Since releasing their acclaimed #1 album The King Is Dead, the Decemberists have covered the Grateful Dead, R.E.M., and the Louvin Brothers. Well, their new iTunes session, out today, adds two more artists to that list: Leonard Cohen and Fruit Bats.
In their new session, which you can buy here, Colin Meloy and the gang tackle Cohen’s “Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye” and the Bats’ “When U Love Somebody” alongside six originals. “When U Love Somebody” sashays along at a brisk pace, while “Hey, That’s No Way” takes a more meditative folk-rock stroll. The violin and slide guitar solos prove particularly moving on that one. Listen to both below.
The Decemberists – Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye (Leonard Cohen cover)
The Decemberists – When U Love Somebody (Fruit Bats cover)
Pick up the full session at iTunes.
That L. Cohen cover rings of Gram and EmmyLou. Nice swells. Great catch, Ray!
The Decemberists covering the Fruit Bats? My little indie life is complete.