Theme From Two Steps Onwards

Theme From Two Steps Onwards is, and always has been, my favourite unreleased R.E.M. song ever since I first heard it when I bought a VHS of the 1985 Rockpalast show back in 2000. Naturally I was delighted when a studio recording appeared on the And I Feel Fine release although, in hindsight, I think the live version is a better performance of the song, for one thing Stipe's singing is frequently off key in the studio version.

Not sure why this song didn't end up on Lifes Rich Pageant as it's classic R.E.M. yet slightly quirky with a fantastic bass line. I've heard rumours from a friend that there is a recording in existence with a horn section during the outro which makes sense because this could be what Stipe is emulating with his strange sounds at the end of the song. I don't know whether it was the song or the spirit of the band at the time but I get the impression Stipe was bored of this one when he remarks "who's clapping and what for?" after the song is played on Rockpalast.

Despite preferring the live version my cover is predominantly based on the studio recording with the dual bass line, which I love, and the little country-style guitar riff in the bridge.

Moral Kiosk

Another difficult Murmur song to cover. I consider it a compliment to Don Dixon, Mitch Easter and the band that I had such difficulty recreating the sound of this song. I also fail hopelessly at recreating, what I refer to as, the second middle 8, I have no idea what Peter Buck is doing here, some kind of variation on a G chord I think.

I consider Moral Kiosk one of the under-rated gems of Murmur, it's hidden away between two classic songs and it's really obscure lyrically and even instrumentally it's quite complex. In fact, there are a lot of really complex songs on Murmur, 9-9 being another one. It's incredible that these complex, mature songs came from a band in their early twenties.

Texarkana

One of those songs where I can't remember why I ever decided to cover it because I've never been a huge fan of Texarkana, although in covering the song I've grown to appreciate it more. I love the strings in the song, they're subtle but give the song real emotional depth and the slide guitar gives the song a nice country feel.

This is one of two songs where the band have recycled the riff from The One I Love, the other being All The Best, here it is featured during the "catch me if I fall part".

Just a quick note about Out Of Time as an album, I consider it as being one of three "messy" albums, the others being Lifes Rich Pageant and Collapse Into Now. But with the first two it works in providing a quirky selection of songs and a fun listen. Lifes Rich Pageant features a cover, a Mike Mills vocal and a general feeling of joyful inconsistency, with Out Of Time you have guest singers, an instrumental and two songs with Mike Mills on lead vocal. Unfortunately with Collapse Into Now the formula of bringing on guest singers feels less joyful and more an attempt to make up for the fact their singer's voice isn't what it used to be. Incidentally, it's ironic with Out Of Time that when Michael Stipe's voice is at it's ultimate peak he steps back and has less involvement with the album than he ever would do with an R.E.M. album again.

Maps And Legends

In time I've grown to love the Athens demos released with the 2010 re-issue of Fables Of The Reconstruction. I just love the fact every song is given the same treatment, and that is four musicians playing live with no overdubs. Maps And Legends struck me as being one song from this collection that seemed least fully realised and in its early stages, whereas a song like Driver 8 sounded near identical to what ended up on the album, albeit a little slower in tempo. Aside from Stipe not having completed the lyrics yet the verses also sounded quieter with less percussion and then they would sort of bounce back into the chorus each time. So it was this recording that inspired this cover version.

I also think this song could feature probably my favourite Mike Mills bass line ever. It's a perfect example of a melodic style of bass playing, the complete opposite to the sort of unimaginative bass line that is simply locked to the guitar chords. A joy to learn to play. But not one of my better covers.