It would be nice to have a more rock/upbeat album again by REM. An album in the similar vein to AFTP/Out Of Time/Monster but I cant see happening now. It was ever since Bill Berry quit, they started to record much softer stuff. (Same in a way when AJS Left Bon Jovi, they Jon n Richie started to write more love/ballad kinda music) No, were lucky if we get a few heavy tracks on each new record. I read someonewhere a few nights ago, that REM recorded three tracks at TOTP: Leaving New York, Wonderlust and Make It All OK (I think ) so Iam fairly confident that these will be the next songs to be released off ATS. Very good choices imo. Boy In the well was earmarked for release, but perhaps the early reaction from the album meant they decided to change. Maybe you can shed a little light on that one for me.

It must have drove you mad this week being away when the new album had leaked onto the internet. (Did they really think that airing the album on myspace.com, no-on was gonna rip it? ) and you not being able to have access to it. Were you actually aware that it was out there? I will actually download any album early if I get the opportunity to do so, I think the only exception is Bon Jovi. I just love release day. There is a strange magic in the air.