The influence of R.E.M. on indie-folk outfit The Decemberists is no secret — Peter Buck even guests on the band’s chart-topping new album The King is Dead — so it’s no surprise to see that Colin Meloy and Co. trotted out a reverent cover of “Cuyahoga” off Lifes Rich Pageant during the band’s visit to KCRW’s “Morning Becomes Eclectic” on Thursday.
You can stream and/or download the track, and, as a bonus, watch the Decemberists’ entire 45-minute session — which opens with the “Cuyahoga” cover, complete with Meloy reading the lyrics, Michael Stipe-style — in the player below.
Watch and download the Decemberists’ cover of ‘Cuyahoga’ after the jump…
The Decemberists, ‘Cuyahoga’ by Slicing Up Eyeballs