R.E.M. - Around The Sun (2004/2005) [Hi-Res]

The thirteenth studio album from R.E.M., released in 2004, Around the Sun is notable for being one of the band's more straightforward and polished productions. Though it was very much a protest album, focused around the American political climate at the time, and the ongoing war, the band took a delicate and mature approach to the songs. Includes "The Outsiders," featuring rapper Q-Tip, and UK hit single "Leaving New York."

Having delivered their last great album with 1992's haunting Automatic For the People, R.E.M. spent more than decade attempting all kinds of reinvention, from the pointlessly noisy Monster to the painfully dull Up. But with Around the Sun it feels like the band is getting its bearings back. Not only is it the Georgia trio's most consistent album since the 1997 departure of drummer Bill Berry, but it also sees the return of the lush imagery and intricate playing of the band's vintage years. There are trains, mandolins, Man Ray skies. More importantly, it seems heartfelt. Witness the gorgeous disquietingly dark opener "Leaving New York," the rapturous folk of "I Wanted to Be Wrong" and the solidly intense "Boy In the Well." At 13 generous tracks, it's far from perfect but--just when everyone thought R.E.M. was down for the count--Around the Sun is an unexpected bruiser of a comeback. --Aidin Vaziri