REM announces new album with return to rock roots

Seminal rock band R.E.M. have announced some details surrounding their upcoming, 14th album, titled Accelerate. In a recent Billboard.com article the band elaborated on the sound of the new material, hinting at a return to their college–rock sound of the 1980's and early 90's:

It's not like we're going to pretend these are ballads. These are rockers.

The band's early material, including the albums Green, Murmur and Document, are considered to be influential to many of today's punk groups. Accelerate will hit stores April 1st.