R.E.M. Counteracts Low Sale with New Album

After a mild reception on "Around the Sun" (2004), R.E.M. comes back with a new album. Though not quite known yet whether it will live up to the expectation, bassists Mike Mills has promised there will be more 'rock' in it. Neither name nor exact release date has been stated, yet it is estimated to be out before the end of this year.

The recording process this time involves two-time Grammy Award winning Jacknife Lee, an Irish producer who has worked with U2 in "How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb" (2004) and also with Snow Patrol in "Final Straw" (2004). Like the band's members, Jacknife is also excited in this collaboration. "There is no model for REM," he said in a statement. "Consistently one of the Great Bands, if not the greatest. They push themselves further than most, doing every time what is the goal for any artist - explore. These new songs are some of their most exciting and visceral yet."

R.E.M. will receive an induction ceremony from Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder in Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on Monday March 12 and is scheduled to perform there with the band's ex-drummer, Bill Berry.