If you are about to disembark on a long (or short) road trip, make sure you are equipped with the latest REM tunes from their disc 'Accelerate'. Not that this is supposed to be an invitation to do exactly THAT while you are cruising down the seemingly never ending stretch of tar. No, this is a mix of songs that makes sitting in the car just a little more enjoyable. Easy listening, some rocky, some with a hint of country, others slower, and by the second time you might actually sing along. The cd fits nicely with the earlier releases, with the charismatic Stipes-voice and guitar sound making it a near 'typical' REM disc. Feel free to crank it up (not too loud, you still want to hear sirens :-) - I enjoy it every time I take a trip.

If however you are more inclined to chill, put up them tired feet and get a message from your better half, I recently found out that Paul Simon's 'Graceland' (featuring Ladysmith Black Mambazo) is the right music to set the mode.

Man, if you can't relax to this 'happy', envigorating and positive music, forget the message, find a brick (or several) and a hammer and a place where nobody will see you. The beats are simple (Steve Gadd puts down a solid beat with a 4 beat bass drum line on most of the songs), and the bass is definitely omnipresent, creating the kind of jive feeling you normally can't sit still to on Fridays.

However, Simon's singing (or rather sing-talking) is so mellow, it balances the 'driving instruments', creating this very loungy and soft musical blend. Take a deep breath and soak up, and instant stress relief.