“It’s almost impossible not to hear Accelerate as an attempt to win back old fans and regain the critical respect they’ve lost in the past ten years. That said, the music doesn’t sound desperate, forced, or designed for maximum commercial impact, as with U2’s last two records. If anything, they sound pissed-off and eager to brawl.” Matthew Perpetua of Fluxblog and Pop Songs previews R.E.M.’s Accelerate for Stereogum.