Another layer to pop: the five best covers of R.E.M.
The art of the cover is often overlooked in the world of music. Many people merely see it as an artist playing the music of another artist, and while that is what it is on a surface level, it offers a lot more than that. You can see how different artists think based on the kind of songs they cover and how they cover them. It provides another layer to both artists involved, enriching the listening experience as a whole.
R.E.M. are considered by many to be one of the best bands of all time. As pioneers in the world of alternate music, they can truly explore various moods and feelings within their sound, delivering catchy tunes with lots to unpack in the process. In cementing themselves as such a monumental band, they have left behind an extensive catalogue of hits, meaning anyone keen on covering them has plenty of options to choose from.
Throughout these songs, there are a few elements that stand out. Peter Buck has a ringing, arpeggiated guitar style, which has become synonymous with the band. Equally, the lead singer, Michael Stipe, has a distinctive vocal tone and way with lyrics that are infectious to anyone who listens. Pair both of those with the tight rhythm section, and you have a unique sound, one that you immediately associate with the band.
However, despite the band’s iconic style, that doesn’t mean other artists haven’t taken their songs and applied their spins to them. The likes of The Decemberists, Pavement and Editors have all put their own spin on R.E.M. tracks, and this list will look at some of the very best.
The five best covers of R.E.M:
The Decemberists – ‘Cuyahoga’
The band invited Peter Buck to play guitar on their album The King Is Dead, and in homage to him and his band, they decided to cover one of R.E.M’s tracks, specifically, ‘Cuyahoga.’ Their rendition is a beautiful tip of the hat to R.E.M. that sees The Decemberists stay true to their sound while still incorporating that undeniable R.E.M. essence.
The song was a bold one for the band to cover as it is well-loved by a number of different R.E.M. fans, so it will have no doubt undergone intense scrutiny. However, they create a beautiful rendition where the song can still be recognised but acts as a second helping rather than a complete replica.
Old 97’s – ‘Driver 8’
Old 97’s have released 12 studio albums throughout their time as a band, and they don’t tend to do loads of covers; however, on their 2010 EP Mimeograph, they decided to include a unique rendition of R.E.M’s song ‘Driver 8’. This is closer to the original than The Decemberists, but it is still nice and unique-sounding.
The original single was the second release from the band’s third album, Fables of the Reconstruction. The minor chords throughout the song allow for the moody atmosphere that R.E.M. eventually made their own.
Editors – ‘Orange Crush’
Many bands, when they cover a song, slow it down or speed it up and think that in making those changes, they’ve done enough. That’s the vibe listeners will get when they first turn on Editors cover of ‘Orange Crush’, but when the song gets going, it’s clear they’re taking it in a much different direction.
Editors create a funky and brooding version of the track that is as undeniable as it is dance-worthy. The song starts incredibly slow, but it picks up within 20 seconds. It is unrelenting for the rest of the track, which is an excellent cover.
Pavement – ‘Camera’
Pavement decided to slow down the cover and leave it at that in their rendition of ‘Camera’, but because of the nature of the song and the tone which Pavement can achieve, the result doesn’t just sound like a slowed-down song but instead has spooky and sinister connotations.
Pavement manages to completely change how this song is perceived by fans, taking a track that is already full and adding more layers to it. The result is an enhanced listening experience for both R.E.M. and Pavement fans.
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – ‘Shiny Happy People’
When orchestras decide to deliver a symphonic version of a pop song, the result often divides crowds, but the way The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra manage to alter ‘Shiny Happy People’ makes the track undeniably beautiful. They follow the same structure but elevate the song with more instruments and various musicians contributing.
Despite the divisiveness nature of such covers, it’s a good job that this one exists, and it provides a different way for people to connect with a song that already means a lot to them.
