Just as Bono has described what a 'force' REM are, so Mike Mills has spoken of how 'proud' he is of U2.

After hearing the new REM album Reveal, Bono told USA Today that it is 'extraordinary'.

'I felt ill when I heard it.' he said. 'It's a very beautiful, awe inspiring record. REM is a force.'

Mills and Michael Stipe flew back from Europe last Friday, where they had been promoting their new album, in time to see U2's Elevation show in Atlanta. While in Europe Mills spoke to the BBC, and was asked about his motivation in continuing to make music?

'To make a better record than U2.' he responded. 'I couldn't be happier for those guys and proud of them. Why do we do it? Because we couldn't do anything else. I'm no good at doing much than writing songs and playing instruments.'

The two bands have known each other for many years and even share crew members if touring at different times. REM recorded parts of the new album in Dublin last year, where they saw a lot of U2. On Friday, in Atlanta, Bono incorporated snatches of REM's Losing My Religion and Everybody Hurts during U2's song One.