Michael Stipe, who lays down the vocals for R.E.M., joins the ranks of YouTube auteurs everywhere with his release (?) of a five-part cinematic experience entitled “Tribute To YouTube 5 Year” .

The clips were filmed while the band records their newest album in New Orleans. Each clip lasts about 30-60 seconds so the word “experience” may be hyperbolic, but then again? The title may signify the upcoming five year anniversary of Katrina? It may be a nod to YouTube’s internet presence for five years now? It may also be pipelined from Stipe’s id? It may also have some searing social commentary about the meme enterprise and the cheap commodity of art? I’ll let you parse out the clips and see for yourself.

Still no more news about R.E.M.’s forthcoming followup to 2008’s Accelerate, but, as the videos suggests, Stipe seems to be in good, if not very odd, spirits.