As the tour to support “Accelerate” approaches, Peter Buck has started to puff out his chest because, as he puts it, he finally got his way.

I always complained and I always suggested that we work quicker and more spontaneously. The other guys weren’t into it. I think maybe the reception (‘Around the Sun’) got kind of shocked them and made them realize … I was right, we can’t work like this any longer.

Those comments came from a Billboard interview where Buck also said he has written a bunch of songs for the next album (the thought of that pumps me up beyond belief), and he hopes Mike Mills and Michael Stipe agree that fast, loud, and quick is the way to go.

Peter also said that the set lists for the tour, which kicks off May 23, will go back deep into their catalog. He referenced how the band resurrected some oldies during their Dublin “live rehearsals” about nine months ago.

I have a few “requests” and can’t wait until I get to see them in mid-June.