REM ALBUM TOPS THE CHART

Accelerate replaced Duffy's Rockferry at number one in the album chart. It is their first studio album since 2004's Around The Sun. Michael Stipe, Peter Buck and Mike Mills recently announced a stadium tour of England and Wales in August. Estelle, who stays on top of the singles chart with American Boy, saw her album Shine become the second highest new entry, at number six.James Blunt returned to the top 10 albums with All The Lost Souls rising 10 places to number eight, while Michael Jackson's Thriller 25 compilation rose five places to number nine.Gnarls Barkley's The Odd Couple was the only other new entry in the top 20, making its debut at number 19. In the singles chart, Flo Rida stayed at number two with Low, but Kooks had a new Top 40 entry with Always Where I Need To Be at number three. Mariah Carey's Touch My Body was another new entry, at number six. The same track became her 18th US number one last week, meaning she has now had more American chart-toppers than any other act except the Beatles.

DOUBLE ALBUM LINED UP

As far as self-explanatory titles go, it's tough to beat R.E.M.'s new one: Reckoning Songs From the Olympia. the jangle-pop greats will release
Four songs from 1984's Reckoning recorded. Olympia Theater in July.