial legacy. With this record they put one lastFor me, this was one of the albums of 2011 and simultaneously a blessing and a shame that this was their last, going out on form but leaving fans forver longing for another album. I believe R.E.M only ever realeased one bad/mediocre album (Around the Sun) so every time they released an album of late they were essentially risking their substantial legacy. With this record they put one last bit sheen on that legacy. "Collapse Into Now" sees R.E.M bring the classic elements of their sound together, that folk rock, post punk brilliance they perfected in the 80's with their stadium pop rock of the 90s. I would qualify my praise by saying it does fade a little in the 3rd quarter of the album but the first half and finish is as strong as any REM record. It really is a pity we won't ever have another R.E.M record but what a back catalogue we have to remember them by.… Expand
  3. ricco94
    Aug 30, 2012
    9
    Somebody says that it's the best album of their entire career. Someone else says that it's not good at all.
    The truth, in my opinion, is that Collapse Into Now is a great album, maybe the best of the latest 20 years by R.E.M. The quality of the songs is very very high, I can't see many albums with so many great songs (Mine Smell Like Honey, It Happened Today and Ebery Day Is Yours To Win    Somebody says that it's the best album of their entire career. Someone else says that it's not good at all.
    The truth, in my opinion, is that Collapse Into Now is a great album, maybe the best of the latest 20 years by R.E.M. The quality of the songs is very very high, I can't see many albums with so many great songs (Mine Smell Like Honey, It Happened Today and Ebery Day Is Yours To Win are the best), maybe only Automatic For The People, with its masterpieces Man On The Moon, Everybody Hurts, Drive and Nightswimming.
    There Is only one little flaw: a great hit song is missing. Put in the tracklist something like Supernatural Superserious or Bad Day and the record is perfect.    … Expand
  4. manurock
    Aug 6, 2011
    5
    If you like REM because of the songs "Man of the moon", "Electrolite", "Imitation of life", "Everybody hurts"... then don't go for this album. Fast electric guitar songs which aren't high-quality. Only the last two tracks and tracks 3,4,5 are worth listening.
  5. Hackskeptic
    May 29, 2011
    7
    This album sounds far greater without the handicap of some piss poor promotional videos the band have released to coincide with many of the songs, and hugely detract some of the best moments. Let the music paint the picture; not the visuals, and you will surely find a rich reward. http://hackskeptic.com
  6. ramona67
    May 19, 2011
    9
    This is R.E.M.'s best since New Adventures in Hi-Fi in 1996. My favorite song on here is "Uberlin," which is Michael Stipe's finest vocal performance in many years. Collapse Into Now successfully mixes mid-tempo tracks like "Uberlin," "Oh My Heart," and "It Happened Today" (the last of which has the greatest harmony vocals on any R.E.M. album) with good slow songs like "Walk It Back" andThis is R.E.M.'s best since New Adventures in Hi-Fi in 1996. My favorite song on here is "Uberlin," which is Michael Stipe's finest vocal performance in many years. Collapse Into Now successfully mixes mid-tempo tracks like "Uberlin," "Oh My Heart," and "It Happened Today" (the last of which has the greatest harmony vocals on any R.E.M. album) with good slow songs like "Walk It Back" and "Me Marlon Brando, Marlon Brando and I" and faster, more rocking songs such as "All the Best" and "That Someone is You." Highly recommended!… Expand
  7. lususgreene
    May 6, 2011
    10
    Likely to be the best album of 2011. "Collapse into now" delivers on all levels. It rocks you and moves you. BUY THIS CD! A guest apperence by the queen of rock Patti Smith and her side kick Lenny K. only sweeten the deal. With only one medocre song on the whole disk (me marlon brando etc) this album will be an album that will be remembered as a classic. The best new album since The BlacksLikely to be the best album of 2011. "Collapse into now" delivers on all levels. It rocks you and moves you. BUY THIS CD! A guest apperence by the queen of rock Patti Smith and her side kick Lenny K. only sweeten the deal. With only one medocre song on the whole disk (me marlon brando etc) this album will be an album that will be remembered as a classic. The best new album since The Blacks Keys "Brothers" last year (BUY IT). I will be spining this record for years. R.E.M. has returned to greatness with the last two CD's. If I lost this CD I wouldn't hersitate to buy it again.… Expand
  8. EnriqueKik
    Mar 16, 2011
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. 10.0
    R.E.M. has always been creative. Murmur was on it's time, a revolutionary album. The IRS years were great, and for some people a dislike, and for others an evolution (I am one of that kind), since Document, they have reinvented themselves in every new realise: The sticky sound from Green; the acoustic Out of Time; the masterpiece Automatic for the People; the distortion from Monster; the variety from New Adventures in Hi-Fi; the electronic Up; the kind of psychedelic Reveal; the soft and mostly underrated Around the Sun; the most rocker and a truth reinvention Accelerate.
    Now, apparently they have decide to take the essence from every album they've ever made in every song this album is R.E.M.'s history that Collapse Into Now. This could be the best album R.E.M. will realize along with Automatic For The People.
    "Discoverer" and "All The Best" are fast songs that reminds of their fast albums. "Ã    … Expand
  9. Juszczyk
    Mar 15, 2011
    10
    solid album from the veteran band rem. the songs flow nicely. i highly recommend this album to fans and newcomers. guest musicians as well. this album is well worth it. it just should have come out late 2010 instead of early 2011 as it was finished almost mid 2010. this album will satisfy those yearning for more rem.
  10. bjmorga
    Mar 13, 2011
    9
    A very good album that shows R.E.M. aren't quite down for the count just yet. As many of the critics reviews point towards, this album grabs some of the best ideas from previous albums and strings them together. R.E.M. sounds very comfortable with this choice. The result is surprisingly great. Many artists try to go back to the well, but fall short. Fortunately, this album comes togetherA very good album that shows R.E.M. aren't quite down for the count just yet. As many of the critics reviews point towards, this album grabs some of the best ideas from previous albums and strings them together. R.E.M. sounds very comfortable with this choice. The result is surprisingly great. Many artists try to go back to the well, but fall short. Fortunately, this album comes together smoothly, with each track logically following the next.… Expand
  11. theyself
    Mar 11, 2011
    10
    Although there are no individual songs that register as particularly exceptional the collection as a whole is quite outstanding and should be enjoyed by fans and non-fans alike.
  12. Gunnar
    Mar 9, 2011
    10
    This magical album blends all of the elements that make R.E.M one of the best bands of the last decades. You find the melancholic and beatiful slower tunes along with classic R.E.M. rock/popsongs. The lyrics are intriguing and quite positive. All in all this might be their finest album since Automatic for the people.
    Stand out tracks: "Everyday is yours to win " ( insanely beatiful),    This magical album blends all of the elements that make R.E.M one of the best bands of the last decades. You find the melancholic and beatiful slower tunes along with classic R.E.M. rock/popsongs. The lyrics are intriguing and quite positive. All in all this might be their finest album since Automatic for the people.
    Stand out tracks: "Everyday is yours to win " ( insanely beatiful), "Uberlin" ( mezmerizing), "Discoverer" ( attitude and possibility)    … Expand
  13. Heaf
    Mar 9, 2011
    8
    By far my favorite of the post Bill Berry era. Solid songs through out. Micheal's voice sounds better then the last several albums. I will agree with others on the sound of the album. Sounds like a purposeful fuzziness to all the songs. I purchased the download, so I would love to compare to the pressed cd. Works on some songs, kind of works on others. Not distracting enough to bring downBy far my favorite of the post Bill Berry era. Solid songs through out. Micheal's voice sounds better then the last several albums. I will agree with others on the sound of the album. Sounds like a purposeful fuzziness to all the songs. I purchased the download, so I would love to compare to the pressed cd. Works on some songs, kind of works on others. Not distracting enough to bring down the excitement of a new R.E.M. album.… Expand
  14. hippophile
    Mar 8, 2011
    7
    Songs are good but the production doesn't click with me...sounds like the recording wasn't mastered or something. Liked Jacknife's production on Accelerate, but to my ears this one doesn't sound good.
  15. PeterGast
    Mar 8, 2011
    10
    There was a time I waited for an REM album with defiant hope. I mean, REM embodied the sophisticate yet accessible, the experimental yet refrained, the beautiful but never the corny, and they were "southern boys just like you and me" (in Pavement's words). They were the leaders that made a path for and championed great younger bands. That was a long time ago. I stopped waiting for theirThere was a time I waited for an REM album with defiant hope. I mean, REM embodied the sophisticate yet accessible, the experimental yet refrained, the beautiful but never the corny, and they were "southern boys just like you and me" (in Pavement's words). They were the leaders that made a path for and championed great younger bands. That was a long time ago. I stopped waiting for their second comming a few years back. Today I am glad they were never gone. I have read several accusations of fabrication of an artificial REM sound by REM on this album, which just seems ridiculous to me. I get why these are put forward, this is an intensely reminiscent album if you happen to know a couple of things about this bands important past. There is something stuck in the ears of critics disliking these songs for being too much like their early forerunners of Document, Green, Out of Time and Automatic. That something is that REM â… Expand
  16. chowderhead1962
    Mar 8, 2011
    7
    "Accelerate" was the first R.E.M. album since Bill Berry left the band that sounded to me like R.E.M. It was a welcome album to hear and a return to form for a band that I felt was meandering and just putting out albums because they were under contract to. It was the first album of theirs whereby repeated listening was as rewarding as some of their earlier albums. So it was with great"Accelerate" was the first R.E.M. album since Bill Berry left the band that sounded to me like R.E.M. It was a welcome album to hear and a return to form for a band that I felt was meandering and just putting out albums because they were under contract to. It was the first album of theirs whereby repeated listening was as rewarding as some of their earlier albums. So it was with great anticipation that "Collapse into Now" made it's way into my headphones today. After two listens through I can say they still have the form that came about with Accelerate...as in they sound like R.E.M. and not some weird hybrid. But the songs seem to be a bit too derivative of their earlier work...same chord selections, same acoustic type riffs, even the same tonal characteristics in Peter Buck's guitar playing. It all sounds almost too familiar. Some may like that, but for me there isn't really anything on this cd that I feel is "new". I feel like I've heard it all before across their many albums. And unfortunately that makes me sad and frustrated at this new cd. There are certainly bright spots. Mike Mills sounds fantastic in his backing tracks. The production is tight,and the guest spots from Patti Smith and Eddie Vedder are welcome. It's not a bad album by any stretch, and for someone not used to the sound of REM from the IRS or early Warner Bros years it might actually be an amazing album. For me, it all sounds just a bit too familiar and that's not a comfort.… Expand
  17. themadguitarist
    Mar 8, 2011
    9
    For awhile there it seemed like one of truly great bands R.E.M. were lost. The lack of drummer Bill Berry seemed to have changed of the tenure of the music to something more contemplative. Up had "Lotus" a truly great rock song. But Reveal disappointed with "Imitation Of Life" a b-side track off of Out Of Time really as it's only worthy song. Then Around The Sun which, in my mind is theFor awhile there it seemed like one of truly great bands R.E.M. were lost. The lack of drummer Bill Berry seemed to have changed of the tenure of the music to something more contemplative. Up had "Lotus" a truly great rock song. But Reveal disappointed with "Imitation Of Life" a b-side track off of Out Of Time really as it's only worthy song. Then Around The Sun which, in my mind is the worst R.E.M. album ever.

    Then came Accelerate a great solid album. Simple, easy, straight-forward rock songs. Maybe a little bit one dimensional but back was the R.E.M. we all loved. Collapse Into Now builds off of Accelerate and expands the pallet of musical flavors.

    Collapse Into Now still has the energy of Accelerate (the thing we so missed from R.E.M.) But, it also has some more interesting sonic explorations. Take the final track Blue for instance. With the great Patti Smith singing vocals with Michael Stipe speaking, followed with a coda that alludes back to the opening track Discoverer. Excellent. Best album since at least New Adventures In HiFi.    … Expand
  18. Hyperborea
    Mar 8, 2011
    9
    This is by far their best album since "Up" . You can hear everything that makes them to be one of the greatest band in 80s and 90s, and very little of creative crisis after that. You don't need to listen this record 20 times before you get it - it is perfect and familiar right at the first listen and after that, only thing that you can do is to play it once more. Welcome back and thank youThis is by far their best album since "Up" . You can hear everything that makes them to be one of the greatest band in 80s and 90s, and very little of creative crisis after that. You don't need to listen this record 20 times before you get it - it is perfect and familiar right at the first listen and after that, only thing that you can do is to play it once more. Welcome back and thank you for this beautiful music. It is great to have you around.… Collapse

Awards & Rankings

70
#70 Most Discussed Album of 2011
84
#84 Most Shared Album of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 37 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 37
  3. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. Hartford Courant
    May 24, 2011
    80
    It's an assured effort from the very start.
    Read full review
  2. American Songwriter
    May 2, 2011
    70
    Give Collapse a few listens. The potential is there.
    Read full review
  3. Q Magazine
    May 2, 2011
    40
    Unfortunately, Collapse Into Now is not nearly as consistent, vital or accomplished as either Out Of Time or Automatic For The People. [Apr 2011, p.94]
See all critic reviews »