R.E.M.’S Accelerate out today

Accelerate [read our review], the brand-new album from beloved American rock band R.E.M., is out today on Warner Bros. Records. The band’s 14th studio album, Accelerate has already topped four Amazon.com charts (Overall Music, Alternative, Adult Alternative, and Rock) while still in pre-order, no doubt in part to the amazing word-of-mouth it has already received from critics, who have hailed it as the band’s finest work in years.

Clocking in at a brisk 34 minutes, Accelerate has been called “a classic blast of rock and roll from a band at a new peak of its powers” by Rolling Stone, “a breathless tumble of hooks and harmonies” by the New York Times, and proof that “amplified, guitar-based songs can bring people together and even form the basis for a larger life,” by the Los Angeles Times. Entertainment Weekly also raved: “Damn if Accelerate doesn’t live up to its pedal-to-the-metal title!”

Accelerate was recorded in Vancouver, Dublin, and Athens, GA, last spring with Grammy Award winning-producer Jacknife Lee, who is noted for his work with U2 (How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb), as well as Snow Patrol, Bloc Party, and Kasabian. In the months leading up to today’s release, the band, which is singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, and bassist Mike Mills, and its team have invented several online promotions geared toward generating awareness of the album and creating an interactive experience for fans, including launching four brand-new websites. Additionally, Accelerate made its online debut exclusively via social music discovery service iLike, which has been streaming the album in its entirety since March 24th.

R.E.M. will tour North America in May and June in support of Accelerate with special guests Modest Mouse and The National. Tickets go on sale this weekend – check local outlets.

R.E.M. on Tour:
May
23 Vancouver – Deer Lake Park
29 Los Angeles – Hollywood Bowl
31 Berkeley – Greek Theatre
June
03 Denver – Red Rocks Amphitheatre
06 Chicago – United Center
08 Toronto – Molson Amphitheatre
10 Raleigh – Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
11 Washington, DC – Merriweather Post Pavilion
13 Boston – Tweeter Center for the Performing Arts
14 Long Island – Jones Beach Theater
18 Philadelphia – Mann Center for the Performing Arts
19 New York City – Madison Square Garden
21 Atlanta – Lakewood Amphitheatre

www.remhq.com