R.E.M. Launches Album via iLike

R.E.M. will be launching its new album "Accelerate" via the social networking service iLike, with the whole album available for streaming and sharing March 24-26.

Super-group R.E.M. has announced it will debut its new album Accelerate via the social networking service iLike beginning March 24, six days before th album is due to hhit retailers. The entire album will be available for streaming and sharing between iLike users in a “worldwide listening party” through March 26; in addition, R.E.M. will record an exclusive video message for fans introducing and discussing the album.

“Collaborating with iLike, and debuting Accelerate across the Web is in keeping with the spirit and immediacy of the album,” said R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe, in a statement. “We wanted to do something superfast and super real. Music, art, and pop culture are about right now, and nothing else matters. Accelerate is our turbo-charged response to the times we live in.”

In addition to running a social networking service for music fans via the iLike Web site, iLike also offers an add-on for iTunes and Windows Media Player called the iLike Sidebar; the sidebar will carry R.E.M.’s video message. iLike also offers a widget/application for social networking services like Facebook, MySpace, bebo, hi5, and even the iPhone.

The move marks the first time a new release from a major music act will premiere via a social networking Web site or service, although an increasing number of top-name performers are using social networking sites and tools to promote songs, albums, videos, and tours, as well as maintain a more-direct link with fans.