Album Information:

About R.E.M.:

R.E.M. was an American alternative rock band that formed in Athens, Georgia in 1980. The band consisted of lead vocalist Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and drummer Bill Berry (who left the band in 1997). Throughout their career, R.E.M. released 15 studio albums and sold over 85 million records worldwide.

The band's early sound was heavily influenced by post-punk and jangle pop, with Stipe's vocals often being mumbled and difficult to understand. However, as they progressed over the years, their sound became more polished and varied, incorporating elements of folk, rock, and even electronic music.

Their breakthrough album, 'Out of Time' (1991), featured hit singles 'Losing My Religion' and 'Shiny Happy People,' which helped them achieve mainstream success. But despite their commercial success, R.E.M. always maintained a strong artistic vision, with Stipe's enigmatic lyrics and the band's complex arrangements.

Over the course of their career, R.E.M. was known for their political activism, supporting various causes such as environmentalism, LGBTQ rights, and poverty relief. They were also influential in popularizing the 'college rock' subgenre, which became a launching pad for other alternative bands in the 1980s and 1990s.

In 2011, R.E.M. announced their breakup, citing a desire to end on a high note and pursue other projects. Since then, they have released several retrospective compilations and live albums, and Stipe and Mills have continued to perform together as a duo.

R.E.M.'s legacy as one of the most influential alternative bands of all time is cemented by their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. Their music continues to inspire artists and fans alike and remains relevant to this day.

About the album Accelerate:

Accelerate is the 14th studio album by American rock band R.E.M. and was released on April 1, 2008, by Warner Bros. Records. The album marks their return to a more rock-oriented sound after experimenting with more experimental and alternative styles in their previous few albums.

The album consists of 11 tracks, each showcasing the band's signature sound of catchy guitar riffs, melodic bass lines, and vocal harmonies. The opening track, 'Living Well Is the Best Revenge,' sets the tone for the rest of the album with its driving beat and guitar riffs.

The second track, 'Man-Sized Wreath,' features snarling guitars and pounding drums. 'Supernatural Superserious' is the album's lead single and is one of the most accessible and catchy tracks on the record.

Other standout tracks on the album include 'Accelerate,' 'Hollow Man,' and 'Until the Day Is Done,' which features a haunting piano melody that builds to a soaring chorus.

Lyrically, the album deals heavily with themes of political disillusionment and societal unrest. Lead singer Michael Stipe's signature cryptic and poetic lyrics are on full display throughout the album, inviting multiple interpretations and deeper analysis.

Overall, Accelerate is a hard-hitting, energetic rock album that marks a return to form for R.E.M. after their experimental ventures in the previous decade. It's an album that both die-hard fans and new listeners can appreciate for its catchy hooks, driving rhythms, and poignant lyrics.

Members:

R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in 1980 in Athens, Georgia. Key members of the band included the following:

1. Michael Stipe (Lead vocalist): Born on January 4, 1960, in Decatur, Georgia, Michael Stipe is an American singer, songwriter, and visual artist. Stipe was the lead vocalist of R.E.M. throughout the band's career. He was involved in the formation of the band in 1980 and released fifteen studio albums with the band.

2. Peter Buck (Guitarist): Born on December 6, 1956, in Berkeley, California, Peter Buck is an American musician and songwriter. Buck was the lead guitarist of R.E.M. and co-wrote many of the band's songs. Before joining R.E.M., Buck was a record store clerk in Athens, Georgia.

3. Mike Mills (Bassist): Born on December 17, 1958, in Orange County, California, Mike Mills is an American musician and composer. Mills played bass guitar, keyboards, and provided backing vocals for R.E.M. Mills wrote some of the band's most memorable songs, including 'Everybody Hurts' and 'What's the Frequency, Kenneth?'

4. Bill Berry (Drummer): Born on July 31, 1958, in Duluth, Minnesota, Bill Berry is an American musician and songwriter. Berry played drums for R.E.M. from the band's inception until 1997, when he left the band to pursue a career in farming. Berry wrote several of the band's songs, including 'Perfect Circle' and 'Driver 8.'

Together, these four members formed the core of R.E.M. throughout the band's career. While the band went through numerous personnel changes, Stipe, Buck, Mills, and Berry remained the most recognizable and enduring members of the group.

Track List for Accelerate:

Sure, here are the tracks in the album Accelerate by R.E.M. listed in order of appearance, along with their play time and a brief description:

1. Living Well is the Best Revenge (3:11): This is the album's opening track that sets the tone for the rest of the album. It's a fast-paced rock song with catchy guitar riffs and powerful vocals from frontman Michael Stipe.

2. Man-Sized Wreath (2:32): This song has a more upbeat melody and showcases the band's signature harmonies. The lyrics talk about the negative impact humans have on the environment.

3. Supernatural Superserious (3:23): This song was released as a single and is a standout track on the album. It features a catchy chorus and a driving rhythm section.

4. Hollow Man (2:40): This is a slower, more introspective song that talks about feeling empty and disconnected from the world.

5. Houston (2:05): This song is named after the city of Houston, Texas and is a nod to the band's southern roots. It's a short, punky track that sounds great live.

6. Accelerate (3:34): The title track of the album is another standout track. It has a fast-paced rhythm and catchy guitar riffs, making it a fun song to dance to.

7. Until The Day Is Done (4:08): This song is a more somber ballad that discusses the struggles and hardships of living in a chaotic world.

8. Mr. Richards (3:46): A catchy song with heavy guitars, this track talks about the corruption of power and greed.

9. Sing For The Submarine (4:51): One of the longer songs on the album, this ballad has a dreamy quality to it and focuses on the power of hope and the ability to overcome obstacles.

10. Horse To Water (2:19): This song is a short, upbeat track with humorous lyrics about a stubborn character who refuses to change their ways.

11. I'm Gonna DJ (2:08): The album's closing track is a fun, high-energy song that features Stipe's spoken-sung vocals over a swirling instrumental track.

Overall, Accelerate is a strong rock album that showcases R.E.M.'s talent for writing catchy, memorable songs with socially conscious lyrics.

Discography for R.E.M.:

Here is a complete discography for R.E.M. in chronological order, including all albums, singles, and other releases:

Albums:

1. Murmur - April 12, 1983
2. Reckoning - April 9, 1984
3. Fables of the Reconstruction - June 10, 1985
4. Lifes Rich Pageant - July 28, 1986
5. Document - August 31, 1987
6. Green - November 7, 1988
7. Out of Time - March 12, 1991
8. Automatic for the People - October 5, 1992
9. Monster - September 27, 1994
10. New Adventures in Hi-Fi - September 9, 1996
11. Up - October 26, 1998
12. Reveal - May 15, 2001
13. Around the Sun - October 5, 2004
14. Accelerate - April 1, 2008
15. Collapse into Now - March 7, 2011

Singles:

1. 'Radio Free Europe' - July 8, 1981
2. 'So. Central Rain' - November 19, 1983
3. 'Don't Go Back to Rockville' - July 31, 1984
4. 'Can't Get There from Here' - February 25, 1985
5. 'Fall on Me' - October 31, 1986
6. 'The One I Love' - August 4, 1987
7. 'It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)' - November 16, 1987
8. 'Stand' - February 1, 1989
9. 'Pop Song 89' - March 6, 1989
10. 'Get Up' - October 2, 1989
11. 'Losing My Religion' - February 19, 1991
12. 'Shiny Happy People' - May 20, 1991
13. 'Near Wild Heaven' - July 15, 1991
14. 'Drive' - September 21, 1992
15. 'Man on the Moon' - November 21, 1992
16. 'The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite' - February 15, 1993
17. 'Everybody Hurts' - April 15, 1993
18. 'Nightswimming' - October 25, 1993
19. 'What's the Frequency, Kenneth?' - September 5, 1994
20. 'Bang and Blame' - November 28, 1994
21. 'Strange Currencies' - February 27, 1995
22. 'E-Bow the Letter' - October 7, 1996
23. 'Bittersweet Me' - September 23, 1996
24. 'Daysleeper' - October 12, 1998
25. 'The Great Beyond' - December 21, 1999
26. 'Imitation of Life' - April 30, 2001
27. 'All the Way to Reno (You're Gonna Be a Star)' - September 3, 2001

Other Releases:

1. Chronic Town (EP) - August 24, 1982
2. Dead Letter Office - April 27, 1987
3. Eponymous - October 25, 1988
4. In Time: The Best of R.E.M. 1988–2003 - October 27, 2003
5. The Best of R.E.M. - October 15, 1991
6. The Automatic Box - November 24, 1992
7. R.E.M.: Singles Collected - November 24, 2003
8. And I Feel Fine... The Best of the I.R.S. Years 1982–1987 - September 12, 2006
9. Unplugged 1991/2001: The Complete Sessions - May 19, 2014
10. R.E.M. at the BBC - October 19, 2018

Note: This discography includes only releases made during the band's active years.