Around the Sun & Reveal... sucked. Accelerate, on the other hand, does not.


Pros:

• Peter Buck's guitar playing rules.
• Major departure from the sentimental yet thoughtless drivel that has blighted the band's career since Bill Berry's departure.
• Houston is a bit weird. In a good way.
  
• Short & to the point, very little dicking around.
• Has a tendency to rock.
  

Cons:

• Still nowhere near their best.
• At times feels a bit like they're trying to hard to be 'hip', whereas in fact are a bit 'old'.
  
• Occasional Michael Stipe lyric groan.

Think Monster part 2 (or Diet Monster).

Listen:
Accelerate (the title track, not the whole album)



Click for mp3

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Is the bitchin first single from REM's new album, Accelerate.

This is Supernatural Superserious:

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REM have been confirmed as one of this year's Oxegen headliners, joining Kings of Leon, who were already added to the bill as the 'fans choice'.

In my opinion, this is good news, but not for obvious reasons.

With Oxegen's habit of nabbing artists from Electric Picnic (Arcade Fire, anyone?), I'm anxious for them to start booking as many acts that I'm not pushed on seeing as possible. Not that I don't like REM, but I've definitely cooled on them in the last couple of years (and ultimately, seen them live before).

This year with bands such as Rage Against The Machine doing the rounds the stakes are high. So kudos, Oxegen, you're playing right into our hands. Let the booking battle continue!

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For everyone who still has faith in R.E.M. head over to their website right now here to check out their new single Supernatural Superserious. Just click on the "Listen" button located over the R.E.M. symbol in the top right hand corner of the screen.

Being one of those privelaged people who saw the band during their rehearsal shows in the Olympia last July I am waiting in keen anticipation for the new album due out in the spring and perhaps even seeing them play one of their typically savage gigs this summer (hopefully not in Baghdad/Oxegen).

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