Album Review: Collapse Into Now by R.E.M.

Of all the groups that came out of the 80's, U2 and R.E.M. have been I think the most interesting.  For one thing they have both reinvented themselves several times.  Both have found new fans with each change along the way and both, with their latest albums have gone back to the earlier sound which helped them hit the scene big. 

Collapse Into Now follows Accelerate in tapping into the older R.E.M. rock sound that I think of as being most prevalent on Document.  My guess then if you liked Document then you'll probably like this album as you probably liked Accelerate.

For me it's OK.  I was more a fan of the earlier stuff and never really was all that crazy about Document or anything that followed.  It's funny but I find that when you fall out with a band after being a big fan, it's hard to ever really enjoy anything they do afterward.

The good thing is that R.E.M. still knows how to write good pop songs with some good hooks, and Michael Stipe still has a strong voice and Peter Buck can still play guitar.  In fact I wonder if all the side projects these guys have all famously been doing has helped them to keep their edge and energy.   

I always think of R.E.M. as being good music to listen to when home on the weekends and usually their music is good for driving. 

Following the Rhapsody rating method I give it 3 out of 5 stars for Pretty Good.