Hear The Decemberists Cover R.E.M. – “Cuyahoga”

Given the Decemberists’ recent collaboration with guitarist Peter Buck and their outspoken love for the classic Athens, Georgia group, from whom they drew inspiration for their latest album, it comes as no surprise that Colin Meloy and friends have so seamlessly taken on R.E.M.’s 1986 Lifes Rich Pageant cut, “Cuyahoga.” While they have been performing the cover live for a few years now, the best version arrived today as the opening tune in their 8-song set on KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic. Enjoy their rendition — which could’ve rested comfortably among the tracklist for The King Is Dead, IMO — above.