Music Notes: Michael Stipe Comes Out

May 15 -- R.E.M.'s 12th studio album, Reveal, hit the shelves today, and it arrived with an announcement from frontman Michael Stipe.

He's putting an end to the endless rumors about his sexuality, telling Time magazine he is indeed a "queer artist" and has had a boyfriend for three years.

Stipe said he had wanted to preserve his privacy, but given all the speculation, he felt he had to make a statement about his sexual orientation.

"I was being made to be a coward about it," he said.

As for his relationship, he says his partner is not a celebrity, but is an "amazing man."

With the new album, Stipe tells Time he's aware of the band's place in the current music scene.

"We can't possibly compete with Limp Bizkit and Britney Spears, and I have no real desire to. But as long as people are excited about our work, we're going to expend the energy to do it."

Michael Jackson: Still Got It?

Michael Jackson's upcoming album is one "hot" recording, according to rumors from inside the studio.

Given how long it's been since he had an outright hit, the naysayers may not believe it, but those in the production studio say this album will put the spring back in Jackson's moonwalk.

"I'm recording across the hall from him at the hit factory and you should hear the buzz," said Luther Vandross, whose self-titled album is due June 19.

"The assistant engineers, that's a real good monitor, a real good gauge for whether or not it's hot in there. They come back and they say, 'oh it's so hot in there, it's great, the music is really sounding good, everybody's gonna really love this.'"

Vandross has also been bumping into the King of Pop around the studio and says he is in good spirits. "He seems great, he seems just fine, well-adjusted and everything."

Moreover

Irish rockers U2 are reportedly taping their current tour for a DVD release. … Alanis Morissette is keeping her fans waiting for a new album. A repsresentative from her record label says nothing is expected this year. … And Destiny's Child's new album, Survivor, sold the most records in its first week of any female group in the past decade.