Michael Stipe has begun work on a new R.E.M. album?

This little tidbit comes from the most random of sources: none other than the phone of Jane Pratt, editor of Sassy magazine. Pratt has set up a page on her website that shows the messages that she is receiving on her phone, live. One message came in from Michael Stipe who says that he is in the studio working on new music. Or at least that’s what Rolling Stone have gleaned from this message.

Anyway, this is entirely possible, since the band decided not to tour after releasing their new album Collapse Into Now back in March, so what else do they have to do? Whenever it turns out the R.E.M. release their next album, it will be interesting to see with whom they release it, since Collapse Into Now completed the band’s contractual obligation to Warner Bros. My bet would be a self-release on a new R.E.M. label/imprint.