Album: Accelerate Artist: R.E.M. Year: 2008 Label: Warner Bros. Genre: Alternative
It usually takes me several listens to an album before I feel like I have even begun to process it. Considering that R.E.M.’s Accelerate just hit the market this Tuesday, I’m not sure where I am yet in the process of processing. But we here at rednoW have never been about processing things for you. We’re much more interested in inviting you to do it for yourself. So let me try and whet your appetite for a great album.
What seems unmissable (I don’t think that is a word) in the early listenings of Accelerate is that the religion R.E.M. sang about losing in the early 90’s must have been found again. Accelerate is full of wonderings about faith, religion, God and the meaning of life. But that is not all. Dreaming of telling Chris Matthews-types what to do with themselves and expressions of being tired of getting jacked around by politicians and power-holders fills up much of the space on this, their fourteenth album. R.E.M. sounds pissed. R.E.M sounds great.
For instance, “Houston” is a track about the aftermath of Katrina. I found it interesting that Michael Stipe’s lyrics come from the point of view of someone who looked at the response to the human tragedy and found their faith in God challenged more so than their faith in the Bush administration [hear for yourself].
There are two different faces to R.E.M. They have their upbeat rock side and their slower introspective side (“It’s The End Of The World As We Know It” vs. “Nightswimming”). I have always preferred the latter. If you are in the same boat, “Until The Day Is Done” is just what you are looking for. Check it out below. If the lyrics, sounds and images CNN put with them are not intriguing enough, consider this…the liner notes for “Until The Day Is Done” include this quote:
When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross. - Sinclair Lewis
Until The Day Is Done (lyrics)
The battle's been lost, the war is not won An addled republic, a bitter refund The business first flat earthers licking their wounds The verdict is dire, the country's in ruins
Providence blinked, facing the sun Where are we left to carry on Until the day is done Until the day is done
As we've written our stories to entertain These notions of glory and bull market gain The teleprompt flutters, the power surge brings An easy speed message falls into routine
Providence blinked, facing the sun Where are we left to carry on Until the day is done Until the day is done
A voice whispers "Son, The blessed vision comes." What have I done What have I done
So hold tight your babies and your guns Forgive us our trespasses, father and son
Providence blinked, facing the sun Where are we left to carry on Until the day is done Until the day is done Until the day is done Until the day is done Until the day is done Until the day is done
I'm in love with their single Supernatural Superserious. It's tough to listen to the lyrics and not process them through the lens of a Young Life leader taking people to camp, but it's also interesting to pair this song next to What's the Frequency Kenneth?. While Kenneth paints a picture of youth as actively choosing against some adult construct ("withdraw in disgust is not the same as apathy"), teenagers find themselves to be somewhat victimized (or at least duped) by adults in this song.
I really like the album. I'll be curious to hear more of your thoughts on it as you listen to it more. Glad to know you're a Nightswimming fan also.
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I really like the album. I'll be curious to hear more of your thoughts on it as you listen to it more. Glad to know you're a Nightswimming fan also.