R.E.M.'s glorious return to the past

Once upon a time, R.E.M. was called "America's greatest rock band of the '80s." From 1983 to 1987, album after album, they cranked out pure genius -- from "Murmur" through "Document." Trouble is, they left their songwriting skills back in that decade as well.

But if you believe the critics, the band's new disc -- "Accelerate" -- is a return to their old-school form. (Of course, they've said that about every one of their discs since '91.)

So what's the deal? Has R.E.M. finally found the Fountain of Youth? Surprisingly ... yes.

Here's a quick first impression of the new disc.

MOST RADIO-FRIENDLY TUNE: That'd be "Supernatural Superserious" -- catchy, clever, with a melody that's hard to resist. The lyrics wrap around you like a warm blanket: "No one cares if your fantasies are dressed up in travesties. Enjoy yourself with no regrets." [Watch the video]

PLAY THIS ONE IN CONCERT: "Hollow Man" has the potential to be a great live song, starting gently with just Michael Stipe and a piano before building slowly into a powerful anthem: "Believe in me. Believe in nothing. Corner me and make me something." [Listen]

SHORT AND TO THE POINT: Nearly half the songs on the disc come in under 3 minutes. Since when did R.E.M. morph into The Ramones? At 138 seconds, I can almost hear Joey singing along to "Horse To Water." Laugh, but it usually works. [Listen]

THE GOOD OLD DAYS: "Until The Day Is Done" sounds straight off the album that I consider their best -- "Life's Rich Pageant." [Listen]

WAIT FOR TIMOTHY DALTON'S RETURN: The title track -- "Accelerate" --  sounds like the theme song to the next James Bond movie. Not that this is a bad thing, but think how badly it worked out for Duran Duran. [Listen]

CLICK SKIP: There are still some throwaway tunes. "Living Well is the Best Revenge" and "Houston" are forgettable. "Mr. Richards" is one key and sex change away from a dreary "Mrs. Robinson." (Neither Simon nor Garfunkel is whistling along.)

The final verdict? It's nice to see a band remember why its fans loved them in the first place. Let's hope "Accelerate" is the first step forward -- to their lovable past.

[Getty Images]

Comments

[jane]

you have totally made my whole day with this review, mr. spears. cannot wait to give this a listen -- might have to pick up a hard copy while i'm on the road.

[Big Tex]

Based solely on your recommendation, I'll give it a few listens.

I'm with you on favorite REM album: Lifes Rich Pageant, but my favorite single is either Radio Free Europe or Can't Get There From Here.

[Brad]

My wife caught R.E.M. doing a three-song live set on XM yesterday and immediately drove to the store to pick up the new album.

[Spears]

Any idea which songs they played, Brad?

[DoctorDrew]

Downloaded from iTunes. So far it doesn't suck - and that is a start for recent REM albums

[Bassnote]

Darn It! You got me interested, so I bought the darn cd. Curse you Spears!

[Spears]

I listened to Supernatural Superserious about a dozen times yesterday. I really like that too. Same with Hollow Man.

I can't tell you how relieved I was that it was a good album. Sorta completes the comeback of so many 80s bands in the last year.

It's our time again, baby!

[jane]

Damn straight it's our time again. And, baby, ain't it grand...

*runs off to listen to "supernatural superserious" and "funplex"*

[Douglas Arthur]

I think that you are a little off base with your quality assesment. i am by no means a big REM fan. Actually, I actively disliked them probably until the Green album. My ex-wife was into them, so I wound up giving them some respect and enjoying some of their stuff. There is some good stuff on Green, and I know it is blasphemous, but I actually dig some of the tracks on Out Of Time (though NOT Losing My Religion). For me the favorite is Monster, which is one of the few REM albums that I consistantly listen to in its entirety. That and the Hindu Love Gods side project that the band did with Warren Zevon. After the aneurysm, I will agree, not a lot to hold onto it the last bunch of albums since 1997, but to completely discount Monster is a mistake, i think. But what do I know, the only U2 album I like is Zooropa.

[Brett]

The best stuff R.E.M. did was the Hindu Love Gods project. It was R.E.M. without Michael Stipe. Warren Zevon fronted the group. A lot of old blues covers and one killer hard rock version of Prince's "Raspberry Beret" are on the lone release they put out.

Great Stuff.

[Brad]

Sorry, Steve, no.

What? Living Well Is the Best Revenge and Houston are two of the best songs on Accelerate. The only song I didn't really care for is Man-Sized Wreath, which, unfortunately, is going to be the next single.

[jr]

Sounds good to me. I do like Supernatural Superserious. I really liked Automatic for the People. Saw them for the Green tour at the Sun Dome.

[jane]

just listened to this three times while driving through the smoky mountain national park. it's fantastic. love supersonic superserious, hollow man and the last track I'm gonna dj.

this makes me very happy. so -- when's the tour? *crosses fingers*

[Marino]

I hope you guys give Def Leppard this kind of love when Songs From The Sparkle Lounge comes out...

[Randy]

After spending my college years in Athens (80-84) and seeing REM in lots of little clubs, the early 80's albums will always be nearest and dearest. As for later material, I really like "New Adventures in HiFi". Give that one a listen. The review on the new album sounds good so I will give it a try. After the last few albums and Bill Berry's departure, I had pretty much lost hope in their future.