R.E.M. decides to Accelerate new album process

Almost two weeks ago (despite the fact that it feels like two days ago in holiday time), we told you that R.E.M.'s 14th studio album had been recorded in Ireland with Jacknife Lee and was set for release on April 1. We also told you that Bill Berry would tour with the band, but that particular news nugget turned out to be less than true. (That's a wag of the finger for you and your reputed source, 99X!)

Said album now has a name, and that name is Accelerate. And to hear singer Michael Stipe tell it, the release could be R.E.M.'s finest in a while. "We spent less time making this record than we have in 20 years", Stipe told Q. "I feel like there's a confidence in the material and a communication between the three of us which hasn't been there for some time."

According to NME, a few tracks that will definitely appear on the album are "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."

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