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Music Out Now

R.E.M. - Around the Sun

News that iconic American rock group, R.E.M. is to tour this country next year has come like manna from heaven for their South African fans, most of whom have been following the group’s career from its inception.

And now comes the group’s latest album, Around The Sun - which is garnering mixed reviews internationally, including a somewhat scathing attack from The Guardian which labeled the 13-track album adult contemporary.

Although there are some disappointing moments on the album (too many electronic flourishes and not enough acoustic guitar in the mix for my liking as well as some gratuitous vocals from Stipe, particularly on “The Worst Joke Ever”), for the most part, and after a few listens, Around The Sun creeps around your heart in a way that makes it yet another worthwhile addition to R.E.M’s virtually unparalleled catalogue of releases.

On first hearing lead single to radio, “Leaving New York” I was instantly smitten - the song recalling the best ballads from the band, with Stipe’s voice and the layering of instrumentation just perfect in a song that leaves you with that particular emotion that only an R.E.M. song can.

“The Outsiders” with its atmospheric mood and Q-Tip’s evocative rap towards the end of the song is another standout on the album as is the exceptional “Boy In The Well” which instantly recalls landmark R.E.M tracks like “Night Swimming” off the mesmerizing Automatic For The People.

In all, Around The Sun may not be the best R.E.M. album ever - but it’s undoubtedly one worth listening to, again and again.