Over the course of its nearly three-decade-long career, REM has produced a very solid catalogue of radio and Billboard hits. However, albums have never been the band's strong point. Most of the group's work seems to follow the same pattern: one or two classic songs packaged alongside ten or more inessential pieces. The band's 14th album, "Accelerate," is no exception; it is a fun, easy listen from start to finish but fails to distinguish itself from the rest of REM's work.

"Accelerate" features the same jangly guitars and folksy crooning found in REM's best work. The first three songs on the album come close to classics like "Losing My Religion," none more so than "Supernatural/Superserious," which has been making the rounds on alternative radio. Then the CD gets political, and REM gets in over its head. The next few songs blend together, as the band sings about the death of America and how the state is out to get Michael Stipe. REM cannot quite handle subjects this heavy, and most of the songs are more ridiculous than anything else.

Like most of REM's work, "Accelerate" is generally forgettable and difficult to listen to in one sitting. "Living Well is The Best Revenge" and "Supernatural/Superserious" are worth picking up on iTunes, but the rest probably aren't worth more than the thirty second samples.