R.E.M. - A Beautiful Dream

Michael Stipe and the boys have a new release out. It's called "Accelerate", and to my ears it is a return to the focus and energy of their early stuff, without merely imitating old news. It's harder, harsher, and for the most part, louder than their recent offerings, and I really like it.

One song in particular, "Until the Day Is Done", jumped out at me. Not as loud as much of the CD, its intensity came from a razor sharp acoustic guitar and equally hard edged lyrics:

The battle's been lost, the war is not won

An addled republic, a bitter refund

The business first flat earthers licking their wounds

The verdict is dire, the country's in ruins

Providence blinked, facing the sun

Where are we left to carry on

Until the day is done

Until the day is done

As we've written our stories to entertain

These notions of glory and bull market gain

The teleprompt flutters, the power surge brings

An easy speed message falls into routine

Providence blinked, facing the sun

Where are we left to carry on

Until the day is done

Until the day is done

A voice whispers "Son,

The blessed vision comes."

What have I done

What have I done

So hold tight your babies and your guns

Forgive us our trespasses, father and son

Providence blinked, facing the sun

Where are we left to carry on

Until the day is done

The poetic indictment of imperial dreams that have crashed and burned is damning---and utterly true. It's good to have R.E.M. back in fine fettle. This CD kicks ass!