R.E.M. front man Michael Stipe has gotten Internet religion.

Fans will now be able to get free access to download his latest album through the social-networking application iLike, starting on March 24.

"Accelerate," the band’s first studio album after a four-year hiatus will debut online ahead of its April 1 official release date.

“It was one of those ideas that was presented to us and it seemed like a good one so we ran for it,” Mr. Stipe told Billboard.com.

The early online launch will allow fans to stream and share the entire album across Facebook and other networking sites that use the popular widget iLike.

R.E.M. will give fans 11 songs, and an exclusive video of the band talking about the album will be available for fans to use in their Facebook, MySpace, or other profile pages.

Mr. Stipe said in the Billboard interview that the social-networking distribution model fit with the spirit of the album. 

"Accelerate" is politically charged and could prompt discussions across profiles pages through fun walls and other widgets.

""Accelerate' is intense and relevant, with songs inspired by the WTO riots in Seattle, the Hurricane Katrina disaster, and other topical themes,” iLike CEO Ali Partovi said in a statement.

Mr. Stipe continues to show his political stripes--he was spotted last week in Florida at the Langerado music festival wearing a Barack Obama T-shirt.