Sure, R.E.M.’s new album isn’t officially out yet, but there are ways, my friend, there are ways… And Accelerate? Awesome. So awesome in fact, that I shall give you a track by track review of the album!

Living Well’s The Best Revenge
Awesome rocking opener; sounds like it could be from Document or Life’s Rich Pageant. And finally, for the first time since New Adventures in Hi-Fi we get detectable Mills harmonies.

Mansized Wreath
Another Document style number; this one actually isn’t dissimilar to “Disturbance at the Heron House.” Nice bouncy bass line, and again, awesome harmonies from Mills. Also features the first southern fried Buck guitar lie since… forever.

Supernatural Superserious
You’ve already heard it. It’s still awesome.

Hollow Man
The intro can mislead you into thinking this will be something similar to one of the weaker tracks off Around the Sun. Thankfully it’s not, and it starts rocking pretty quickly. The chorus is instantly catchy and hummable.

Houston
The first largely acoustic based song on the album sounds like it could have been on both Up and New Adventures in Hi-Fi. Decent song, and probably a good inclusion as it breaks the fast pace up a bit.

Accelerate
Holy crap, another R.E.M. album with a title track? What a novel new approach. Anyway, it’s very fitting, as it sums up the tone of album extremely well. Up-tempo with heavy beats, and a blaring guitar; the kind of song you jump on the bed to.

Until The Day Is Done
My least favorite song on the album. It’s not a bad song as such, but the political lyrics are fairly predictable, and musically it sounds like it could be on Around the Sun.

Mr. Richards
Lyrically similar to something from Up (think “Sad Professor”,) with guitar parts that would be at home at Life’s Rich Pageant. The combination works surprisingly well.

Sing For The Submarine
Kind of a strange inclusion, it has more of an R.E.M. b-side sound, or possibly something that could have been on Green. That’s not a bad thing, and the bass line is very melodic, almost more so than the main melody.

Horse To Water
Nice rocking number which I have a feeling works better live, with anthem-y hooks, and hummable chorus.

I’m Gonna DJ
This one has gotten an unfairly bad rep since it was first performed live (it’s featured on R.E.M.’s live album.) To me it’s a fun rocking surf-like track with silly lyrics, and another awesome bass line. Indie fans, stop taking yourselves so fucking seriously.

Overall? I’ve liked a lot of R.E.M.’s newer stuff (Reveal was a great album in particular) but will acknowledge that the last ten years might not have been their golden period. Accelerate is in my opinion their best album since New Adventures in Hi-Fi (arguably R.E.M.’s best.) Forget the indie kids, R.E.M. is still the best rock band out there.