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Aug 04, 2010 R.E.M. By John Everhart

Posies frontman Ken Stringfellow, who also served as a member of the final incarnation of Big Star, as well as a touring and recording sideman for R.E.M. circa 1998-2005, has heard an early version of the latter’s upcoming album, and had some rather surprising impressions. According to an NME interview with Stringfellow, the nascent version of the record, played to him by bassist Mike Mills, is “very old school.” He continued, “The first track had vocals which were mixed super low which I couldn’t understand and I was like, ‘Yes a return to form.’ Mike was on about pushing the vocals up and I was like, ‘No, don’t do it.’” He proceeded to add, “It had a very live feel. It’s really quite beautiful. Some of the recordings were a little bit dark and had just the kind of murk that you would hear on an old R.E.M. record. I thought that was a great thing to bring back.” The return of mumbles? Time will tell. The record, R.E.M.‘s 15th studio full-length, is tentatively slated for release in Spring of 2011.

(Via:NME)