R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe has been keeping busy. This week he announced the release of a digital EP featuring six different versions of the Joseph Arthur song, "In The Sun," to benefit Gulf Coast victims of Hurricane Katrina. One version of the song is a duet between Stipe and Coldplay frontman (and Apple's daddy) Chris Martin, which will be featured on Sunday's episode of Grey's Anatomy. Another is a live recording of the song by Stipe and Coldplay during a recent taping of Austin City Limits. The EP also includes two versions of the song by Stipe and Arthur, a Stipe solo version and a remix by Justin Timberlake and will.i.am from the Black Eyed Peas. The tracks were recorded and produced by James Iha of the Smashing Pumpkins and feature Fountains Of Wayne's Adam Schlesinger on piano. The EP will be available on iTunes on February 5, after 11 p.m. EST, and all proceeds will go to Mercy Corp, an international humanitarian organization that is working to help those affected by the hurricane. In other Stipe news, the make-up-masked frontman recently recorded a guest spot on a song for the upcoming Placebo album, Meds. Called "Broken Promises," the track is one of 13 on the glam Brit rockers first new album since 2003's Sleeping With Ghosts. The record, which also features an appearance by Kills vocalist Alison "W" Mosshart, is scheduled for a UK release on March 13. The album will be out March 21 on Astralwerks in the US. Tracklist For In The Sun EP: 01. In The Sun (Gulf Coast Relief) - Michael Stipe featuring Chris Martin 02. In The Sun (JAW Breakers remix) - Michael Stipe featuring Chris Martin 03. In The Sun - Michael Stipe featuring Joseph Arthur 04. In The Sun - Michael Stipe 05. In The Sun - Michael Stipe live with Coldplay on Austin City Limits 06. In The Sun (Free Acoustic Couch Rehearsal) - Michael Stipe featuring Joseph Arthur Tracklist For Meds: 01. Meds 02. Infra-red 03. Drag 04. Space Monkey 05. Follow The Cops Back Home 06. Post Blue 07. Because I Want You 08. Blind 09. Pierrot The Clown 10. Broken Promise 11. One Of A Kind 12. In The Cold Light Of Morning 13. Song To Say Goodbye www.inthesun.org www.remhq.com
