I had read a while back that Peter Buck said R.E.M. would tour through November. Since their European tour only goes through October 4, I hoped they would come back through the U.S. When they added dates in Mexico City, then New Orleans, and then Dallas, I thought I would get a chance to see them again.

Now, that doesn’t look very likely. The band announced a swing through South America that takes them through the middle of November.

The band has only toured South America once before. That took place in 2001 so I’m sure they see the pent up interest in returning there, especially since Accelerate has done so well commercially. Still, I hoped they would try to make one last push in the U.S., especially with the election looming.

I shouldn’t complain too much. I got to see a pretty damn good show earlier this summer. If I get off my ass one of these days, I can download pretty much any show from this tour that I want to enjoy vicariously.

But that won’t make up for the real thing. I’m just selfish, that’s all.