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Accelerate (R.E.M. album)

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Accelerate
Studio album by
R.E.M.
ReleasedMarch 31, 2008 (2008-03-31)
RecordedJune and July 2007
Studio
Genre
Length34:39
LabelWarner Bros.
Producer
R.E.M. chronology
R.E.M. Live
(2007) 		Accelerate
(2008) 		Live from London
(2008)
Singles from Accelerate
  1. "Supernatural Superserious"
    Released: February 25, 2008
  2. "Hollow Man"
    Released: June 2, 2008
  3. "Man-Sized Wreath"
    Released: August 11, 2008
  4. "Until the Day Is Done"
    Released: November 14, 2008

Accelerate is the fourteenth studio album by American alternative rock band R.E.M., released on March 31, 2008, in Europe, and on April 1 in North America. Produced with Jacknife Lee, Accelerate was intended as a departure from the 2004 album Around the Sun.[4] R.E.M. previewed most of the album's tracks during a five-night residency at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin, Ireland, and recorded the album in a nine-week schedule.

The album was heralded as a return to form for the band, receiving a warm reception from music critics and achieving a 79/100 rating on Metacritic. Reviewers often complimented the aggressive, purposeful sound of the songs, with Q magazine critic Keith Cameron stating that "Accelerate is the sound of a band having enjoyed a good word with themselves—and us." It was their last album to be accompanied by a tour, as the band had decided against touring for their next (and final) album Collapse into Now before disbanding.

Background and recording

[edit]
A small church
Seney–Stovall Chapel, in the band's hometown of Athens, Georgia, was one of the recording locations for Accelerate and was also where they recorded two songs for the film Athens, GA: Inside/Out in 1986.

R.E.M.'s previous record Around the Sun (2004) only sold 240,000 copies in the United States and was poorly received by critics.[5] The band members later expressed displeasure with the album. Guitarist Peter Buck told Q, "I personally hated it. [Quickly] No, hated is too hard. I hated the fact that it wasn't as good as it should've been." Buck admitted the band felt pressure to subsequently make a better record; he told Q, "Even Michael [Stipe] was going, 'Y'know, if we make another bad record, it's over.' It's like, 'No kidding.'"[6]

Buck and bassist Mike Mills began working on instrumental demos in winter 2007, assisted by touring members Bill Rieflin and Scott McCaughey.[7] The music they wrote was faster and more aggressive than other material they had written in years.[8] Mills suggested the band work out its new songs in a live setting before recording them, as it had done in its early years.[8] Between June 30 and July 5, 2007, R.E.M. played a five-night series of shows at the Olympia Theatre, Dublin, Ireland. In this series of shows—dubbed "working rehearsals" by the band, many songs on Accelerate were debuted, with many of them still as works in progress.[9] These performances would later be released as Live at The Olympia in 2009.

At the urging of The Edge of U2, R.E.M. chose to record the album with producer Jacknife Lee.[10] Following the Olympia Theatre residency, R.E.M. scheduled three-week recording sessions in three different cities in order to keep its focus. The tight recording schedule prevented Stipe from spending too much time working on his lyrics and vocal parts. Stipe told Spin, "I work really well under pressure, and the guys know that all too well... So the pace forced me to kind of spit stuff out."[8] The group mixed the album in a London studio in 10 days. Regarding the recording process, Stipe said, "We spent less time making this record than we have in 20 years."[11]

Music

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The members of R.E.M. were reluctant to pin down the style of the new album so as not to create wayward expectations.[12] The new material featured in the Dublin concerts demonstrated a much more stripped-down, guitar-driven sound than had been featured on the band's recent releases, and Mike Mills indicated that the shows gave a good indication of the band's direction. Stipe said his lyrics on Accelerate were inspired by the contemporary state of the nation, saying, "When the empire is going down the toilet, it's easy to write great, angry songs."[8]

Described in sound as "ballyhooed hard rock",[1] Sputnikmusic proclaimed Accelerate "a ballsier return to [the band's] punk roots".[2]

Promotion

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On January 1, 2008, R.E.M. launched the website NinetyNights.com, on which a new short clip from Accelerate was posted daily until the album's release.[13] In February, R.E.M. launched the website supernaturalsuperserious.com with eleven videos to promote the album. A week later, R.E.M. launched remaccelerate.com, a web page for promoting and aggregating news about the album itself.

In late March 2008, the band released Accelerate as a digital web streams on iLike six days prior to the American release of its physical album in April. Michael Stipe said R.E.M. wanted to experiment with its distribution system, citing the change in the music industry since the release of Around the Sun.[14] A deluxe edition of the album was released in addition to the standard edition; it includes a DVD featuring filmmaker Vincent Moon's film 6 Days, which includes behind-the-scenes footage and performances of various songs on the album. Two B-side tracks, "Red Head Walking" and "Airliner," are included as bonus tracks, along with a 64-page booklet. The vinyl version consists of two 12 inch discs each running at 45 RPM, and contains the full album on CD.

A brief tour, the last of the group's tenure, took place in 2008. It covered Europe, North America, and Latin America.[15]

Release and reception

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Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic79/100[16]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[17]
The A.V. ClubB+[18]
Entertainment WeeklyA−[19]
The Guardian[20]
Mojo[21]
NME8/10[22]
Pitchfork6.7/10[23]
Q[24]
Rolling Stone[25]
Spin[26]

Accelerate was the band's highest-charting release since 1996's New Adventures in Hi-Fi. It debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 with first week sales of 115,000 copies,[27] went on to sell more than 353,000 copies in the United States and became the band's eighth album to top the British album charts.[28] "Supernatural Superserious" was released as the album's first single. The second single "Hollow Man" was released in June 2008, with "Man-Sized Wreath" following in August. According to Billboard, Accelerate stayed 18 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart.[29] The vinyl LP edition was re-released in August 2023.[30]

Accelerate received positive reviews from critics noted at review aggregator Metacritic. It has a weighted average score of 79 out of 100, based on 33 reviews.[16] Rolling Stone gave the album four out of five stars, with critic David Fricke praising the group's aggressive sound, writing, "Stipe has not sounded this viscerally engaged in his singing and poetically lethal in his writing since the twilight of the Reagan administration."[25] NME reviewer Alan Woodhouse, similarly applauding the group's return to its previous sound, gave Accelerate an eight out of 10 rating, concluding "Accelerate is by some considerable distance R.E.M.'s best and most cohesive album since [former drummer] Bill Berry left, and crucially echoes a time when they made their best music, if not necessarily their biggest-selling."[22] Q reviewer Keith Cameron wrote that unlike Around the Sun, "Accelerate is the sound of a band having enjoyed a good word with themselves—and us." Cameron described the album's first three songs as "powerful as the first half of 1986's Lifes Rich Pageant," but commented that the album suffers through a "midway dip that afflicts even the best R.E.M. album."[24]

Time reviewer Josh Tyrangiel praised guitarist Buck's "resurgence" and "propulsive riffs," but also wrote, "R.E.M.'s 14th album never quite generates the moody atmospherics of their first 10; it's a little hard to lose yourself in something that doesn't pause long enough for you to get lost."[31] Uncut gave the album three out of five stars. Reviewer John Mulvey stated, "Accelerate is a simple, pragmatic record built on an uncomfortable truth: sometimes, even the best bands have to retrace their steps, if only to remind themselves what they're really good at."[32]

Accolades

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In 2009, Consequence of Sound ranked the album at number 37 in its list of the top 100 albums of the decade,[33] and Under the Radar ranked it at number 193 in its list of the "Top 200 Albums of the 2000s".[citation needed] In 2010, the Kitsap Sun placed it at number 73 in its list of the "Top 101 Albums of the 2000s".[34] It also appeared in at least 24 professional lists of the best albums of 2008.[citation needed]

Track listing

[edit]

All songs written by Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Michael Stipe.

  1. "Living Well Is the Best Revenge" – 3:11
  2. "Man-Sized Wreath" – 2:32
  3. "Supernatural Superserious" – 3:23
  4. "Hollow Man" – 2:39
  5. "Houston" – 2:05
  6. "Accelerate" – 3:33
  7. "Until the Day Is Done" – 4:08
  8. "Mr. Richards" – 3:46
  9. "Sing for the Submarine" – 4:50
  10. "Horse to Water" – 2:18
  11. "I'm Gonna DJ" – 2:07

Personnel

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R.E.M.

Additional Musicians

Technical Personnel

  • Jacknife Lee – production, mixing
  • R.E.M. – production
  • Tom McFall – engineering
  • Sam Bell – engineering

Charts

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  • A^ The album also entered the Billboard Digital Albums at No. 2, and topped the Digital Albums and Alternative Albums charts.[63]

Certifications and sales

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Region Certification Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[64] Gold 10,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[66] Gold 15,000[65]
Germany (BVMI)[67] Gold 100,000^
Ireland (IRMA)[68] Gold 7,500^
Italy
sales in 2008 		— 70,000[69]
Norway (IFPI Norway)[70] Platinum 30,000*
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[71] Platinum 30,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[72] Gold 100,000^

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

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  1. ^ a b Camire, Chris (April 24, 2008). "Stipe loses religion, now voice". Lowell Times. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  2. ^ a b De Sylvia, Dave (May 17, 2008). "Review: R.E.M. – Accelerate". Sputnikmusic.
  3. ^ a b Breihan, Tom (September 29, 2020). "The Number Ones Bonus Tracks: R.E.M.'s "Supernatural Superserious". Stereogum. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  4. ^ Kelly, Rose (July 2, 2007). "R.E.M. Impress Fans, U2, Debuting Guitar-Heavy New Tracks In Dublin". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on August 29, 2009. Retrieved September 25, 2009.
  5. ^ McLean, Craig. "R.E.M. reborn". Telegraph.co.uk. March 8, 2008. Retrieved on March 28, 2008.
  6. ^ Doyle, Tom. "R.E.M.: The Q Interview". Q. April 2008.
  7. ^ "R.E.M. HQ – Accelerate". REM HQ. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d Azerrad, Michael. "R.E.born". Spin. April 2008.
  9. ^ Cohen, Jonathan. "R.E.M. Prepares To 'Accelerate'". Billboard.com. January 2, 2008. Retrieved on March 28, 2008.
  10. ^ Inman, Davis (May 26, 2011). "U2 And R.E.M. Engineer Talks Universal Audio Gear". American Songwriter. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  11. ^ MacInnes, Paul. "Hey, critics: get ready to step on REM's Accelerator in April". Guardian.co.uk. January 2, 2008. Retrieved on January 5, 2008.
  12. ^ Graff, Gary. R.E.M. Reluctant To Pin Down New Album Direction". Billboard.com. August 31, 2007. September 25, 2007.
  13. ^ Cashmere, Paul. "R.E.M. To Start 90 Night Countdown To New Album Archived December 22, 2007, at the Wayback Machine". Undercover.com.au. December 22, 2007. Retrieved on March 28, 2008.
  14. ^ Letkemann, Jessica. "R.E.M. Launching New Album On iLike". Billboard.com. March 10, 2008. Retrieved on March 28, 2008.
  15. ^ "R.E.M. Accelerate Tour – Total Production". tpimagazine.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2010. Retrieved January 3, 2011.
  16. ^ a b "Accelerate by R.E.M. Reviews and Tracks". Metacritic. Archived from the original on May 3, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  17. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Accelerate – R.E.M." AllMusic. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  18. ^ Phipps, Keith (April 1, 2008). "R.E.M.: Accelerate". The A.V. Club. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  19. ^ Willman, Chris (April 2, 2008). "Accelerate". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  20. ^ Petridis, Alexis (March 21, 2008). "REM, Accelerate". The Guardian. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  21. ^ Buckley, David (April 2008). "The wake-up bomb". Mojo. No. 173. p. 98.
  22. ^ a b Woodhouse, Alan (March 28, 2008). "REM: Accelerate". NME. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  23. ^ Klein, Joshua (March 31, 2008). "R.E.M.: Accelerate". Pitchfork. Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  24. ^ a b Cameron, Keith (April 2008). "R.E.M.: Accelerate". Q. No. 261. p. 99.
  25. ^ a b Fricke, David (April 3, 2008). "Accelerate". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 28, 2012.
  26. ^ Modell, Josh (March 2008). "Racing Against Time". Spin. Vol. 24, no. 3. p. 95. Archived from the original on September 2, 2022. Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  27. ^ Hasty, Katie. "Strait Speeds Past R.E.M. To Debut At No. 1". Billboard.com. April 9, 2008. Retrieved on April 10, 2008.
  28. ^ Sexton, Paul. "R.E.M. Earns Eighth U.K. No. 1 Album". Billboard.com. April 7, 2008. Retrieved on April 10, 2008.
  29. ^ "Billboard 200 chart history- Accelerate". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 11, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2009.
  30. ^ "Reveal & Accelerate Vinyl Reissues Coming August". R.E.M. June 27, 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  31. ^ Tyrangiel, Josh (March 27, 2008). "R.E.M.: Finding Their Religion". Time. Archived from the original on March 30, 2008. Retrieved April 3, 2012.
  32. ^ Mulvey, John (April 2008). "R.E.M. – Accelerate". Uncut. No. 131. p. 80. Archived from the original on May 11, 2008. Retrieved June 29, 2021.
  33. ^ Zerbe, Jeremy (November 17, 2009). "CoS Top of the Decade: The Albums". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  34. ^ "Albums of the Decade: 101 Things to Love About the '00s". Entertainment. Kitsap Sun. January 13, 2010. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  35. ^ "Australiancharts.com – R.E.M. – Accelerate". Hung Medien.
  36. ^ "Austriancharts.at – R.E.M. – Accelerate" (in German). Hung Medien.
  37. ^ "Ultratop.be – R.E.M. – Accelerate" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
  38. ^ "Ultratop.be – R.E.M. – Accelerate" (in French). Hung Medien.
  39. ^ "R.E.M. Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard.
  40. ^ "Danishcharts.dk – R.E.M. – Accelerate". Hung Medien.
  41. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – R.E.M. – Accelerate" (in Dutch). Hung Medien.
  42. ^ "R.E.M.: Accelerate" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland.
  43. ^ "Lescharts.com – R.E.M. – Accelerate". Hung Medien.
  44. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – R.E.M. – Accelerate" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts.
  45. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography R.E.M.". Hung Medien.
  46. ^ "Italiancharts.com – R.E.M. – Accelerate". Hung Medien.
  47. ^ "Charts.nz – R.E.M. – Accelerate". Hung Medien.
  48. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – R.E.M. – Accelerate". Hung Medien.
  49. ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – R.E.M. – Accelerate". Hung Medien.
  50. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – R.E.M. – Accelerate". Hung Medien.
  51. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – R.E.M. – Accelerate". Hung Medien.
  52. ^ "Swisscharts.com – R.E.M. – Accelerate". Hung Medien.
  53. ^ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  54. ^ "R.E.M. Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  55. ^ "Austriancharts.at – Jahreshitparade 2008". Hung Medien. Archived from the original on October 11, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  56. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2008". Ultratop (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  57. ^ "JAAROVERZICHTEN – ALBUM 2008". Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  58. ^ "Classement Albums – année 2008" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Archived from the original on December 4, 2012. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  59. ^ [1] Archived January 18, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  60. ^ "Hitparade.ch – Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2008". Hung Medien. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  61. ^ "The Official UK Albums Chart – Year-End – 2008" (PDF). Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  62. ^ "Billboard.BIZ – Year-end Charts – Billboard 200 – 2008". Billboard.biz. Retrieved January 29, 2012.
  63. ^ "Accelerate - R.E.M. - Billboard.com". Billboard.
  64. ^ "Austrian album certifications – R.E.M. – Accelerate" (in German). IFPI Austria.
  65. ^ "Album Top–40: Uge 36 – 2008". Hitlisten (in Danish). IFPI Denmark. Archived from the original (ASP) on December 17, 2010. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
  66. ^ "Danish album certifications – R.E.M. – Accelerate". IFPI Danmark. Scroll through the page-list below until year 2008 to obtain certification.
  67. ^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (R.E.M.; 'Accelerate')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  68. ^ "The Irish Charts - 2008 Certification Awards - Gold". Irish Recorded Music Association.
  69. ^ "Le Cifre de Vendita - Album" (PDF). Musica e dischi (in Italian). p. 8. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 25, 2016. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
  70. ^ "IFPI Norsk platebransje Trofeer 1993–2011" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway.
  71. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('Accelerate')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien.
  72. ^ "British album certifications – R.E.M. – Accelerate". British Phonographic Industry.
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