Accelerate, released on March 31, 2008, is R.E.M.’s fourteenth studio album, a fiery and rejuvenated effort that marked a return to their rock roots. Following the more subdued and experimental tones of their previous work, *Accelerate* delivers a punchy, high-energy sound filled with urgency and defiance, channeling the raw spirit of the band’s earlier days.

Clocking in at a concise 34 minutes, the album wastes no time, featuring standout tracks like the propulsive opener “Living Well Is the Best Revenge,” the anthemic “Supernatural Superserious,” and the brooding yet driving “Hollow Man.” Each song brims with sharp guitar riffs, pounding rhythms, and Michael Stipe’s impassioned vocals, blending socially conscious lyrics with a sense of personal reckoning.

Produced by Jacknife Lee, *Accelerate* captures a raw, live energy, reflecting the band’s desire to strip back and focus on immediacy and intensity. The result is a dynamic collection of songs that address themes of disillusionment, resilience, and hope with a fiery conviction.

Critically acclaimed for its vitality and focus, *Accelerate* was praised as a triumphant return to form, reinvigorating R.E.M.’s legacy as one of the most influential rock bands of their era. It’s a bold and bracing album that reminds listeners of the power of urgency in music.