Michael Daves Does Bluegrass Tribute to R.E.M’s ‘Fables of the Reconstruction’

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Jan 152026
 
Michael Daves

On his new EP, bluegrass musician Michael Daves pays tribute to fellow Georgians R.E.M. with a unique take on the quartet’s material. Fables is a six-song EP that pays tribute to R.E.M.’s third album, Fables of the Reconstruction.

With the backing of his usual group of musicians, featuring Alex Hargreaves on fiddle, Jacob Jolliff on mandolin and Erik Alvar, Daves offers a thoroughly bluegrass-ed take on six of R.E.M.’s songs, including “Feeling Gravity’s Pull,” and “Driver 8.” You can watch his cover of “Can’t Get There From Here” below. Continue reading »

Mike Mills Adds Rare Solo Song to Kevin Kinney Covers Project

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Nov 032025
 
Mike Mills Kevn Kinney

Since 2023, new tracks have been released as part of a four LP tribute to Drivin N Cryin lead singer/songwriter Kevn Kinney. The project, eventually being released under the title of Let’s Go Dancing: A Celebration of Kevn Kinney just released its newest song, a cover by Mike Mills, formerly of R.E.M.. Continue reading »

Darius Rucker Launches Cover Series, Starts with R.E.M.

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Oct 022025
 
Darius Rucker

Darius Rucker has been a busy guy. He just recently announced his new supergroup, Howl Owl Howl, featuring R.E.M.‘s Mike Mills and the Black Crowes‘ Steve Gorman.

And now, Rucker has announced a new series that he’ll be doing on TikTok. “Songs I Wish I’d Written” is a series where Rucker will play… well, you know. Episode one kicks off with a great choice: R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts.” In his post, Rucker said simply, “In honor of announcing my new band… here’s episode 1.” Continue reading »

Louisa Stancioff Covers Forgotten REM Single “Strange Currencies”

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May 132025
 
Louisa Stancioff

The fourth single from R.E.M.’s ninth album Monster, “Strange Currencies,” is a little bit “Everybody Hurts 2.” It’s an atypical ballad driven by an arpeggio guitar part – almost soul – the time signature is the same, and the band almost dropped it from the album because of how similar it was to “Everybody Hurts.” It’s grungy like the rest of the album, but it’s still so similar in vibe. Maybe that’s one reason “Strange Currencies” didn’t do as well on the charts (except in the UK for some reason): it’s just too similar to casual fans.

Louisa Stancioff is a singer-songwriter from Maine who has been releasing songs for a couple of years and who put out her debut album a year ago. Now she’s covered this less-covered R.E.M. tune. Continue reading »

Review: Kathleen Edwards’ ‘Covers’

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Apr 182025
 

You can’t get a more direct than Covers, Kathleen Edwards’ newest short LP/long EP. It lets you know exactly what you got, even before you press play. That is commendable, but then Edwards has never been much for one to conceal her thoughts or her situation. This Canadian singer supreme has had a rocky old trail over the past decade or two, since electing to step away from critical acclaim in 2014, after four well-received albums of polished country and roots-derived songmanship.

The Ottawa coffee shop Edwards subsequently opened and ran was called “Quitters.” That might have been a self-deprecating jibe in name, but it was only later she revealed her then battle with depression had led to her tactical withdrawal from the music business. She returned to music in 2020, we all know what then came along to wreak worldwide havoc. This is her second release since her return, and her first since COVID lockdown and her eventual sale of Quitters.

The eight songs on Covers are a good mix of the likely and the unexpected, broadly drawn from Edwards’ fellow ranks of singer-songwriters. Springsteen, Petty and Pride are among the former, but songs from The Flaming Lips and Supertramp get a turn also. With backing of electric guitars, keyboards, occasional strings and a rhythm section, Edwards sings and plays acoustic. Greg Leisz and Scott Thurston are two of the accompaniments dropping by, on guitars and bass, respectively, each a sign of her esteem amongst peers.
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