R.E.M.: Live From Austin, TX

Since hitting the college radio scene in the early '80s, the Athens, GA, band R.E.M. have established themselves as one of the longest running, most successful musical acts of the entire modern musical era. As part of the release plan for their 2008 album Accelerate, remaining members Michael Stipe (vocals), Peter Buck (guitars), and Mike Mills (bass, keyboards, backing vocals) played the popular PBS showcase Austin City Limits. Presenting a 17-song set (including three songs—"So. Central Rain," "Fall on Me," and "Imitation of Life"—cut from the original broadcast airing), this outing relies heavily on the new material, serving up nine of the 11 tracks from Accelerate. The comparative lack of hits (don't look for anything from Murmur, Fables of the Reconstruction, or Document here) might lead some fans to complain, but the stellar performances of songs from the new CD—including "Living Well is the Best Revenge," "Houston," and "Until the Day is Done"—will quickly win viewers over, and the band closes with one of their biggest hits, “Man on the Moon.” Although capable of resting on their laurels for the remainder of their career, R.E.M. proves once again that they are no mere nostalgia act. Presented in DTS 5.1 and LPCM stereo, this is highly recommended. (B. Gibron)