When we fall into heavy sleep and the frames of the dream jump over each other in the (sub)consciousness, it is seen through the closed eyelids how our eyes roll in following the unconnected images. This phenomenon is called “rapid eyes movement”, or “rem”. When we listen to the music of Michael Stipe and his band, a blizzard of emotions raves in our chests and touches different strings of the soul and the heartbeats rapidly in attempt at answering the rhythm. This phenomenon is also called R.E.M. There are days when you feel like life hates you and wants to fuck you up. But there is also a way for you to fuck it up. Just tell yourself, “What the hell,” and enjoy. The advise is, “Living well is the best revenge.” And you can trust the three Americans. For 14 albums at least trust has been gained long ago. And despite the departure of long-time drummer Bill Berry ten years ago, despite the startlingly faceless studio album in 2004, despite the musical tendencies, R.E.M. are still here, as strong, real and topical as always. The proof is called “Accelerate”. Melancholy is not the moving force of the album, despite its bitter beauty served by the folkloric-lyrical “Houston” or the socially engaged revelation of “Until the Day Is Done”. Today R.E.M. are more confident and vital, and their songs refer more to alternative rock’n’roll with nice lyrics and to the weight of mellow talent. “Believe in me, believe in nothing,” sings Stipe in “Hollow Man” while the rhythm of the song makes you unexpectedly beat times on the desk or the hips, and then admits, “I’m Gonna DJ” when the rhythmical galloping of the eyes ends 30 minutes after the beginning of the musical dream. Stylish artwork, strong messages and great tunes. “Accelerate” is a half-an-hour synthesis of what R.E.M. has always been - “Supernatural Superserious”.