Cover Me Impressed: 10,000 Maniacs

I actually have a bit of breaking news to go along with this regular feature. Natalie Merchant, former lead singer of 10,000 Maniacs, has been persuaded out of retirement by Nonesuch Records and will have a new record in the spring. This is a big surprise because she hasn't had an album of original songs since 2001, and she quit the business about seven years ago to raise her daughter. Although, admittedly, I never got into her solo work, I love her voice and put the 10,000 Maniacs album 'In My Tribe' among my top records of the '80s.

Today's featured song, "(Don't Go Back To) Rockville", originally appeared on 'Reckoning', R.E.M.'s second album. Merchant and Co. recorded it for the "Candy Everybody Wants" single in 1993. As you will hear, they remained true to the original. It's not surprising since Merchant's obvious affection for R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe has been well documented over the years. For those on the hunt for this single, it's worth noting there is another cover on it. The band was also true to Morrissey's "Everyday Is Like Sunday". Yes, "Candy Everybody Wants" is a cover collector's dream. Enjoy.

10,000 Maniacs - (Don't Go Back To) Rockville (mp3)
R.E.M. - (Don't Go Back To) Rockville (mp3)