R.E.M. is the band that essentially introduced me to music. This is no small honor; before them I was listening to the usual B96 style drivel that everyone else was listening to. But Automatic for the People brought me into the fold and soon I wasn't just a fan - I was a fanatic for R.E.M.

Lots of stuff happened along the way, though. My tastes changed a tad over to power pop and other things due in part to the R.E.M.'s influencees and influencers, and R.E.M.'s efforts started lacking urgency and appeal. Around the Sun holds the distinction of being the only album of theirs I don't own - I even found some good in Reveal (and Up has underrated tracks like "Daysleeper".)

That said, Accelerate is R.E.M.'s push to be relevant again. Are they more relevant with me, though? Because I matter the most, you know.

The answer is, "Somewhat." The album has a number of uneven moments but at least it's Weezer-short at just over half an hour. "Man-Sized Wreath" is easily my favorite song on the album in part because of the layers. The lyrics are good but not great, but what did it for me was the almost inaudible reading of the lyrics buried on the left speaker during this tune. Stipe's just there, reading them at a very quiet level. That kind of little attention to detail is something that has been lacking in R.E.M.'s stuff for years, traded in for electronic bleeps and bloops.

"Houston" is another standout, clocking in at just two minutes and recalling "Try Not to Breathe" in its sound. Stipe sets the visual, articulates it, and moves on. "Mr. Richards", a track I initially disliked, came back to me as a strong one. And "Supernatural Superserious", despite nearly being played out on radio, is a good song. "Hollow Man" surprises - after the first verse, one wouldn't expect the chorus to speed up, but thankfully it does. In general I find that any song (outside of "Superserious") that doesn't resemble R.E.M. stuff resonates the most with me.

The remainder of Accelerate is either okay or good but not outstanding. "I'm Gonna DJ" is a modest closer that feels like the band's trying too hard to be "fun" (ie, "Stand".) "Living Well is the Best Revenge" is a good opener, and the segue between "Wreath" and "Supernatural" is smooth and brilliant - Mike Mills carries it. "Sing for the Submarine" has too many cutesy-poo R.E.M. catalog references to be substantial. "Until the Day is Done" lacks charm, "Horse to Water" lacks substance, and the title track - despite another great Mills performance - doesn't seem to say much.

The album as a whole doesn't feel cohesive, but rather like a collection of songs. I have this same feeling about In Rainbows, for what it's worth. 

All told I'm pleased that R.E.M. has put out a good album at this stage of their career. I just hope they follow it up with another good one or, better, a great one.