New REM album?

[Sydneyfan]

According to Paste:

This year, in between getting inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame and releasing its first-ever live album, R.E.M. has somehow found time to scoot over to Ireland and record the follow-up to 2004's Around the Sun with producer Jacknife Lee (Snow Patrol, Bloc Party).

The band has been tightlipped on a release date for its 14th studio effort, but earlier this week at a New York charity auction, frontman Michael Stipe announced, "Let me tell you a secret: we have a great fucking record in the bag. It's a big change. It's coming out on April Fool's Day."

And if vague Stipe comments and April Fool's tie-ins aren't enough fuel for the R.E.M rumor mill, just today, Atlanta alternative rock radio station 99X reported on air that a "very reliable source" had informed them that former drummer Bill Berry will be re-joining the band at least temporarily. According to the tipster, Berry, who hasn't performed with the R.E.M. in any capacity other than a few one-off shows since he left the group in 1997 after a brain aneurysm, will embark on an R.E.M. world tour following the album's (spring?) release.

http://www.pastemagazine.com/action/article/6141/news/music/stipe_announces_new_rem_release_bill_berry_to_tour

[burgerqueen]

This is very exciting news!

I hope they do the tour, they're one that I always seem to miss, too far away or something else already going on. I'd love to see them. I don't even think I'd care what they played, it would be hard to disappoint.

[ewok.online]

Viva R.E.M.!

And it's nice to hear that they might bring Bill Berry back. I've always liked his drumming, and I've never felt anyone else quite filled his spot.

[sipowicz]

After I saw that Bill had played with them a few times in the past year, I got the feeling he was getting the itch back. God, how awesome would it be if he toured...

I have seen them like 3 times I think, and to see them with Bill would allow me to die happy...

[sean]

the new songs are on youtube from a live show they did in ireland (at least they were...haven't checked back in awhile).

they rock. a lot.

[sipowicz]

If you haven't heard, it is called: Accelerate and will be out sometime in April 2008.

I am pumped, new R.EM. is always a good thing.

[radioradi0]

It's been confirmed as April 1, right? I hope so.

[Kevin McF]

confirmed for april 1, title accelerate

[radioradi0]

Thanks, Kevin McF. :)

[of_the_girl]

confirmed for april 1, title accelerate


awesome! :) I love R.E.M.

[jumpshipmusic]

From NME:

Confirmed tracks for the album include 'Until The Day Is Done', 'Living Well Is The Best Revenge', 'Mr Richards', 'Staring Down The Barrel Of Middle Distance', and 'I'm Gonna DJ', a regular in the band's set on their 2004/2005 world tour.
Frontman Michael Stipe said the guitar-driven LP is "the fastest we've made in 20 years".

He told Q: "I think the songs on 'Around The Sun' are great, but in the process of recording we lost our focus as a band. Now, that focus is back. And it's razor sharp."

[lukin]

"I think the songs on 'Around The Sun' are great, but in the process of recording we lost our focus as a band. Now, that focus is back. And it's razor sharp."

This sounds promising. I liked Around The Sun, but not like I do other REM albums. It was definitely one of my least favourites. They're my favourite band of all time, they account for 5.75% of the 5383 songs on my ipod. I like them a lot. I just hope this means they'll come back to NZ. I saw them on the last tour and it was the best concert of my life (I also discovered Bright Eyes at that show).