When R.E.M. session and touring guitarist Scott McCaughey joined Josh Kerns and me last week for our KIRO 97.3 radio show, Seattle Sounds, he mentioned that he was in town working with his longtime friend and collaborator Peter Buck on a solo album. McCaughey said the R.E.M. co-founder is talking about putting the record out only on vinyl — without an mp3 download. As for the sound of the record, McCaughey says it’s going to be pretty “out.” McCaughey had no details on when the record would be completed or when it would be released, but he did say that it’s possible that Buck will sing on the record — but not to expect him to do the same live.Buck has kept a busy schedule since R.E.M. called it quits last year. He’s remained active with bands the Minus 5, the Baseball Project, and Robyn Hitchcock and The Venus 3 — three bands that also feature McCaughey.