UPDATE: new R.E.M album release date, Berry not touring

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."

CORRECTION: We initially reported that Bill Berry was rumored to be touring with the band in 2008, according to Atlanta alternative station 99X. The band's management has confirmed that this rumor is "entirely untrue." Sigh, oh well, we aren't that lucky.

Related links:
R.E.M. set to release R.E.M. Live
R.E.M. inducted into Rock Hall of Fame
R.E.M. HQ

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