The new R.E.M. album, Accelerate was released today and I had pre-ordered it through iTunes. I downloaded it this morning and have listened to the album through once so far. It’s definitely got more energy than their last 4 or 5 albums and there are several songs that are real standouts, but I was not totally blown away by it and I think I need to listen to it a few more times before I can give my full opinion of the record.