A bit of (semi-) tantalizing R.E.M. news (kinda) courtesy of the BBC: Guitarist Peter Buck (who's playing the 40 Watt Club on Thursday, Nov. 14) told the British news service that the group plans to release a box set compiling all its fan-club-only 7-inch singles, which it released each year from 1988 to 2011.

Well, maybe. The article quotes the noncommittal musician as saying:

"There were like 24 of them, which makes about 50 songs," said Buck. "We'll put them in a big box set for charity one day."

So. "One day." That could mean, like, any day from here to eternity. WHY DO YOU OBFUSCATE SO, BUCK?

Were it to be released, the collection would include some pretty neat rarities, like Christmas tunes, as well as covers of Television's "See No Evil" and an acoustic version of "Country Feedback" featuring Neil Young on guitar. Other guests, like Radiohead, are all up in there, too. Plus, weird stuff like this.

In other, more concrete news, Buck reportedly finished work on a second solo album "last Friday." When will it see release? According to Buck, "maybe before Christmas, maybe in the spring."

Guh. Typical.