the Sun "just wasn't really listenable, because it sounds like what it is: a bunch of people that are so bored with the material that they can't stand it anymore." "The songs on Around the Sun are great," remarked singer Michael Stipe. "But, in the process of recording, we lost our focus as a band." The album's songs were largely excluded from the band's live setlists after the release of Accelerate. Reissue In 2005, Warner Bros. Records issued an expanded two-disc edition of Around the Sun which includes a CD, a DVD-Audio disc containing a 5.1-channel surround sound mix of the album done by Elliot Scheiner, and the original CD booklet with expanded liner notes. A remix of the song "Final Straw" appeared earlier in 2004 on the compilation album Future Soundtrack for America. Track listing All songs written by Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Michael Stipe. The Mercury Side "Leaving New York" – 4:49 "Electron Blue" – 4:12 "The Outsiders" (feat. Q-Tip) – 4:14 "Make It All Okay" – 3:44 "Final Straw" – 4:07 "I Wanted to Be Wrong" – 4:35 The Sun Side "Wanderlust" – 3:03 "Boy in the Well" – 5:22 "Aftermath" – 3:55 "High Speed Train" – 5:02 "The Worst Joke Ever" – 3:38 "The Ascent of Man" – 4:07 "Around the Sun" – 4:28 Personnel R.E.M. Peter Buck – guitar, production Mike Mills – bass guitar, keyboards, production Michael Stipe – vocals, production, packaging Additional musicians Jamie Candiloro – engineer, mixing, musician Scott McCaughey – guitar Q-Tip – rapping on "The Outsiders" Bill Rieflin – drums, percussion Hahn Rowe – musician Ken Stringfellow – keyboards Technical personnel Chris Bilheimer – packaging Oswald "Wiz" Bowe – assistant engineer Jim Briggs III – assistant engineer DeWitt Burton – technical assistance Alex Dixon – assistant Bertis Downs – advisor Thomas Roman Dozol – photography, cover photo Bryan Gallant – assistant Ted Jensen – mastering Patrick McCarthy – producer, mixing Kirk McNally – assistant engineer Javier Valverde – assistant engineer Bob Whittaker – technical assistance Certifications Charts Weekly charts Year-end charts References External links 2004 albums Albums produced by Michael Stipe Albums produced by Mike Mills Albums produced by Peter Buck Albums produced by Pat McCarthy (record producer) Albums recorded at The Warehouse Studio R.E.M. albums Warner Records albums