Based on the opening guitar cords Collapse Into Now's lead off track "Discoverer" it would appear R.E.M. are picking up where 2008's Accelerate left off. The song is the type of pounding, anthemic rocker the band has done so well over the years. It's a fantastic way to kick off the album and if the rest of the tracks don't quite live up to the promise of "Discoverer," it's not because the album is lacking in quality tunes. There is no shortage of of guitar rock present throughout Collapse Into Now. "All the Best," "Mine Smell Like Honey," are all great straight forward rockers. "That Someone is You" is almost a punk track and even though Peaches would seem to be a very odd guest, her appearance on the loud, dumb fun of "Alligator, Aviator, Autopilot, Antimatter" works really well.
While the rock is certainly still on display, Collapse Into Now is a much more varied album than it's predecessor. Peter Buck brings back the mandolin on a bunch of acoustic based tracks. "Uberlin" is the most "Losing My Religion" like song the band has recorded since Out of Time, while "Oh My Heart," "It Happened Today" and "Every Day is Your To Win" feature beautiful harmonies between Stipe and Mike Mills.
It's hard to know if in time, Collapse Into Now is going to go down as a great R.E.M. album or just a solid one. The band appears to be re-committed to displaying a nice mix of styles and Collapse Into Now is a conscious attempt to present a mix of their classic sounds. The album is highly enjoyable from start to finish but I suspect it won't one that I'm still listening to a few years down the road.
Rating: 4
Track Listing:
1. "Discoverer" (3:31)
2. "All the Best" (2:48)
3. "Uberlin" (4:15)
4. "Oh My Heart" (3:21)
5. "It Happened Today" (3:49)
6. "Every Day is Yours To Win" (3:26)
7. "Mine Smell Like Honey" (3:13)
8. "Walk it Back" (3:24)
9. "Alligator, Aviator, Autopilot, Animator (2:45)
10. "That Someone is You" (1:44)
11. "Me, Marlon Brando, Marlon Brando and I" (3:03)
12. "Blue" (5:46)
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