Around the Sun is an album by R.E.M.. The album was released on October 5, 2004. The album is very low-key, with great emphasis placed on the lyrical stylings of Michael Stipe. The album received little critical praise and many believe that R.E.M. 'peaked' in 1992 with 'Automatic for the People'. However, the album in many ways simply continues their trend of refusing to be pressed into a stylistic corner. Many fans have found it to be a pleasant, easy-going piece which manages to retain their trademark weirdness and subtle themes. This is the first R.E.M. album to have a title track.

"The Outsiders" features a guest appearance by rapper Q-Tip; the sound jars with the rest of the album, and in this it recalls a similar appearance by KRS-One on "Radio Song" from their 1991 album Out of Time.

Track listing

1. "Leaving New York" - 4:49
2. "Electron Blue" - 4:12
3. "The Outsiders" - 4:14
4. "Make It All Okay" - 3:44
5. "Final Straw" - 4:07
6. "I Wanted To Be Wrong" - 4:35
7. "Wanderlust" - 3:03
8. "Boy in the Well" - 5:22
9. "Aftermath" - 3:53
10. "High Speed Train" - 5:03
11. "Worst Joke Ever" - 3:39
12. "The Ascent of Man" - 4:07
13. "Around the Sun" - 4:28

Singles

• "Leaving New York", released in September 2004.
  • United States: Played by world premiere from the Los Angeles, California station KROQ and other stations.
  • United Kingdom: Played by world premiere from BBC Radio 1 and other stations.
• "Aftermath", released in November 2004.
• "Electron Blue", released in February 2005