REM to preview album on iLike social application

by Alex Donohue, Brand Republic 11-Mar-08, 12:15

LONDON - Rock band REM are to preview their forthcoming album, 'Accelerate', by streaming it through the Bebo, MySpace and Facebook compatible social networking application, iLike.

The trio release their 14th studio album, 'Accelerate', on April 1, but will hold a six-day online listening party prior to its launch, allowing fans to stream the album in its entirety through the iLike social networking application.

REM, who are signed to Warner Bros, will join Radiohead in allowing fans to listen to their music for free. Radiohead released 'In Rainbows' last year under a pay-what-you-like scheme, which proved divisive within the music industry.

'Accelerate' will be available to stream from March 24 through the iLike application, which is compatible with MySpace, Facebook, Bebo and iTunes. The band hopes previewing the album will create an online buzz about the record that will translate to record sales.

Michael Stipe, singer and frontman, said: "Collaborating with iLike and debuting 'Accelerate' across the web is in keeping with the spirit and immediacy of the album. We wanted to do something super-fast and super-real.

"Music, art and pop culture are about right now, and nothing else matters. 'Accelerate' is our turbo-charged response to the times we live in."

The lead single from the politically themed album, 'Supernatural Superserious', was promoted through inviting fans to edit their own videos for the song online.