R.E.M. to begin recording new album

R.E.M. will start recording their new album next week.

The band plans to make the record in Canada in the first stages, but will travel to Ireland to complete recording in June.

Jacknife Lee, who has produced albums with U2 and Snow Patrol, will lend his name to the record.

After the recording is completed, the group will play five "working rehearsal" shows at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin, starting on June 30 and running until July 5, with a day off on July 2.