mumurs.com presents the first in a series of three exclusive interviews conducted by Ethan Kaplan with R.E.M.'s constituent parts. In part one, Michael Stipe elucidates on vomiting, squirting, politics - and why he can't even contemplate the next album yet.

the genesis of the songs on Around The Sun compare to that for Reveal and Up? Was it vomit songs across the board?

MS: All vomit. I found a new word, though – “the unconscious voiceâ€

Thanks for posting that.

I wonder what the mood will be at tomorow night's Madison Square Garden show after the Bush win.