R.E.M. - Collapse Into Now

After drummer Bill Berry retired in 1997, R.E.M. released three consecutive albums of mellow, quasi-experimental albums. Up and Reveal were solid efforts but they lost their footing a little bit with the spotty at times Around The Sun. After the negative reception of Around The Sun, the boys from Athens, GA felt they had something to prove with 2008's stunning return to form Accelerate, which primarily featured short, loud bursts of punky energy. The album served it's purpose, which was to regain their mojo. Well, R.E.M. have just released their 15th studio album Collapse Into Now, and it's safe to say that the band are once again at the peak of their formidable powers. While Accelerate was an exercise in rocking out, Collapse Into Now is just R.E.M. playing to their strengths and being themselves.

This is R.E.M.'s best album since 1996's New Adventures in Hi-Fi. Like that album, Collapse Into Now is pretty diverse, featuring ballsy rockers ("All The Best" and "Alligator_Aviator_Autopilot_Antimatter," which features Peaches on vocals and Lenny Kaye on guitar), ultra-catchy power pop ("Mine Smell Like Honey" and "That Someone is You"), psychedelic hard rock ("Discoverer") and acoustic balladry ("Oh My Heart" and "It Happened Today," which features Eddie Vedder on vocals). As well, the album features the Velvet Underground-esque "Every Day is Yours To Win" and "Me, Marlon Brando, Marlon Brando and I," which is a tribute of sorts to Neil Young's "Pocahontas." Album closer "Blue," which features Patti Smith on vocals, recalls "E-Bow The Letter" (which also featured Smith) and "Country Feedback" with Michael Stipe's spoken word beat poetry over Peter Buck's acoustic guitars and feedback.

What really stands out with this album is the confidence that the band exudes. Musically, Peter Buck is a force on guitar and mandolin, Mike Mills' melodic bass and harmony vocals prove once again to be the band's secret weapon, and Michael Stipe's cryptic lyrics and distinct baritone have rarely sounded better. On album closer "Blue," Stipe declares "This is my time/ I'm thrilled to be alive." Well, the band certainly sounds alive and kicking on this album. It's a shame they're not going to tour behind this batch of tunes because there isn't a clunker in the bunch.

You can check out videos for two of the album's songs below...

"Mine Smell Like Honey"

"Oh My Heart"