by Sevanand Gaddala 

The rock band REM is back. For the past decade or so, the critically acclaimed music group wandered through the wilderness.

And now with their album 'Accelerate', they can, along with U2, Radiohead and Red Hot Chili Peppers, compete for the title of best rock band in the world. Things started going off the rails for the band in 1997 after their drummer Bill Berry quit.

Lead singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck and bassist Mike Mills tried to make do with a few replacement drummers.

Though they came out with three albums - 'Up', 'Reveal' and 'Around the Sun' - this past decade, all were tepidly received and critics were ready to write their obituary. However, with their new album the band brings out the guitars and the album is a sonic rush.

REM was a hugely popular college band in the 1980s and they shot to fame with 'Murmur' (1983). Soon they established themselves with a few more critically well-received albums like 'Life's Rich Pageant' and 'Document'.

They got a little help climbing the charts with their hit singles 'Radio Free Europe', 'The One I Love' and 'Stand'. In 1991, they reached the upper echelons of superstardom with 'Out of Time'.

It featured the monster hit 'Losing My Religion' and the music video for the song directed by Indian American Tarsem Singh is widely considered one of the best videos ever.

Photograph: Jo Hale-Getty Images

In the photograph: Mike Mills, Michael Stipe and Peter Buck