R.e.m. 'reveals' Free Remixes

R.E.M. has posted 10 remixes of songs from its latest Warner Bros. album, "Reveal," in MP3 form on its official Web site, welcoming fans to download the tracks for free. Titled "R.E.M. IX," the project is not slated for commercial release.

Frontman Michael Stipe explains the genesis of the project in a separate MP3 file, saying he listens to a lot of electronic and remix-based music and heard undertones of it floating through the "pop" songs on "Reveal." He said he was interested to hear how some artists might bring those elements out by creating new mixes of the tunes.

"I like the idea that music lovers who are not R.E.M. fans, or pop music fans, might hear one of these and not have heard the album version and take it as the definitive mix," Stipe said. He added that his expectations were exceeded by the group of remixers, which includes Her Space Holiday, Chef, Andy LeMaster, and "Reveal" engineer Jamie Candiloro.

"Reveal" debuted at No. 6 on The Billboard 200 last year and has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for U.S. shipments of 500,000 copies -- the 12th R.E.M. album to achieve that honor. Stipe told Billboard.com earlier this month that the group has begun work on its next studio album.

Here are the tracks available for download:

"The Lifting," Now It's Overhead Mix by Andy LeMaster
"The Lifting," Knobody/Dahoud Darien for 12 Nations
"I'll Take the Rain," Jamie Candiloro
"She Just Wants To Be," Jamie Candiloro
"I've Been High," Matthew "Intended" Herbert
"I've Been High," Knobody/Dahoud Darien for 12 Nations
"I've Been High," Chef
"I've Been High," Her Space Holiday/Marc Bianchi
"Beachball," Chef
"Summer Turns to High," Her Space Holiday/Marc Bianchi